The Film Daily (1923)

—£&>* DAILY Sunday, January 21, 1923 Weak Story Material But Production Values Are High "DRUMS OF FATE" Paramount DIRECTOR Charles Maigne AUTHOR Stephen F. Whitman SCENARIO BY Will M. Ritchey CAMERAMAN James Howe AS A WHOLE Uneventful except for some fairly exciting African uprisings STORY Romance of the Enoch Arden variety with colorful atmosphere and adventure thrown in DIRECTION All very fine as far as production, photography and handling players is concerned but material made it stop there PHOTOGRAPHY First rate LIGHTINGS Good PLAYERS Mary Miles Minter seldom convincing in emotional roles; Maurice B. Flynn a worth while hero with George Fawcett in a role that keeps him in the background; others Casson Ferguson, Bertram Grassby and Robert Cain EXTERIORS All right though may not be the average conception of an African jungle INTERIORS Good DETAIL Adequate CHARACTER OF STORY Believing her husband dead, girl marries musician out of pity, returning to the former upon musician's death LENGTH OF PRODUCTION 5,716 feet It really does seem an unfortunate piece of business that Miss Minter could not have been allowed to live happily ever after with her explorer husband since it had taken her so long to make up her mind in regard to a husband. The opening shot shows her entertaining the unlucky suitors, probably two dozen of them, and then came hero Maurice Flynn from out of darkest Africa and won the fair heroine. But that was only the very first few feet of "Drums of Fate," with much un certainty and unhappiness destined to fall on the shoulders of the pretty young wife. The picture is almost silly in its sincerity and it doesn't seem at all possible that the young woman, so deeply mourning her husband's death, could be goaded into marrying the crippled musician out of pity, even considering the very obvious sort of union that it was. Nor can you believe that it made the young artist happy when his bride's affection was restrained to a kiss on his forehead. Seriously, Stephen Whitman's novel, "Sacrifice," offers quite weak material for the screen and not at all an appropriate story for Mary Miles Minter since it requires considerable emotional work on her part and she is not well suited to this type of role. The situations are slight and the development depends upon coincidence and illogical twists that could never make the story a good entertainment. It moves along slowly and without much change of tempo except for the African uprising which is realistically staged and offers some excitement even though the jungle looks very much like other California woodlands. Charles Maigne has given the story a splendid production with plenty of scenic investiture and a generally pleasing atmosphere. The Venice scene is very pretty, as are numerous other sets. The photography is excellent and the supporting cast first rate. Maurice B. Flynn is always a likeable hero and does very good work in this. George Fawcett's role is unworthy of him. Story: Carol Dolliver marries Larry Teck and they are quite happy until Larry is called back to Africa where he is captured by natives and reported dead. Sometime later Carol's guardian encourages her to marry David, his crippled musical protege. Larry returns but, finding Carol married and believing her happy with David, again goes back to Africa. After David's death Carol goes in search of Larry, risks her life among the natives, but is repaid by the reunion which follows when she finds Larry in a native camp. Atmosphere May Appeal to Them But Don't Promise a Lively Offering Box Office Analysis for the Exhibitor Where they want something a little unusual in the way of atmosphere, you may be able to satisfy them with "Drums of Fate," or if they prefer a story somewhat unusual and won't mind that it does not contain forceful situations. Very likely the presentation which you accord the picture will have a lot to do with getting it over so if you can secure the right musical score and proper effects to accompany the picture, it will make a better impression. You know best what appeals to your clientele and whether or not they will like a picture such as "Drums of Fate." Mary Miles Minter is the featured player so if she has a following you might use her name and those of her supporting cast. Paramount's press sheet is complete with suggestions for exploitation if you want to make a fuss about the showing.