The Film Renter and Moving Picture News (Jul-Aug 1922)

22. THE FILM RENTER & MOVING PICTURE NEWS. August 5, 1922. SUPERB FOREST FIRE SCENES. European’s Big Picture, ‘The Storm,” gets Over with Some Big Fire Scenes in a Forest and Fine Snow-Storm Effects. A Somewhat Commonplace Story that drags badly at times and is in need of Drastic Cutting, possesses Great Exploitation Possibilities, TORM,” which the European Motion Picture overcome and Burr carries her through the flames. They finally 66 HE S Company screened to the trade on Tuesday, is a curious picture made up of a somewhat toshy story relieved with a big climax in the shape of a forest fire, which is marvellously well done, and chiefly notable for its setting in the Canadian North West. The story in parts drags very badly and the picture could do with considerable cutting. It is on the whole very well produced, and if it had had a better scenario would have undoubtedly made a very big picture. In its present form there are many criticisms to be levelled against it, the main one of which is that for a considerable period there is little or no action, whilst the acting is not always adequate to the occasion. Thrilling Rapids Scene. The story deals with one Burr Winton, a stalwart woodsman, who invites his friend, Dave Stewart, a city-bred man, to his eabin in the mountains to spend the winter. A Frenchman, Fanchaud, living with his daughter Manette, is arrested for smuggling. By the aid of his daughter he escapes arrest, but is badly wounded. He manages to get to the cabin of Winton after a thrilling scene, in which in a canoe he shoots the rapids and has hairbreadth escapes whilst journeying down a_ boiling river. He dies in the cabin of Winton, in whose charge he leaves his daughter. A blinding blizzard prevents Winton from taking Manette to a convent, and Manette, Winton and Dave, cut off from the rest of the world, are forced to live in the cabin until spring. Both Burr and Dave fall in love with Manette and they become insanely jealous of cach other, As the days pass there becomes evident every human weakness that ultra-civilisation has developed in David, and every primitive good quality that the woods have kept in Burr. Fleeing from Fire. They are willing tou murder each other from the second day over Manette, but she does everything. in her power to keep them friendly. Through a ruse Dave manages to make Burr believe that Manette loves him (Dave), and Burr starts out from the cabin to-obtain supplies from an outpost. He is stopped by a forest fire. Starting slowly, the yellow flames whip themselves into a devastating fury. Burr manages to reach the cabin and endeavours to help the others to safety. The huge forest soon is a solid mass of flame and smoke, driving wild animals before it as well as the fleeing trio. Manette is CARL LAEMMLE PRESENTS MARY PICKFORD | As she appeared twelve years ago. Weloli (enna -¥ Wiel bt A Real old-time Movie Show iT’S A UNIVERSAL Distributed by European Motion Picture Co. 169 Wardour St. Digitized by Go ( gle Burr rushes Manette reach water, but Dave has fallen by the way. back into the thick of the flames and rescues Dave. ” ScENE FROM *' THE Storm. declares her love for Burr and they are made happy, through Dave's explanation of his trickery. * Peautiful North-West Settings. There are some remarkably fine scenes with settings in the cold and barren north west, and in particular the scenes where Fanchaud shoots the rapids are remarkably well done. The scene where Winton, Dave and Manette fight their way through a forest fire to safety is one of the big punches of the film and undoubtedly makes this production intensely thrilling. Nothing finer than this has been done on the film, and if for this scene alone ‘* The Storm *’ deserves to succeed. It is a pity, however, that more action is not introduced into the lives of these three whilst thrown together in a cabin and devoid of ali help from outside. One gets the impression that there is always going to be a fight between Winton and Stewart and are curiously disappointed that it never comes to a head. Virginia Valli as Manette gives a very fascinating portrayal of the Frenchman's daughter, and her performance throughout Playing opposite is House Peters, who is His portrayal of is exceedingly good. typically suited to this class of production. the on the whole, very effective, but at times one is apt to lose sympathy with him. Matt Moore as Dave Stewart is also quite effective in his way. silent woodsman is, The production is extremely well handled as one would expect. from such an excellent producer as Reginald Barker. ‘‘ The Storm’? is a good showman’s picture as it possesses great exploitation possibilities in its extraordinarily fine scenes of the shooting of the rapids. Exhibitors will be well advised to view this production for themselves. Original from NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY