The Film Daily (1921)

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Sunday, April 24, 1921 DAILY Some Good Thrills in|Vidor's Latest Cathrine Curtis Corp. presents "THE SKY PILOT" King Vidor Prod. — Assoc. First National Pictures DIRECTOR King Vidor AUTHOR Ralph Connor SCENARIO BY Faith Green CAMERAMAN Not credited AS A WHOLE Splendid production and many individually fine bits in rather novel western STORY Makes attractive screen material but is considerably too long DIRECTION First rate; gets in some good thrills PHOTOGRAPHY Excellent LIGHTINGS Good CAMERA WORK Very good PLAYERS John Bowers good in rather cut and-dried role; David Butler gives interesting performance and others all do very well EXTERIORS Many pretty shots INTERIORS All right DETAIL Nothing noticeably wrong CHARACTER OF STORY Young "Sky Pilot" reforms whole western town and wins the belle of the place LENGTH OF PRODUCTION . . .• 6,305 feet Ralph Connor's well known novel "The Sky Pilot has been given a first rate production by King Vidor, and judging from audible comment at the Strand where it was shown, the picture seemed to be well received. The male members of the audience, especially appeared to be thoroughly satisfied, and in the part dealing with the "green" minister's attempt to hold services in a saloon, the comedy business went over big. The director has gotten the most out of the story and has put in some fine thrills, particularly the stampede scene which is the best thing in "The Sky Pilot." John Bowers and Colleen Moore must certainly have taken out accident insurance before they agreed to take part in this. The photography in this spot is certainly excellent, close-ups of the girl showing the shadows of the stampeding animals, upon her prostrate form. This scene recalls to mind the stampede sequence in Universal's "Lasca" but Vidor's is equally well done and perhaps a trifle more thrilling. "The Sky Pilot" is quite a bit too long and the ending is dragged. When the western town reforms to the extent of presenting the minister with a church, the ending seems at hand but it isn't even close at hand. What follows contains some good action but there's too much of it. John Bowers does well in a part somewhat out of the ordinary for him. David Butler is certain to make an impression as the terror of the town. Colleen Moore is a demure heroine. A young minister comes into a western town and is hailed as "The Sky Pilot." His first attempt to convert the cowboys is to hold services in the saloon. It ends in a fight in 'which the Pilot gives the town terror, Bill Hendricks, the beating of his life and wins Bill's friendship as a result. After many adventures in the western town the Pilot finally converts the boys and they present him with a small church. Then just as you think things are about over, the action is only really getting started and there are a series of thrills in which the villain, known as "The Duke," and his partner, The Old Timer, plot against the converted crowd. The church is fired and the minister nearly killed. Gwen, the Old Timer's daughter, formerly saved from death by the minister but now a cripple, has her Indian servant drive her to the minister's rescue. She arrives in time to save him from death in the burning church and at the same time recovers the use of her limbs. Following this all hands are converted and the Pilot wins the heart of Gwen. Should Do Good Business if Properly Handled Box Office Analysis for the Exhibitor Exhibitors ought to do pretty good business with "The Sky Pilot." In case you think the title won't mean very much to them you might even go into detail to tell them what it is about, and be sure to play up the thrill of the stampede. Also show stills of the scene in which the minister and his horse are hurled from a high bridge. Both incidents should get them interested. You can make promises for these two bits. Appeal strongly to your men patrons. Judging from the Strand audience, it will please them the best. If you think the title of Ralph Connor's novel is well enough known you can play up the title but be sure to use lines telling them what they can expect. Use King Vidor's name and recall his "The Jackknife Man." Among the names of the players John Bowers, Colleen Moore and David Butler are the best known.