The Film Daily (1921)

Sunday, January 2, 1921 tM\ DAILY 25 Good Production and Photography Help Make Up What Story Lacks Eva Novak in "THE TORRENT" Universal DIRECTOR Stuart Paton AUTHOR George Rix SCENARIO BY Charles Hum and Wallace Clifton CAMERAMAN Herbert Glennoh AS A WHOLE Unusually well made picture for program type of story ; water stuff especially very good STORY Nothing very new; old desert island hero and heroine idea but production is interesting DIRECTION Handles familiar story material in first rate fashion ; allows players to overact once or twice PHOTOGRAPHY Very good LIGHTINGS Many night scenes particularly effective CAMERA WORK First rate STAR Certainly earns her money in this SUPPORT L. C. Shumway overacts; Jack Per rin good hero ; others all right EXTERIORS Mostly on island INTERIORS Good DETAIL Usually all right CHARACTER OF STORY Unhappy wife cast on desert island finds her real mate there and is happy with him when hubby drinks himself to death LENGTH OF PRODUCTION 4,855 feet Universal has taken a time worn story and through the efforts of the director and those in charge of the production generally, has come through with a program picture, that while not "big" offers satisfaction through its production value. There is some very good water stuff and the usual desert island ingredients— all very well done. 4 There are a good many night scenes and the arc and search light have been used splendidly in photographing these. There's one very good shot of a yacht illuminated — also a night scene. The photography and camera work all the way through is first rate. Eva Novak is the star and she certainly earns her money. For the most part it is necessary that she wear tattered clothes and it is to be hoped the island was located in a warm climate otherwise after such exposure and duckings Eva must indeed have caught cold. She carries the role very well and proves herself a real heroine. L. C. Shumway is inclined to overact in his part of the husband. Jack Perrin makes a good aviator hero. Jack Curtis makes the most of a character part. Velma Patton remains on the deck of her husband's yacht bound for the South Seas, while he makes merry in the cabin below with his drink-loving guests, among them Anne Mayhew, former chorus girl but not "attached to Patton's pocketbook." Velma goes below and begs Sam, her husband, to stop drinking because the doctor says it will bring on a stroke. In a rage Sam chases his wife up to the deck but is stricken in the act and believed by his guests and Velma to be dead. Later Velma leans too far over the rail and goes overboard. Then comes the desert island where she meets Paul Mack who has landed his hydroplane there. There is also a derelict on the island who destroys the plane and the two are forced to remain there. Eventually after a battle with some moonshiners who thought Paul was a revenue officer, the two escape. Then Velma returns home to find her husband alive and the Mayhew girl installed in her place. Sam is paralyzed and has been forbidden to drink. Eventually he cannot resist it and the liquor kills him leaving Paul and Velma free to marry. Use the Star's Name and Tell Them About the Desert Island Action Box Office Analysis for the Exhibitor You can' book this picture and most likely give adequate satisfaction with it. The production provided helps in no small way to cover up the familiar situations which comprise this story adapted from George ;Rix's "Out of the Sunset." Talk about the production and tell them there are many interesting bits that take place on the island. You might also mention some very good night stuff. It is really very good. Use the name of the new Universal star and you can attract with catchlines such as : "If you believed your husband dead and returned to your home with a new found love and then was greeted by a husband who had never respected you and was now a cripple, what would you do? That is the situation faced by Eva Novak in 'The Torrent,' her latest Universal picture.