The Film Daily (1922)

.^' .^/ THE ■fXH*^ DAILY Sunday, July 16, 1922 'f 'Good Production But Story Is Not Easy to Follow Betty Compson in "ALWAYS THE WOMAN" Goldwyn DIRECTOR Arthur Rosson AUTHOR Perley Poore Sheehan SCENARIO BY Perley Poore Sheehan CAMERAMAN Ernest Palmer AS A WHOLE May satisfy those who can understand it but it is much too incomprehensive for the average audience STORY A weird and fantastic concoction of situations, scenery and time ; too complicated in its romance DIRECTION Varies; good as far as production is concerned but hasn't maintained a proper comprehension PHOTOGRAPHY Usually very good LIGHTINGS Good STAR Does very good work at times SUPPORT Doris Pawn, Macey Harlam and Emory Johnson strive to make you believe in them EXTERIORS All right INTERIORS Suitable DETAIL Fair CHARACTER OF STORY Egyptian mystic leads American dancer to desert claiming she is reincarnated spirit of ancient queen and that a treasure awaits her in a secret tomb in the desert LENGTH OF PRODUCTION .5,450 feet It is possible that Betty Compson's personally produced production "Always the Woman" will satisfy those who like unusual settings, fantastic atmosphere and reincarnation themes, but they will have to accept all this without getting a very definite idea of their relation to each other because the offering is generally quite incomprehensive. The story is not sufficiently well put together for the spectator to grasp it readily and clearly. He can get a fair idea of what it is all about but not enough to satisfy him if he wants to sit back and thoroughly enjoy it. Arthur Rosson has provided a fairly spectacular production and there are numerous attractive settings tliat are excellently lighted and splendidly photographed. Those representing the interior of the temple are interesting and some pretty desert locations with a few beautiful night shots are the 1)est of the exteriors. It would seem that the director has given too much attention to artistic detail and not enough to story development. One reason for the story's failure to be clear is the lack of a definite premise at the start. The characters are introduced, one after the other, without enough explanation as to their relations in the play. Those who have no trouble in placing the characters right off will not find it difficult to follow the rest of the story, but if they miss out at the start, the remainder of the picture is bound to be a bit vague. The Egyptian sequence in the latter reels bears a resemblance to the recent Sheik pictures and contains a certain amount of audience appeal that can undoubtedly be relied upon to please them. Betty Compson gives a good performance and in the scenes where the Egyptian mystic tries to persuade her into believing that she is a reincarnated spirit of his ancient queen, she offers some good humorous touches and the subtitles bring a few laughs. Emory Johnson is suitable as the hero while Macey Harlam glories in the role of the Egyptian statesman. Story : Celia Thaxter, a dancer en route to the Orient, is told by a mystic on board the ship that she is the reincarnated spirit of an ancient Egyptian qtieen and that a great treasure, hidden in the desert, awaits her coming. Kelim Pasha, an Egyptian statesman, also on board, desires the dancer and plans to win her through his lackey. Stanhope, who proposes to Celia. Meantime Celia has fallen in love with Boone, an American, whose wife is in love with Pasha. How Pasha's plans are spoiled and Celia marries Boone, remains to be told. Star's Name and Desert Atmosphere Can Be Played Up Box Office Analysis for the Exhibitor Exhibitors will have to decide for themselves whether or not they can show "Always the Woman" and satisfy their patrons because it depends upon just what your particular clientele wants. If they like romance and don't mind it being fairly improbable, they will accept the Betty Compson feature. Or if you happen to know they are interested in the theory of reincarnation you can tmdoubtedly bring them in by playing up this angle of the story. Where the star is a favorite it may go very well. If you have played any recent Sheik pictures and did good business, it might be well to let them know there is desert atmosphere in this. Stills should bear you out and use pictures of the Egyptian characters. Catchlines relative to the chorus girl who Vv'as once Egypt's queen might attract attention.