Motion Picture News (Jul - Sep 1927)

1002 Motion Picture News One Woman to Another Very Draggy and Misses Its Points (Reviewed by Laurence Reid) THERE'S nothing much to boast about in Florence Vidor's new picture. The star does her best to be convincing. That she succeeds is proof that she knows a scene when she sees it and what to do with it Avhen it is given her. The chief error hero is its length. The plot drags aimlessly along to seven reels when it could be compressed into a two-reeler. Therefore you can be sure it is well padded. The characters make entrances and exits without going anywhere in particular. Miss Vidor has a deal of charm — and she seldom fails to be sincere in her pictures, but not since "The Grand Duchess and the Waiter" has she had anything which can be catalogued as a smash. In this picture she plays a homey t5T)e of woman who fearing that she will lose her .man to a fair upstart proceeds to play the youngster's game and compromise. And thats all there is to it. There were possibilities to the story which haven't been realized. The effort to become satiric and a wee bit devilish doesn't click because it is executed so obviously and clumsily. The central figure is supposed to represent a high order of intelligence but her playful by-play smacks of the adolescent age. Had the time-worn situation been touched up more with light comedy satire it might have released better entertainment. The cast is competent without distinguishing itself. The Cast: Florence Vidor, Theodore Von Eltz, Marie Shotwell, Shirley Dorman, Hedda Hopper, Roy Stewart, Joyce Coad. Director, Frank Tut tie. THEME : Drama of girl who realizes her fiance is slipping away from her and takes up task of winning him back. PRODUCTION HIGHLIGHTS : Settings. Sincerity of star's performance. Climax. Captions. EXPLOITATION ANGLES: Tease title and exploit star as sincere and talented. Go after feminine patronage. DRAWING POWER: Suitable for neighborhood houses or those which have large feminine patronage. Produced and distributed by Paramount. Length, seven reels. Released, September, 1927. Determination is written all over the face of the Western lad whom F B O is featuring in "The Boy Rider." Jaws of Steel Gripping and Replete with Action (Reviewed by Chester J. Smith) R IN-TIN-TIN'S legion of friends will like this latest picture of the dog-star, though he is not called upon for as much in the line of heroics as usual. He has a role similar to that of the dog in Jack London's "Call of the Wild," and it is hard to conceive of an animal playing to better advantage. It is deep melodrama froin start to finish, but they never let the action lag, and while at times it is too improbable to be convincing, it is nevertheless always interesting. Rinty first is seen as the puppy pet of the little girl who is crossing thedesert with her parents, who are to locate on a newly acquired mining claim. The dog is bounced out of the wagon and proceeds to run wild. Rinty is next seen as the "killer," charged with the murder of several persons, and having a price on his head. Jason Robards, as the father of the little girl, heads the posse that would do away with the wild dog. Meantime Rinty returns and miakes friends with the little girl, who falls ill from loneliness when Rinty again disappears. Only the return of the dog can save the little girl's life, according to the doctor. Rinty is run down and wounded, but is spared because of a. message he carries. The Cast : Rin-Tin-Tin, Jason Robards, Helen Ferguson, Mary Louise Miller, Jack Curtis, Robert Perry, George Connors. THEME: Melodrama of pet puppy which is lost on the desert and turns wild. Wanted as a killer, he returns to the desert cottage in time to save the baby's life, as the father is out seeking the reward that goes with the dog's death. PRODUCTION HIGHLIGHTS: The battle between the "killer" and the villain. The chase and wounding of the "killer." The desert scenes. EXPLOITATION ANGLES: The dog-star needs little exploitation, but this one can safely be billed as a real thriller. "The many dramatic incidents of the picture. The terrific chase of the whole countryside after Rinty. DRAWING POWER: Should be good wherever the dog-star is appreciated. A story by Zone Grey supplies the plot of Tiffany's "Lightning," scenes from ivhich are shou^n above. Length, 5,569 feet. Released, September 10, 1927. Produced and Distributed by Warner Bros.