The Film Daily (1923)

'■vhwki mmn y Sunday, January 21, 1923 THE •szti DAILY Fairly Interesting Picture Interrupted By Spooky Sequence Hampton Del Ruth Prod. "THE MARRIAGE CHANCE" American Releasing Corp. DIRECTOR Hampton Del Ruth AUTHOR Hampton Del Ruth SCENARIO BY Not credited CAMERAMAN Dal Clawson AS A WHOLE Rather interesting picture except that mystery episode is a trifle too gruesome despite dream ending STORY Has some good romantic sequences and has been given a first rate production DIRECTION Good, on the whole, though injects a little too much unpleasant detail in one sequence PHOTOGRAPHY Very good LIGHTINGS All right PLAYERS Alta Allen gives a pleasing performance and at times photographs very well; Milton Sills adequate; Henry B. Walthall, Tully Marshall and Irene Rich suitable EXTERIORS Few INTERIORS Appropriate DETAIL Suffices CHARACTER OF STORY Girl faints during her marriage ceremony and vision results in the marriage of sister whom she had persuaded against it LENGTH OF PRODUCTION 5,840 feet The important feature of this Hampton Del Ruth production is the surprise ending upon which the climax hinges, a sequence which, in itself, consists of some rather unpleasant detail and incidents which may thrill those who don't object to their thrills being derived from fairly gruesome business. Of course it is all passed off in the dream ending but for the time being the atmosphere is thoroughly capable of supplying some very realistic chills for the more sensitive ones. There are two sisters, the younger about to marry the district attorney, and the older still engaged to the fanatical Dr. Graydon who devotes his time to the study of vivisection. Eleanor persuades Mary that Dr. Graydon does not intend to marry her at all and succeeds in having Mary break the engagement. Prior to the ceremony which will unite Eleanor and Bradley, the district attorney, Eleanor takes a drink of water handed to her by Graydon. She faints and is pronounced dead by Graydon. Returning from the funeral Mary and Bradley notice a kitten drinking from the same glass, with the kitten also falling over dead. Analysis proves the water contained poison. Later, the cat comes back to life. Bradley hastens to the graveyard where Eleanor's body is disinterred and the casket found empty. Later she is found in Graydon's home and Graydon about to perform an operation when he is shot by Mary. This is a decidedly unpleasant episode to an otherwise interesting picture but, of course, the fact that Eleanor was in a faint and dreamed all this, is supposed to take away the unsavory atmosphere and supply the picture with a genuine surprise ending. It is doubtful, however, if the average audience will be in a right mood for the surprise ending as thought out by Del Ruth. The story has been given a good production. The first reels are thoroughly interesting and the romances of the two sisters and their maiden aunt promise an enjoyable and unusual picture, wholly unlike what the theme develops into. Del Ruth has injected some effective humorous business particularly in connection with the "romance" of the maiden aunt, played splendidly by Laura La Varnie, and Tully Marshall, as the unwilling suitor. Alta Allen is a pleasing Eleanor and Irene Rich is a sympathetic Mary. Milton Sills, Henry B. Walthall and Mitchell Lewis complete the cast. Will Do If They Don't Mind a Few Chill-Provoking Thrills Box Office Analysis for the Exhibitor If you don't think they'll object to the mystery sequence and its somewhat unpleasant incidents, you will probably be able to please them with "The Marriage Chance." There are those who like thrills of this more or less sensational order so for them the feature will offer a first rate entertainment. are well known to get them interested, such as Milton Sills, Henry B. Walthall, Tully Marshall, Irene Rich and Mitchell Lewis. The title is a good one and can be played up with catchlines and your usual announcements should be enough to take care of it. The picture does not warrant unusual exploitation or promises The cast is good and there are sufficient names that but should get over with the average audience.