The Film Daily (1921)

OB* jM^ DAILY Sunday, May 1, 1921 Star Brightest Spot in Unconvincing Story Clara Kimball Young in "HUSH" Equity — State Rights DIRECTOR Harry Garson AUTHOR Sada Cowan SCENARIO BY Sada Cowan CAMERAMAN Arthur Edeson AS A WHOLE Production generally is adequate but picture is unconvincing and of "movie" manufacture STORY Very meagre idea elaborated into a plot that spends all its time arriving DIRECTION Satisfactory in view of the material he had to work with PHOTOGRAPHY Very good LIGHTINGS Good CAMERA WORK Up to standard STAR Isn't called on for anything unusual SUPPORT Kathlyn Williams is given the most pleasant part and does well in it; others adequate EXTERIORS Good INTERIORS , Correct DETAIL Too much of it CHARACTER OF STORY. ., Happily married wife loses husband's love when she confesses something of her past life LENGTH OF PRODUCTION About 6,000 feet Clara Kimball Young's latest production to reach Broadway contains a direct warning and then gives a six-reel reason why wives should not tell their husbands too much that isn't good for them to know. ( Hher than the message it carries, "Hush" doesn't fulfill any further mission. It is too unconvincing and actually lacks the strength of its own convictions. The basis of the plot is meagre and certainly not substantial enough for the amount of footage accorded it. At least the director is to be congratulated upon the fact that he hasn't taken as long to reunite the couple as he does to part them. There is considerable satis faction in this. Miss Young is adequate in the role of the consciencious wife who kept her secret a year but then tells her husband. But the star has had much better roles than this which doesn't ask her to do any unusual acting. J. Frank Glendon as the husband is very unconvincing either of his own accord or because the director called for it, but his indifference is peculiar to say the least. His actions aren't quite human. It would seem more probable that he'd either turn his wife out or accept the situation, but he does neither. The production accorded the feature is all that is required. Settings and effects are all good and the photography first rate. The camera work is generally good with the exception of some badly judged shots. All the titles are too long. Vera and Jack Stanford are married just one year when Vera's conscience begins to bother her and she threatens to tell Jack of an affair in her early life with one Herbert Brooks. Isabel Dane, her friend, a "girl who can pal with a man, smoke with a man, and still be nothing more than a chum," warns Vera against telling her husband, but Vera goes right ahead, and although Jack says he can forgive anything in the world, his attitude towards his wife changes and eventually Vera leaves the house and lives with Isabel. Jack is under the impression that the man in the case is his friend Graham and that Vera has gone to him. Isabel plays Cupid and brings about the reunion of her two friends. Should Go Best With Women Box Office Analysis for the Exhibitor This isn't very strong drama and even though it isn't really convincing it might be a good idea for too talkative wives to see it. Those who like Clara Kimball Young will probably accept "Hush" favorably. The picture has been offered throughout the country for some time prior to its showing in New York, so it is quite likely that some exhibitors have either played or booked it. Should do well with audiences especially of largely feminine kind. If the production is properly handled it ought to go over. Plenty of exploitation angles suggest themselves in connection with the titles, and catchlines could read : "What your husband doesn't know won't worry him. Don't tell him too much is the warning in 'Hush,' Clara Kimball Young's latest production."