The Film Daily (1921)

16 TS&tM DAILY Sunday, January 23, 1920 Some Amusing Situations And A Good Production In Wanda Hawley's Latest. Wanda Hawley in "HER FIRST ELOPEMENT" Realart DIRECTOR Sam Wood AUTHOR Alice Duer Miller SCENARIO BY Edith Kennedy CAMERAMAN Alfred Gilks AS A WHOLE Some amusing situations; it drags at times but offers pleasing romantic twist STORY Given a good production; isn't always quite logical but serves as satisfactory vehicle for star DIRECTION. . . .Has provided attractive atmosphere and pretty backgrounds for the story PHOTOGRAPHY Good LIGHTINGS All right CAMERA WORK Good STAR Pleases; photographs very well in this EXTERIORS Many pretty shots INTERIORS Look real DETAIL Adequate CHARACTER OF STORY "Girlish impulse" to impersonate a notorious woman gets girl into trouble but also wins her a husband LENGTH OF PRODUCTION About 5,000 feet Wanda Hawley hasn't anything exceptional in the way of a story in her latest production for Realart, luit it dues provide her with a really attractive part and she makes the most of it. There are some amusing situations, cases of mistaken identity, a "girlish impulse" to take the place of a famous snake dancer, a kidnapping sequence and whatnot that aren't altogether original ideas but they serve to provide a good romantic twist to "Her First Elopement." The director has done well with the story, especially with regard to securing an attractive atmosphere and good backgrounds for Ids action. The exterior shots consist of many pretty locations — muchly California; there are some scenes aboard a good looking yacht and the detail, generally, is quite correct. But there are times when interest sags and yon expect things to reach the "finis" point hut something happens that leads to further complications and on they go for another stretch. This isn't any serious fault, however, and as a whole, the production should satisfy. Wanda Hawley is pleasing as the girl with the "impulse" and she has been splendid photographed. ferome Patrick is the good looking hero, while others who handle their respective parts very well are Nell Graig, fay Eaton, Helen Dunbar and Edwin Stevens. Christina Elliott and her cousin, Gerald Elliott, live with their aunt and uncle, Mr. and Airs. Varden, who have threatened to cut off Gerald's inheritance il" he marries l.otta St. Regis, a snake dancer. Christina goes to Lot la's cottage to see for herself jnst what she is like. Adrian Maitland is also on his way to Lotta's cottage in an effort to persuade her to leave his younger brother alone. On the porch of Lotta's cottage Adrian meets Christina ( Lotta is not at home) and takes her for the dancer. For the joke of it Christina allows him to think she is Lotta and he later gets her aboard his yacht where after making her a prisoner, Christina tells him who she really is. She has keen compromised but Adrian has read} fallen in love with her and they land and aie married, though no one knows it until some time later when Lotta, trying to secure Gerald with his money— rather than without — tells Mr. and Mrs. Varden that their ward spent a night aboard the Maitland yacht. Explanations follow, Christina and Adrian go off on a second honeymoon and Gerald refuses to have anything to do with Lotta, who shrugs her shoulders and says "there are a lot more fish in the sea." Star's Admirers Will Like Her In This. Box Office Analysis for the Exhibitor If you are looking for a light bit of entertainment yon can safely book "Her First Elopement" and feel assured that you will be showing such a picture. There's nothing unusual about the story, or production either for that matter, but the whole thing averages up as a satisfactory offering, with a pleasing star, an attractive lot of scenes to look at and some amusing situations that develop into a pretty romance. The title is a good one and could be played up with catchlines such as " 'Her First Elopement' wasn't planned, but see how it turned out a success in Wanda Hawley's latest Realart production." Or, "If ever you're looking for an adventure just make believe you're somebody other than yourself and see how many things can happen. One girl got a husband that way. 'Her First Elopement' is at the blank theater."