The Film Daily (1919)

Sunday, January 5, 1919 —ti'AA AILY Picturization of Well Known Book With Alice Brady as Star is Bound to Please Generally To those unfamiliar with the story of the woman who took into her household as companion the murderess of her husband, and then later threatened to expose her unless she consented to marry his younger brother because she wanted to get even on her husband s family, who never approved of her, will come the question, "Why did she do it?" This is not made altogether clear in the film, since for over a year she had housed her and her attitude showed no signs of hatred. Nor were we led to believe that ultimate revenge was her motive in the first place. The wife encouraged her broiher-in-law to propose to Alice, and when she refused, principally for the reason that it would be a grim joke at fate to marry the brother of the man she murdered, and secondly for the reason that she loved another, for the first time, the wife shows her claws. The explanation given this in the book is because the man she loved wanted to marry the girl, which is a perfectly logical reason for one woman to turn against and break another. The picture gives the idea that she is revengeful, which is sort of contradictory, since the wife admitted to herself from the very first that her scoundrel husband certainly deserved death, and this girl had accomplished what she lacked the courage to do. Tie last reel shows the murdered man's family sitting in judgment of Alice Brady while she confesses guilt of the crime. This fell considerably in reaching the high dramatic tension to justify an ordeal of this nature, but the family seemed to take it quite as a matter of course with very little display of emotion. They were all too ready to forgive and even justify her action to protect her honor and hardly even registered surprise at discovering she whom they ali cherished an immense liking for and were anxious to have marry the yornger son, was the murderess. This was a decided slip on the director's part. Taken as a whole, the production is decidedly interesting and will undoubtedly meet with general faror from any audience. It is doubtful whether average audiences take to heart or even detect slips in technicalities as pointed out above, as long as the characters are appealing and the interest and suspense is sustained. Title and Star's Name Will Get Them in. Start Something by Offering Prize For Best Comment Alice Brady in "THE HOLLOW OF HER HAND" DIRECTOR Charles Maigne AUTHOR George Barr McCutcheon SCENARIO BY Charles Maigne CAMERAMAN Leo Rossi AS A WHOLE Provides plenty of good action and sustains interest throughout; very artistically produced. STORY lateen frcm the novel of the same name; very well constructed to sujta.n suspense interest. DIRECTION Made each principal characterization register convincingly, but flopped a bit towards end in the handling of dramatic situations because of failure to sufficiently explain or justify action. PHOTOGRAPHY Very very fine. LIGHTINGS Some excellent composition; frequently chalky on faces, and occasional. y uniform on sets. CAMERA WORK Secured very beautiful angles. STAR Impressed with her sincerity and much at home in role which affords her opportunito wear good clothes. SUPPORT Myrtle S.edman registers conviction; Marmont has impressive dignity; others well chosen. INTERIORS Very lavishly furnished settings. DETAIL Good from production standpoint but scenario construction has couple of weak spots towards end. CHARACTER OF STORY Will not offend. LENGTH OF PROD. About 4900 ft. You can take it for granted that the majority 01 your folks will be familiar with this novel of the same name by George Barr McCutcheon. The fact that they already know the story will add rather than detract from the interest, because it presents sufficiently interesting and good dramatic situations to make them want to see it enacted as well. This is especially true because of Miss Brady's appearance as the star, since it is very easily understood that the role is a particularly suitable one for her. Box Office Analysis Alice Brady is the star of this which is reason enough to justify your playing it. Furthermore, the production is decidedly worth while, having be*n treattd in an interesting as well as artistic manner. It follows very closely along the lines of the well-known book of the same name by George Barr McCutcheon, with which most of your fans will be acquainted and they'll surely flock to see it. You can safely promise that they're not going to be disapointed, and Alice Brady is certainly the type and personality to portray the role of Hetty Glyn— Alice possesses the dignity and sympathetic appeal which the role calls for and furthermore it's a treat to look at her, for in this she is afforded the opportunity of displaying her very good taste in dress. Here is your chance to cooperate with your local book store by suggesting to your folks by means of throw-aways that they read the well-known novel before seeing the picture in order to more fully appreciate it. Tt might be a good idea for you to start for the Exhibitor. something along the lines of commentations. I would suggest that you offer as a prize a copy of the book to the member of your audience who can turn in the best article describing the difference if any, between the picturization and the novel; you might openly declare that certain details are faulty technically; invite comment on this, donating the book as a reward for the best criticism of the picture. Your fans will always appreciate your taking an action of this sort and it will always create interest to engage in competition amongst themselves. Bv way of exploitation, play up big the title and the star's name linked closely with it — that's a sure fure combination. Once they know that you've booked the production and who the star is, getting them inside will be an easy matter. Don't be afraid to advertise — let everybody in town know that on blank night at blank theatre will be shown Alice Brady in the picturization of George Barr McCutcheon's well known novel. "The Hollow of her Hand."