The Film Daily (1921)

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Sunday, January 30, 1921 tMA DAILY Barrymore Out of His Forte in Comedy Role Lionel Barrymore in "THE GREAT ADVENTURE" Whitman Bennett Prod. — Asso. First National DIRECTOR Kenneth Webb AUTHOR Arnold Bennett SCENARIO BY Dorothy Farnum CAMERAMAN Charles Griffith and Harry Straddling AS A WHOLE Not at all what you expect from Lionel Barrymore; some comedy efforts really poor slap-stick STORY Arnold Bennett novel doesn't make the best screen material DIRECTION As far as the production is concerned is all right but hasn't gotten genuine comedy out of story PHOTOGRAPHY Good LIGHTINGS All right CAMERA WORK Up to standard STAR Good at times but most of his efforts at comedy don't register SUPPORT Doris Rankin good; Octavia Broske and Thomas Braidon satisfactory EXTERIORS Not many INTERIORS Good; those in church representing Westminister excellent DETAIL Adequate CHARACTER OF STORY Famous but bashful artist allows the world to think him dead in order to escape woman LENGTH OF PRODUCTION 6,550 feet Those who have seen Lionel Barrymore's previous productions made by Whitman Bennett are going to receive a shock when they witness "The Great Adventure," unless they previously know something about the story and are prepared to see Barrymore in a comedy role. It may be difficult for some to imagine Barrymore going through such antics as sitting on a pallet of wet paint, dragging a couple of overgrown boys by the neck of the coat and a few other short reel comedy tricks. There are moments in which Barrymore does some acting, characteristic of him, but for the most part his work isn't apt to cause any special noteworthy comment. His forte is not contained in a role such as that provided by Bennett's character. Priam Farll, England's noted artist, goes to Warsaw, with his valet, to escape Lady Sophia, who is bound to annex herself to Farll. But Sophia follows him to Warsaw and for reason of not knowing what else to do, the artist becomes engaged to her. Next day he escapes, however, and returns to England where his valet dies. Farll gives the dead man's name as "Priam Farll" assuming the valet's name — Leek — as his own. He attends his own funeral in Westminister where again he encounters Lady Sophia in deep mourning weeping bitterly. He escapes before she sees him. Among the valet's letters is one from a woman with whom he was to have kept an appointment. Farll keeps his late valet's date and the woman turns out to be a widow who had answered Leek's matrimonial ad. Farll marries the widow under the name of Leek. Lack of funds compels Farll to resume his painting and his work is recognized but he refuses to admit his identity. But when it develops that the late Leek had a wife and two children who arrive to demand their rights, Farll begins to weaken and eventually he proves he is Priam Farll under condition that officially he remain dead as a protection against Lady Sophie's breach of promise suit. No Trouble to Get Them In But Will They Like It? Box Office Analysis for the Exhibitor It may be that some people will like Lionel Barrymore in this comedy role but it is so far removed from anything he would be expected to do that it may be a disappointment to others. As far as the comedy itself is concerned, it is good only in spots. The production end of it will satisfy them but that isn't sufficient. Tell them "The .Great Adventure" was taken from Arnold Bennett's novel "Buried Alive" and dramatized by him and produced under the present title. The situation in which the famous artist attends his own funeral will attract them and generally speaking you should have very little trouble getting them in, and if you don't mind handing them a bit of a disappointment you can use various other stunts to attract. Play up the star's name extensively and in your announcements use the line : "He refused to marry so he died and attended his own funeral. How did he do it? That's 'The Great Adventure.' See for yourself in Lionel Barrymore's latest picture playing at the blank theater."