Motion Picture News (Jul - Sep 1926)

50 M o t i o n Picture News JOr^i, ^^^g| ions 01? Currei?tProductioi?s 2CZ. "Hitchin' Up" (Educational-Christie — Two Reels) (Reviewed by Edw. G. Johnston) STOUT, smiling, good-natured Walter Hiers is cast in a familiar and satisfying role in this two-reel Christie comedy — the role of a simple but sincere swain — who, in love-making, is ever beset by trouble of a nature serious enough to discourage a less determined Romeo. Hier's entire supporting cast does capable work, that of Jack Duffy's as old Grandpa being entirely worthy of that gentlemen's past efforts; also, does Eddie Baker add a realistic touch as a prospective brother-inlaw who is not at all pleased with his sister's choice of a mate. Arriving at his sweetheart's home with flowers, candy and the necessary ring, our hero decides to press his case, but one after the other the mentioned article disappear. He gets by these embarrassing circumstances only to become separated from the marriage license through a change of rooms; and is further annoyed when attempting to propose by the several different servants appearing on the scene. Some good comedy material is introduced during the disappearance of a jewel case. Complications are eventually ironed out. THE CAST Walter Hiers, Duane Thompson, Wess Gore, Eddie Baker and Jack Duffy. Director, Walter Graham. Summary — Typical Hier's comedy which will easily satisfy his followers. "The Swimming Instructor" (Fox — Two Reels) < Reviewed by Joseph Shea) "DY this time the Van Bibber series of ■*—' comedies should be so well known that merely to announce a Van Bibber on any theatre program should guarantee increased patronage. This latest fun reel adapted from the Richard Harding Davis stories will be the first release of this series for next season. One important point about the comic situation in the Van Bibber stories is that they seldom pass beyond the range of probability. Screamingly funny gags are built around everyday life situations and the supporting cast is composed of the most human Keeping Em toiiwj Ihe Greatest Novelty of the Season. BOOKED ON SIGHT BY THE BNTIRt WW CIRCUIT IMRNVHY ^H^ft AT OUR fllAfflgl characters to be found in any comedy cast. Van Bibber, Bertie, the Colonel and his daughter are guests at a fashionable summer resort. Van is practically a total loss because the swimming instructor is the idol of all the feminine guests. Numerous troublesome situations arise between this instructor and Van, who gets the beach idol's job after he accidentally falls into the pool and rescues a drowning woman. Van gets into more trouble when he is entered in the water race. Luck and several good gags enable him to win the race and become the official idol of the resort. THE CAST Earle Foxe, Florence Gilbert, Lynn Cowan, Frank Beal, Bardson Bard, Hazel Howell and Jack Donovan. Director, Al Austin. Sumniary — An acquatic laugh-fest worthy the feature billing in any program. "Fresh Faces" (Educational — Two Reels) (Reviewed by Raymond Ganly) WALTER HIERS is the hero in this comedy from the Educational studios which can be readily classified among those not so good. Walter is the judge in a beauty contest conducted by the town newspaper and he must needs call on all his tact and diplomacy to soothe the ruptured feeling existing between the three principals who are tied for first place. There are humor-besprinkled circumstances and much helter skelter back and forth, with the beauty crown on one head one minute and on another the next. Walter's methods of helping his choice and sweetie contract the enmity of the staunch supporters of the other two contestants and they threaten to maul him; and he, being a timid soul, evades their glances and their persons as ably as his rotund frame will allow. The girl of his heart is eventually declared the winner as a result of a recounting of the votes. The cast puts this one over in a satisfactory manner. Harry Beaudine directed. THE CAST Walter Hiers, Duane Thompson, Yola D'Avril, Eddie Baker, Natalie Joyce, Bill Blaisdell. Summary — Though but a farce of average merit it possesses a certain amount of hilarity and wisecracking — enough to satisfy patrons of the smaller houses. EXCHANGE "It's a Pipe" (Fox-Imperial — Two Reels) (Revietved by Joseph Shea) SEVERAL trite situations and time-worn gags in the titles lessen the effectiveness of what started out to be a first-rate comedy story. The old burlesque device of a man dressed in woman's clothes and vamping a sophisticated traveler and later appearing in the women's dressing room, where total strangers plead to show "their vaccination marks," is such obvious hokum that it has little appeal for an intelligent audience. The heroine, her father and suitor, who are en route to Ireland, discover Abie, who has fallen in love with the girl, stowed away on the boat. In order to escape detection Abie dons feminine attire, mingles with the passengers and women guests in the ladies' salon. During these pleasantries the boat is sunk in a storm and all hands washed ashore on a desert island. Abie talks the cannibal chief into a partnership and has himself appointed Mayor. He marries the girl he followed on the boat. Throughout all these episodes Kitty's father in vain tries to smoke his old clay pipe, to which his daughter objects. He now has a native follow him with a tray of pipes. This original idea fcr the comedy seems to have been lost sight of during the long voyage. THE CAST Georgie Harris, Barbara Luddy, Patrick Kelly, Bardson Bard. Anthony Merlo, Harry Woods. Director, Ben Stoloff. Summary — This material not up to Imperial standard. Fairly good comedy for the average house. "There She Goes" (Universal-Stern — Two Reels) (Reviewed by Joseph Shea) npHIS is slam-bang comedy of the old-* school and will be fairly entertaining for those who prefer their comedy taken on the run. It consists of a series of chases between the ever-present comedy police force and a girl dancer, the victim of mistaken identity. The dancer's picture is accidentally published as that of Chicago Sal, a notorious gunwoman. Every theatrical manager to whom she applies for a job recognizes the bandit's picture and calls the police. Wanda Wiley finally escapes from the police and finds the real Chicago Sal. Nothing new in humorous situations is developed in this three-cornered pursuit. Finally Wanda captures the two-gun female, thereby winning front-page notice and receiving a theatrical contract as the first step towards stardom. THE CAST Wanda Wiley is featured. Directed by Jess Robins. Summary — Just a fair comedy suited for the smaller houses. Screen Snapshots No. 14 (Columbia Pict. — One Reel) NUMBER fourteen of this popular series of intimate scenes in the lives of our picture players shows Conrad Nagel in an off-stage bit of comedy; Anna Q. Nilsson and Colleen Moore arriving in New York ; Marion Davies being made an Indian Princess : Anna Cornwall in a fishing scene ; Richard Barthelmess ; Dorothy Mackaill and Director Sidney Olcott studying the script of a new picture and Charlie and Mrs. Chase in an exclusive golf comedy scene. Many of filmdom's brightest lights are show-n arriving at a picture premiere on the Coast. This reel is made of the stuff fans like. — HAROLD FLAVIN. A "Hold 'er Sheriff" (Educational-Cameo — One Reel) X'OTHER Cliff Bowes single reeler, and this time Bowes has support from Clem Bradley, Estelle Bradley and Jack Lloyd. This one gets away a little slow but a few incidents leading up to, and during a picnic, make it a fair effort on the part of director Stephen Roberts, although the titles are a little weak in spots. Bowes plays the role of one of two brothers ; both having matrimonial designs on the same girl. They arrange a picnic party made up of several relatives and friends and remarkable things happen on the wav to the chosen site. —EDW. G. JOHNSTON. T Pathe Review No. 27 (Pa the— One Reel) HREF, highly diverting subjects presented in this review make this reel an unusually interesting one having appeal for the majority of picture audiences. "The Juvenile Gym" shows the results of training Young America in physical culture schools. This is followed by "( >il Drops," one of the "Magic Eye" series of microscopic studies by L. H. Tolhurst. This sequence shows the way oil is formed many thousands of feet below the earth's surface. The third subject is "Constantinople" and this shows scenes of the headquarters of the Sultans m Pathecolor — JOSEPH SHEA.