The Film Mercury (1926-27)

Page Twelve THE FILM MERCURY, FRIDAY, AUGUST 5, 1927 Hollywood, Calif. VIEWS AND REVIEWS “STRANDED,” a Joe Rock production, directed by Phil Rosen. Scenario by Frances Guihan. Cast includes Shirley Mason, William Collier, Jr., John Miljan, Shannon Day, Lucy Beaumont, Gale Henry and Florence Turner. Previewed at Ravenna Theatre. Critical Viewpoint : This is another story of a small town girl seeking a motion picture career and fame in Hollywood. There is nothing new or unusual about the plot but the picture brings out the hardship and futility of newcomers attaining success in the films without anything in their favor except a pretty face and absurd confidence about their abilities. It takes away the glamour and misconstrued ideas that those, seeking a screen career, imagine about motion pictures and players, until they learn better. The old motion picture formula of hokum is brought to work in the film, with mother love and sacrifice, the old sweetheart waiting back home, the girl just about to sacrifice her honor to the rich suitor to save her mother from going blind, the sweetheart coming in time to save her and all ends happily. The best part about the picture is where the girl is getting her first chance in the studio. No exceptional work is asked of the cast and they give none. Gale Henry predominates with her comedy. Shannon Day is good in a small part. Picture is well edited and photography fair. Box Office Angle: The picture will go well in the small towns and the smaller metropolitan houses. Audiences fond of this type of picture will be well pleased. — D. K. # * * Signed by Universal Helen Foster has been placed under a long term contract by Universal. The deal was negotiated by Ivan Kahn. “SEE YOU LATER.” A Sierra Pictures production, featuring Earle Douglas, directed by Frank Yaconelli. Previewed at Ritz Theatre. Critical Viewpoint : For the small sum of money that probably was spent on this picture, it is decidedly entertaining. These producers are on the right track. There is opportunity for this type of film and actor. “See You Later” was too long as previewed, but much cutting should speed it up. In building Earle Douglas, it would be wise not to have so much plot, but to use more stunts, as the action slows up whenever the story is adhered to. Douglas has personality, youth and is a good athlete. Properly exploited, this actor has possibilities to develop into a real drawing card. Louis Verk as a weak and erring youth contributes an excellent performance, acting as a good foil to Douglas. Billy Naylor as the newsboy makes quite a hit. Sherry Tansey looks a formidable heavy. There are too few actors on the screen of the Richard Talmadge type, although there are plenty of western heroes. With stories similar to those used by Fairbanks, Earle Douglas should attract a following of grownups who like adventure, as well as children. Box Office Angle: “See You Later” will please those who will see it, although the name of Earle Douglas means little at the box-office. Kiddies will particularly enjoy this film. Anabel Lane. * * * Dillon Now Free-Lancing Robert A. Dillon, screen writer, is now free-lancing after working on a number of stories for several of the studios. He is co-author of Mack Sennett’s special feature, “Johnny of the U. S. A.” He did the adaptation and continuity of “Gobs” for M G M and worked on three stories for Warner Brothers. The last for Warners was “Ham and Eggs at the Front.” “THE HEART OF MARYLAND,” a Warner Bros, production, starring Dolores Costello with support of Jason Robards, Warner Richmond, Myrna Loy, Edward Bull and many others. Directed by Lloyd Bacon from scenario by G. Graham Baker. Adapted from the David Belasco stage play. Critical Viewpoint : A patriotic spirit predominates this dramatic romance so familiar to all who have seen or heard of the stage version. Those who can remember the old Metro screen version presented during the year 1914 and which starred Mrs. Leslie Carter will attempt to draw a comparison and find there is very little improvement in the new production, except for an advanced method of screen technique. Due to the lack of experience on the part of Dolores Costello, there can be no comparison between her work and that of Mrs. Carter in the same roles. However, comparisons in this respect are of little value in appraising the value of the present offering. Miss Costello does well by force of able direction, which easily places the audience in a receptive mood to appreciate the tense dramatic moments played for. Whatever success this offering might enjoy, must be attributed to a well constructed scenario, which shows no partiality to the conflict of the North and South that reigned during the period in which the story evolves. There are many beautiful locations and settings that afford the maximum in opportunity for artistic photography, which are well handled. Box Office Angle: This is a fair program picture that will be readily recognized by the average person, due to its past popularity as a stage success, which after all should prove a valuable asset to the exhibitor in pulling them in almost anywhere. — W. R. S. “WHITE PANTS WILLIE,” a G. C. Burr production, featuring Johnny Hines, First ^National release, directed by Charles Hines, titled by Paul Perez, presented at the Hill Street Theatre. Critical Viewpoint : This is the best of the recent Hines productions. It is the type of stuff that goes well with the public in spite of the fact that the plot formula is rather antique. There are a number of funny gags throughout and they work up to a good climax at a polo game that brings in a number of laughs. Hines plays the role of a nervy young mechanic who does some four-flushing to win the wealthy young heiress who has caught his eye. This gets him into the necessary hot water that develops the comedy complications. Hines does some good work in his best comedy moments and would be even better if he would do more of his personality stuff rather than depending too much upon the gag itself to deliver the laughs. The hot water and fountain pen gags are good examples of the kind of stuff in which Hines is at his best. Several of the titles also bring forth laughter. Some of the sequences are rather loosely strung together, but as a whole “White Pants Willie” is an entertaining picture. Box Office Angle: This should go over in any type of theatre or locality. It is farce comedy with plenty of laughs and action. The title carries unusually good exploitation possibilities. — A nabel Lane. # * * Fay Wray Assigned to Play Menjou Lead Fay Wray has been selected by Paramount to play the leading feminine role opposite Adolphe Menjou in his next Paramount starring production. The picture is as yet untitled. It will be directed by Harry D’Abbadie D’Arrast.