The Film Daily (1921)

Sunday, January 30, 1921 a!i^ DAILY Good Production and Fine Atmosphere to Typical Villain Story Doraldina in "PASSION FRUIT" Metro DIRECTOR Douglas Gerard AUTHOR Carey Wilson SCENARIO BY Edward Lowe, Jr. CAMERAMAN Rudolph Bergquist AS A WHOLE Splendid Hawaiian atmosphere it's most appealing feature STORY A bit far-fetched but affords fairly attractive material for star's personality and talents DIRECTION Good; climax is effective and there is fair amount of suspense PHOTOGRAPHY Usually good LIGHTINGS All right CAMERA WORK Good STAR Gives satisfactory performance and does two of her well known dances SUPPORT All satisfactory EXTERIORS Splendid INTERIORS Adequate DETAIL All right CHARACTER OF STORY Overseer of Hawaiian plantation kills master and then tries to get control by marrying owner's daughter LENGTH OF PRODUCTION 5,800 feet "Passion Fruit" makes a satisfactory picture mostly because of a fine Hawaiian atmosphere and then, too, it is quite a good selection for the personality and talents of the dancer, Doraldina. It has been arranged so that she is given the opportunity to perform two of her characteristic dances. They register on the screen better than might be expected. Those who enjoyed that portrayer of vallains, Stuart Holmes, and remember the cruel way he tricked Theda Bara in so many of her Fox productions, will see his wily maneuvers all over again in "Passion Fruit." He has probably the "most wickedest" villain role since his appearance in the Theda Bara pictures. And if you liked him then you'll like him in this. The story is a bit far-fetched but provides a few good dramatic bits with the climax, building up a fair amount of excitement. The director has maintained some suspense through the medium of an old native called "The Ancient," who has a secret which he refuses to divulge until he is about to die. Doraldina, as Reginia Dominant, daughter of the plantation owner, is not called upon for any unusual dramatic acting but she does well enough in what she has to do and has been photographed to very good advantage. Edward Earle is good in a not very satisfying role. Anders ;Rance, overseer of the Dominant plantation, brings about the master's death and thinks to get control of the island by marrying the daughter, Regina. But the girl hates the slave-driver. Sometime previous Regina had danced for charity and at the close of her dance had been attacked by Pierce Lamont who thought she was" his wife who had deserted him. After the death of her father he comes to apologize. Regina asks him to stay and help her manage the business affairs of her late father. Ranee is forced to confine his supervision to the slaves. Jealous of Lamont and desiring to get rid of Regina, Ranee forces "The Ancient," an old diseased native, to swear that the Gods command that the white girl cease to govern them. The natives love Regina tnit fearing the wrath of the Gods if they disobey, they order Regina out of her home, take Lamont a prisoner, and install Ranee as their ruler. A party is given by Ranee to celebrate his rise to power. He sends for Regina and forces her to dance for him. In the meantime "The Ancient" feels death coming on and he confesses that he lied because Ranee threatened to tell that he was a leper and not wanting to be sent to the leper colony he had lied. Ranee is killed in the scuffle that follows and Reginia and Lamont are happy together. Would Be Well to See It and then Judge According to Your Clientele Box Office Analysis for the Exhibitor Perhaps a more gentle, sensitive audience will not be thoroughly pleased with "Passion Fruit" inasmuch as it does not appeal to the finer senses. Its hula dances, murders, and some sex appeal through the attacks of the villain on the plantation owner's daughter will be liable to gain little favor with such an audience. But on the other hand, if they're willing to overlook these points and accept it as an offer ing with a splendid Hawaiian atmosphere and approve of the villain type of story, with the girl and her lover finding happiness after the villain's death, then they'll be well satisfied with "Passion Fruit." The title will attract a certain crowd, but most folks won't know just how it connects with the picture after they see it. Catchlines and good prominence given the name of the dancer-star should get them in.