The Film Daily (1922)

THE -^Hk DAILV M^\ ~ 3» *x Ji Tuesday, April 25, 192 Newspaper Opinions "The Glorious Adventure" — Capitol AMERICAN — Diury Lane melodrama, spectacularly staged, is "The Glorious Adventure," presented in vivid colors at a galloping pace. * ♦ * If you like melodrama intense and unrestrained, with a historical background and action in abundance, "The Glorious Adventure" will hit you fairly between the eye. The new process of color photography employed makes every picture stand out like a holiday postcard, and there is enough violence of action to supply a serial with material. DAILV NEWS— Direction: Competent. Photography; Rainbow stuff. Plot: Gobs of action. Value: About 90 'per cent. TRIBUNE—* * * there is no doubt that the colored photography pleases the eye for a time. It is difficult to analyze one's reaction to seven reels of it, but it seems to us that for every-day use we should prefer our photoplays plain black and white, with a colored insert — perhaps a reel or so. * * * J. Stuart iilackton has written such a good story and produced it so entertainingly that "The Glorious Adventure" would have been a fine picture, no matter what color it had been done in. ♦ ♦ ♦ Lady Beatrice Fair is played by Lady Diana Manners, but she is not so beautiful, nor is she as good an actress as we had hoped. N. Y. WORLD — As color photography in connection with motion picture making goes, "The Glorious Adventure," * * * is a noteworthy piece of work. * » * for the most part, the picture being shown at the Capitol, however, is smeary and greatly over-colored. « ♦ » -j-ijg appearance of Lady Diana is interesting and proves she is not alone a strikingly beautiful woman but a natural actress. HERALD—* * ♦ the great fire of London, wliich is quite literally the high light of the picture. * *. * In fact, the only discordant touch in a magnificent production, -^riic ^rt-st Blaekton ever made, occurs during a slashing fight between the real Earl and several . assailants, when a man's hand is grewsomely hacked off at the wrist. As might be expected in a venture in an untried field, the lighting is uneven and makeup will have to be adapted to the new medium, for the bright complexion of several men seemed on the point of bursting into flame. But in the softly lit scenes the effect was superbly Rembrandtesque, and among the many artistic promises that this picture carries for the future is the expectation that hereafter movies will not have to be as hard and definite as a comic cartoon. » * * Lady Diana Manners acquitted herself creditably for a newcomer to the films. ♦ * ♦ TIMES — This means tliat, while much has been done with colors in the film, the pictures give evidence that much remains to be done before color photography may be said to have been satisfactorily developed. * * * The colors, however, still run to strong hues, with harsh reds predominating, which displeasing effect is heightened by what seems a needless use of red in costumes and settings. * * * In addition to its colors, the film offers Lady Diana Manners in its leading role. According to report, she is considered quite a beauty in England, and she may be approved here by those who like the cold, blond type. Hut, surely, no one will say that she does any acting. The story * * * is set, and elaborately set, in the time of Charles 11. It is pure melodrama, and is often less plausible than even melodrama should be. Also, it seems to take unlicensed liberties with history sometimes. On the whole • * ♦ the production is worth seeing. MORNING TELEGRAPH.—" * * is a new and beautiful addition to screen art. » * # From the standpoint of color photography "The Glorious Adventure" is a notable achievement. • * » London's great fire is marvelously reproduced here. EVENING JOURNALThe most interesting phase * * * is the vivid coloring of the pictures, for the natural hues of every detail in every scene are reproduced with remarkable effect. • * • But all that need have little bearing on the value of the picture as entertainment, and there is much cnlertainment of a melodramatic variety to be seen there. • " • Stalely and unemotional, she (Lady Manners) plays the role of the harried noblewoman in a manner that stirs respect rather than affection for the character^ SUN — This feature * * * which promises something like a revolution in photoplay production, delivers its punch mainly by burning down London after the fashion of 1666. » ♦ ♦ Lady Diana Manners, ♦ ♦ • and proves herself an actress of considerable screen presence and comeliness. * * * MAIL-^The most ambitious attempt ever made in the use of natural colors in motion pictures. * * * "The Glorious Adventure" is a splendidly done picture. At times it is gorgeously Ijcautiful. Lady Diana Manners is altogether acceptable as a screen heroine, a charming, gracious, beautiful young woman, who handles the role of Lady Beatrice Fair splendidly. POST— The beautiful Lady Diana Manners plays Lady Beatrice Fair and, as far as beauty, sweetness and charm are concerned, she leaves little to be desired. But in the emotional parts — well i ♦ * ♦ An improved color process has been used, which, witliout doubt, is