The Film Daily (1921)

*ONE OF THE BEST MYSTERY DRAMAS PRODUCED IN A LONG TIME* That's shrhat they say of' The Devil to Pay" you'll say so too when you see the picture at the nearest Rathe exchange! Exhibitors Herald "A? "/r SPECIAL CAST IN THE DEVIL TO PAY (PATHE) Melodrama and mystery well proportioned make this an exciting and absorbing feature. Unexpected turns and twists keep the suspense keen until the unexpected revelation of the method of the murder that is the feature's, nucleus. Swift-moving, aptly titled and well photographed. A Brunton production. Moving Picture World'*/* "The Devil to Pay" Engrossing Mystery Story Developed in Six-Part Brunton Subject, Released by Pat he Reviewed by Robert C McElravy One of the best mystery stories shown in some time has been developed in "The Devil to Pay," a Robert Brunton production, adapted from a novel by Frances Nimmo Greene. It loses not a moment in swinging into action, riveting the attention by a suggested hanging, with the wife waiting outside the prison for the body of her husband when the law has taken its course. Slowly the mystery surrounding the hanging, and the possible connection of one of the town's big bankers with the original crime, is brought into play. It is one of those stories which begin in the midst of tense situation and skilfully weaves backward and forward from the starting point until the mystery is finally solved. It has been expertly put together and reflects credit on all concerned. The cast is finely balanced, with RoyStewart as the calm, self-reliant prosecuting attorney; Robert McKim as the suspected banker, and Fritzi Brunette in one of the best roles she has had. The supporting cast is made up of experienced players, and the result is like the smooth, even performance of a competent stock company. The scenes are laid in and about a prison, in a fine private home, in a restaurant and in a court room. The trial scenes have been carefully staged. The production is a fascinating one of its kind. DAILY Sunday, December 5, 1920 Mystery Drama With Well Sustained Suspense and Good Production •THE DEVIL TO PAY" Roberjt Brunton Prod. — Pathe DIRECTOR Ernest C. Warde AUTHOR Frances Nimmo Greene SCENARIO BY Jack Cunningham CAMERAMAN Arthur L. Todd AS A WHOLE A real "fan" type of picture with good mystery element and suspense well sustained STORY j Some of its "intrikut" business not plausible but this doesn't matter; it plays its part just the same DIRECTION. .....Develops his material toward good climax; brings things to rather hurried conclusion PHOTOGRAPHY All right LIGHTINGS Good CAMERA WORK ? . . Satisfactory PLAYERS Robert McKim, Roy Stewart and Frtzi Brunnette handle most important roles well ; others all very good EXTERIORS Very few INTERIORS Adequate DETAIL All right CHARACTER OF STORY Mystery drama in which girl's fiance is proven crook while the girl believes htm innocent LENGTH OF PRODUCTION .... About 5,800 feet After watching Roy Stewart hounding Robert McKim until he proves him a crook in both "The Money Changers" and "The Devil to Pay" folks will begin to know just what kind of a story to expect when they see the two names announced in connection with a picture. There is a similarity "in these two productions but where "The Money Changers" had it in action, "The Devil to Pay" has it in mystery. The director has developed the plot coherently, yet the suspense is well sustained and the interest maintained until the end at which tirne things are brought to perhaps an abrupt conclusion and not altogether comprehensive solution. Nevertheless it suffices to bring the mystery to a solution even if they use the rather old-fashioned method of having the villain shoot himself. The cast is a good one, each player being well suited to his respective part. Besides those mentioned Evelyn Selbie, George Fisher and others handles smaller roles adequately. The opening scenes are effective from a photographic standpoint. The scene is that of a gallows on which a hanging is taking place. The actual gallows is not seen, however. Merely the shadow is shown. This is rather a gruesome opening for a picture but it was probably intended for purposes of emphasis which certainly register. Brent Warren, leading banker and politicion, commits a felony for which he sends George Roan to death. In some way, never explained to the spectator, Roan is brought back to life and from time to time Warren is haunted by the voice of Roan, usually over the telephone. Cullen Grant, district attorney and former suitor of Dare Keeling, a wealthy girl now in love with Warren, secures evidence against Warren and orders his arrest. Dare maintains her confidence in Warren but Grant's further suspicion against Warren is aroused when Dare begs Warren to give her some of her money for which he is her trustee. Grant suspects that the money is for -Warren. Dare's brother