The Film Daily (1922)

THE -.gBg^ DAILV Tuesday, November 21, IJ, Newspaper Opinions "The Pride of Palomar" — Paramount Rivoli TIMES — The old story of the mortgage on the homestead with variations. * ♦ * Japan is made the villain, or at least the Japanese in California. ♦ * • As a melodrama the picture doesn't score very heavily. Its action doesn't run smoothly and there are too many places in which the manipulating hand of the story-teller is seen. Also, Forrest Stanley is scarcely the type of jingo needed for the leading role. There are, however, a number of efifective camera shots in the production and a well-done horse race. WORLD — This is intended to be a western romantic thriller, with a little anti-Japanese propaganda running through it. It is no better and no worse than the average film of its general type which used to be seen so often. It is illogical and far fetched, yet it has a definite plot of heroism for the leading man and the leading woman. So far as its effect upon Japanese-American relations is concerned, it is nothing to be excited about. * * * It is all beautifully photographed, and Miss Daw is a pretty girl. HERALD — Propaganda lifts its unprepossessing head, and it proves to be just as dull and just as artificial as it was in the days when propaganda films were a matter of national necessity. "The Pride of Palomar'" attempts to expose the Japanese menace. The exposure is feeble and ineflectual. * * * Well enough directed by Frank Borzage, but given such third rate material to work with his job could have been nothing more than mechanical. TRIBUNE— Acted as though it was never going to get under way and then, when it did. it acted as though it was never going to stop. As a matter of fact, the course it took was such a familiar one that the story might have found its way about alone. AMERICAN — I've never seen one (horse race) as stirring, as photographically accurate and as dramatic as that which enables the hero to come into his own. * * * Characters dashed, raced and rushed through the picture. There was never a moment devoid of "action." MORNING TELEGRAPH— The story is rather a limping, far-fetched one. but the picture is distinguished by a decided charm of atmosphere. * • » The direction of Frank Borzage is responsible for the best of the picture and the acting is excellent. EVE. WORLD — Good screen entertainment, * ♦ * lends itself to the screen about as well as any novel we ever read and, whether you've ever read the book or not, we feel sure you'll like the film version. GLOBE — But an ordinary melodrama. * * * Frank Borzage has given the picture careful direction, but the point to be commended, is the excellent photography. SUN — Looks as if it had been made to satisfy a modern director's conception of the ideal story to knock 'em off their seats. * * * has a well pictured derby, and although the propaganda against the Japanese is obviously inspired and biassed, "it might be termed a good race picture. MAIL — There is a good racing scene which carries more or less of a thrill to the spectator, but the picture as a whole seems to be made up of a series of only slightly related incidents, so that one often wonder's where the plot is going to and why. EVE. TELEGRAM— One of the most beautiful created by Cosmopolitan. It is filled with thrilling action. JOURNAL— Most interesting and romantic. POST — Has its moments when some good comedy comes to the rescue, and the audience did seem to enjoy it all immensely. The realistic background, the characters, beautiful photography, and an exciting horse race — all assets for a film — failed to save it, and the ridiculous, almost burlesque, handling of the anti-Japanese propaganda cast a shadow over the good comedy situations. Managerial Changes Robstown, Tex. — E. L. Mosive has been apointed manager of the Aldine. Chicago — Charles J. Schafer has taken over Nathan T. Brenner's Garfield. Little Rock, Ark. — The Palace has been leased to John F. Boyle. Wm. May will be the house manager. Colorado Springs, Col. — Nick Kolgaklis is the new manager and owner of the Star. Pittsburgh — Frank Ray of the F. B. O. forces will manage the new Lincoln for L. Moogerman, the owner. "Ebb Tide"— Paramount— Rialto MORNING TELEGRAPH— Exceedingly satisfactory entertainment. It is a picturesque, dramatic tale of the South Seas enacted by an especially capable cast and creditably directed by George Melford ♦ ♦ ♦ W'ell worth while. It should enjoy considerable popularity. McDonald. Pa. — S. J. Pusateri is now owner and manager of the Grand formerly the Louvoy. McKee Rocks, Pa. — Morris Barsky formerly of the Juniata, at Juniata, is now manager of Max Engleberg's Strand and Liberty. Held Caricatures for Universal J. Held, Jr., caricaturist, will make a series of drawings of stars for Universal Joy Week ads. r 21, IJ. DAILY NEWS — Excellent melodrama, sometimes