The Film Daily (1924)

Tuesday, July 29, 1924 THE Newspaper Opinions "Another Scandal"— Prod. Dist. Corp. Fenway, Boston TRANSCRIPT— It is excellent motion picture fodder for the seeker after what Mr. Hamilton calls the "rattle of sex," if, as we said before, he does not go on Sunday. If he does, he will be well punished for breaking the fourth commandment. TRAVELER— I frankly admit that I have seen worse pictures than "Another Scandal." But there are some scenes in this picture — notably the opening one — that are not only distasteful, but crude. "The Enemy Sex"— F. P.-L. Madison, Detroit FREE PRESS— It is the type of photoplay that those worthy persons who are continually demanding the betterment of screen plays will disapprove of, and those screen patrons who like their entertainment a little bit snappy and zestiul will like immensely. NEWS — James Cruze has made better pictures than "The Enemy Sex," at the Madison, but that is because he has had better material to work with. » • * The atmosphere throughout the film is thick with lavishness and there are numerous wild but totally harmless "parties." Eastman, Rochester DEMOCRAT & CHRONICLE— It presents Betty Compson in the role of a human clothes rack for the first time — a role, which it is only just to add, increases her screen appeal a hundredfold. James Cruze, * ♦ * was apparently on a vacation when he directed "The Enemy Sex." Despite this fact, however, there are masterly touches which mark this gifted director's skill. HERALD — If one enjoys a series of flirtations and likes to watch Betty Compson's pretty face in a number of close-ups, then far be it from this reviewer to criticize "The Enemy Sex." TIMES-UNION— Its cynicism, sentitnentalism and half-baked ethics will harm no sophisticated mind, but the very excellence of its technique make it undesirable pro vender for the immature. California, San Francisco (Week Ending July 19) BULLETIN— The picture has all the elements of good entertainment and is really one of the best Miss Compson has done. It is an outstanding event of the week's celebration. CALL and POST— "The Enemy Sex" is a "must" picture You simply must see it ! CHRONICLE— A splendid group of players surround Miss Compson, with Huntley Gordon doing fine work as the Judge and Percy Marmont acquitting himself agreeably aa Larrv * • • DAILY NEWS— It is staged with lavishness and the action is lively. Percy Marmont makes an appealing figure always, and the support is excellent. EXAMINER — The picture itself has nothing new to offer — except a new Betty Compson. HERALD — The individual portrayal oi each member of the cast, blended through capable direction, makes "The Enemy Sex," now playing at the California theater, a delight. Columbia, Washington HERALD — * * * one of the most superb and gripping studies of metropolitan urban existence ever caught by the camera • ♦ * POST — The picture has all the elements ot popularity and considered from every angle — plot, direction, acting, settings and photography— is the embodiment of perfect screen entertainment. -STAR — Betty Compson has one of her best roles in a long time as Dodo. Her natural vivacity and sparkle suit well the carefree "salamander" or "gold digger" type, and later the sweetness and womanliness that lie beneath are well reflected by this capable and charming actress. TIMES — Ascending from the depths of low flippancy to tlie higher altitude of pure criticism, it may be stated that the Columbia picture this week is an altogether worthwhile piece of screen craftsmanship. "Flapper Wives"— Selznick Metropolitan, Baltimore .SUN — * * * a splendid instance of too much plot, none of which is worth much at that "The Fool's Awakening"— Metro-Gold. Garden, Milwaukee SENTINEL— ♦ • * the director, has failed to grasp the rather spiritual elements that made the book worth while, and as a result the film must depend upon the physical, represented by suspense, action and one good thrill, to get by. JOURNAL — Miss Daniels is always an interesting person to meet upon the screen. With less looks than personality, and everincreasing ability, she brings always a freshness to the moving pictures, and never more so than as an unguarded woman. POST — I think you will enjoy this oflfer ing. It has a somewhat different story, very well presented and acted by a trio of vvel! liked players. "Single Wives"— 1st Nat'l The Chicago, Chicago TRIBUNE — the director rolls up his sleeves and goes to it ; he has a message for the world. And the actors grit their teeth, square their shoulders, and do their — tut, tut i — their duty. With the result that a heavy — almost sodden— movie informs you tliat Business is the Great Home Wrecker. Capitol, Detroit FREE PRESS—* * * "Single Wives" is so well acted by the splendid cast selected that its box-office success is assured, although it never will be included among the best pictures of 1924. NEWS^ — It's not the meat but the gravy, that makes