a vast improvement upon past efforts. TELEGRAM — The fire scenes gave the Prizma camera a remarkable opportunity of a realism beyond the scope of the ordinary motion picture processes. * ♦ ■• Her (Lady Manners') performance is marked by a refusal to overact her part, and in this she contributes not a little to the realism of the role. GLOBE — For this film is immensely superior to the hand-colored films of earlier days. * * * Of course, it is not to be supposed that this production is perfect in its photography. # ♦ * The various complications have been unfolded with great skill, so that the action is always clear and with fine regard for dramatic effect. » ♦ ♦ Lady Diana Manners, while not disclosing any great talent for emotional acting, does prove herself a beauty. "The Bachelor Daddy"— F. P.-L. Rialto AMERICAN — Entanglement of strange, amusing and distracting troubles * * * a deiighttul romance. N. Y. WORLD—* * * is based upon several ridiculous assumptions. ♦ * ♦ It is therefore not a good picture, and niore's the iiily. It is a pity, because Thomas Meighan is not only a handsome but also a very attractive actor. HERALD — Director Green and Miss Olga Printzlau, adapter, have handled the story with rare charm and restraint, making it an exceptionally alluring and gay film, the best in whicli Jleighan has expanded his smile in a long time. EVENING JOURNAL— "The Bachelor Daddy ' does not defy the conventions, despite the significance of its title. SUN—* * * the five kids in "A Bachelor Daddy" do furnish several scenes that are exceptionally amusing, although they are pure slapstick. The other four-fifths of the picture are gummy with hokum sentiment. MAIL — This picture has a decidedly obvious plot and yet it is interesting none the less and guaranteed not to bore the spectator, first of all, of course, because Tom Meighan is playing the leading role. TELEGRAM—* * * one of the finest photoplays he has yet made for Paramount. "Reported Missing" — Selznick Criterion HERALD—* * * if the spectator takes it just for a high geared, swiftly moving satire on current celluloid melodramas, then he will laugh himself into spasms. * * * TIMES—* * * most of the rough stuff is funny. There's too much of it, of course * * * one grows a little tirqd after thirty minutes of loud laughter at clowning — but this does not alter the fact that there is riotous merriment in "Reported Missing." MORNING TELEGRAPH— If the title "Reported Missing" doesn't excite you, you may be sure the picture will. To miss it " ' "' will be to forfeit an evening of genuine amusement. Apparently. ♦ * • Owen Moore is delightful in the stellar role of "Reported Missnig. EVENING JOURNAL— The situations are funny enough, but after all, farce is an art and requires an art to satirize it. MAIL — Let it be said here and now that as an entertainment it is a howling success. For sheer foolery and rollicking comedy this film is a gem. "Across the Continent"— F. P.-L. Rivoli AMERICAN— Wallace Reid has little to do but smile in his popular manner and look constantly pleasant. ♦ • * The story of "Across the Continent" is negligible, but the cars awaken interest, and — all racing does. TRIBUNE—* * * and it is a vastly interesting picture with a simple story. N. Y. WORLD— It .is rather slow in getting into its stride, but once it does there are thrills and amusement aplenty. HERALD — The early part of the picture, despite Reid's absence, is the best. * * ♦ The photoplay tends to become repetitious as a topical news picture of a motor race. But every flivver owner will enjoy it. * * * MORNING TELEGRAPH—* ♦ * thrilling motion picture entertainment. * ♦ ♦ the producers, supporting cast and director have all done their full share to turn out an excellent picture. * * * EVENING JAURNAL— A bold, courageous, undaunted "tin Lizzie" is the backbone of a story in which every revolution of the wheel is a hair-raiser and the revolutions extended for about three thousand miles. SUN — The Wallace Reid pictures are becoming a stereotyped sort, but they are none the less agreeable to watch. They have a little melodframa and a bit of romance closely interwoven. ♦ * • "Across the Continent" is an enjoyable film. TELEGRAM— Wallace Reid, in "Across the Continent," sets a new pace for auto drivers. * * * GLOBE — Purposely or not, this picture has elements which will appeal to many classes, even though those elements do not fuse into a good story. "Pat" to Open the Hope (Special to THE FILM DAILY Atlanta — The new Hope, in Da s, will be opened by W. C. Patte m Arrangements were discussed st week in New York, at which Sig Samuels agreed to "lend" Pc. son to J. D. Williams for the e\.t. The Givat American ^ RacitKj Came Wallace Reid oi.vi "Best game e\er.' Leon Errol says "3uokie is a jfrea' ;;ame." Marilynn Miller mys "liookie surely is a wonderful game." Complete with horses, cards, etc, At vour dealers or write ROBSON & BOWEN 255 West 42nd Street New ' DOOMl Tha Creak Americiih | Racing Game GET IT TOD As much fun .i~ horse race. Two or two doze I play. Odds fav | bookie. Action on every | turned. Every one wild U 1 $5' W. A. 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