The Film Daily (1920)

30 jaii_4i DAILY Sunday, March 14, 1920 Mollie King Returns in Very Well Done Domestic Drama Mollie King in "WOMEN MEN FORGET" United Picture Theaters DIRECTOR John M. Stahl AUTHOR Elaine Sterne SCENARIO BY Paul Bern CAMERAMAN Percy Holbrook AS A WHOLE Domestic drama that holds interest admirably and shows unusual and intense conflict of characters. STORY Very well developed DIRECTION Registers all points naturally and to good effect. PHOTOGRAPHY Average LIGHTINGS Mostly plain CAMERA WORK Good STAR Shows considerable emotional ability in this and registers exceedingly well. SUPPORT Edward Langford and Frank Mills both handle big parts expertly. EXTERIORS Satisfactory INTERIORS Appropriate DETAIL Story helped a lot by subtitles that are practically all spoken. CHARACTER OF STORY Wife wins back husband from "other woman" through her under standing. LENGTH OF PRODUCTION 4,600 feet "Women Men Forget" is notable in that it marks Mollie King's retnrn to the screen after quite an absence and also because of the fact that it presents a domestic drama of unusual interest, well developed, and containing an interesting and at times very intense conflict of characters. The picture is an example of what can be done with a very good story, a small cast, and at little, but no stinting expense. For while it never ofl:'ers anything lavish in the way of setting or action, the story grips through the author's rather cle\er juggling with plain realities, and though the results she achieves may appear artificial to some at times, they are generally very appealing because of the fact that they are founded on true situations. I\Iiss King appears as Mary Graham, the unhappy wife of Robert, who is attracted to Helen, supposedly Mary's friend and in time their aft'air becomes common gossip. About to become a mother Mary is sent away to the country by James Livingston, an old friend who admires her greatly and despises Robert. After the birth of a child which she keeps a secret from her husband Mary returns to her city home in the hope of finding Robert repentant but instead she discovers him in Helen's arms. Livingston then takes matters in his hands and breaks Robert in the stock market, with the result that Helen leaves him, refusing" to ofifer assistance. Mary, still loving her husband and realizing that he is little more than a very foolish boy, proves her love and forgiveness by off^ering him all the negotiable things she has in the world and then introduces him to their son. The director has treated his material exceptionally well. The manner in which he gets over the fact that Mary is to become a mother by using the dog and the kittens is a fine touch. Then, too, in the many scenes which bring husband and wife and the other woman together he has shown sure dramatic skill. Fe 's assisted in no small respect by the star and principal supporting players. Miss King plays with real feeling and displays an emotional ability that is no less telling than it is, in a way, surprising. Edward Langford gives a realistic picture of the weakling husband and Frank Mills as the friend, who, thank goodness, doesn't develop into a villain, is always pleasing. Lucy Fox as Helen and Jane Jennings in a small character role complete the cast. You Can Say a Lot About This and the Picture WJl Deliver Box Office Analysis for the Exhibitor "Women Men Forget" is a picture that you can adA'ertise extensively with a feeling of safety, for the story and production are behind you to deliver complete if not unusual satisfaction to most all audiences. You might make something of Miss King's return 'o he screen in your cainpaign. She had quite a poprhr'lv before, and her work in this picture certainly stamps her as a good actress. Give the title a good display also, for it is one that will immediately attract attention. Catch lines written around the plot will attract. Try one of these : "Because she loved her husband she forgave him even when he regarded her as a stranger in her own home," "She found herself an intruder in her own home where the 'other woman' presided."