Motion Picture News (Apr - Jun 1928)

June 30 , 19 28 2195 Opinions on Pictures The Cossacks Colorful Enough — With Gilbert to Help It (Ke\ i<-« ed by Laurence Keid) VV'rlTIl a colorful title adorning an ad" v venturous romantic story and starring John Gilbert in a first rate characterization this f i t in couhln't possibly go wronjr. It may not have the original thought or* Tolstoy in it — the thought built around mental torture and misgivings, but it spells romance in large doses of action, which is fair enough. Gilbert has Renee Adoree for the love interest. With her supporting him he catches something of the spark which has been lost since "The Big Parade." They bicker and quarrel but in the end he earns the right to be called a cossack. Having no taste for bloodshed he is forced to overcome his inferiority by slaughtering a Turk or three or more. The Tolstoy "message" is not grasped, but why look for the mental side when there is so much physical appeal ? Gilbert shades the role with fine understanding, jumping from a meek youth to a swaggering hero with an emotional flair that should bring the girls to the box-office window. It is well cast with Ernest Torrence, Dale Fuller and Nils Asther fitting right into the scheme of things. Drawing Power: Title, star and Adoree. For all houses, large and small. Exploitation Angles: Feature star and Adoree reunited after "Big Parade." Use Russian themes for music. Put on Russian prologue. Bill as red hot romance of Russian steppes. THEME: Romantic drama of humble, meek cossack youth who develops into a fighter and wins his girl. Produced and distributed by M-G M. Length, seven reels. Released June 23, 1928. The Cast: John Gilbert, Ernest Torrence, Renee Adoree, Dale Fuller, Mary Alden, Josephine Borio, Neil Xeely, Joseph Wari, Paul Hurst. Director, George Hill. The Foreign Legion A Little Late, But Fair Enough (Reviewed bv Laurence Reid) THE spirit of "Beau Geste" is still being felt among screen stories. The latest entry to project the soldiers of fortune down Morocco way is a fair picture as to plot and a good picture as to acting. The idea presents a self-sacrificing Englishman who joins the Legion to protect the French husband of the girl who jilted him. After a time lapse they meet again and trouble brews between the erstwhile sweet hearts, but it evaporates when real romance enters the hero's life. In the telling of the story there is released some good melodrama, and it carries a pleasant romantic flavor which makes it easy to absorb. The acting is very capably taken care of by Lewis Stone, Norman Kerry and Mary Nolan. It should please most of the boys and girls. Drawing Power: 0. K. Eor average houses. Exploitation Angles: Rill as picture of the famous French Foreign Legion. Play up Lewis Stone and Norman Kerry. THEME: Romantic drama of self-sacrifice. Produced and distributed by Universal. Length, six reels. Released, .June, 1!)28. The Cast: Norman Kerry, Lewis Stone. Mary Nolan, .June Marlowe, Craut'ord Kent. Walter Perry. Director, Edward Sloman. The Red Dance Not So Big, But Should Attract Them (Reviewed by Laurence Keid) 'TMIK Russian Revolution is a titanic * theme and the Russians are a race which cannot be captured in celluloid when the design is to bring forth the conflict and torment of soul. The trouble here is an effort to paint peasant life, the aristocracy, the uprising of the proletariat and dovetail seething action in the conflict of the mind. It is a large order and naturally fails. Trotsky is shown in thin disguise when he, in reality, was living in New York during the throes of the Revolution. And after shots of court intrigue, the film jumps about from one scene to another until it strikes romance. Then it reverses a favorite formula. Instead of showing a lowly peasant in love with an heiress or princess, the idea shows a Grand Duke charmed by a daughter of the working classes. And before it ends it carries on a three ring circus of incident, intrigue, adventure, and other seething elements. Revolutions aren't accomplished in a pell-mell fashion, though they are permissible to translate action. The fault in the story is digression from its subject to encompass about everything pertaining to the downfall of Russia. Director Walsh has given it a fine mounting, the detail being exceptionally good. And several of his shots carry imagination. His cast is first rate without showing any real inspiration. Charles Farrell fails to capture the Russian spirit and Dolores del Rio is not emotional enough in her big moments. Both do creditable work, however. Ivan Linow is fair but his comedy needs control. He is not a funny man. It's a big effort, painstakingly done but lacking depth and feeling and inspiration in its telling. Drawing Power: Has popularity of Farrell and del Rio to work on. Also the wave of Russian pictures. 0. K. for bigger houses. Exploitation Angles: Feature principals. Stage prologue of Russian atmosphere, etc. Bill as drama of overthrow of Russia n monarchy. Feature solo dancer. THEME: Drama of Russian Revolution with romance interwoven detailing love of Grand Duke and peasant. Produced and distributed by Foa Films. Length, 9,250 feet. Released. Dec. .;, 1928. The Cast: Dolores del Etio, Charles Farrell. Ivan Linow, Boris Charsky, Dorothy Hetier, Andre Segurola, Dimitri Alexis. Director, Raonl Walsh. The Magnificent Flirt Fairly Entertaining, llul \\ t il Done (Reviewed l>\ Laurence Heid) rP HIS one is aimed apparently in captur1 ing feminine audiences. Since the ladies are in the majority, as picturegoers, it should have a particular appeal. They will see a very fine production, one neatly mounted and catering a deal to a fashion layout. Yet it has a quality which should bring out the men folk, too. The idea exploits the modern touch in presenting a jazzy mother and her ingenue daughter, and affords Florence Vidor an opportunity to wear some dazzling gowns and exercise her exceptional poise and restraint. It isn't much of an idea and loomup as pretty slender material to carry on for feature length. But the star, the supporting cast and the production put it over very creditably. The settings are something to make a fuss over and so is the camera work. A counter love interest keeppace with the major romance. It's a pleasant tidbit for summer business. Drawing Power: Should attract with title. Exploitation Angles: Play up gowns and fashion display. Feature Florence Vidor. Capitalize the title and tease it. THEME: Comedy-drama of romantic mother and her equally romantic daughter. Produced and distributed by Paramount. Length, six reels. Released, June J, 1!»2S. The Cast: Florence Vidor, Albert Conti. Loretta Young, Matty Kemp, Marietta Millner, Ned Sparks. Director, Harry d 'Arrast. "Felix the Cat in Outdoor In. lore'' (Educational — < )ne Reel i THE lone cat traverses the watery spaces to find an elephant in India and after many difficulties brings him back home. He and the elephant put on an act in a circus and win tlie plaudits of the crowd. It is fairly good entertainment. But it is noticeable that the stories supplied Felix lately have let down in cleverness and their surprising skill in laugh invention. The fact remains, however, that the cat is still the appealing little cartoon character— a character who has more individuality about him and more little quirks and mannerisms than the other cartoon figures have revealed. Like many of bis Hollywood rivals in the flesh, Felix needs good stories just now. — RAYMOND GANLY. "Pathe Rrxieu No. 28" (Pat he— One Reel) A DIVERSIFIED and entertaining Pathe Review issue, this single-reelcr contains the subjects: "The Street of the Stars." a novel presentation showing the night lights of New York's Gay White W ay, from the sky : "It Must Be the Weather." strange antics of some Broadway show girls at play on a secluded roof ; "Living Jewels L'nder the Spanish Main," underwater camera scenes taken fathoms deep down in the sea of rare fish specimens. The highlight of the film is the subject "Dove Fishers Seine the Sky,"' Basque bird hunters set nets across the Pyrrenccs mountain air lanes, and in this manner trap their food.— GEORGE J. RFDDY.