The Film Daily (1921)

Sunday, January 9, 1921 tMA DAILY Another Thoroughly Enjoyable Comedy From MacLean Douglas MacLean in "THE ROOKIE'S RETURN" Ince — Paramount DIRECTOR Jack Nelson AUTHOR ArthurJM. McMackin SCENARIO BY Not credited CAMERAMAN Bert Cann AS A WHOLE Slight situations but comedy value is there and together with personalities and good titles it's all right STORY From McMackin's story; makes splendid vehicle for MacLean who gets it over DIRECTION Quite successful in making this comedy offering another MacLean fun maker PHOTOGRAPHY Good LIGHTINGS Usually all right CAMERA WORK Good STAR His personality always an asset SUPPORT Frank Currier a mischievous old Dad; Doris May charming EXTERIORS Adequate INTERIORS Correct DETAIL . . . Some very good titles CHARACTER OF STORY Rookie returns to find himself rich in money but he wants romance and adventure — he gets it LENGTH OF PRODUCTION 4,123 feet Personality has a whole lot to do with getting a character over and that's probably why Douglas MacLean has so little difficulty in making himself liked by picture goers. The minute he smiles his way into the picture you know you're going to like it and that's just what happens again in "The Rookie's Return." The "rookie" is one of a few late arrivals from "over there" and after he has played a joke on some of his buddies indulging in a quiet seance with the galloping dominoes and then proceeds to step on the General's foot, you're quite liable to make yourself comfortable and prepare to enjoy the rest of it. The story itself doesn't boast of much unusual comedy business but the way it has been done, together with the work of Frank Currier who plays the part of the humorous Dad and Doris May as the "girl" in the case and then some well written titles, — all these things make "The Rookie's Return" thoroughly enjoyable. Perhaps the biggest comedy bit is where Douglas enlists the aid of a "friend" to help locate his sweetheart's father. He says some not altogether complimentary things about the father to the ' friend" and here's where the laugh comes in. The audience knows that the "friend" is really the father who doesn't want to spoil a good joke and offers his assistance to find himself. Another good bit (the title writer's inning) shows the lovers getting into a cab with the shades drawn. It's dark inside and so the screen remains dark except for the somewhat "slushy" remarks being passed by the occupants — you know — "taxi" talk. James Stewart Lee, returned rookie, decides to make his own way in the world and not go to his wealthy Aunt, but he isn't very successful until he is hit by a golf ball driven by Alicia, a rich girl. James doesn't want the girl to see his humble boarding place so he has her drive him to his aunt's, where he learns she is dead and he is the heir. James and Alicia fall in love, but it's interrupted by the disappearance of the girl's father who has taken himself off to get away from the process of housecleaning which is going on in his home. The rookie meets the father and not knowing him previously asks the man's assistance in locating his sweetheart's father. The old man decides to have some fun for himself and enters into the search. He makes it good and lively by staging a kidnap and eventually the truth comes out and the sweethearts continue their interrupted love affair. No Need to Worry About This Unless'jYou Don't Book It Box Office Analysis for the Exhibitor Since he won his way into the hearts of the picture public in "Twenty-Three and a Half Hour's Leave" this delightful personality in the form of Douglas MacLean has been rather successfully keeping up the good work and in "The Rookie's Return" he again manages to put you in a^appy frame of mind and you just have to like him. His smile sets the thing going right off the (first) reel and from then on he keeps it going. The supporting cast in this case deserve a goodly share of credit for the comedy business and the title writer also has more than a little to do with it. The direction is very good and Nejson has managed to get the most out of the story's possibilities. Catchlines should go well. Say: "Ever get hit by a golf ball? Try it once. Might bring you good luck. See how it happened in 'The Rookie's Return/ Douglas MacLean's latest."