The Film Daily (1921)

Sunday, May 8, 1921 zzali^ DAILY 17 Not An Appropriate Vehicle For Pearl White Pearl White in "BEYOND PRICE" Fox DIRECTOR J Searle Dawley AUTHOR Paul H. Sloane SCENARIO BY Paul H. Sloane CAMERAMAN Joe Ruttenberg AS A WHOLE Doesn't measure up to the average mark for entertainment ; expect better from star STORY. . . .Old time "movie" business; great variety of situations all jazzed up DIRECTION Fair; doesn't look as though much time was wasted in the making PHOTOGRAPHY Satisfactory LIGHTINGS Good CAMERA WORK Standard STAR Story doesn't suit her SUPPORT Adequate ; no one noteworthy EXTERIORS Only one or two INTERIORS All right DETAIL Poor titles CHARACTER OF STORY Shoemaker's wife makes three wishes that all come true in one night LENGTH OF PRODUCTION About 5,000 feet After looking at Pearl White's most recent production a good many will agree that for the time supposed to have transpired during the telling of the story, an unbelieveable number of incidents occur. In these three hours they develop, complicate, entangle and solve three distinct situations that keep the star busy from the word "go" until they flash "the end." Pearl White's latest is purely old school "movie" material, and the production given "Beyond Price" belies the time spent on its making. It is apparent that director Dawley didn't draw many weeks' pay for the actual production time. There's an over-abundance of incident crowded into the feature, and the result is a serious jumble that manages to maintain a fair comprehensibility but has the general atmosphere of being a much elaborated complication. There's an altogether unnecessary murder at the close that doesn't add any to the entertainment. Pearl White gets in some of her acrobatic business in an art gallery set, and again when she comes to the rescue of a millionaire who is being blackmailed, and plays the part of his wife. For the remainder of the picture the star cavorts around in a chinchilla wrap, but otherwise hasn't much to do. Sally Marrior, wife of a fashionable bootmaker, decides that she is neglected by her husband, who gives too much of his attention to shoes. Sally delivers a pair of~shoes at the home of Peter Weathersby, millionaire. A maid hands Sally a fur coat belonging to Mrs. Weathersby. While Sally is waiting Mr. W. is arguing with a professional dancer who is trying to get a large amount of blackmail from the millionaire, because he has been friendly with Valicia, a dancer. Sally poses as Mrs. Weathersby and foils the dancer. Later Sally discovers she has delivered the wrong shoes to the millionaire, and rushes to the art gallery with the shoes for Valicia, who is appearing in a tableau. Mrs. Weathersby attending the art exhibition, discovers Sally with her fur coat and a chase ensues. Sally finds herself in an apartment where a woman has apparently been murdered. She is accused of the crime,, but later it is learned a jealous man committed the act. Then the millionaire explains the blackmail episode, and Sally returns to her husband, cured of her longing for fame and riches. May Disappoint Star's Admirers Box Office Analysis for the Exhibitor Even the star's admirers aren't likely to be satis short reel program will also be needed, fied with this one. She has had better stories recently. The star's name will attract a good many if you "Beyond Price" doesn't supply her with the sort of just want to get them in and don't have to worry about role to which she is best suited and on the whole isn't them coming again. The Fox organization has a good attractive entertainment. If you think it probable collection of stills which you can secure for lobby dis that the neglected wife theme would interest your play, and the press sheet contains further suggestions folks you might use this as a talking point. A good for exploitation.