The Film Daily (1921)

Sunday, May 8, 1921 ali^l DAILY Unusual Society Story With Melodramatic Ending Elaine Hammerstein in "MIRACLE OF MANHATTAN" Selznick Pictures DIRECTOR George Archainbaud AUTHOR Bradley King SCENARIO BY Edward Montague CAMERAMAN William Wagner AS A WHOLE Holds the interest all the way and is well acted; melodramatic ending is illogical STORY Not the best that the star has had but offers a variety of opportunities DIRECTION Good; has carefully dove-tailed incidents PHOTOGRAPHY Good LIGHTINGS Usually good CAMERA WORK Satisfactory STAR Just a bit too impassive, but her personality is pleasing as ever SUPPORT Matt Moore good hero; Ellen Cas sidy well cast; others suitable EXTERIORS Not many INTERIORS Adequate DETAIL All right CHARACTER OF STORY Society girl moves to East Side and tries to make good in new life with thirteen-dollar start LENGTH OF PRODUCTION About 5,000 feet The story provided for Elaine Hammerstein 's latest Selznick production is a somewhat unusual sociological idea that manages to hold the interest all the way despite a very illogical and inconsistent ending. Miss Hammerstein gives the story an improbable start in the first place, but then society girls are sometimes given to doing unusual things, so the fact that she sacrifices luxury for two months to prove that she could make good with a thirteen-dollar start, will not be looked upon as altogether unlikely. Director Archainbaud may have had a good continuity to work with, but he has done his share toward making a smoothly told story with the sequences well joined together. There is just one thing that noticeably detracts from the picture's appeal. Matt Moore, the hero, who had formerly been a gang leader, returns from over seas, thoroughly reformed. He proves it by putting up a fine fight when an inhabitant of a cheap cafe attacks one of the girl singers. The melodramatic conclusion in which he plays the biggest part, is inconsistent and doesn't hold in accord with his reformation. His former sweetheart, Stella, threatens to stab Mary, because she believes Mary has stolen Matt from her. Moore appears and shoots Stella in the back, killing her. The shooting is uncalled for, and the only unpleasant bit in the picture. The star has had better parts than the one in "Mir acle of Manhattan," Her personality, pleasing as usual, dominates the picture, and Matt Moore lends able assistance as the hero. Ellen Cassidy is good in a small part. Evelyn Whitney, society girl, wagers that she can make good on $13. She becomes Mary Malone, and tries various means of earning a livelihood unsuccessfully until she becomes a singer in a cheap cabaret. Here she meets with success and falls in love with Larry Marshall, reformed gang leader. Stella, formerly Larry's sweetheart, is jealous of Mary and attempts to stab her but is shot by Larry. Stella dies and Larry is arrested. In the meantime, the two months period of Mary's wager is up, and she returns to her Riverside Drive home where she is ill from the effects of the shooting incident. She recovers in time to testify for Larry and bring about his acquittal. Later she marries Larry. Star's Popularity And Moore's Name Will Put It Over Box Office Analysis for the Exhibitor Stories of society life appeal to a good majority of picture patrons, and in "Miracle of Manhattan" they will find a story somewhat removed from the usual line of social dramas. The author hasn't used good judgment in having his hero kill his former sweetheart. It would have been much better if he had killed the man who attacked the heroine. At least it would ring true. This melodramatic twist may not be especially observed, but it does leave the ending a trifle unpleasant. Be sure to make good use of the star's name, and tell them she has Matt Moore for a leading man. He puts up a good fight which you can tell them about. There are some good angles that can be brought out in eatchlines and you may promise to keep them interested throughout the picture. The following lines might be used : "A society girl falls in love with an ex-gunman. See the outcome of this unusual situation in Elaine Hammerstein's latest Selznick picture 'Miracle of Manhattan.' "