The Film Daily (1923)

Sunday, February 4, 1923 THE ■&W DAILY Fine, Wholesome Entertainment In Holt's First Comedy Feature Jack Holt in "NOBODY'S MONEY" Paramount DIRECTOR „ .Wallace Worsley AUTHOR i William LeBaron SCENARIO BY Beulah Marie Dix CAMERAMAN Charles Schoenbaum AS A WHOLE Very brigb* and amusing comedy number that makes sure-fire entertainment STORY Fine, fast-moving vehicle provides first rate screen material and has been well handled DIRECTION Shows splendid comedy sense and keeps story going in bright humorous vein PHOTOGRAPHY Good LIGHTINGS Good STAR Equally pleasing and capable in comedy SUPPORT Holt given fine support by Harry Depp who puts over many of the laughs; others Wanda Hawley, Walter McGrail, Robert Schable, Julia Faye EXTERIORS All right ; not many INTERIORS Appropriate DETAIL Splendid titles CHARACTER OF STORY A comedy complex with the usual incidents but laughs galore in them LENGTH OF PRODUCTION 5,584 feet Jack Holt easily proves his versatility in putting over his first genuine comedy role in "Nobody's Money," Beulah Marie Dix's adaptation of William LeBaron's stage play. Irregardless of Holt's performance, his likeable personality and the fact that he shows what he can do as a comedian, there is real entertainment in "Nobody's Money." It is a sure-fire amusement and if they don't laugh, cheer up, and go out happy after seeing it, it won't be the picture's fault. It is in a happy vein all the way through and Director Worsley has shown keen comedy sense in his handling of the story. He always manages to get the most out of the situations and a lot of unimportant business, incidental to the plot, certainly rounds it out and provides many laughs that contribute to its success. The development is smooth, swift and increases in interest as it goes along. It isn't the easiest thing in the world to sustain the interest evenly in this type of farce comedy but Worsley has succeeded in doing so to a surprising degree. There is nothing startlingly original in LeBaron's comedy scheme. In fact the idea has been worked out similarly in many previous pictures, though probably never to much better advantage than it has been done here. The hero, who has everybody at his mercy, turns out to be the man whose interests he is protecting. In this instance the denouement happens to be a genuine surprise and probably there won't be a great many who will figure out the ending before time. Jack Holt is thoroughly pleasing and capable in the role of John Webster, erstwhile book agent. Holt, together with his "side-kick," Harry Depp, is the life of the picture. They get a lot of fun out of it and have no difficulty in making it register. The laughs are spontaneous and well distributed and there are no dull moments in the picture. It is good entertainment all the way. Wanda Hawley is Holt's leading woman. While she hasn't a great deal to do, they might have secured a better suited opposite for Holt. Story : Two flim-flammers are working a small town under the assumed name of Robert Douglas. A stranger, happening into town, is hired by the two to play the role of Douglas to help them out of a scrape. Complications pile on with the stranger holding the winning hand and ruling the lives of those who hired him. How he turns the tables on the two, swings the Governor's election the way he wants it, wins the candidate's daughter and then discloses his true identity, makes up a series of laughs in this amusing feature. Make Your Promises and Let the Picture Do the Rest Box Office Analysis for the Exhibitor If you are looking for a good strong comedy number, get to this one at your first opportunity. They'll be well satisfied with Jack Holt's first comedy effort and you can rest assured it will amuse them unless there is something wrong with them. It won't be the picture's fault if it doesn't cheer them up. Get the star's admirers interested in his latest pic ture. Promise them something different for him and you can make safe promises for his first appearance as a comedian. His is a personality that gets them. Let them know the picture is there with laughs. If they want humorous entertainment you can count on pleasing them. It is worth your best exploitation and the results should prove worth your effort. i e t y s