Motion Picture News (Mar - Apr 1926)

April 1926 1513 inions on Current Short Subject: " Wife Tamers " (Pathe — Two Reels) (Reviewed by Edtv. G. Johnston) WELL, here you are — you exhibitors — who according to reports have been shouting for a prominent star's name to hang up on the marquee. Hal Roach has given you Lionel Barrymore in his first two reel comedy release — so get out the lamp units which spell his name. There's no doubt that with Barrymore's name featured, exploitation possibilities will be far greater — and he furthermore handles his role in a first rate manner but in the opinion of this reviewer the balance of the cast are good enough to stand on their own legs at any old time. Barrymore plays the part of a misunderstood husband and Gertrude Astor is seen as his wife. Clyde Cook, another star, also figures conspicuously. Cook is Barrymore's valet and is dispatched by his master to make a date with a little girl who has become stranded in the neighborhood. Vivian Oakland has the role of 'the latter and it's one which she always plays well. The distressed husband has picked her out in order to excite his wife's jealousy. Jimmie Finlayson is the other member of the cast. A scene in a restaurant which brings out the crudities of the husband's new found girlfriend is the means of reuniting the estranged couple. James W. Home directed. The Cast Lionel Barrymore, Clyde Cook, Gertrude Astor, Vivian Oakland and Jimmie Finlayson. Summary — A good comedy further enhanced by the name of a prominent star. Suitable for all houses. Play up the name of Lionel Barrymore. "Fools Luck" I Educational — Two Reels) (Reviewed by Edw. G. Johnston) ANOTHER Lupino Lane comedy which will prove to be a first class attraction. The story and direction are by William Goodrich and the balance of the cast give Lane able assistance — the work of George Davis and Virginia Vance particularly standing out. While the story of an overdue hotel bill has been used many a time, it always seems to get by once more — and then, Lane's handling of it is in his own peculiar style. After leading an almost effortless life in a hotel suite where he is nursed by a faithful valet, Lane's father suddenly stops the allowance on the eve of a dinner the son is to hold in honor of his soon-to-be bride. The hotel proprietor pursues with a bill for past due rent and Lane decides it's cheaper to move. Some good aerial gags are pulled when he and the valet attempt to move the piano out of the window. This is finally accomplished and the truck leaves for an undetermined destination with Lane astride the top of the load. The valet and the truck driver become involved in a heated argument, the truck is left driverless and ends its mad whirl down a steep hill by a collision with a locomotive. The claim agent settles with Lane and all is well. The Cast Lupino Lane, George Davis, Virginia Vance and Jack Lloyd. Summary — Good comedy attraction with Lupino Lane and an excellent supporting cast. Should please anywhere. " Burkhardt's Plastic Film " (Renown Pictures — One Reel) HERE is one of the best screen novelties that ever went into a Motion Picture Theatre in the opinion of this writer who witnessed its showing at the Colony Theatre in New York City. It had already played at one of the Broadway houses several weeks ago and this was a return engagement. The query which the Colony asks its patrons is "arc they girls or illusions" and that rather sums up the matter. A special screen made of scrim is hung in front of a background in keeping with the nature of the subject. The first part of the reel shows a celebrated dancer and there is an almost perfect illusion that she is real — and executing her steps on the theatre stage. The next two acts following are made up of a ballet corps and a troupe of acrobats and again the same illusion is created. In short, the film could be used to create the effect of a short bill of vaudeville to precede a feature. Full instructions to electricians and projectionists are furnished by the distributor who claims that no exhibitor need fear any complications as they are simple and easy enough for any to understand. R. C. Flothow is in charge of this novel film.