The Film Daily (1924)

THE Wednesday, July 30, 1924 Newspaper Opinions New York "The Man Who Fights Alone"— F. P.-L. Rialto ■AMERICAN—* ♦ * probably the best thing William Farnum has ever done on the screen, it is by no means a masterpiece. It & one of those cut and dried films that are all right as a programme picture, but nothing to brag about when one is mentioning art. What I like best in this * * * are the exteriors. * ♦ * : BULLETIN — * * • Farnum does not seem to have improved greatly in his year away from the films. He might at least have learned from the newer stage technique of repression. * • * DAILY NEWS—* * * You probably won't think much of "The Man Who Fights Alone" as a story. But if you miss seeing t,ois Wilson it's your own fault. •'evening world—* * * Bill fights pretty well alone and stili maintains his oM screen charm * • • HERALD-TRIBUNE—* * * The story isn't the sort which interests us in the least, but it is unusually well acted and directed, and the presence of Lois Wilson gave it an interest it would not otherwise have ■ had. • • * MORNING TELEGRAPH—* * * the story was never intended for William Farnum. ♦ ♦ * Lois Wilson is excellent * * * It is a very difficult role, but Miss Wilson accepts every demand and gives us a splendid, faultless performance. • * * POST — * * * will please you part of the time and bore you exceedingly for the rest of it. On the whole, we'd rate it as mediocre stuff, even, though Wallace Worsely, the director, and Lois Wilson and Edward Everett Horton do their capable best to make it something worth while. • * * TIMES — Whatever induced the producers to risk the financial outlay and trouble involved in filming the story, * * • is something of a niystery * * * It seems almost incredible that Jack Cunningham * * * could have possibly perpetrated the adaptation of this pictorial infliction. No less astonishing is the fact that it was directed by Wallace Worsley, * * * Lois Wilson gives the only really praiseWorthy performance * * * WORLD— William Farnum returns • * ♦ in another one of those strong; silent men's parts ♦ • * Farnum never misses an opportunity to overact. wide-eyed with the beauties conjured up by reminiscence, it will probably be considered a big success. * * * MORNING DISPATCH— By all means do not miss "Single Wives" * * * a picture which contains almost every element to satisfy the fervid picture fan — a superb cast * * ♦ a lavish production in which no expense has been spared, and a story that is lilted out of the average run of its type. * * * POST— Earl J. Hudson, who is a mighty good director, would do better to stay away from authoring. * * ♦ * * * Altogether, the cast is good, which is some consolation, though not enough — not nearly enough. SUN — "Single Wives," as is almost painfully inevitable from the title, is another one of those marriage things with the neglected wife and the protesting turn to the other man, though it hurts her, and the final return to the first man, which one would fancy should hurt her quite as much, although it never seems to. It might be retitled "Passions for Puppets" with considerable more meaning. * * * TIMES—* * * To us this film would be just as bad as "For Sale" if it were not for the redeeming presence of Miss Griffith. Out-of-Town "Babbitt"— Warners Randolph, Chicago AMERICAN— The first part of the film which is rather slow, gives much time to details of domestic life. Throughout was careful attention paid to comedy, seldom of an elusive kind, which occasioned many laughs in the theater. "Don't Doubt Your Husband"— Metro-Gold. Loew's, Montreal GAZETTE—* * * Viola Dana has one of the merriest photoplays in which she has ever appeared. "The Enchanted Cottage"— 1st Nafl Strand, Milwaukee SENTINEL — As long as an occasional picture like "The Enchanted Cottage" edges its way into the mass of sensational and sexladen productions that is the annual movie output, there is still hope for the ultimate triumph of artistry on the screen. •■ "Single Wives"— First Nafl jj Strand BULLETIN—* * * has an all-star cast, t)iat will doubtless attract patrons • * * The story concerns neglected wives, indif-ferent husbands and what happens. Not a world-beater. •EVENING JOURNAL—* * * The set.lihgs • ^ ' are lovely, and there are all the igowns, situations, and backgrounds demanded of a society spectacle. Miss Griffith is exquisitely beautiful, the others in the cast .are decorative. • * • ' HERALD-TRIBUNE—* * * depicts the horrors of married life. Corinne Griffith plays the leading role * and, as the part gives her a chance to '• wear beautiful clothes and to stand around "Three Weeks"— Metro-Gold. New Fillmore, San Francisco (Week Ending July 19.) BULLETIN — The picture is sincere in its adaptation, following the book and strikingly bringing out the big situations. CHRONICLE— The picture has a very high moral tone, and the sincerity of the author, who supervised its production, is evident to anyone. "What Shall I Do?'»— Prod. Dist. Corp. Neighborhood Houses, Chicago DAILY NEWS—* * * "What Shall I Do?" is a melodrama, not especially original, but of standard size, and it may be either four or six cylinder. RUDOLPH VALENTINO! Each of us together coulda't make half a lover Hke you, but we got a vampire IN HOLLYWOOD that could vamp tw^o like you and not rub the shine from her nose. Prom Cloaks and Suits in stylish mixtures To cloaking "beauts" in moving pictures. Ever since we produced ''The Hunchback of Notre Dame" people have been asking us: *'What is your next big production?" We are now ready with the answer. It is A Drama for the Entire Human Race £f It was directed by Rupert Julian, the man who made "Merry Go Round." This is Universal's latest great picture. There is a strange and pathetic twist to this wonder story that thrills the mind and fires the blood; that plays upon the entire range of human emotions in a manner so eloquent and appeal' ing as to be difficult of description. The producing cast, flanked by gorgeous scenery and exquisite photography, is headed by such brilliant players as Charles De Roche, Wallace MacDonald, Madge Bellamy, Gibson Gowland, Ford Sterling, Priscilla Moran and others. It has been adapted from the remarkable novel written by Robert H. Davis and Perley Poore Sheehan. It enlightens. It inspires. We recommend it to you with a certain knowledge of your keenest appreciation and fullest enjoyment. We earnestly request you to visit the Lyric Theatre, 42nd Street, west of Broadway, and see this thrilling drama, where it will open on Monday Evening, August fourth, and continue to show twice daily. UNIVERSAL PICTURES CORPORATION Carl Laemmle, President P. S,—This is one of Universal's first big twelve pictures for 1 924-5.