The Film Daily (1921)

tMA DAILY Sunday, January 2, 1921 Charles Ray Pleasing as Usual in Role a Little Different Arthur S. Kane presents Charles Ray in "NINETEEN AND PHYLLIS" Ray — First National DIRECTOR Joseph De Grasse AUTHOR Frederick Stowers SCENARIO BY Bernard McConville CAMERAMAN Chester Lyons AS A WHOLE Fine entertainment; delightful Charlie seen out of his usual character but is just as pleasing STORY Gives star a change but affords him same opportunities of which he makes the best use DIRECTION First rate for the most part; many individually good bits PHOTOGRAPHY Good LIGHTINGS Some night scenes good CAMERA WORK All right STAR The Same Charles Ray SUPPORT Clara Horton Ray's leading lady this time; others all do well EXTERIORS Correct INTERIORS Good DETAIL Very good CHARACTER OF STORY Ambitious youth with beer pocketbook and champagne taste finds it difficult to combat with his rich rival LENGTH OF PRODUCTION 5,744 feet The first and most important thing about "Nineteen and Phyliss" is that Charles Ray plays the part of a young dandy instead of the awkward country boy. But even with this change Charlie is the same Charlie, and the same mannerisms peep out from under his slick regalia. He's an ambitious young fellow in the kind of a town where "dances" are the rage with the _ innger set. Charlie has two passions — clothes and Phyllis — and both come near ruining him. • For the most part the direction is very good. There are one or two places where the interests threatens to slacken but generally speaking this isn't noticeable enough to worry about. Many little things, well done, are bound to meet with approval. For instance, hero Charlie has practically mortgaged his soul to buy a dress suit and in the midst of his anticipated debut in it, he drops the silk hat and his genuine fright at the headgear's near destruction is great. There is another good bit when, all dressed up, he tries to "sneak" out to the dance but his uncle is standing guard at the foot of the stairs. His various ruses to dislodge the uncle from the guard post are really funny. When Phyllis' uncle gets inquisitive as to how much Charlie makes a week he says $18 very bodly but the scant sum is such a shock the uncle asks him to repeat it. This time, a wiggley $18 on the screen indicates hero's courage is weakening. Many similar bits all register effectively. Charlie is just a poor clerk working for $18 a week which isn't enough to even pay the war tax on the two greatest things in life for him — Phyllis and "snappy" clothes. Jimmie Long, a rich fellow with a car, is also in love with Phyllis and it's this awful circumstance that causes Charlie so much worry. At a dance Charlie asks Phyllis to marry him. She says they are too young but they agree to become engaged. Then comes a shock. Charlie has no ring and the one Phyllis selects costs $500. He pays a deposit on it. Then hero decides to startle the town and appear in a dress suit. This he does and figures he should be out of debt by 1940. In the meantime Jimmy has paid cash for the ring and intends giving it to Phyllis. In the same meantime Charlie hits upon a way to pay his bills. All he has to do is capture the burglar who is cleaning up the town and claim $1000 reward. How Charlie accidentally lands the burglar, gets the thousand and wins the girl is for you to see. Say the Star is a Small Town Beau Brummel in this One Box Office Analysis for the Exhibitor In announcing Ray's next attraction "Nineteen and Phyllis" be sure to tell them they're going to see him in a role a little different than those he has had most recently. Instead of his' customary country boy clothes, he's a regular "slicker"— white flannels, sport shoes, cane, n everything. You can make promises for the comedy business contained in it and tell them not to miss seeing Ray as a "dandy" in "Nineteen and Phyllis." You can tell them it's a story of puppy love and if you want to give an idea of the story catchlines should help you out. You shouldn't have to work to get them in to see this. Mention of the star's name should be sufficient. You might say that Clara Horton plays opposite in this. Charlie's sure to make the young girls' hearts tingle when they see him dance like a regular Princeton stepper. Stills can be used advantageously.