The Film Daily (1923)

THE Sunday, May 27, 1923 ;%g"S DAILV Another Hollywood Picture With More Humor Than Thrills "MARY OF THE MOVIES" Film Booking Offices DIRECTOR John MacDermott AUTHOR Louis Lewyn SCENARIO BY Louis Lewyn CAMERAMEN George Meehan and Vernon Walker AS A WHOLE A light comedy drama that has appeal for movie fans and should please a good majority STORY Another Hollywood picture that, although not "big," entertains and amuses DIRECTION Has made a pleasant enough little picture, with some good comedy bits and pleasing atmosphere PHOTOGRAPHY Excellent LIGHTINGS Good PLAYERS Marion Mack, a new addition to the screen, very pretty in title role. Creighton Hale hasn't very much to do opposite her. Quite a number of prominent stars lend atmosphere in bits EXTERIORS Interesting shots of Hollywood and some good desert backgrounds INTERIORS Satisfactory DETAIL Good CHARACTER OF STORY Poor girl goes to film center to break into the movies. Finally gets her chance and becomes successful. Returns home just in time to rescue her family from poverty LENGTH OF PRODUCTION 6,500 feet Following the success now being achieved by "Souls For Sale" comes this F. B. O. feature that also deals with a girl's struggles to break into the inner portals of stardom in the movie Mecca of Hollywood. Only in 'Mary of the Movies" there is more humor than struggle. There are none of the intensely dramatic moments of the Goldwyn feature, nor is there half as much of the studio stuff, but there is a goodly sprinkling of scenes in which many of Hollywood's brighter lights smile sweetly to the heroine, or sign their autographs in her book, or shake hands obligingly. And this is the sort of thing that movie fans will go a bit out of their way to see. Director MacDermott maintains a lightness of touch all the way through. Mary's troubles are never taken very seriously, either by Mary or the spectator, and aside from the fact that she waits with many others — including Craig Biddle, Jr. — in the casting agents' offices — and finally has to take a job as a waitress in a lunch room frequented by the stars — she really hasn't much actual struggle. Then, too, she seems to be on friendly terms with so many of the famous ones, the question arises in your mind, "Why don't they help her?" There are many very pleasing exteriors showing views of the palatial homes of different celebrities and there are also some splendid shots in the desert, showing the movie troupe, costumed as Arabs for a 'Sheik" picture riding against the sky-line and galloping across the sands to avoid the approaching sand storm, which incidentally has been well handled. This storm is the one bit of excitement in the picture, and coming as it does along toward the end, it peps up any interest that may have become slightly jaded during the preceding five reels. Following this is a touch of sure-fire hokum with Mary arriving in her home town and finding her folks auctioning the old home. There are some first rate comedy touches in this final scene that help the finish a lot. Marion Mack, a really pretty girl, gets the comedy bits over in good shape, and appeals to the eye at all times. Creighton Hale is pleasing as her sweetheart and the rest of the cast is satisfactory. Among the celebrities who lend their charms for a minute or two to incidental but interesting bits are Bryant Washburn, J. Warren Kerrigan, Eva Novak, Wanda Hawley, Miss Dupont and many others. Should Please Fans and Average Audience Without Promises Box Office Analysis for the Exhibitor This is another Hollywood picture that purports to tell the story of a girl's struggle to get a job in the movies, and while it hasn't any of the "bigness" of the popular "Souls For Sale" it has a certain entertaining and amusing charm about it that should make it a satisfactory evening's entertainment. Don't promise any big thrills or they may be disappointed. Rather, play up the comedy idea and get the fans interested by telling them that many of their favorites have bits in this. If you don't make too many promises they won't expect too much and will be more satisfied with what they see. And that's better than getting big crowds in who expect another huge production and who may not be satisfied with the pleasing little comedy drama you have to offer them.