a little obvious, but most always thrilling. * * • Pictorially. the burning of the schooner was most effective, while Raymond Hatton did the most convincing acting. The original story far surpassed the direction. WORLD — There is little of Stevenson in this version, although subtitles reflecting his style are liberally sprinkled tliroughout the picture. ♦ « ♦ odds and ends from every sea story ever filmed. Handicapped as they were by the characters around them and the director above thern, George Fawcett, Raymond Hatton and Noah Beery contrived to be startingly effective as the hard-boiled seamen and homicidal parent, lliey have a fine twenty minu.tes. TIMES — Seems to have more girl-andvirtue intensity than one is accustomed to find in the free-flung thrillers. Apparently it has been conventionalized somewhat by the dependable movit mill. But it has not been utterly ruined. A good deal of what is surely authentic remains, and. like most of the Stevenson material, it is good screen copy. With George Melford to direct the production, and George Fawcett. Raymond Hatton and James Kirkwood to play the principal parts, the film lands well above the line of negligibility. HERALD — There is a great deal of real interest. Even though its plot is a trifle forced, its people are glaringly real, and are therefore strong enough to establish themselves as something more than flickering shadows. ♦ ♦ * George Fawcett and Raymond Hatton manage to convey a note of vivid reality. Whenever they are within view the atmosphere is bound to be charged with drama. George Melford directed "Ebb Tide," and has made his picture convincing. As much cannot be said for his thrills. EVE. WORLD— Makes good film entertainment ♦ * ♦. In spots the photography equals anything yet seen on Broadway. GLOBE — If there ever has been a better South Sea story it was not the good fortune of this writer to have seen it. * * * The rapidity with which the studios are turning out intelligent adaptations of literary classics must be extremely confusing to the professional reformers. SUN — Deserves to be catalogued as one of the very best nictures directed by George Melford. ♦ • * It is a colorful, exciting melodrama of the South Seas, and is replete with many skillful touches. • ♦ * We advise attendance as this is an unusually exciting picture — and for once we have a South Sea film which really looks like it was taken in the haunts that Frederick O'Brien made famous. JOURNAL— South Seas thriller. .MAIL — Overlooks nothing when it comes to thrills. * ♦ * So full of action as to satisfy the most exacting lover of melodrama. POST — An absorbing film * ♦ ♦ underthe-sea photography is well done and is very real. New First Run for Utica (Special to THE FILM DAILY) Utica, N. Y.— The Criterion Theater Co. have engaged Thomas Lamb, New York architect, to plan a 2,500 seat, first-run house on Lafayette and Washington Sts. Will Fight Sunday Closing (Special to THE FILM DAILY) Cleveland, Ohio — The exhibitors throughout the state are preparing to fight organizations and various individuals who are opposing the Sunday opening. Ginsberg in Denver f (Special to THE FILM DAILY |j Denver — Henry Ginsberg, '^ manager of the Al Lichtman C is here. New Fox Pictures Fox has announced many new productions to be released in the near future, some have already been completed. William Farnum has started work on "Brass Commandments," to be released early next year. "Catch My Smoke," Tom Mix's latest vehicle will be ready late in December. Wm. Beaudine is the director. The John Gilbert production, "A California Romance," ' being directed by Jerome Storm, is nearing completion. Gilbert's next will be "Truxton King." "Three Who Paid," featuring Dustin Farnum is scheduled for release sometime in January. Eva Novak will appear in support of William Russell in "The Great Night," production on which will start soon. Exchanges Protest High Ren (Special to THE FILM DAILY; Kansas City, Mo. — ■ Exchhave registered a silent protest ag high rents by withdrawing fron Film building and colonizing the tion around 18th St. and BaltL Ave. Only Vitagraph and U Artists remain in the Film Build Fun from the Pn I is the only motioi ture which The Li Digest now owns, duces, or is in any ner connected with the "Digest" is beh 1007c. BOOK THE GENUINE Produced by The LiteraryJDi Distributed by the W. W. Hodkinson LOANS ON New Negatives or other Good Collateral Enquire Room 705 — Wool-l worth Bldg., Telephone Barclay 7940 Dependable^ because every print takes all the quality that is in the negative and carries it through to the screen. EASTMAN POSITIVE FILM Eastman Film, both regular and tinted base — now available in nine colors, is identified throughout its length by the words "Eastman" "Kodak" stenciled in black letters in the transparent margin.. EASTMAN KODAK COMPANY ROCHESTER, N. Y.