The Film Daily (1918)

Sunday, August 25, 1918 DAILY 15. Star, Cast and Intelligent Direction Make This Entertaining Kittv Gordon in "MERELY PLAYERS" World DIRECTOR Oscar Apfel AUTHOR L. Case Russell SCENARIO BY Wallace C. Clifton CAMERMAN Lucien Tainguy AS A WHOLE Rather unusual story with trick finish. Is convenient but star and direction make it interesting. STORY Has many " just happened" incidents but is entertaining and has considerable kick at finish. DIRECTION Made action interesting and made individual scenes effective by intelligent use of c!ose=ups. Injected several good comedy bits and developed suspense effectively. PHOTOGRAPHY Varied from fine to fair; duped flashes of fire scenes inexcusable and marred general effect. LIGHTINGS Some good but generally too uniform. Frequently harsh on faces. CAMERA WORK Satisfactory; good angles helped action. STAR Extremely pleasing to watch. Wore beautiful gowns and photographed very beau= tiful in close-ups. SUPPORT Very good. Johnny Hines will grab laughs. EXTERIORS Good; not many INTERIORS Private theatre set very good; generally satisfactory. DETAIL Many good touches. Some incidents were left unexplained. CHARACTER OF STORY Inoffensive LENGTH OF PRODUCTION About 5,000 feet FOR Kitty's sake, when she starts making her own productions. 1 hope she succeeds in obtaining a director of the ability of Oscar Apfel. I cannot recall an instance where the influence of a director has had so much to do with the bringing out of a star's personality as has been demonstrated in the last few pictures we have had from this combination. They had an idea for this that was at least different, although at times very hard to swallow, but the presence of Kitty and a capable cast slides it over as very satisfactory entertainment. We had Kitty as an actress who gave private theatricals in her home and she makes it possible tor .Muriel Ostriche, a poor girl with stage aspirations, to obtain a part in a new piece. Irving Cummings, a fearless critic, is induced to review one of Kitty's private performances and when she asks him for his candid opinion lie tells her that she is impossible as an actress. She thanks him for his frankness but promises that she will some day make him change his views. Kitty's personality grows on Hero Irving and he is a frequent caller which arouses the jealousy of Pinna Nesbit, who is also strong for Hero and whose husband. George McQuarrie, has a case on Kitty. Later, Hero reviews Muriel's stage debut and pans her work unmercifully, which goes to the poor acterine's head and causes her to attempt suicide. Kitty comes to the rescue and learning that Irving's review was responsible, denounces him. Later. Pinna calls and accuses Kitty of alienating her husband's affections and Kitty 'promises to show the husband's true character at the cost of her own vanity, if Pinna will be in hiding in her apartment that night. Pinna, having a deeper purpose in mind, phones living to be present also, which conversation is overheard by Kitty. When McQuarrie arrives. Kitty unsuspectingly leads him. through a back hallway, to the stage of her private theatre and a very dramatic scene takes place when Irving arrives and the four find themselves on the stage The curtain arises, showing an audience to the bewildered trio and Irving is forced to admit that Kitty is a real actress. Irving, McQuarrie and his wife di'l not know, of course, that this was a clever frame-up of Kitty's to disclose the character of McQuarrie and at the same time gain her point with Irving. We had an incidental love-romance between Johnny Hines and Muriel Ostriche which provided excellent comedy relief, although these characters were disposed of without explanation after a title told us that Johnny had been injured. The business with the extension telephone which enabled Kitty to overhear Pinna's conversation, was exceptionally well handled. Irving Cummings was very pleasing as the herocritic, George McQuarrie was good as the semi-heavy. Pinna Nesbit was an acceptable wampire and minor roles were capably filled by Florence Coventry and Dore Davidson. Play Up Star and Support. Should Be A Safe Bet Anywhere The Box Office Analysis for the Exhibitor You can make considerable fuss about Kitty Cordon in this and if you have played her recent productions. no doubt her very much improved work in the pictures made under Mr. Apfel's direction has begun to exert an influence in your community with the result that Kitty's name is commencing to take on a new hold at 'the box-office. As this has a surprise finish, it is very important that your folks don't see it backwards and I would make a concentrated effort to advertise the starting times of my performances and emphasize the importance of seeing this production at the beginning in order to thoroughly enjoy the unexpected climax. You might create a little interest by hitting them along this angle in your ads: "Do you think that frank criticism is beneficial or would you rather not have your failings pointed out to you? See Kitty Cordon in 'Merely Players'." "Have you ever had a desire to go on the stage? Have you considered the trials and disappointments that are a part of nearly every star's success? See Kitty Cordon in 'Merely Players'." The ladies will be interested in knowing that Miss Cordon wears many beautiful gowns in this and I would also mention the names of Johnny Hines. Muriel Ostriche and Irving Cummings in my advertising as each have quite an individual following in many communities.