The Film Daily (1923)

Record Details:

Something wrong or inaccurate about this page? Let us Know!

Thanks for helping us continually improve the quality of the Lantern search engine for all of our users! We have millions of scanned pages, so user reports are incredibly helpful for us to identify places where we can improve and update the metadata.

Please describe the issue below, and click "Submit" to send your comments to our team! If you'd prefer, you can also send us an email to mhdl@commarts.wisc.edu with your comments.




We use Optical Character Recognition (OCR) during our scanning and processing workflow to make the content of each page searchable. You can view the automatically generated text below as well as copy and paste individual pieces of text to quote in your own work.

Text recognition is never 100% accurate. Many parts of the scanned page may not be reflected in the OCR text output, including: images, page layout, certain fonts or handwriting.

THE nday, August 19, 1923 "Marriage Morals" Lawrence Weber and Bobby North — State Rights i a Whole AN AVERAGE ATTRACTION; WILL APPEAL TO THOSE WHO LIKE STORIES OF LIFE ALONG BROADWAY. PICTURE SUFFERS FROM THEATRICAL SITUATIONS AND ILLOGICAL DEVELOPMENT. TOO LONG. ayers Ann Forrest, Tom Moore, Harry T. Morey, John Goldsworthy, Edmund Breese, Florence Billings and Russell Griffin in principal roles. Their work satisfactory— just that. Miss Forrest not photographed to the best advantage. ppe of Story Quite theatrical and at times very unconvincing. The time-worn story of poor girl who marries the rich man's son and then has a hard time keeping him from running wild. It may carry appeal to certain types of audiences. More careful attention and less convenient detail would have helped considerably. Has some pictorial appeal. ox Office Angle While the story is not marked by the most careful handling, and while it is true that the situations in themselves are not all new, it may get by nicely in certain types of houses. See it before booking. Ixploitation This picture has a box-office title and the experienced showman knows how that will help. There is an opportunity to build up a very effective teaser campaign playing on the title. Exercise some caution on how you play with it in order that you don't offend some of your patrons. Perhaps you can get some local people of importance to comment on the general theme. Recent statistics show how much divorces have increased. Try to utilize them. Work the always-reliable lobby display and secure stills that show the lavishness of the picture. The early sequences occur in a beauty parlor, so get busy on that angle and arrange some tie-ups with your iocal merchants. The exchanges handling this picture will be able to supply you with the kind of stills you need. The most prominent member of the cast is Tom Moore. If he means anything to your crowd, don't neglect that angle, but as a general basis to work on, get behind the title to get it over. direction by Will Nigh; made too much detail convenient. Many situations theatrical and not true to life. Has not developed his moral in clear-cut fashion. \uthor Will Nigh Scenario Will Nigh Cameramen Sidney Hickox and Jack Brown. Photography Acceptable Locale. . Luxurious home and cabaret Length 6,400 feet J. P. McGowan and Helen Holmes in "Stormy Seas" Associated Exhibitors As a Whole.... GOOD SEA SEQUENCES GET THIS OVER EVEN THOUGH REST OF STORY IS PRETTY CONVENTIONAL; AN INTERESTING CAST. Stars A pleasing combination and work well together; Helen Holmes a refreshing type of heroine and will be rememDered for her many exploits in serials; McGowan a heman, likeable hero. Cast... .Satisfactory though quite subordinate to stars; includes Francis Seymour, Gordon Knapp, Leslie J, Casey and Harry Dalroy. Type of Story Sea melodrama with good action bits and marine atmosphere that gives it good color; has fairly thrilling climax that brings it to exciting finish; not essentially a new theme but capable of satisfying a good many. Captain of freighter, engaged to marry owner's daughter, wrecks his ship after drinking bout, is rescued by his rival who brings about his regeneration but hero bravely gives up girl to rival he believes more worthy of her. Box Office Angle. . . . A good average attraction with nothing especially cut of the ordinary in the way oi story or production but enough elements of appeal to suit a majority. Exploitation. .. .Your men folks will like the ship sequences to be found in "Stormy Seas." Tell them about the fight against regeneration which McGowan puts up. They'll like the atmosphere of this and there are bits of action aboard ship that will make it attractive for them. For the women folks, talk about the romance of the ship owner's daughter and her love for the captain whose inherited weakness for drink kills her love for him. They may be disappointed that the hero doesn't eventually marry the girl but