The Film Daily (1922)

THE Sunday, December 17, 1^ Good Atmosphere and Pleasing Star Make Up For Familiar Material Florence Vidor in "CONQUERING THE WOMAN" Associated Exhibitors DIRECTOR King Vidor AUTHOR Henry C. Rowland SCENARIO BY Frank Howard Clark CAMERAMAN George Barnes AS A WHOLE Pleasing atmosphere and good production values compensate for somewhat stereotyped plot STORY Star is deserving of better material but she manages to m^ake it rather satisfying DIRECTION Provides production that has pictorial appeal and story runs along smoothly though a trifle slow at end PHOTOGRAPHY Very good LIGHTINGS Natural STAR Pleasing as usual SUPPORT Suitable, includes David Butler, Roscoe Karns, Peter Burke, Mathilde Brundage and Bert Sprotte EXTERIORS Many pretty shots INTERIORS Not many DETAIL Adequate CHARACTER OF STORY Father has daughter shanghaied and held prisoner on desert island to prevent her marriage to a count LENGTH OF PRODUCTION 5,887 feet The picture is so good to look at and made up of such a variety of interesting scenes that will please regardless of their connection with the story that the more or less stereotyped plot contained in "Conquering the Woman" will not detract as much from the feature's entertainment value as it might under a less careful production. King Vidor has secured numerous pleasing locations that have been artistically pho tographed and the atmosphere throughout is one of pictorial appeal. Florence Vidor is deserving of much better material than this but her pleasing personality and ability to hold her audience regardless of what she has to do, is another redeeming point for Henry C. Rowland's theme — the popular idea of changing the mind of a society girl bent on marrying a no-account count, by having her shanghaied and cast on an island in the sole company of the man she should marry. A nice variety of locale is necessary for the story which shifts first from France to New York and then to a South Sea island. Vidor 's scenes of a seaside resort in France give the picture an interesting start with Miss Vidor aquaplaning and swimming. The island life is nicely pictured, showing hero and heroine enjoying the comforts arranged for their enforced isolation. There are numerous attractive marine shots and the ])hotography is very good throughout. King Vidor develops the story smoothly and in good time with the exception of the ending which is a trifle s'ow. It takes too long for the heroine to realize that she is beaten and due to fall in love with hero. Everyone knows that is what is going to happen so there is no suspense in putting it oflf. The star is supported by a capable company including David Butler, the young man who gave the girl's father the idea that her mind could be changed to prevent her marrying the count. Story : Judith Stafford returns from a stay in Europe with a totally different view of life and engaged to a French Count. Judith refuses to hear her father's objections so he has her shanghaied and left on a South .Sea island with a westerner, the father's choice of a husband for his daughter. For three months Judith fights his efforts to win her over but eventually she realizes that she is in love with him and when the Count arrives to take her home, she refuses but later goes back on her father's yacht with her lover. They Will Like Miss Vidor and Pictorial Values Box Office Analysis for the Exhibitor You can undoubtedly give average satisfaction with "Conquering the Woman" and in case you are not sure about it on account of the fairly familiar South Sea island formula, you can count on the pictorial appeal and presence of a pleasing star to counteract the other. The picture is really very good to look at and Miss Vidor is attractive and interesting to watch no matter what she has to do. Use stills in the lobby that will indicate the picture's pictorial appeal and you might try to interest your women folks in particular. They like these South Sea island romantic things and this one should be no exception. Catchlines can be used if you want to let them know what it is about but it would be better to talk about the star and the pictorial appeal.