Corinne Griffith's new picture, a tasty dish to place before almost any type of movie fan. And it is Miss Griffith herself who spoons out most of the gravy. • * * "The Spitfire" — Asso. Exhibitors Century, Baltimore SUN — Despite lapses in photography and lighting, the production is well staged and interesting. Its scenario provides several glimpses of backstage life. Fox, Philadelphia INQUIRER— Throughout the entire action, the cast strives to pervade the story with a humor that is hard to conquer, and are wonderfully successful in transmitting this to the audience. PUBLIC LEDGER (Morning)— The story is fairly interesting but many miles from being plausible. But in this weather who could worry about such a trifling thing as the plot anyway. "Unguarded Women"— F. P.-L. McVicker's, Chicago HERALD & EXAMINER—* * * perhaps the film is worth the price, if riot as good story-telling, at least as a sedative for tired eyes. WILL HAYS! You control the picture business ! But, what do you know about MIRTH CONTROL? We control that ! IN HOLLYWOOD From Cloaks and Suits to Cloaking "Beauts" "Wanderer of the Wasteland" — F. P.-L. State, Cleveland NEWS — The coloring is beautiful and quite realistic — so beautiful, in fact, that it carries your mind away from the story, though the producers didn't become so enthusiastic over the photography that they overlooked the plot and its presentation entirely. The picture is full of action * * ♦ PRESS — Beyond any question, the movie would have been a splendid one if made in the ordinary black and white photography. But tlie use of color heightens and emphasizes all the chief eflfects of this movie. * * * The cast * * * is an extremely capable one. Capitol, Montreal GAZETTE — The picture is one to delight the artist and all lovers of the beautiful, while its dramatic content will satisfy those to whom this must be the chief appeal. It has one fault — from the latter standpoint — it is too long drawn out. Granada, San Francisco (Week Ending July 19.) BULLETIN— » * * has sufficient element of action to make excellent screen entertainment, but in presenting this story in natural colors * * * is establishing an epoch in the motion picture industry. CALL and POST— It is a pleasure to record that the picture more than fulfilled the high expectations aroused by the advance reports. CHRONICLE — The registration is almost perfect, with only an occasional blurring of outline in the landscapes, and in the closeups it is marvelous. DAILY NEWS — Nobody who sees "Wanderer of the Wasteland," regardless of its merits as a picture-play, can fail to ecognize in it a great step in advance, and the beginning of a new period of screen history. EXAMINER — The pictures are not as sharp as they should be, which may explain why they seem less restful to the eye than the uncolored pictures. HERALD— The thrills that one has always felt on beholding the glories of the desert and mountain lands with wondering eyes may admire them now with redoubled interest • * * "White Shadows"— Selznick Mission, Los Angeles (Week Ending July 19.) EXAMINER — Speaking soberly, there's no harm in this dramatic prepossession. It has a genuine Italian opera quality ; it would make marvelous patterning for a glorified Bertha M. Clay literary opus. But in its present form it falls short of being utterly convincing. TIMES—* * * although the picture isn't poor, it doesn't rank much higher than the average American program feature. And it moves much slower. It has a few redeeming qualities, especially for the Betty Compson fans. "The Woman on the Jury"— 1st Natl Strand, San Francisco (Week ending July 19) BULLETIN—* * * Something more than simply a picture with unusually good entertainment. CHRONICLE— * * * Is an enthrallingly interesting picture, made from a play by a Milwaukee business man, written as the result of a lunchean hour bet. DAILY NEWS— * * * Brings together an unusual assemblage of screen stars, near stars and former stars. Some of the best of them appear in small parts, all of which are in exceedingly competent hands. HERALD— "The Woman on the Jury" at the Strand this week is blessed with some exceptional acting. "Woman To Woman" — Selznick Palace, Philadelphia PUBLIC LEDGER (Evening)— The plot is not startlingly original, but it will afford some summer amusement. Smiles, Tears, Heart' throbs. Here is a Big Picture Everyone is talking about. Sol Lesser presents Baby Peggy The Biggest Little Star in the World in Xapbin January" The Great American Classic by Laura E. Richards With Hobart Bosworth, Irene Rich, Lincoln Stedman, Harry T. Morey and Barbara Tennant Directed by Edward F. Cline J\ (Plinciuof '■ JtlCLiXje^ .rtxrdjjjddori Distributed through our territorial franchise holders who own and operate individual distributing branches in every key center. .^sssssfl COMIIMG SOON PRODUCERS DISTRIBUTING CORPORATION THE WISEJ^IRGIN" STAaQiNC Patsy Ruth Miller ELMER HARRIS SPECIAL PaOOUCTION ANO Matt Moore