Motion Picture News (Jan - Feb 1926)

1012 .1/ o t i o n P i c f II r c N e Mare Nostrum "M I boat (Rex Ingram-Metro-Goldwyn — 11000 Feet) (Reviewed l)y J. S. Dickerson) ARE NOSTKl'.M" Avliic-li opened an indefinite engagenient at the Criterion theatre, New York, Tuesday evening:, is grim, stark tragedy, that goes on to its un compromising end, recalling if not reviving the hates of war an picturiziug in startling vividness the riithlessness of German U-boa ■warfare. From a production and acting standoint, nothing that luxs been presented can surpass it, even Mr. Ingram's own immortal "Four Horsemen" with which the picture must inevitably be compared. A carefully selected cast, all but three of which ai-e foreign, give characterizations that stand out like cameos. Some of the scenes might, it seems to this reviewer, well have been toned down a bit. The heroine is shot as a spy before y-our very eyes. A little boy is blown to bits as a torpedo explodes amidship the Mare Nostrum. The hero drowns, and goes floating down to the bottom of the sea, THEME. Tragic story of the submarine warfare during the world war in which a sea captain, his Austrian sweetheart, his son, all meet death. PRODUCTION HIGHLIGHTS. The sinking of the ship by the submarine. The execution of the heroine as a spy. The fine acting of the whole cast, especially Michael Brantford, Fernand Mailly and Mile. Kithnou. EXPLOITATION ANGLES. Is distinctly in the road show class, needing extensive billing that will emphasize the magnitude of the production, its great dramatic values and numberless scenes that carry fine suspense. DRAWING POWER. Best suited for audiences that appreciate a strong well-told story and who complain of the sameness of the average production. SUMMARY. A vivid picturization of the Ibanez novel, indicting Germany for its U-boat warfare during the war, with the horrors of war emphasized. THE CAST The Triton Uni Apollon Don Esteban Ferragut Alex Nova His Son, Ulysses , . Kada-Abd-el-Kader Caragol Hughie Mack Freya Talberg Alice Terry Ulysses Ferragut Antonio Moreno Count Kaledine Fernand Mailly Produced and directed by Rex Ingram from the Blasco Ibanez story of the same name. Scenario by Willis Goldbeck. Photographed by John F. Seitz. Edited by Grant Whytock. SYNOPSIS — Ulysses Ferragut descended from a long line of Spanish seamen has been taught to revere "Mare Nostrum" (Our Sea). He falls in love with a beautiful German spy and under her influence aids in carrying supplies to German submarines in the Mediterranean. It is not until the U-boat has caused the death o: his son that both he and his sweetheart become remorseful and then it is too late. The spy is shot and the sea captain drowns, the victim of the submarine he had aided. Mare Nostrum (Rex IngramMetro-Goldwyn) PRESS NOTICE those who remember the most famous motion picture of all time, "The Four Horsemen," the announcement that "Mare Nostrum," another of the Ibanez novels and also directed by Rex Ingram will be at the Theatre for a days' engagement will carry unusual interest. "Mare Nostrum" has been hailed as worthy successor to "The Four Horsemen," carrying even greater dramatic values although its story is grim and tragic. Alice Terry is the beautiful heroine, a German spy and Tony Moreno plays the leading role of a sea captain who is tricked into aiding German submarines during the war. The production is hailed as one of the most notable pictures of the year. CATCH LINES A mighty drama of the World War by the author and director of "The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse." TO mr The Desert Demon (Artclass Pictures Corp. — 5000 Feet) ( Reviewed by George T. Pardy) A GOOD buy for the State Rights field. Director Richard Thorpe ha.s done excellent work in turning out this gingery Western melodrama, which swings at once into quick action and maintains high speed up to a rousing climax. They'll like this Avherever plenty of combat sequences and the fast riding stuff are l)opular, Avith a sufficiently impassioned love affair and comedy relief to make the dramatic balance even. The plot of "The Desert Demon" may occasionally seem to follow the old conventional trail, but the chief point is that it is likely to give satisfaction in the l)rojM'r market. A sure way of working up sympathy for a hero is to plunge him into a boiling pot of troubles right at the start, and that's what hap])ens to Buff^alo Bill, Jr., who has a rough time disentangling himself from the net of complications into which his chivah-ous regard for the heroine leads him. The star does good work and is well sujiportcd. Phologra2)hy 0. Iv. THEME. Western melodrama. Girl saves Buffalo Bill, Jr., from perishing in desert. In gratitude he defends her from foes, and later wins her lov6. PRODUCTION HIGHLIGHTS. Buffalo Bill's athletic feats and riding stunts. The scene where Bill saves squaw from Slade. Comedy relief. Episode where Bill clears girl's brother of murder accusation and his final reckoning with Slade. EXPLOITATION ANGLES. Play up the star, who has established quite a following with the Western fans. Boost as sensational, swift Westerner, with smashing climax. DRAWING POWER. Program attraction. Good in sections favoring Western melo. SUMMARY. O.K. for houses catering to the Western fan trade. Has continuously rapid action, star rides and fights snappily. Story mostly made up of physical thrills, but gets love interest over. Photography attractive. THE CAST Bill Davis Buffalo Bill, Jr. Nita Randall Betty Morrissey Jim Slade , Frank Ellis Snitz Doolittle Harry Todd Bugs Jack O'Brien Dad Randall Frank Austin The Squaw Margaret Martin Author, Alex McLaren. Director, Richard Thorpe. Photographed by Ray Ries. SYNOPSIS. Bill Davis, known as Buffalo Bill Jr., saves an Indian squaw from attack by Jim Slade. Lost in the desert Bill's horse dies from thirst. Nita Randall, whose father is operating a mine nearby, arrives just m time to prevent Bill from suffering a similar fate. Slade plots to get control of Randall's mine. One of the conspirators is shot by Randall, who dies from an injury, thinking he killed his enemy. Bill takes the blame but Nita is temporarily influenced against him. Her eyes are opened later when Bill beats up Slade. Nita and Bill are united. The Desert Demon (Artclass Pictures) PRESS NOTICE A FLASHING romance of the West, starring Buffalo Bill, Jr., is offered by "The Desert Demon," scheduled for the screen of the The Antonic Moreno, featured in "Mare Nostrum," a Rex Ingram-Metro-Goldwyn release. Buffalo Bill. Jr., star of "The Desert Demon" an Artclass release. atre on . This is the best up-to-date of a series of strenuous Western melodramas in which this redoubtable hard-riding, athletic star is appearing. He is seen as the protector of the pretty daughter of a mine-owner, Nita Randall, who loses her father and is being cheated out of her property when her lover takes a hand in the game. It is fast action from start to finish, with a charming love affair included with the thrills and fighting episodes, Betty Morrissey, Frank Todd, Frank ElUs in support. CATCH LINES Lost in the desert, his horse dead. it looked like the end, but a girl saved his life!