The Film Daily (1920)

18 DAILV Sunday, February 22, 1920 Broadway Stage Play Offers a Lot of Foolishment and Not Much Else Taylor Holmes in "THE VERY IDEA" Taylor Holmes Prod. — Metro DIRECTOR Lawrence Windom AUTHOR William LeBaron SCENARIO BY S. E. V. Taylor CAMERAMAN Jake Badaracco AS A WHOLE Silly sort of thing without any actual basic idea worth thinking about. STORY. . . .Very poor comedy material that stretches the imagination to ridiculous proportions. DIRECTION Didn't register any real humor and played around small ideas until it became tedious. PHOTOGRAPHY Good LIGHTINGS Satisfactory CAMERA WORK Ordinary STAR Overdid facial expressions in different emotions. SUPPORT Virginia Valli met requirements ; others suitable. EXTERIORS Florida scenes inviting INTERIORS Correct DETAIL Some sketches accompanying the titles are funnier than the picture itself. CHARACTER OF STORY Young married man with fatherly aspirations seeks to adopt a son when he cannot have one of his own. LENGTH OF PRODUCTION About 5,000 feet "The Very Idea" isn't much of an idea as far as making a screen story is concerned. Eugenics may be all very well in books and even to be taken seriously by those who desire to take it that way, but when it comes to making a comedy based on this theory, — well, it isn't entertaining to say the least. However, it isn't intended to be taken seriously but even at tliat there isn't a genuine lauoh in it. Even forgiving the author for the basis upon wTiich he has founded humor, "The Very Idea," like many previous farce and musical comedy adaptations, loses considerable of its appeal because of the missing dialogue. The title writer has endeavored to register some laughs but so many are required to keep the spectator informed, that they become tiresome and miss fire. Also look out for the scissored hand of the censor in more instances than one. Gilbert and Edith Goodhue, after despairing of having a child of their own, decided to adopt one so they betake themselves to an orphanage where they begin their hunt. However, before they can make a selection from the assortment of youthful applicants for a home, Edith's bachelor uncle, a eugenist, interrupts the aflfair and advises that they allow him to secure their son. Norah and Joe, maid and chauffeur respectively, in the home of the Goodhues, decide to get married so uncle in "anticipation" promptly plans to have Edith and Gilbert adopt Norah and Joe's baby, and in the meantime sends the proxy parents to Florida in order that they may become healthy parents for their adopted child. In Florida, Gilbert, fearing Norah and Joe are going to disappoint him, gets himself into much hot water, including jail, in his effort to secure a baby "by hook or crook." When the young chauflfeur does arrive Norah refuses to part with it but a smiling fadeout of Gilbert indicates renewed hopes for a son of his own Taylor Holmes is practically the whole show. He is on the screen from start to finish and works hard as the "man without a son." Virginia Valli was a rather unconcerned young wife and others in the cast were Betty Ross Clarke, Jack Levering, Edward Martindale, Jean Robb, Edward Lester, Fay Marbe and George Cooper. Use the Star's Name and Play Safe by Telling Them What It's About Box Office Analysis for the Exhibitor If you have a cosmopolitan audience, the theme of "The Very Idea" will probably get by with them and be accepted for what humor they can get out of it. There will be some chuckles but very few real laughs and even if they are inclined to laugh out they will probably feel obliged to restrain themselves because of the more or less risque character of the subject. The title will probably be familiar to many of your natrons because of the presentation of the play on Broadway last season with Ernest Truex. Play up the name of the star and use some catchlines. For instance, "Are you interested in eugenics? See how Edith and Gilbert finally secure a eugenic baby through the effort of a bachelor uncle." Or, "He wanted a son if he had to steal one. See Taylor Holmes in his son-hunting comedy, 'The Very Idea' at the blank theater."