The Film Daily (1922)

THC iggg^ DAILV Sunday, November 26, 1922 A Big Improvement Over Star's Recent Offerings Katherine MacDonald in "WHITE SHOULDERS" Associated First National Pict. DIRECTOR Tom Forman AUTHOR George Kibbe Turner SCENARIO BY Lois Zellner CAMERAMAN Joseph Brotherton AS A WHOLE Society drama that gives star better vehicle than those she has had recently; contains pretty fair audience appeal STORY The type that pleases a good majority despite some obvious developments and slight improbabilities DIRECTION Satisfactory; nicely mounted production and a thoroughly well suited and capable cast PHOTOGRAPHY UsuaUy good LIGHTINGS Not quite sharp enough STAR Does good work SUPPORT Very good; includes Bryant Washburn, Nigel Barrie, Tom Forman and others EXTERIORS Attractive INTERIORS Appropriate DETAIL Ample CHARACTER OF STORY Mother trying to secure rich husband for her daughter exposes girl to numerous embarrassments and misfortunes LENGTH OF PRODUCTION 5,966 feet This is without doubt the best story that Katherine MacDonald has had recently. It gives her a role that demands a display of her dramatic ability and doesn't rely upon her beauty alone to make it a success. The star handles the part especially well and seems thoroughly sincere in her interpretation. The theme does not, however, take her into a new atmosphere. It would be nice to see Katherine MacDonald in a story, sometime, that would require her to be a happy, cheerful person instead of habitually sad and distressed. "White Shoulders" is a theme, familiar in its principles, but built up with interesting by-plot and incident that keeps it from being commonplace. It is the old idea of a mother with a beautiful daughter, auctioning the girl off to the highest bidder. This in itself is not new but the development, though occasionally a bit obvious, makes it quite interesting and Director Forman has handled it in a way that holds the attention and builds toward a fair suspense at the close. It may not be wholly convincing that a girl would allow a mother to force her into such negotiations, but there is sufficient reason inasmuch as the girl's brother is standing trial for his life as a result of his shooting a man who slurred the girl's character. She is willing to contract a marriage with a rich man in order to secure money to save her brother's life. The introduction of meller at the end is not necessary but it furnishes a thrill and puts some force into the climax. The auto tumbling over the cliff will please the lovers of thrills. Besides the star the picture boasts of some popular players such as Bryant Washburn, who plays the lead, Nigel Barrie, as the rich suitor who jilts the girl when he learns she was mixed up in a murder case, and Tom Forman, as her brother. Others are Chas. K. French, James O. Barrows, Richard Headrick, a cute youngster, Fred Malatesta, Lincoln Stedman and William DeVaull. Story : Mrs. Pitman persuades her daughter, Virginia, to accept the wealthy old Colonel, but the girl is repulsed by his advances. For this the Colonel tells the guests that he paid for the girl's clothes and is shot by Virginia's brother, Robert, for the remark. Mrs. Pitman takes her daughter to a fashionable resort where she manages to engage her to another, Clayborne Gordon, who cancels it when he learns of her past. How Virginia is eventually happy with her true love who turns out to have more money than any of the others, and the brother is freed, completes the story. Talk About It as a Society Drama and Use Gatchlines Box Office Analysis for the Exhibitor There is more or less of a good audience appeal in a story such as this and it will please a good majority of picture goers, the average "fan" crowd in particular. You can pretty nearly always depend upon satisfying them with a society drama and in "White Shoulders" you can talli about the mother who sought to marry her daughter to the highest bidder. The theme lends itself readily to catchlines that should Explain that the title is derived from the fact that the girl was nicknamed "White Shoulders." Display plenty of stills of the star in your lobby and if they like thrills, talk about the race track sequence and the automobile crash in the last reels. You can appeal particularly to the star's admirers, telling them it is the best of her recent offerings. Also let them know attract attention. Say : "Shall a daughter's beauty be the story is by George Kibbe Turner and appeared in marketed by her mother?" the Saturday Evening Post.