The Film Daily (1921)

nH4 DAILY Sunday, June 19, 1921 Intelligible Handling of Old Situation Makes Worth While Picture Albert A. Kaufman Production "COURAGE" Associated First National Pictures DIRECTOR Sidney Franklin AUTHOR Andrew Soutar SCENARIO BY Sada Cowan CAMERAMAN David Abel AS A WHOLE Strong dramatic influence and atmosphere of sympathy; excellent production values STORY Based on a situation which has often been used, but careful handling makes it hold the attention DIRECTION Very good; has given everything equal attention PHOTOGRAPHY Splendid LIGHTINGS First rate CAMERA WORK Good PLAYERS Sam De Grasse and Naomi Childers give excellent performances in principal roles; others suitable EXTERIORS Satisfactory INTERIORS In good taste DETAIL Correct CHARACTER OF STORY Wife of husband wrongly convicted of murder carries on his life's work until his innocence is proven LENGTH OF PRODUCTION 6,244 feet It isn't often that a producer can take a story, consisting of as trite a situation as that of a man convicted of a murder he did not commit, and make it interesting. But Sidney Franklin has made a really worth while feature from Andrew Soutar's "Courage." He starts off by gathering the attention of the spectator tli rough the atmosphere of a happy home life, carefully planting the characters and laying a sympathetic foundation for the people of the play. The story moves along smoothly and the development is logical. There are unimportant but effective by-touches that register a purpose in every case, even though occasionally they are obviously coincident. One especially good bit is the accidental whift of wind which blows a letter into the open grate, destroying a precious piece of evidence. No long courtroom sequence is used and there are no hold-ups of any description. "Courage" keeps moving toward the end evenly and comprehensively, despite an unintentional hint or two as to what the result will be. There is just one inconsistent event which may cause a spark of annoyance to some. You are told that the condemned man conducts his factory for eighteen years while in apparent solitary confinement and although you are shown how it is done, it is just improbable enough to almost spoil the effect. You are asked to believe that the convict gives out formulas for high explosives, etc., when he has no way of experimenting with actual materials. This might easily have been overcome by having the wife take the husband's place, since an earlier caption indicates that she knows almost as much about the "business as her husband. Sam DeGrasse and Naomi Childers do equally fine work as husband and wife. Alec B. Francis is good as the friend of the family who sticks to the wife when her husband is sentenced. Others are Lionel Belmore, Adolph Menjou, Lloyd Whitlock, Ray Howard and Gloria Hope. Jean Blackmore carries out her husband's inventions and progresses rapidly during the eighteen years he serves for a crime he did not commit. In the meantime, Stephen, Jr., grows up in ignorance of his father's whereabouts. The war breaks out, and the son of the murdered man kills himself, leaving a confession that he killed his father. His pal "Speedy" destroys the letter and goes to fight. He is wounded and returns to clear Blackmore's name. The inventor is freed and joins the wife who has remained faithful all the years. Careful Exploitation and Certain Promises Can Be Relied Upon Box Office Analysis for the Exhibitor You ought to be able to satisfy your folks with "Courage" if they like drama at all. It is particularly tin sort of thing that women gloat over and enjoy, because they are required to sympathize to such an extent with the heroine. Should you consider the story the best talking point, play it up with catchlines such as: "Her husband was sentenced to life imprisonment for a crime he did not commit. Did she give up or have 'Courage' to fight to the end." Or, . "See how one woman's faith and fortitude gave her husband the 'Courage' to live through punishment for a crime of which he was not guilty." Exploitation should prove worth while and you can promise a splendid production and good acting by a capable company of players headed by Naomi Childers and San De Grasse.