The Film Daily (1921)

10 DAILY Sunday, January 9, 1921 Harry Leon Wilson's Yarn Makes Enjoyable Picture "THE SPENDERS" B. B. Hampton Prod. — Hodkinson DIRECTOR Jack Conway AUTHOR Harry Leon Wilson SCENARIO BY E. Richard Schayer CAMERAMAN Harry Vallejo AS A WHOLE Good production of a highly interesting story. Much bright comedy and many tense situations make it a thoroughly desirable offering STORY Humor and suspense evenly balanced. A tale that has a wide appeal DIRECTION Good for the most part. There is a slight let-down near the end PHOTOGRAPHY Good LIGHTINGS .. ... All right CAMERAWORK Adequate PLAYERS Claire Adams, Robert McKim, Joseph Dowling and Niles Welch, handle principal roles in highly satisfactory manner. All the rest good EXTERIORS Several good westerns INTERIORS Satisfactory DETAIL Might have put more of Wilson's lines in titles CHARACTER OF STORY Old Western pioneer turns tables on Wall Street crooks who are fleecing his grandson LENGTH OF PRODUCTION 5,693 feet It will be conceded by a big majority of picture patrons that Harry Leon Wilson's imaginative romance of the "West coming to the East," is the sort of tale that makes for real screen entertainment of the right sort, in its picture form. Nothing deep or problematic about it, but an enjoyable romance, the sort of entertainment that no one can find much fault with. It's a clean, snappy comedy, with swift moving action most of the way through, and enough element of suspense to provide an exciting climax, even if it does turn out the way the audience has guessed. The scenarist and director are responsible for keeping the story true to its original form, and presenting it in a clear and smooth way. The one spot in the picture where there seems to be a slight bit of stalling is toward the close, but it isn't long and the suspense previously created will make it unnoticeable to many. The story begins with the Bines family in Montana City, after the death of Daniel J. Bines, the millionaire builder. Uncle Peter Bines, who founded the fortune, wants the family to stay in the west. P. Percival Bines, of the third generation, and his sister Psyche, want to live in New York. Avice Milbrey of New York who is passing through Montana City in Rulon Shepler's private car, causes Percy to firmly decide for New York when he assists her to catch the train after a thrilling dash in an auto. The family, except Uncle Peter, go to New York, where Percy falls in love with Avice, who is to be forced to marry Shepler because he holds financial reins on Avice's father. Shepler starts in to break Percy in Wall Street. Rumors of this reach Uncle •Peter who comes to New York and plays a secret game in Wall Street, "coppering" all of Percy's bets. The financial crash comes and with it a blow at Percy's reputation on a frame-up involving him with a chorus girl. Avice makes a financial clean-up through money invested with Uncle Peter, and she then lerrds it to the old man to win or loose for both of them. Just when Percy thinks he hasn't a cent left, Uncle Peter appears with all the money won back. Avice straightens out her father's finances with her winnings, and the end finds her with Percy — now Peter — on their way to their home in the west. Promise Them Real Entertainment— Author's Name Will Help Box Office Analysis for the Exhibitor You need not be afraid to make promises of a high class entertainment, good comedy, and a pretty little romance for this picture, because it will back you up, and undoubtedly will please your patrons, no matter what class audiences you cater to. Featuring the interest of the story itself is the best bet, although you also have well known names in the cast, in Robert McKim, Claire Adams, and Joseph Dowling. Tell them what it's about, as the idea of the crude old westerner cleaning up the Wall Street sharks carries an appeal. Harry Leon Wilson is a well known and popular writer, and from the wide circle of readers who enjoy his stories in current magazines, his name will be valuable in your advertising.