The Film Daily (1924)

DAILY Sunday, September 21, 1?24 "Another Scandal" Piodticers Distr)biiti))g Corp. As a Whole ETERNAL TRIANGLE PLOT THAT TAKES TOO LONG IN GETTING UNDER WAY AND PROCEEDS SLOWLY TO A VERY GOOD CLIMAX. Cast Lois Wilson deserves credit for being a sensible wife in at least one instance and Holmes Herbert makes the best of a weak role. Flora Le Breton is pleasing and bright as the little English widow. Ralph Bunker, as a sort of household adviser, seems entirely unnecessary. Others Hedda Hopper, Bigelow Cooper, Alan Simpson. Type of Story Domestic drama. Even though there wasn't anything startlingly original about Cosmo Hamilton's story it would seem that it had the makings of a better film than E. H. Griffith has derived from it. There has been far too much time wasted on petty incidents and unimportant bits of business, particularly in the opening reels, and by the time you really , get into the story you're beginning \ to lose interest. Even a first rate, 1 and rather unexpected climax I comes very late. By that time you'd be perfectly willing to see Bee Franklin lose her husband tt> the gay little widow. May Beamish. At that, Bee acted so stupidly in the first place, by accepting the advice of the wholly unnecessary Mally who suggested sending her husband away until after the baby was born, that you wouldn't feel sorry for her if Mrs. Beamish did succeed in vamping away her husband. Bee will undoubtedly regain the confidence of the audience with her final management of the affair and the scheme whereby she spoils May's game, wins the latter's admiration as a "game sport" _ and gets back her husband. Griffith could have made a better picture but there wasn't sufficient material for an eight reeler. It is apparent that the film has been severely cut to eliminate possible objection of censors. There is nothing offensive remaining. Box Office Angle May do a fair business. Would stand a much better chance if it could be cut to at least six reels. Doubtful if it will hold them at its present length. Exploitation You might succeed in getting them interested with catchlines such as: "Wives, Attention! If you want to know how to fool 'the other woman' and keep your husband, Lois Wilson will give you a fine tip in "Another Scandal'." There is not the sensational theme that they may expect from the title so you might make this plain when you show it. Lois Wilson's name can be used, also that of Holmes Herbert. Direction. .. .E. H. Griffith; too slow on development. Author Cosmo Hamilton Scenario G. Marion Burton Cameraman Dal Clawson Photography All right Locale N. Y. — Florida Length 7,322 feet Thomas Meighan in "The Alaskan" Paramount As a Whole ACTION, SUSPENSE, FINE PICTORIAL APPEAL AND SPLENDID PRODUCTION. AND YET THERE'S SOMETHING MISSING. MEIGHAN DOESN'T SEEM TO BE WHOLLY AT HOME. Star.... Will probably suit his admirers in this James Oliver Curwood role but he seems to take himself far too seriously. Not always well photographed. Cast. . . . Estelle Taylor suitable in a more or less important leading role. Alphonz Ethier and John Sainpolis not over impressive villains. Others Anna May Wong (especially good in several bits), Frank Campeau, Maurice Cannon and Charles Ogle. Type of Story. .. .Drama; from the novel by James Oliver Curwood. Generally speaking "The Alaskan" seems to be the sort of story that should fit Meighan ideally. He does good work and director Brenon has provided a most satisfying production. And yet the picture seems to fall short of the entertainment afforded by several other Meighan films. The star is certainly capable of the role, perhaps too much so — he takes it too seriously. This is most noticeable in the climax fight which takes place in cavern. Incidentally, the slugging and shooting in this sequence becomes just a bit funny when they keep popping each other off in succession m shooting gallery fashion. The locations are beautiful, and wonderfully photographed. Many of the shots are worthy of a first class scenic. The story deals with the heroic efforts of hero Alan Holt to save Alaska, and his own ranch in particular, from Graham, an invader who would "strip the country bare of all her wealth, ravaging every resource for his own aggrandizement." Holt's love for Graham's wife (who left him on their wedding night) makes it more difficult. Of course Holt is the victor and Graham dies conveniently. Box Office Angle.... Not likely to disturb Meighan's legion of admirers. They'll probably be well satisfied. And still it's not another "Back Home and Broke." Exploitation. .. .You know what you can do with Tom Meighan's name. That's sufficient excuse for getting this one. You'll probably interest his many admirers by telling them he has a James Oliver Cvirwood story in "The Alaskan." The customary book store tie-up will be entirely apropos. Be sure to show them a trailer containing some of the beautiful shots and use stills liberally in the lobby. Estelle Taylor's name can be capitalized, also. Direction Herbert Brenon, good. Author James Oliver Curwood