The Film Daily (1921)

10 a!i^ DAILY Sunday, May 1, 1921 Gladys Walton Has Pleasing Southern Romance for Her Latest Gladys Walton in "DESPERATE YOUTH" Universal DIRECTOR Harry B. Harris AUTHOR F. Hopkinson Smith SCENARIO BY Geo. V. Hull & A. P. Younger CAMERAMAN Earl M. Ellis AS A WHOLE Wholesome entertainment; a simple pleasant plot ; dramatic moments not especially strong STORY Adaptation of F. Hopkinson Smith's story makes good material of mild sort DIRECTION Technically correct, and has secured a fine southern atmosphere PHOTOGRAPHY Satisfactory LIGHTINGS Usually good CAMERA WORK All right STAR Makes a sweet and charming heroine, and handles part capably SUPPORT Harold Miller, J. Farrel McDonald, and Louis Willoughby do the best work; all adequate EXTERIORS Very good INTERIORS. . . .Splendid southern home atmosphere DETAIL , Good CHARACTER OF STORY Orphan girl wins her hero in spite of scheming relatives who seek to keep her in the background LENGTH OF PRODUCTION 4,405 feet With a very pretty story of the old South for a background, Gladys Walton should not have much trouble in providing a goodly amount of pleasant entertainment for the average picture patron with "Desperate Youth." The story, by F. Hopkinson Smith, starts off as though it were going to be a regulation Western thriller, but after the first reel of preliminaries, it develops into a sweet Southern romance of the days following the Civil War. There isn't a great deal of action after the first reel, wherein the heroine's father is killed defending his claim in the West, but it is a delightful story, and it gives the star a part in which to look very attractive and charming in old fashioned dresses, and in which she appears at her best. The most notable thing about the production, and what will immediately catch the attention of the observant spectator, is the fine southern atmosphere contributed by all the settings used in the latter part of the picture. The old Southern home is the real thing both inside and out, and the attention to detail and correctness of fittings throughout is noticeable. rAll the pickaninnies are there, true to life, and not a small part of the enjoyment is furnished by an old "Mammy." Besides a highly satisfactory performance by the star, there is J. Farrell McDonald, who makes a lot of the character of old "Mendocino Bill," and Louis Willoughby, who plays "Alabam" Merridew, and also his brother, Henry Merridew, the Southern gentleman, with intelligence and dignity. The whole piece is very well cast, and there isn't much fault to be found with anyone's work. Harold Miller, the hero, doesn't make his appearance until late, and hasn't really a big enough part for a leading man. "Alabam" Merridew and Mendocino Bill, partners on a Western claim, catch Sam Billene jumping their claim. "Alabam" is shot in the fight that ensues, and Mendocino sends his daughter, Rosemary, back to "Dixie" to live with "Alabam's" brother. There she is abused by Merridew's second wife and his step-daughter, who keep her hidden so that the step-daughter may have plain sailing with the season's "catch," Tom Dowling. Tom, however, sees Rosemary, falls in love with her, and she with him. Mendocino, learning that Rosemary is unhappy arrives to straighten things out, just in time to find that things have straightened themselves out, and Tom's and Rosemary's love has triumphed over all the deep laid plots of the step-daughter and her mother. Rosemary wakens on her wedding morn to find her room full of presents from Mendocino who has struck it rich. If They Like a Pretty Love Story They'll Like This Box Office Analysis "Desperate Youth" to a certain extent belies its title, in that there is never anything very desperate, as the word usually means, about any of the action of this picture. It is however, a very pleasing little story, with the love theme all worked out in a romantic Southern atmosphere. The best course to pursue, is to appeal to those who enjoy this sort of a "peaceable" entertainment. Talk about the splendid Southern atmosphere that runs all through. If the star is pop for the Exhibitor ular with your patrons, of course play her up above any other feature. You can promise her admirers that she has a part in which she is at her best. Tell enough of the story in connection with the scheming women who abuse the heroine to create curiosity as to how she finally "beat them to it." It won't do to play up the title too loudly, as it is likely to be misleading.