The Film Daily (1922)

THE -;x^. DAILV Saturday, October 14 Griffith Reviews ''Continued from Pace 1) The Transcript says in part: "Griffith tlic larKC romancer, Griffith the historian, Gritlilli the interpreter of the mob were absent. Insteail came Griffith, the teller of a tale of myster\', fashioned and pieced, a story of a haunted house, of bootleggers, young lovers and detectives, Griffith, the troubadour, to repeat his own phrase, is recounting a story to while away a p'casant hour. * * * The events of "One Exciting Night' take place in a rambling mansion on Long Island. • ♦ * Extensive grQunds, dotted with heavy shrubbery, long hallways, curtained alcoves, capacious store rooms, sliding panels and darkened shutters make it an ideal place for intrigue and shady 'lioings.' "The twelve hours which limit the ni tion are crowded with events iiiduding: at least two improbable murders and culminatin;,' in the 'surprise ending' imperative in all mystery dramas. * * • "In adornment of his photographic narrative by incessant pointing of morals. Griffith is in deadly earnest. * * * ■ As the present films progresses, these lapses into moralizing become more infreouent, and the magnificent climax afforded by storm scenes near the close sweeps upon the spectator unchecked by a pause in the action. The soinewhat feeble allegory ditninishes as the forces of nature rise to the height of a. teriffic tempest, transferred to the screen with a vividness unequalled by anythinij of its sort previously, even from Griffith's own hand. "The hall-mark of David Wark Griffith is stamped intangibly upon every foot of filming in 'One Exciting Night,' jus; as patently as his monogram is embossed upon every sub-title panel. But the spectator can not help feeling that Oie director has chosen a mood in which he is not fortunate and such matter a3 might better be set forth more briefly. * ♦ * Only the theatric climax saves the film from a savor of dullness." The Traveller says in part : "It is a mystery story, wholly modern, with no mobs, no spectacular sets or extravagant costuming. 'One Exciting Night' fits it better than any other title could have, for it is all about the wildlest night that any set of actors ever lived through, set forth as only a master like Griffith can do it, and reaching the most stupendous climax that was ever filmed. " 'Stupendous' is the word ; you wanted to rise up on the edge of your seat and scream, but you couldn't have for you would have been powerless to utter a sound. That is the artistry of Griffith, master of the imagination as well of the mechanical means of picture-making." The Globe says in part: "It gave the audience a night crammed full of thrills. Men and women were still palpitating deliciously with fear, or shaking with laughter, as they wended their way homeward. * * • "It doesn't seem possible that a producer has managed to get love, mystery and burlesque comedy all in one film, but Griffith appears to have succeeded pretty well. * * * "A wild chase through a hurricane is the scene that sets the pulses of the audience to juinping wildly and their hair tingling along with their skulls. "Griffith must have felt fully rewarded for his painstaking work in the scene when one enthusiastic man jumped -to his _ feet and yelled 'She's got him' at a critical point of the film. And he must have felt gratified when the dignified first-nighters hurst into uproarious laughter at the antics of a negro servant and his bobbed liair sweetheart." The American said in part: "Nobody would have believed that D. W. Griffith could ever persuade the forces of nature again to give him as thrilling a climax to a motion picture as the river ice scenes in 'Way Down East, but he has done so in 'One Exciting Night.' There is a storm, or rather tornado, in this new photoplay which is indescribably dramatic and it puts the new picture right away into the rank of successes. * ♦ * "He (Griffith), has shown that he is able to construct a thrilling and harrowing detective drama as skillfully as he can build an epic of history. Just at present, however. 'One Exciting Night' is too slow in getting started. Griffith approaches his subject majestically and ponderously, and such a subject isn't worth such an approach. He should cut ruthlessly about three reels out of the first half of the picture. It would then be eight reels long, and the story would Illinois Exhibitors Meeting (Special to THE FILM DAILY) Chicago — The first meeting of the M. P. T. O. of Illinois since the coalition of all exhibitor forces in the state was held at Hotel Sherman yesterday. It was in the nature of a receiUion to National President Sydney S. Cohen and other National officers, as well as a convention of exhibitors for the transaction of general i)usiness. The reception accorded to Cohen, President True of Connecticut, A. J. Moeiier, W. J. O'Toole, chairman of the National Public Service Committee, and other visitors, was of a most enthusiastic