Motion Picture News (Apr - Jun 1927)

1276 Motion Picture N^ c w s Evening Clothes Misses the Vital Spark (Reviewed by Laurence Reid) ONE of tlie requisites of bright comedy is an effervescence which can keep it iiioviiig even Avhen its spark of plot has burned itself out. This is what prevents "Evening Clothes" from hitting the bull's-eye. The latest Menjou film might have been a hum-dinger had it been haiulled in a jaunty manner. But it is taken too seriously. Of course, with such a title the selection of the artful Adolphe was inevitable. He has the gift for looking quite toppy in his sartorial splendor. Aside from registering what the well-dressed nuui will wear, the star hasn't much opportunity. Here's an actor whose art, from all appearances, is being overlooked in order to dress him up and send him into drawing rooms. We see him as the elegant fellow of the boulevards who, when his creditors permit him to wear only one suit from his mortgaged wardrobe, selects the w. k. "soup and fish." His idea is that it would be easier to recoup his fortune in the attire of a gentleman of the evening. And so he goes through some mildly amusing adventures — none of which are calculated to arouse more than a faint chuckle. Tlie Cast: Adolphe Menjou, Virginia Valli, Noali Beery, Louise Brooks, Lido Manetti, Andre Cheron. Director, Luther Reed. THEME : Light comedy of a gay bounder who finds adventure and romance in evening clothes, his creditors having taken his other togs away from him. PRODUCTION HIGHLIGHTS: The restaurant scene. The wedding sequence. The comedy of Menjou in his evening togs and in nondescript ap parel. The subtitles by George Marion, Jr. EXPLOITATION ANGLES: Tie up with clothing stores, etc. Bill Menjou as particularly adept in wearing evening clothes, etc. Play up Virginia Valli and Louise Brooks. DRAWING POWER: 0. K. for average houses, downtown and neighborhood. Produced and distributed by Famous Players. Length, si.v reels. Released March, V)27. Interesting highlights from the F. B. O. release, "The Outlaw Dog" Winners of the Wilderness M-G-M's Western Star Comes Over With a Dandy (Reviewed by Raymond Ganly) PROBABLY all the essentials that go to make an entertainment pleasing, commanding and outstanding are incorporated m this histoi'ical romance which serves as Tim McCoy's second contribution to Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer's catalogue of relt-ases. The Irish star has a fine production here, as the picture boasts an interesting theme, a well-rounded list of performers, a certain amount of lavishness in its production. It's the kind of picture tliat will go over well, providing as it doe,s a creditable period of diversion during its little more than six reels of length. JlcCoy has undeniably advanced. The story concerns the pre-Revolutionary war between the French and Indians and the English and Americans. The costumes of the period offer a pleasing contrast to the interesting sequences of the film in which are seen such historical figures as Washington and Braddock. The latter 's disastrous defeat is the film's highlight and it is canned out with realism. The acting of all hands is competent. The Cast: Tim McCoy, Joan Crawford, Edward Connelly, Prank Currier, Roy D'Arcy, Louise Lorraine, Edward Hearn, Will R. Walling, Tom O Bricn, Chief Big Tree, Lionel Beluiore. Directed bv IV. S. Van Dyke. T H EM E : American officer foils the French in the French and Indian wars and wins a French bride. PRODUCTION HIGHLIGHTS: Theft of the document. Wrestling match in the woods. Braddock 's defeat. McCoy's escape from the stake. The color scene at the end of the film. EXPLOITATION ANGLES: Capitalize on Indian and Colonial atmosphere; historical figures; rapid-fire action. Try tieup with schools. DRAWING POWER: Good. A few glimpses of the accompanying a boy nith his first pair of "longies" are set forth in four .stills from "l^ong Pants," f'ir.sl National's feature length comedy Produced and distributed by M etro-G oldwyn-M ayer . Released January, 1927. Footage, 6,343 feet.