Scenario Willis Goldbeck Cameraman James Howe Photography Excellent Locale Alaska Length 6,736 feet William Desmond in "The Sunset Trail" Universal As a Whole ANOTHER ADAPTATION OF "OVERLAND RED." FINE POSSIBILITIES IN STORY BUT CURRENT VERSION ISN'T QUITE AS GOOD AS THE HARRY CAREY PICTURE OF FOUR YEARS AGO. Star.... Has adapted many of Harry Carey's mannerisms but isn't quite as well suited to the role although he seldom falls short of its requirements. Cast. .. .Lucille Hutton pleasing lead and Gareth Hughes suitable as the hobo's pal. Others Wm. A. Steele, Al Jennings, Bob Kortman, Albert J. Smith. Type of Story. .. .Western comedydrama; adapted from Henry Knibbs' novel "Overland Red." Universal claims that "Overland Red" was one of the best pictures Harry Carey ever made and also one of their best money-makers, which is probably sufficient excuse for their using the story again. It still makes a good picture and its mixture of comedy, drama, heart interest, and the varied elements of audience appeal, make for good entertainment. Nevertheless "The Sunset Trail" is not as big as "Overland Red." While William Desmond handles the role of the happy hobo capably he isn't quite as suitable a type as Harry Carey whose particular forte lies right in this direction. Desmond doesn't quite meet the comedy business that is included m the characterization. The story deals with the adventures of Overland Red who calls himself the "happy hobo." On the desert he meets a prospector who dies shortly after their meeting. Happy is held for murder but released, although they suspect he stole the map containing the location of the old man's mine. Later Happy meets the prospector's daughter and through his manipulating he manages to secretly locate and work her father's mine, thus securing the gold which saves the ranch from going to the hands of villain. It develops that Happy is really an ex-sheriff hiding away from arrest for a crime he did not commit. His name is cleared and there's the old time clinch. Box Office Angle Satisfying for the average audience. They'll probably like the character of the hobo Happy. It's an interesting character study and the comedy business is good relief. Exploitation. . . .Anything in the way of exploitation by way of having a fellow togged out as a tramp, and strolling the streets with proper indication of his purpose — to advertise "The Sunset Trail" — should get attention. A trailer can be used effectively and the usual stills and posters Direction Ernst Laemmle; fair Author .... Henry Herbert Knibbs Scenario Wyndham Gittens Cameraman Jack Rose Photography Good Locale California Length 5,046 feet Tom Mix in "Oh, You Tony!" Fox As a Whole QUITE UNLIKE THE USUAL TOM MIX OUTPUT. VARIATION MAY APPEAL TO HIS ADMIRERS BUT MIX FALLS SHORT OF THE COMEDY REQUIREMENTS OF HIS ROLE. Star.... Has a thrilling race in the last reel which he handles in his usual fine style and offers plenty of thrills but his comedy antics as a cowhoy hobnobbing with society folks is far out of his line. Cast. .. .Claire Adams suitable lead. Others Richard Lareno, Earle Fox, Dolores Rousse, Charles K. French, Miles McCarthy. Type of Story Comedy-western. Tom Mix's famous horse, Tony, gets the honors in the title but Tony's owner still holds the center of the stage in the picture, and not as successfully as usual. Tom Mix's forte doesn't lie in the direction of comedy. He's a great cowboy but a poor comedian. In "Oh, You Tony" Mix plays the part of a rancher who goes to Washington in behalf of an irrigation project. His cowboy manners fail to fit in with Washington society and Tom takes a course in etiquette. There's a lot of comedy attempts in this sequence but practically all of them fail to register. It's a low brow type of humor that is never honestly funny. At times it is even vulgar, particularly in the way of subtitles. Of course there is a plot on hand in which it is planned to fleece Tom of his wealth and get the ranch away from him. All the time, back home on the ranch, there's a sweetheart who is protecting Tom's interest because she loves him. Of course the villain doesn't succeed and Tom is thousands richer as the result of Tony's winning a race. Box Office Angle.... Tom Mix fans aren't likely to be disturbed because he steps a bit out of character. They'll probably accept his comedy efforts without a kick but from a general entertainment standpoint "Oh You Tony" isn't up to Mix's standard. Exploitation .... I f you want to capitalize on the popularity of Mix's horse. Tonj', you should be able to interest them with this title and the fact that Tony has a little more prominence than usual, although they inay expect more of him, from the title. A trailer of the racing sequence will serve to bring in the Mix fans or if you think they'll be interested in the star as a comedian you might make a point of this angle. Direction. .. .J. G. Blystonc; poor on comedy business. Author Don W. Lee Scenario Don W. Lie Cameraman Dan Clark Photography All right Locale The West— Wash., D. C.j 1 Length 6.380 feet*