The Film Daily (1923)

Sunday, April 8, 1923 fr<2^ DAILV Has Everything That Goes For a Sure-Fire Box Office Number and Then Some David Smith Prod. "MASTERS OF MEN" Vitagraph DIRECTOR David Smith AUTHOR Morgan Robertson SCENARIO BY C. Graham Baker CAMERAMAN Steve Smith, Jr. AS A WHOLE Fine live entertainment with punch in its action, sure-fire patriotic atmosphere and all that goes for a good picture STORY A romance of the Spanish War period with action, thrills and plenty of genuine audience appeal DIRECTION Splendid; succeeds in making story realistic and atmosphere is great; development very good PHOTOGRAPHY Excellent LIGHTINGS Very good PLAYERS Cullen Landis at his best in role that he handles in fine style ; Alice Calhoun and Wanda Hawley attractive maids of '98 and Earle Williams suitable ; others all good types EXTERIORS Good INTERIORS Good DETAIL First rate CHARACTER OF STORY A character development showing the rise of an American lad from boyhood to manhood LENGTH OF PRODUCTION 6,800 feet Here is one with a genuine wallop for American audiences and if the patriotic atmosphere in this doesn't send them out with their blood tingling and their fervor for the stars and stripes increased a hundred fold, then the guess is all wrong. "Masters of Men." David Smith's production of Morgan Robertson's novel, is an out and out American picture for Americans and it contains an unlimited supply of real audience appeal — the sort that starts them talking about the picture and brings others in. Much of the credit for the success of the picture belongs to Director Smith for the very worth while and capable way in which he has handled the material and to C. Graham Baker, who prepared the scenario. Added to this there is the splendid performance of Cullen Landis in the role of a sailor of the U. S. Navy, as well as a uniformly well suited and capable cast. To start with, Morgan Robertson's novel contains splendid material for the screen and in retaining the author's method of development, Baker has gotten the most out of it and Director Smith has been able to tell the story smoothly, consistently and cover the ground in much less footage than he might were he to proceed in the usual fashion. This chapter style of telling the story is wholly pleasing and satisfying and eliminates considerable unnecessary detail. And at the same time the sequences dove-tail nicely and there are no gaps in the continuity. The first two chapters are concerned with the early boyhood of the hero and his subsequent entrance into the Navy followed by the entrance of the United States into war with Spain. This leads up to some mighty fine business and includes a variety of thrills and action with sure-fire punch. It all registers and is flavored with such definite patriotic atmosphere that it is even more impressive than ordinarily. It is distinctly the treatment given the story and the wealth of realism and excellent detail that makes the piece absorbing. For a climax you have the destruction of the famous battleship Maine and the fight in Santiago Harbor. Cullen Landis works like a real trooper and his portrayal in this is easily one of the best things he has ever done. They are going to get a real thrill out of his many scraps. Alice Calhoun and Wanda Hawley are both charming in their '98 costumes. Picture patrons all over will "love" the romance of Alice Calhoun and Landis, and Wanda Hawley and Earle Williams. Director Smith had fine cooperation from the whole company. Story: Dick Halpin is accused of theft by the brother of Mabel Arthur, whom he loves. To save Mabel from humiliation Dick accepts the blame, runs away and joins the U. S. Navy. It isn't until Dick and his lieutenant, Breen, have been shanghaied aboard a sailing vessel, that Dick learns Mabel knows the truth, but before there can be a reconciliation Dick and Breen return to their ship and are pitched into active service at Santiago Harbor. Dick is transferred to work under young Arthur, now an ensign, and is with him when he dies. After it is all over Dick and Breen return to the home town, Dick to claim Mabel, and Breen to claim Bessie, Mabel's chum. Better Get Your Order In and Then Get to Work On It Box Office Analysis for the Exhibitor Vitagraph's latest production looks like a sure thing for the box office. It has all the requisites of a box office attraction and they are all fully satisfying from an audience viewpoint. "Masters of Men" has been done in a big way and should do a big business. You can safely make promises for it and rest assured your crowd will vote it a winner, unless, of course, you happen to be catering to a foreign clientele. In that case they may not be carried away with the spirit of enthusiasm that the picture is almost certain to create with American audiences. There is a trailer available which you would do well to secure and use well in advance of the showing. Be sure and tell them of the historic episode and of the blowing up of the battleship Maine. There will be those of your patrons to whom the incident will still be current history and they'll be especially interested. Tell them about the excellent work of Cullen Landis, of the action and thrills. The picture really deserves your best exploitation efforts with the receipts proving it well worth your while. You have something to talk about. Do it.