The Film Daily (1921)

Some Short Reels "Alexandria" — Burton Holmes-Paramount Type of production 1 reel travelogue Making a complete tour of the city of Alexandria, Egypt, and giving a bit of interesting information about each one of the places visited, this reel forms an entertaining, and thoroughly satisfactory travel picture. A great many of the unusual facts about the city's inhabitants and their life are brought out in the course of the reel. It starts out with a view of the harbor, which makes the city the chief seaport of northern Africa. The water front, looking very modern and up to date is seen, with a modern lighthouse replacing the ancient Pharo, which was the first lighthouse on record, and one of the wonders of the world. Then there are shots of the principal hotel, the stock exchange, with a view of the traders in action, and a view of the Place Mehemet Ali, which is the principal thoroughfare of the city. A panorama of the whole city convinces that the census, given out as 400,000 population, is not padded. The only relics of Alexandria's ancient glory are Pompey's Pillar, and two recently excavated sphinxes, of which good views have been obtained. There are some views of the surrounding rural districts, and the reel ends with shots of natives asleep in every conceivable position in the city streets. "Edgar The Detective"— Goldwyn Type of production 2 reel comedy One of the series of Booth Tarkington's "Edgar" stories. It is certain of appeal to all intelligent people, and in particular to all those who enjoy and appreciate Booth Tarkington's "Boy" characters. The author's personality and individual style of humor is apparent all through this number, and is further emphasized in the titles. It's good clean, wholesome fun from start to finish, and should be an excellent comedy for high class houses. As may be imagined, Edgar conceives the dream of being a detective, and invests in a correspondence course in the art. When he and his country cousin go on a visit to their farmer-uncle, Edgar imagines that Ole, the hired man is bent on murdering the hired girl, and proceeds to "detect" him according to the teachings of the book. It is good stuff, with a big laugh at the finish, and some very humorous action introduced in the form of some of Edgar's day dreams about his future as a detective. Pathe Review No. 100 Type of production 1 reel magazine There is interest or beauty in nearly every foot of this issue, which is composed of a good selection of subjects, with just about the right amount of space devoted to each. It's a first class reel of its kind. The first subject is titled "Fins and Fun," and shows two men enjoying the thrills of trout fishing in a beautiful mountain stream — and hauling in some big ones too. Then there are some interesting views of the machineprocess of making men's straw hats. It takes the spectator through the whole operation, from the time the straw comes into the factory until the finished product reposes on a young man's head. A slow motion bit is next, showing just how complicated fancy roller skating really is, when the different motions are analyzed. A few shots of animals in the Bronx zoo are next shown, and the reel concludes with some beautifully tinted shots of Glacier Park. "The Law of The Woods"— Pathe Type of production 2 reel western This is one of the series of short features adapted from Holman Day stories, and produced by Edgar Jones. Jones also plays the leading part. This one has a better story fundamentally than some of the foregoing numbers of the series, but the development of the theme isn't all that it might be There isn't a lot of attention paid to detail, or to the general finish of the production, so that in spots it looks rather crude. Jones is a realistic type for the hero of this one, although he isn't exactly the popularly conceived type of hero. It will probably be a satisfactory offering for smaller theater audiences, but its shortcomings will be noticeable to the more discriminating. Jones plays the part of a confirmed grouch with a past, in a frontier logging camp. He meets the man who has ruined his life, and drags him to the woods to kill him. He is arrested for murder, but proves that he let the man go, and is finally re-united with his wife and baby, whom the villain has stolen. "In Bad Again"— C. B. C. Film Sales Corp. Type of production 2 reel comedy This is the eighth of the present series of Hallroom Boys comedies, and the last to be released through C. B. C. Film Sales Corp. Beginning with the ninth number, they will be released through Federated Film Exchanges. Sid Smith is the featured comedian, with Harry McCoy playing the part of the other flournusher. There are a number of good laughs scattered through it starting with a big one right off the bat, and a good portion of the stuff is pretty sure to register. They haven't made use of as much trick photography, which in some of the foregoing numbers has resulted in a lot of laughable thrills. Smith and McCoy both put their gags over in an acceptable manner, and usually put all the punch possible into their business. They try out as automobile salesmen in this one, and there is a lot of business built up around a Ford, which, while anything but a new subject, is still good for a laugh or two. A fairly satisfactory comedy offering. "The Sweetest Story Ever Told"— Prizma Type of production 1 reel colored novelty A distinct novelty in one-reelers is this Prizma offering. "The sweetest story" turns out to be a short review of the various forms of candy and confections of all kinds, used as an aid to cupid. It shows, in the very natural Prizma coloring, many different, and elaborate forms of candy. Beautiful fancy boxfulls, and those artistic creations in the forms of flowers, hats, and baskets, all made of candy, take form before the camera in a miraculous way. The only thing of value about the reel is its novelty, and as such it should make a satisfactory offering on the program of the larger houses. "One Peek Was Plenty"— Chester-Educational Type of production 1 reel scenic The cameraman has pitched his tripod in some precarious positions to shoot some of these scenes in the Canadian Rockies. The scenes are taken among the high peaks in British Columbia, and they present some of the greatest mountain country of the world, to view. The reel takes the form of a trip up and down the slope of one of the highest of the peaks, with views of the surrounding mountain country from various points in the ascent. The climbers make part of the trip by pack train, but when they reach the snow country, where the rocks rise precipitately, the spectator sees them journeying the rest of the way in approved mountain climbing style, with Alpine stocks, and lashed together with ropes. The scaling of some of the steep rocks provides a thrill or two. It's a first rate scenic offering. Screen Snapshots No. 23— C. B. C. Film Sales Corp. Type of production 1 reel Fan Magazine The latest issue of the reel, that offers glimpses of the fans' favorites, when they are "out of character," is a good one. There are not only a number of stars caught off duty, but there is also a thrill provided by a novel airplane stunt. The reel starts off with the shooting of a scene in which Earle Metcalfe rescues Anna Q. Nilsson for a sinking ship, with Frank Borzage directing. Then there is the thriller, when Frank Clark flies from the roof of a skyscraper for the first time in the history of American aeronautics. This scene was made for a forthcoming Katherine McDonald picture, and makes an interesting bit of footage. Other subjects show Jack Pickford inspecting the construction of some new sets; Marion Davies showing how easy it is to change from a blond to a brunette; Geraldine Farrar and her husband, Lou Tellegen, being welcomed horn from a ride by Mrs. Tellegen's parents; and the final bit shows J. Stuart Blackton directing his two clever children in a scene. Most of the reel should prove very interesting to fans who enjoy a little touch of intimacy with their favorite stars. Paramount Magazine — Famous Players Type of production 1 reel magazine This issue contains only two subjects, both of which are cartoons. The first one is called "In Greenwich Village," for just what reason is not clear. It isn't particularly funny. The other is a Felix cartoon by Pat Sullivan, and is up to the standard of these pictures, which are nearly always good for a lot of laughs. Felix is looking for a free lunch in this one, and the ridiculous predicaments he gets into are very amusing. It makes a good filler on the strength of the latter part.