The Film Renter and Moving Picture News (September-October 1922)

October 28, 1922. oS oo 2 3 oO SS EOS OOS OSES THE FILM RENTER & MOVING PICTURE NEWS. $5 Films of the Week Reviewed FOR THE GUIDANCE OF EXHIBITORS. =—)p— 3 023 =—I—3 Fortune’s Mask. O. Henry story, well handled; possesses weil sustalned interest. N O. Henry story with the title of *‘ Fortune’s Mask "’ has A been adapted und the title retained for the picture which Vitagraph showed to the London trade last week. It, venue is a Central American State—Anchuria—and the habit oi ScenE From ** Fortune’s Mask.” republics to change their presidents by less constitutional means than those adopted elsewhere is a prominent feature of the film. President Olivarra has been assassinated, and his successor is a tyrant, preserving his power by speedy *‘ elimination ’’ of his enemics. His spies keep their eves on a new arrival in the on town who-.opens a tobacconist’s shop and boasts in the name of Dicky Maloney. He falls in love with Pasa Ortiz, daughter of a widow who keeps the Café Cualidado, and, contrary to Anchurian propriety, walks cut with her, kisses her, and eventually marries her. One of the new president's creatures enters the shop and attempts to kiss the new wife, but Dicky, arriving, severely handles him. He is arrested, but gets free on Proclamation Day, arriving just in-time to receive the plaudits of the crowd gathered without the palace, and stands revealed as Ramon Olivarra, son-of the president murdered years before. The tobacconist’s shop was, of course, only a ‘ blind "’ to cover conspiracy. The whole subject has been well handled, and, allowing for the eccentric methods of government and administration which characterise these out-of-the-way countries which Anchuria typifies, does not appear extravagant. The crowd scenes outside the palace are attractively. managed, and some bright humour introduced in unlikely places. Earle Williams, as Dicky Maloney, and Patsy Ruth Miller, as Pasa Ortiz, carry off the acting honours, and ‘‘ Fortune’s Mask,’’ which has been given a U certificate, should be well booked for its release—which, however, is not until October next. iatized by GOogle 0 Fascination. Mae Murray in Spanish Toreador story that should achieve popularity. ’ showed to the London trade at the Palace Theatre this . week, is a picture that should have a wide popularity. Mae Murray has the leading part, and acts with vivacity and skill throughout, only in very rare instances finding the situation beyond her. D’: for. release in December, ‘‘ Fascination,’? which Jury's The setting of the story is Spain, where Doris de Lisa, daughter of-a Spanish father and American mother, is staying. She attends, unknown to her aunt, a bull fight, and becomes fascinated by the tcreador, Carrita. The Count de Morera offers to introduce her to him if she will attend a ball he is giving. She learns that Carrita is attracted by dancers, so dances, in a costume with horns, a dance expressing gracefully the movements of the bull in the arena. This attracts Carrita, but creates jealousy in the heart of Parola, a dancer whe owns a cabaret, to which the party adjourns. Meanwhile her relatives are frantic regarding her disappearance, and search for her, her father entering the cabaret where she is. Here he meets Parola, an old flame, whom he spurns, while she, in revenge, accuses him of being the father of her son, Carrita. Doris eavesdrops upon the pair, and when de Lisa escapes finds herself imprisoned with the jealous Parola. Here Carrita enters, and while Parola urges the slaying of Doris’s father, Doris pleads for his life. The picture closes with Carrita foiled in his intention, Doris receiving the dagger meant for her father. She recovers, however, and is seen in the arms of her lover, Ralph Kellogg, ‘her fascination for the toreador having faded out. ScENE FROM ‘ FAScINATION.”’ The bull fight scenes are well planned, and throughout the settings are very attractive. The story weakens towards the end, but interest is maintained. In addition to the acting of Mae Murray, that of Helen Ware, as the dancer who has had her day, deserves commendation for its sincere interpretation cf varying emotions. ‘‘ Fascination '’ should do well.