— EDW. G. JOHNSTON. " Whoa Emma " (Educational-Christie — Two Reels) (Reviewed by Edw. G. Johnston) HERE'S an amusing and clever burlesque of a "Wild Horse" feature from the Christie Studios, featuring Jimmie Adams. At the start it would seem rather a difficult subject but the trick horse "Emma, the Vamp of the Plains" goes about her work in most convincing manner and Adams receives excellent support from Molly Malone and Hank Mann. As to the story, it has to do with the efforts of a ranch owner to bring about the capture of "Wild Emma" whose vamping qualities are creating havoc among the ranch horses. In response to a letter requesting help from a correspondence school, Jimmie arrives on the scene with his valet and on making "Emma's" acquaintance, they immediately become fast friends much to the consternation of the ranch employees. There is considerable "horse play" throughout. Robert Thornby directed. The Cast Jimmie Adams, Molly Malone, Hank Mann and "Emma." Summary — An amusing burlesque of a "Wild Horse" feature. Should prove good entertainment for most audiences. " Wandering Willies " (Pathe — Two Reels) (Reviewed by Edw. G. Johnston) THERE'S a lot of good laughs right at the start of this Mack Sennett comedy when two hungry tramps whose parts are played by Billy Bevan and Andy Clyde, hit upon an ingenious but dangerous plan to ease their appetite. A cop has temporarily captured the attention of a nurse who is in charge of a baby and its carriage and the scene is near a lake. Picking up a duck which is peacefully swimming near the shore, Billy dresses it with the baby's clothes and hurls it into the water. The cop gfoes to the rescue only to have the object evade him. The pair then steal the carriage and with one inside and under cover, enter a restaurant. Kewpie Morgan is the proprietor and Ruth Hiatt the waitress. Billy and Andy are finally exposed during their attempts to capture a square meal. Del Lord did the directing. The Cast Billy Bevan, Andy Cryde, Ruth Hiatt and Kewpie Morgan. Summary — A capable cast and some gags introduced during the first half will put this over. Is suitable for the average house. 4 Yearning for Love " (Universal-Century — Two Reels) (Reviewed by Chester J. Smith) WANDA WILEY has a fairly good "" story in this two-reeler, which gives her all the usual opportunities for displaying her talents and taking the requisite number of falls that characterize all of these Wiley stories. She is dominated by a prim aunt, who picks for Wanda what the latter considers an impossible suitor. As Wanda has her own idea about suitors she elects to marry another, and in succeeding in doing so evokes a lot of fast comedy. The aunt arranges for the wedding with the undesirable suitor, while the rival intercepts the minister, and disguised, serves in that capacity himself. He blackjacks the intended groom, elopes with the girl, while aunty takes advantage of the injured man's condition and marries him herself. Summary. — This is a story of the usual Wanda Wiley type. It abounds in fast action and lively comedy and should serve as a good vehicle in any but the first run houses. "A Flivver Vacation " I Universal-Century — Two Reels ) (Reviewed by Edw. G. Johnston) EDDIE GORDON is featured in this two reel Century comedy which has to do with the trials and tribulations experienced by a family flivver party who are on their vacation. It's a fairly amusing brand of entertainment with the part where the burro aids the flivver in fording a stream — standing out as the best. There's a lot of slapstick. Follies beauties, some gags — in fact a conglomeration of comedy material, juggled around in a manner which should please a not too critical audience. The camping party consists of a hen-pecked husband, his strapping big wife, a delicate son-in-law and a fat son who is bad all the way through. It is this kid who causes most of the troubles before and after they are settled in camp. A series of domestic complications finally ends with father and mother tumbling over a high embankment. Noel Smith directed. Summary — Fair brand of comedy with some pretty good gags. Will please the average house. " Taking the Heir " (Universal-Bluebird — One Reel) CHARLES PUFFY is the featured player in this single reel Bluebird which concerns a series of troubles that befall this roly-poly comedian on his wedding day. A friend phones him that a bearded man will attempt to thwart his matrimonial plans. Puffy fearing a process server with whom he has had some difficulty, engages a group of friends to stop any bearded man from entering the church while the ceremony is under way. The bride's father and the minister — both bearded — are bound, gagged and thrown into separate rooms while the process-server manages to slip by. Troubles arc finally ironed out. It's a verv fair single reeler.— EDW. G. JOHNSTOX. WATCH RED SEAL gfh* N. Y. C.