Larry is against Warren but at the same time wants to preserve his sister's happiness. Larry becomes secretary to Warren and discovers papers which prove Warren's guilt. At the trial Warren is confident of a favorable verdict until Grant announces another witness. It is Jcoan, the supposedly dead man, who proves that Warren forced him to kill the man. Warren cheats the law by shooting himself as he attempts to get away. Play Up Title and Type of Story With Lines that Attract Box Office Analysis for the Exhibitor "The Devil to Pay" is a typical "movie fan" type of story And as such should prove a good box office bet. It has well maintained suspense and should be played up from the mystery standpoint. Announce it as a story of a man who was hanged but later came back to testify against the man who sent him to the gallows. The title has drawing power and can be used effectively with catchlines. Mention the names of Roy Stewart and Robert McKim and recall their joint work in "The Money Changers" if you happen to have played it and say that "The Devil to Pay" contains as much mystery as "The Money Changers" contained action. Use the line: "You can't'get away with it if jou have 'The Devil to Pay.' He'll get you sooner or later.' " Trade Review % "The Devil to Pay" ' A Robert Brunton Production in Six Parts. Distributed by Pathe. Directed by E. C. "Warde. Running Time, Seventy Minutes. THE CAST. Callon Oreut *07 Btewert Brent Wirrnn ... • Hob-irt McKim D»r* Keeling Fritzi Brunette Larry aTeeunj Boons Fisher Krt. Bo an Evelyn Selbie Oeorrc Boan Joseph J. Dowllnj Die* Boas Hlchard Upu Dr. Jsrni*en *«k Feoton DeteolWe Potter William Merlon BTVOFSU. Brent Warren, e power in tbe financial end political clrolei of Hampton. tends Been, hie employee end eaootnplioe In crime, to the raJlowt. A surgeon brian Keen back to life. Meanwhile Collen Grant, the district attorney and einance of Warren'i promised wife, falne criminal evidence agalnat tbe banker and briruri him to trial. The girl asks Grant, her truitae. for her money to help Warren, hot the D. A. refusal. Be uses Boan ■■ bij etar witness, oonrlcta Warren, and wins the tiri. A mystery melodrama with a unique twist in the plot which not only lifts the picture out of the usual' run of crook stories but will baffle the audience to the end. The letters and the mysterious telephone voice are excellent touches in keeping up the suspense and have been skilfully handled. "The Devil to Pay" is a splendid title suggestive enough to attract a wide variety of people, and the popular type of thispicture will entertain any audience. Cast— All star. The work of Roy Stewart, Fritzi Brunette and Robert McKim is very true to life. Joseph J. Dowling and Evelyn Selbie do wonderfut bits of characterization and George Fisher is a very boyish and earnest brother. Points of Appeal — Has interest, suspense, mystery mingled with romance and the novel idea of resuscitating the dead man and using him in the climax. Photography and Lighting — Of the best throughout. The scenes of the mysterious stranger especially well done. Motion Picture News % "THE DEVIL TO PAY" (Brunton-Pathe) 1 Strong Mystery Story Carries Interest \HE DEVIL TO PAY ■ is one of the best mystery drama, produced upon the screen in a long time. It has about everything necessary to excite, thrill and keep an audience pitched in a high key throughout, for the reason that its plot is unique and abounds in action from the time the opening scenes are thrown upon the screen 1o the last foot of film projected. Although credit must be given lo Frances Nimmo Greene, the author, for the clever way she has written the story, withholding the suspense 16 a remarkable degree until the finish, the director and cast should not be overlooked. , _ . A This happy combination haB grasped situation after situation, and painted them in most natural colors. In fact, at times it looked as though the actors had been playing their roles for some time before the scenes were Tbi production iB well mounted, Ernest C. Warde, tbe director, inking particular care in the selection of his exteriors. The theme is based on the unique idea as to whether a man can be resuscitated after being officially bung and pronounced dead by state authorities. , As the story unfolds it discloses the ii e of a leading banker and political dictator of a small town who commitB a crime and causes another to be sent to the gallows to cover up his guilt. After his execution the man is resuscitated and like a ghost haunts his betrayer until the latter shoots himself. The climax is reached in a courtroom scene wbich is highly dramatic. The cast, which is particularly strong, includes Robert McKim, Roy Stewart, Fritzi Brunette and George Fisher.— Length, 6 reels.— Prank Leonard. w i A Robert Brunton Product Q^DEVIL TO PAY From the nL-velby Frances Nimmo Greene directed by ERNEST C. WARDE