The Film Daily (1921)

Sunday, January 23, 1920 nfcfti DAILY Adaptation of Ward Novel a Disappointment. May Allison in " THE MARRIAGE OF WILLIAM ASHE" Metro DIRECTOR Edward Sloman AUTHOR From Margaret Mayo's dramatization of Mrs. Humphrey Ward's novel SCENARIO BY Ruth Ann Baldwin CAMERAMAN Jackson Rose AS A WHOLE Below the average; doesn't entertain and has wasted a lot of efforts from the production end of it STORY Not suitable screen material; also star isn't exactly in her proper sphere DIRECTION Varies ; sometimes poor PHOTOGRAPHY Poor LIGHTINGS Anything but soft CAMERA WORK Fair STAR Tries hard to please by playing the "coquette," but it seems out of place SUPPORT Wyndham Standing's appearance a pleasure ; cast satisfactory EXTERIORS One or two pretty scenic shots INTERIORS Have gone to some trouble in large sets DETAIL Fair CHARACTER OF STORY Capricious young wife who ruins husband she loves in at attempt to make him Prime Minister LENGTH OF PRODUCTION About 6,000 feet The most that can be said for "The Marriage of William Ashe," is that it's unfortunate that it doesn't come up to the average feature offering. And perhaps it is not the fault of those who made the picture or those who played the parts and yet Margaret Mayo's dramatization of Mrs. Humphrey Ward's novel might have been made at least more interesting by a little more judicious handling. The direction is one reason for some of the picture's fault. The director probably realized that something was needed to offset the rather dull main theme and so he has introduced two characters who appear after the fashion of the characters Mrs. and Mr. Jiggs in the "Bringing Up Father" cartoon. He attempts to inject some comedy by their actions, Mrs. what-everher-name-is, losing her wig and a few other small bits that don't get over. Somebody's to blame for such things as this: A title reads "And when the proofs were ready" follow ing which is a street scene showing tow of the characters in a coach and they aren't the characters that have to do with the "proofs." Kitty Bristol thinking to help her husband s.cure the position of Prime Minister hands over some cartoons which she has drawn, to Geoffrey Cliffe, her husband's political enemy, with the understanding that they are to be published in book form and that its circulation will be a benefit to her husband. The cartoons consist of sketches of some of her husband's associates whom Kitty dislikes enough to draw caricatures of. To further shock some of these associates who have already shown their dislike for Kitty, the latter, at a charity fete which she gives, appears as Lady Godiva, riding a white horse and nude with the exception of a long-haired wig. Kitty is banished but later her husband seeks her and they are happy until the book is published and he is politically ruined. There follows a scene in which the husband attacks Cliffe, but learns his wife is still true to him and they are happy together when he trails her to the convent whither she has srone. Make No Promises If You Show It. Box Office Analysis for the Exhibitor If they cut about fifteen hundred feet out of this and straighten out some errors either in titling or cutting, perhaps "The Marriage of William Ashe" will run more smoothly, be less tedious than it is at present. The actual material taken from Mrs. Humphrey Ward's novel couldn't have been particularly well suited to the screen in the first place so perhaps those who had the making of the picture on their hands have done the best they could with it. You can use the star's name and probably if she is well liked you can get away with it. She appears practically in ever} scene, so those who like her will have a feast of her in this. May gets a bit daring in her appearance as Lady Godiva. Stills of this will he sure to attract a certain element. If you happen to cater to this class you can lure them with this but be sure the censor board isn't around. Catchlines could be worked around the idea of the young wite who ruined her husband in an attempt to make him Prime Minister. But under any circumstances, don't boast.