The Film Daily (1924)

Sunday, July 13, 1923 fjg^ DAILY 11 Hoot Gibson in "The Sawdust Trail" Universal As a Whole. . . .HASN'T AS MUCH SPEEDY ACTION AS THE OTHER GIBSON PICTURES BUT STORY IS A LITTLE UNUSUAL AND PRESENTS STAR IN A ROLE THAT'S A BIT DIFFERENT FOR HIM. Star. . . .Plays the part of a boob college fellow who isn't as slow as his parents think he is. Gets the part over nicely and will undoubtedly please his following. Cast. . . . Josie Sedgwick good as the man-hating cowgirl. Others Harry Todd, David Torrence, Charles French, Pat Harmon, G. Raymond Nye. Type of Story. .. .Comedy-western. Every once in a while they give Hoot Gibson a story that just borders on being a western and has enough variation to make it just a bit different from his usual run of offerings. Of course the idea isn't a bad one. It gives Gibson a chance to show what he can do outside of riding and doing the regulation western stunt stuff. Then, too, it's a little variation for those who follow up his productions. But just the same Hoot is much better in his own "line". He isn't a natural comedian and although he makes the best of the pretence as a boob college fellow, he's far more at home when he casts off the mask and begins to show his real self. There's some fair circus atmosphere but it's only the background for the star's character development. The actual circus isn't included. Hero is a disappointment to his parents who think he is a backward, girl-hating lad. In reality he's a girl-chasing, devil-raising scapegrace who accepts the suggestion of his parents that a job with a circus will make a man of him. He pretends to be a boob for a while and the ring folks have a lot of fun at his expense. But once he shows what he really is they step aside and even the man-hating cowgirl, Calamity June, "eats out of his hand" to the extent of consenting to marry him. ^The parents are well satisfied with the reformation. Box Office Angle. .. .Probably will satisfy average audience. Not quite as much action but you can show a trailer of the auto chase in the climax to get them in. Exploitation. .. .Where the star is a favorite you won't have to do much more than use his name and the title of his latest. The latter will naturally link up nicely with anything indicative of circus atmosphere. Use catchlines telling them how Hoot joins a circus and pretends to be a boob. Tell them in "The Sawdust Trail" Gibson plays the part of a woman-tamer. Invite them in to see how he does it. Direction. .. .Edward Sedgwick; fair Author Wm. Dudley Pelley Scenario Raymond L. Schrock Cameraman Virgil Miller Photography All right Locale The West Length 5,509 feet. Short Subjects "Maud Muller" — Brandeis Prod. — Pathe Beautifully Done Type of production 2 reel poem picturization This is an exceedingly worthwhile presentation of John Greenleaf Whittier's well-known poem. It has been done in an interesting way, too. A wealthy girl has a rather poor suitor whom she wishes to propose, and she reads the poem "Maud Muller" to him. The pathetic story of the country girl's love for the judge who marries a lady of wealth whom he does not love and sighs for "what might have been," is beautifully photographed and acted. Marjoric Daw is exceedingly pretty and does excellently in the title role. This is one that should be in, surely. "Behind the Scenes" — Standard Cinema— Selznick Fine for Fans Type of production....! reel novelty Here is a short reel that will find favor with any audience and in particular with the fan element. It is composed of various glimpses of film stars "off duty." Clyde Cook is seen behind the scenes at the Follies, Mr. and Mrs. Strongheart, the canine players, are visited; Betty Blythe is caught coming to the studio from her apartment in Macdougal Alley, New York. There are also minutes with Baby Peggy and her mother, Mae Murray welcoming David Warfield to Hollywood, an introduction to Irving Cohen, the chap who wrote "Yes, We Have No Bananas," and a visit to the Fickford-Fairbanks studios with Jack Pickford and Marilyn Miller. "Pardon Us"— Cameo-Educ'l Moderately Funny Type of production. . . .1 reel comedy A prison is the scene of the activities. It is a thoroughly up-to-theminute prison, operated by electricity. Cliff Bowes manages to get quite a few laughs by the manner in which he handles the ball and chain around his ankle. He does everything with it including knocking out guards and tearing holes in the floor of his cell. Virginia Vance is the girl. A moderately funny short reel. "The Little Savage"— Universal Commendable Action Number Type of production. . . .2 reel western The comedy-drama element is the most prominent feature of this tworccler which is classified as a western. There is a total absence of the usual horse-thief, sheriff action. Instead, there is an entertaining little romance centering around a ranch owner and his