The Film Daily (1921)

Sunday, January 30, 1921 tMA DAILY Deserves a Place in the List of the Year's Best Pictures Vera Gordon in "THE GREATEST LOVE" Selznick-Select DIRECTOR Henry Kolker AUTHOR Edward SCENARIO BY Edward J. Montague CAMERAMAN Jules Cronjager AS A WHOLE A common sense production and a human story which might be called a second "Humoresque" STORY Mother love theme that gets under the skin; simply but effectively told DIRECTION Excellent PHOTOGRAPHY Satisfactory LIGHTINGS Usually all right; not always sharp CAMERA WORK All right STAR Lives again the role of the East Side mother SUPPORT Fine cast; all do splendid work EXTERIORS Few of them INTERIORS Correct DETAIL Good CHARACTER OF STORY Typifies ideal type of mother whose hapiness is shattered when her son is accused of a murder LENGTH OF PRODUCTION About 5,800 feet It is quite often the case that a picture made along the lines of some previously successful picture of the same type, doesn't come up to the original. But "The Greatest Love" is sufficient proof that such is not al\va , s the case. The same element of mother love and the same atmosphere of the East Side and later the uptown section, is evident as it was in "Humoresque." This is not to infer by any means that "The Greatest Love" does not succeed on its own merit. It does. Vera Gordon is essentially the picture's main appeal. Her performance is unusual and her emotional bits cause the chunks in your throat. She is undoubtedly without equal in the portrayal of a certain type of motherhood. The direction of the picture is excellent, perhaps the best that Henry Kolker has ever done. The production is common sense all the way through, inexpensive but real and effective. One noteworthy bit is the manner in which the trial scene is handled, instead of the customary long shot of the courtroom, the family of the convicted youth are shown waiting for the verdict of the jury in an adjoining room and just a glimpse of the courtroom is shown through a half open door. There is one short sequence which the} have neglected to tint. The players are shown in evening clothes in a garden but the lighting would indicate daytime. Mrs. Lantini, an Italian immigrant mother, is the personification of "T.he Greatest Love" — mother love. With her husband and two children, a boy and a girl, she seeks happiness in the "promised land." Time passes and through the success of the son Lorenzo, who has become an architect, Mrs. Lantini is happy in her uptown apartment, although she still wears her apron and fusses about the house despite the servants. Lorenzo is engaged by Richard Sewell, a theatrical manager, to draw the plans for his new theater. Francesca meets Sewell who offers to lend her a^costume for a charity fete at which she is to dance. But the unscrupulous Sewell is merely laying a trap and Francesca returns to her home and confides in Lorenzo who goes to the manager's office where he finds him dead. Lorenzo is accused and found guilty but later freed when Sewell's discarded wife confesses the murder. Your Own Fault if You Can't Clean Up with This Box Office Analysis The fact that "The Greatest Love" is another "Humoresque" should boost it rather than injure it. Those who saw the former mother love picture will certainly want to see this. Go as far as you like in your promises. It's the sort of thing that gets under the skin and they can't help but like it even though it brings a lump in the throat and moisture to the eyes. Promise them another rare treat in the performance of Miss "Sordon. If they don't remember her name, but they should, recall her part in "Humoresque." If you didn't happen to show it you may for the Exhibitor. have to work harder to get them interested, but the results should be compensation enough. Any effort or expense which may be incurred in exploiting "The Greatest Love," should be well repaid by the box office results. It's that kind of a picture and one that should be used for an extended run. Catchlines and lobby display should attract. Say : "What is the 'The Greatest Love?' Perhaps you've never appreciated it but you will after you see Vera Gordon's latest picture. Don't miss it at the blank theater." Use the producer's name because it's probably the best thing they've ever turned out.