character. The work of the National organization and its officers was highly commended and the closest cooperation and support pledged. Cohen delivered a very constructive address on the advances made by the National organization, the close contact maintained by it with all matters of concern to the theater owner; the harmony and cooperation existing, and the many elements of advantage proposed for the future. Addresses were also delivered by True, Moeller and O'Toole. The Illinois Exhibitors are very enthusiastic and are already making local arrangements for the National convention which will be held in Chicago next spring. Cohen and his party left Chicago to attend the M. P. T. O. conventions in Milwaukee and Kansas City. Mayer Negotiating for "The Great Divide" Louis B. Mayer is negotiating for "The Great Divide' for Fred Niblo, to make for Metro release. Big Opening (Special to THE FILM DAILY) Detroit — Houdini's "Man From Beyond," opened at Kunsky's Madison to the biggest business since "The Kid." To Produce on Stage and Screen "Old Husbands and Young Wives," by Ralph Proctor, will be produced and directed by Henry King, on his return from Italy in December. He plans to present a stage version of the story in January and will use the same cast that will be in the picture. The stage and screen productions will be made simultaneously. King leaves on Oct. 28 for Italy, where he will direct Lillian Gish in "The White Sister" for Inspiration Pictures, Inc. gam tremendously by such condensation The best way to tell a slashing mystery story i,s to lump right into the middle of 't. When Griffiffith is finally under way he moves as rapidly and as spiritedly as one could wish until he gets to his really superb clima.x." The Telegram said in part: "It IS as thrilling as any stage drama ever seen. "The first part of the picture is, however, too long, and Griffith wastes too much time getting lo the point. People were actually becoming bored, and no such thing has ever occurred before in any production "■'f,'! wli'ch D. W. had anything to do ♦ * ♦ . T l*^ ^'•°''"' *'^^* ''<■ S^'^f^s us bids fair to riva his ice jam in 'Way Down East,' his battle scenes in war productions and many other realisms wielded by the master hand of the motion picture. • ♦ » Charles Emmet Mack scored as the unfortunate youth who was murdered." Bonding and Banking Regarding the before noted plan of the American Surety Co. to bond producers and distributors, William Ciiurchill, treasurer of the National Agency Co., who is well known in film circles said; "This plan opens up bank credit or the producer who is a good mcra) risk. The National Surety Co. guarantees bank loans by issuing a bond guaranteeing payment to the bank. PreiTiium rates on the bonds are fixed on the amount of loan, the collateral and the nature of the risk as they are on any other bonds. With such a bond actual granting of the loan is a matter of routine. We do the investigation and take the risks. Distribution contracts, whether signed by a distributing organization, state rights buyers or by exhibitors will be taken as collateral if these contracts are believed to be sound." Hyperion Announces Series of Six Hyperion Pictures Corp. announces a new series of six productions for distribution by independent exchanges. "Finger Prints," the first of the series, is now ready. It was directed by Jos. Levering with a cast including Violet Palmer, Emily Lorraine, Aida Horton, Arthur Donaldson, Stanley Walpole, Louis B. Foley, Aida Horton, Arthur Donaldson, Stanley Walpole, Louis B. Foley, Horace James, William Wells, W. J. Gross and Jack Sharkey. "The Seventh Noon," an adaptation of Frederick Orin Bartlett's novel will be the second. I Coast Brevitiei (Special to THE FILM DAI Hollywood — Thomas six-year old dancer, makes hi into pictures in support oi Peggy in "The Little Match \ Owen Moore will be star Victor Heerman who will alsr Sarah Y. Mason is adapting. Anna Q. Nilsson has been appear in Cecil B. DeMille's coming production, the na which has not as yet been ann After finishing the De Mille tion it is expected Miss Nilss enter vaudeville. Bradley King, continuity wr the Thomas H. Ince Studi been presented with a luxuric coupe at the conclusion of a larity" contest conducted by Angeles newspaper. Miss K two original stories, "What , Learned" and "A Man of Act! Ince's fall program. Hunt Stromberg's next pro for Bull Montana will be Rags," an adaption by Davit land from Rene Rivierre's m story, "Silk Purses and Cau Ears." Hughie Fay, assist Theodore Joss, will direct. Bruckman, formerly with Keaton, has been added to the berg staff as sub-title writer a man. H. E. GAU: READ WHAT ABOUT THE THEY SAY YEAR BOOK, Number One I think your Year Book is the most valuable source of information for the motion picture producer, distributor and exhibitor as well as the public that I have ever had the pleasure of reading. r\ t» • ^ Oscar Price Out Jan. 1st— Bigger and Better Than Ever