new neighbors. He has an argument with one of the young boys and visits the owner of the ranch to complain. The "boy" is really the owner's daughter, but her make-up is such that he does not recognize her. There is also an Eastern lover who complicates matters somewhat. There is some good fighting and as a whole the picture shapes up into quite good material. Pete Morrison stars, while the girl is Olive Hasbrouck. "A Woman's Honor" — Aesop FablePathe Good Light Humor Type of production 1 reel animated cartoon These fables are a welcome addition to any program, especially when a light short reel is to be desired. This is a good number, depicting the trials of a little mouse when his sweetheart is abducted by a bold bad pussy cat in a high silk hat. There is the usual chase of the hero after the villain and after much incident, some funny, some only mildly entertaining, the mouse is rescued and the villain foiled. Pathe Review No. 29 A Pleasing Number Type of production. . .1 reel magazine A most pleasing subject is included in this issue of Pathe Review. It is entitled "The Deep-Sea Harem," and consists of a series of views of a flock of seals disporting in the waters of the Pacific. It's verv good for this time of the year, particularly. Other interesting subjects include views of farm lands, and a visit to a monastery at Karyes, Greece. "The Runaway" — Max Fleischer — Red Seal Another Adventure of the Clown Type of production. ... 1 reel cartoon Max Fleischer certainly did a lot of work on this Out-of-the-Inkwell cartoon. In addition to the little cartoon clown, there is an actor portraying the devil and, of course, the artist himself. The clown goes through various adventures, finally dropping into the abode of the devil. He is chased by hundreds of little imps and finally after many adventures reaches his inkbottle in safety where he cuddles contentedly in the bottom of the bottle — safe. A particularly good example of the method used to make these cartoon drawings move is given. A large stack of drawings of the clown in different poses is shown and when it is shuffled by the artist's hand, the cartoon seems to actually move. This will give many folks who don't know how it's done a good idea of the work entailed in this sort of reel. "Wine of Youth" Producer: Louis B., 'Mayer Distributor : Metro-Goldwyn As a Whole. . . .LIVELY ONE FOR THE BOX OFFICE. PLENTY OF PEPPY JAZZ BUSINESS IN EARLY REELS THAT WILL GATHER IN THE THRILL CHASERS. Cast Great line-up of names. Players well chosen and do good work. Eleanor Boardman and Pauline Garon fine contrasting types as "modern jazz girls," and Ben Lyon, William Haines, William Collier, Jr., and Robert Agnew first rate as their "stepping" partners. Others E. J Ratcliffe, Eulalie Jensen, Gertrude Clarie. Type of Story Comedy-drama. Adapted from Rachel Crothers' play, "Mary the Third." And still another of the "Flaming Youth" variety. "Wine of Youth" has all the "kick" that's required to thrill the admirers of jazz picture entertainments. The early reels of this latest Louis Mayer production contain speed in the nth degree. It's fast and furious and there's little that Director King Vidor has overlooked in the way of pep. There's one great party that runs all the way from innocent little necking games to daring disrobing scenes wherein the camera is discreet enough to focus itself a la the censor, but even at that there are some shots and bits of business in "Wine of Youth" that will probably not appeal to either the scissor wielder or some of the remaining prime picture patrons, for that matter. But at that it's all quite harmless and for those who prefer their films with a "kick" they can't go wrong on "Wine of Youth." Of course there's a moral element woven in — that no matter what you do or say, you can't get away from it, the old fashioned, conventional ideas are the best. Whether or not it's convincing is a matter for your own judgment. The ending is a bit long and conversational. Box Office Angle Should be a regular "wow" for some exhibitors. You know what you can do with a film of this kind. If you cater to the small town, straight-laced patronage, it may not be so easy even with the moral ending. Exploitation .... A trailer of some of the jazz scenes and you won't have to do another thing to bring them in. 'Snuff said. They'll tell the other fellow about the picture you're going to show and they'll all be on hand. Tell them it's an adaptation of the stage play and deals with the flapper's discovery that, after all, it pays to be conventional and follow mother's and grandmother's advice. A likely box office that you know best how to exploit. Direction. .. .King Vidor; quite good hut a little long on ending. Author Rachel Crothers Scenario Carey Wilson Cameraman John Mescall Art Director Chas. Cadwallader Photography Good Locale American city Length 6,600 feet