here is a distinctive twist that makes the picture different and gets away from the regular routine "clinch" ending. Display plenty of posters and ad sheets that will give an idea of the story. Stunt advertising isn't particularly applicable in connection with this one so you'll have to rely chiefly on catchlines, stills and program readers to get them interested. Direction by J. P. McGowan; has supplied appropriate production and told story in brief, interesting fashion. Author Arthur W. Donaldson Scenario.. Arthur W. Donaldson Cameraman Not credited. Photography All right. Locale.... A ship yard, a shore resort and aboard ship. Length 4,893 feet. William Desmond in "Shadows of the North" Universal As a Whole.... GOOD PRODUCTION AND DIRECTION PUT OVER COVENTIONAL PLOT AND MAKES FAIRLY STRONG DRAMATIC OFFERING. Star. .. .Story gives Desmond plenty of fine opportunities and role suits his personality very well; will please a majority with his performance. Cast.... Fred Kohler a thoroughly fine villain who drinks poison just at the crucial moment; Virginia Browne Faire a capable heroine; others William Welsh, Albert Hart, James O. Barrows. Type of Story A drama of the Northwoods, minus the mounted police. Has considerable pictorial appeal in fine quantity of beautiful locations. Plot is more or less commonplace but it has been very well handled and carefully directed with a nicely sustained interest. War hero returns to find his father robbed and killed by gang of which the father of the girl he loves is the head. How the enemies meet their death, the girl's father proves himself innocent is followed by a reconciliation between the lovers. Box Office Angle A good average attraction. You can promise action, pictorial appeal and a good cast headed by William Desmond. Lovers of out-doors will take delight in the scenic investiture. Exploitation In telling them "Shadows of the North" is a drama of the Northwoods, it might be well to let them know it doesn't deal with the Northwest Mounted Police in case they may steer shy of it since the police theme has been used so many times. Let them know it deals with claimjumping and the gold rush days in the north. For the men folks promise some first rate fights and a good amount of action. In a trailer show them the fight between Desmond and Fred Kohler that comes early in the picture. There's a good thrill in the canoe ride down the rapids. A trailer of this should also interest them. Talk about the romantic angle for the benefit of the women, with catchlines such as: "Would you continue to love a man if he threatened the life of your father because he believed him responsible for his own father's death." Direction by Robert Hill; has done a good job on this one and helped considerably to get story over. Author Edison Marshall Scenario Paul Schofield Cameraman Harry Fowler Photography Very good. Locale Canadian woods. Lengfth 4,943 feet. Thomas Meighan in "Homeward Bound" Paramount As a Whole TYPICAL MEIGH AN VEHICLE. NJ.CELY BLENDED ROMANCE AND WKLL-SUSTA1NED STORV INTEREST. THE WOMEN WILL LOVE MEIGHAN AiML> THE MEN ADMIRE HIM. RECONCILIATION AT END ENTIRELY TOO ABRUPT. Star The same, quiet, unassuming individual. Plenty of poise and considerable charm of manner. Does very good work of his usual sort. Cast. .. .Entirely pleasing. Lila Lee a splendid foil for Meighan. Others include Charles Abbe, William T. Carleton, Hugh Cameron, Gus Weinberg. Type of Story A sea story in which the accepted rates for salvaging disabled vessels results in the hero getting sufficient money to marry the sea baron's daughter. Logical in development with noticeable lack of improbable situations. Closing storm sequence a peach. Box Office Angle Not big by any means but a thoroughly pleasing picture with the not-to-be-overlooked fact that Tommy Meighan is the star. No doubt about its ability to please your audiences. Exploitation Here's where your friendship with your local merchants should help. You have the yachting angle, the briny deep phase, the fact that the story is based on Peter B. Kyne's, "The Light to Leeward" to talk about in store tie-ups and window displays. Doctor up the lobby with ocean-going material. Dress your ushers in sailor uniforms by way of atmosphere. Meighan. has. drawing power. Your audiences know what type of story he appears in. Tell your world that this is Meighan's latest and to many that should prove sufficient. Remind them that here is Meighan in another sea story and then recall "Cappy Ricks" to their minds. The title doesn't mean very much and so it might be better to dodge it as much as you can. Direction by Ralph Ince; has done very well. Deserves special commendation for handling of storm scenes which are realistic to a marked degree. Author Peter B. Kyne Scenario Jack Cunningham and Paul Sloane Cameraman Ernest Haller Photography... Of the highest order Locale New England village and aboard ship. Length 6,773 feet