The Film Daily (1924)

THE Friday, January 4, 1924 -32H DAILY Newspaper Opinions "The Courtship of Myles Standish" Associated Exhibitors Central AMERICAN — With only a skeleton of a plot Charles Ray was very brave to attempt to get a ten-reel picture out of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's legendary poem and a few tales told by dead and gone historians. He had neither book nor play to give his picture substance. Unfortunately in those days there were no newspapers or motion picture records. * * * As a pictorial narrative illustrating one of the most familiar passages of American History "The Courtship of Myles Standish" is interesting. The Mayflower will delight all those whose ancestors figured in the landing of this vessel, * * * DAILY NEWS— To the voyage the first half of the film is given, to the agonized months of setting that new, bleak land around Cape Cod the second half. The love story is submerged, only bobbing up here and there to keep romantic playgoers peaceful. * * * "The Courtship of Myles Standish," si easy to sit through and is a labor of merit, as well as (according to Mr. Ray) love. EVENING JOURNAL— The photoplay is an elaborate, one well produced, and shows remarkable attention to details. There are many thrilling scenes in the picture — the historic landing of the Mayflower, the building of the first homes, and an unusually vivid storm at sea. There is throughout the entire picture an air of sincerity, prayers; a great deal of mutiny; some beautiful forest scenes; and eighty-seven actors in the cast. EVENING WORLD — Movie audiences always are delighted with Charles Ray, and his new picture is no exception. The wellknown romance affords him opportunity for plenty of love scenes with Priscilla, played by Enid Bennett, so here is characteristic Charles Ray acting, and every one appeared pleased. * * * There is a most realistic and thrilling storm. HERALD — Another "great American epic" opened at the Central last night. It is "The Courtship of Myles Standish," with the agree able Charles Ray appearign as the John Alden, who was asked to speak for himself. * * * even if one can forget the inadequacy of the scenery, one is not apt to be thrilled to any extent by the drama itself. Of course Mr. Ray is splendid; he has never, to our knowledge been otherwise. He receives good support from several of the cast — notably E. Alyn Warren as Myles Standish and Tom Wilson. MAIL — Those who are interested in a faithful representation of what took place as documentary history tells it, will find much to interest them in this film. * * * Its producers would rank "The Courtship of Myles Standish" with "The Birth of a Nation" and "The Covered Wagon," but we feel that the picture will never achieve that position because the human side has been overlooked entirely. MORNING TELEGRAPH—* * * a great American chronicle done in pictures. When finally our country's history shall have been visualized for the screen it will of right demand the place allotted to the epochal experiences of the Pilgrim Fathers covering in point of time the departure of the little band from England in 1620, on the Mayflower, up to the close of the first years of the Plymouth Colony. POST — The film on the whole can be called successful for it is sincere, and not for a moment does it lack clarity. SUN — In this period of squabbling among churchmen it is particularly timely that a story based on simple faith should be chosen for screen presentation. TELEGRAM—* * * intrigued by history, imagination has built up a picture of those earljr days, idealistic and mayhaps untrue, but in its untruth has lain its greatest charm. All that, and more, has been caught in the filming of the poem. The early days of persecution, the hopeful voyage, the landing at Plymouth, are portrayed with spirit. HetJ^otjilan $tat gteunkr TIMES — You will never regret having spent the time in the Central Theatre and watched this photopoem till the last title which tells that the> lived happily and had nine children. * * * There are numerous other scenes in this beautiful production that call forth the undying lines of this glorious epic. And not in a single instance has Mr. Ray interpolated anything that might be construed as absurd comedy or hokum padding. TIMES SQ. DAILY— It is an artistic success, however, and contains many interesting and effective episodes of the Mayflower and colonial days. In it Ray, appearing in the Alden role, has Enid Bennett opposite and a long list of well known players in the supporting cast. At the $1.65 top it is going to find Broadway sledding rough, but in the picture houses at picture prices it might get by nicely. TRIBUNE — But, if you go expecting to find the true story of the Pilgrim 'Fathers, their voyage on the Mayflower, and their landing on a stern and rockbound coast with the breaking waves dashing high, then you are not going to be disappointed, for Charles Ray has made a splendid picture.* * * The storm is the best one we ever saw on the screen. * * * One of the biggest thrills we ever got came when John and Priscilla were chased by Indians. To us its freedom from all movie hokum is its real charm. Mr. Ray gives a gorgeous performance as the reticent John Alden. What an actor that man is ! It is a delight to watch him WORLD—* * • Stripped almost clear of irrelevant side-play, combining an exciting, and at times gripping picture story of the momentous voyage of the Mayflower across the Atlantic together with a tender and moving love story after the Longfellow poem of "Miles Standish," this new cinema which Mr. Ray has brought to New York stands high up * * * "The Rendezvous" — Gold.-Cosmop. Capitol AMERICAN — I do mean to say frankly that in comparison with some of the other films produced under the direction of this young man "The Rendezvous," will not perpetuate his name for posterity. DAILY NEWS— Here is a strange picture for you. Strange in choice of material and heroine. * * * Sydney Chaplin supplies more than one bright spot.* * * Mr. Nagel is noble,* * * But why "The Rendezvous," Mr. Neilan? Why? EVENING JOURNAL— There is a great deal of what is called character acting in "The Rendezvous" * * * There are assorted tragedies throughout the photoplay, * * * HERALD — Although equipped with a very silly story, "The Rendezvous" is actually magnificent drama — -and it is Marshall Neilan who has made it so.* * * Syd Chaplin.* * * vitally alive. MAIL — A fine performance by Sydney Chaplin and several exceptional camera effects are the oustanding features* * *the story is dreary and dull. MORNING TELEGRAPH— It is a production that Marshall Neilan has spent a great deal of time and money on, but which he has not been successful with. He has no objective. The story starts nowhere and gets nowhere, unless you can call marrying the heroine to the hero a complete climax. SUN — Marshall Neilan's best picture to date * * * joins with the other creations under his signature in marking him out as one of the most original directors of the day, always up to tricks. * * * The story is a deft commingling of humor, tragedy, thrills and picturesqueness, laid in a village so incredibly real you're astonished the publicity department didn't declare the scenes were taken in Russia and get away with it TELEGRAM— It is the tragic story of a little Russian princess. * * * There is comic relief also in the story executed in Neilan's inimitable manner. TIMES SQUARE DAILY— Containing a stereotyped theme, "The Rendezvous" * * * offers something of a diversion in that locale is Siberia, and with Neilan's direction, plus a smooth working cast, it amounts to a pleasing presentable film. TRIBUNE—* * * We wonder what he was thinking of while he did it. It seems as if he has filmed all the unimportant scenes and left all the interesting incidents to be taken care of in sub-titles. The story is scrappy and incoherent. WORLD — Whatever it is, it is feeble stuff. The best thing in it is a comedy role acted, by Sid Chaplin, brother of the great Charlie. And this Mr, Chaplin will win no honors this year in the comic division. LAST CALL 1924 FILM YEARBOOK Send in Your Copy Today Over 300 Advertisers 500 Pages Read By Everyone The Recognized Reference Book Full Year's Advertising Value at a One Day Price