The Film Daily (1921)

rit^A DAILY Sunday, January 23, 1920 Beautiful Star in Exceptionally Dramatic Story With Real Wallop Betty Compson in "PRISONERS OF LOVE" Betty Compson Prod. — Goldwyn DIRECTOR Arthur Rosson AUTHOR Catherine Henry CAMERAMAN Ernest Palmer AS A WHOLE Exceptionally dramatic sex problem story with powerful acting situations very well done STORY Holds interest throughout, moves rapidly with several very good wallops DIRECTION Gives distinctive atmosphere and handles big situations with effective repression STORY Decidedly pleasing and artistic LIGHTINGS Many unusually effective bits CAMERAWORK Uniformly excellent STAR Gives very forceful portrayal and is exceptionally beautiful SUPPORT Very well chosen. Helped materially in keeping situations balanced EXTERIORS Very few but those good INTERIORS Quite satisfactory. One or two big elaborate sets DETAIL Pleasing because action flows smoothly without bad spots CHARACTER OF STORY Presents powerful sex problem but has been so well handled cannot be objected to LENGTH OF PRODUCTION 5,800 feet Naturally much was expected of Betty Compson after her exceptional portrayal of ,Rose in George Loane Tucker's masterpiece, "The Miracle Man.'' Miss Compson' s first production independently made by her and distributed through Goldwyn will not only satisfy her admirers, but will bring: her new friends, because she has demonstrated her ability as an emotional actress, and in this production where she was the -central figure throughout, and was not playing an underworld character, her unusual beauty is particularly effective. Miss Compson has given in this, her first production, a story which has several new angles on the eternal triangle, and she has wisely surrounded herself with an exceptionally powerful cast which has been given opportunities that keep the situations properly balanced throughout. Starting off with an elaborate setting which marks class in the first few feet, photographic and artistic values of the production are held up all the way. There is also that rather rare condition of a story which opens with a smashing situation and continues to build through one fine acting climax to another without going to pieces at any time. Miss Compson earns her right to be considered a real star, which position she gave indication of having a right to through her dramatic portrayal in "The Miracle Man." Most of our stars who are now doing big emotional parts have passed beyond the age when they can easily step into a part demanding youth. Most of our youthful stars are unable to effectively handle big emotional situations. That gives Miss Compson an exceptional opportunity, and she has certainly made good in this, her first production. Ralph Lewis, Roy Stewart and Emory Johnson know how to make a real situation ring true. Their work with Miss Compson in this helps very decidedly in keeping the proper balance throughout. Others in the very satisfactory cast are Clara Horton, and Clara McDowell. If You Can't Get 'Em In On This You Should Lock Up Box Office Analysis for the Exhibitor From a box office viewpoint if you know anything about handling a good advertising possibility this should surely be a clean-up. There has been no production in years to make one-half the friends that George Loane Tucker's production of "The Miracle Man" made. That film undoubtedly caused more discussion and is remembered by more people than any film ever made. Everyone will remember the girl. It is up to you to intelligently present the fact that this is her first big independent production in which she is presented as a star, and you can safely promise that this is an exceptionally powerful story that will win new friends for Miss Compson. The story is rather sexy in spots but has been so splendidly handled that you will have no difficulty on that score. Do not run too wild in your sex catch-lines, because that will not be necessary in this case where you have a corking good title and a beautiful star with her first production, following a tremendous success that was seen by most every theatergoer in the country. You might also in your advertising elaborate upon the fact that because of Mr. Tucker's illness, following the completion of "The Miracle Man," Miss Compson was able to secure his entire staff who worked with her in the making of this film.