Motion Picture Classic (Jan-Jun 1929)

Getting a firm foothold, not only on herself but in the film world, is Florence Lake. She is to be seen in the not distant future as one of the characters in "Thru Different Eyes." The Celluloid Critic {Continued from page j^) -he hae arrived at the ringside to cheer him jfi to victor\-. The newly found pep which :ie musters for the knockout is acquired so luickly that it is good for a laugh. But for the most part it is well thought out and the oices are fairly natural. Two newcomers, 1 ola Lane and Paul Page, show considerable .romise. Lady Hamilton Glorified A SUMPTUOUS production has been given "The Divine Lady," to make ' conspicuous as one of the superlati\-e ilms of the season. It is excellent from the tandpoint of settings, atmosphere, costumes, sea battles and acting — but it is l)urdened with a story which never convinces aside from its romantic interludes. That the plot is unconvincing is natural because of the problem of censorship. With history on one side of the fence anfl the thought that the celebrated characters, l.r/T(l Silion arid Lady Ilanullon, could not he exposed too strongly, the sponsors did the next best thing — they played safe with history-, the figures and the censors. England's great naval hero and her ladyship had marital entanglements to their romance. Consefjuently, the adaptors had to skate on thin ice in presenting the love quadrangle. But Nelson emerges a hero, renounces his beloved Emma, to assume command of the British fleet and dies with the assurance that she will be with him in a better world. It is all very well done, though the second sea battle comes as an anti-climax. The first one is thrilling and charged with suspense, but when Trafalgar is depicted the dramatic values are missing. The story is episodic, but the romantic moments carry appeal — which, with the backgrounds and the adaptability of Corinne (irififith and Victor V'arconi for the central roles, makes "The Divine Lady" easy on the optics. Jeanne Eagels Triumphs SOMLRSLT MAUOHA.M'S play, "The Letter," comes to the screen with all its parts intact. Which is to say that it is a very true translation of the original. The picture as a result of adhering to its text builds more from dialogue than it does from action. But it is so sound in its idea that none of its original spark and spirit are lost. The climax is achieved through scenes which build very dramatically and the characters are in place — and there's a place for each of them. The picture proves to be an acting triumph for Jeanne Eagels. She affects several moods, all of which are capitally shaded. And her voice records the intensity of her performance In all, it's a picture of tone and quality — and not above the heads of those in search of better things. The Movie Primer (Conlinued from page 57) anfl shouting, to be sure, and everyone says, " Best yet — ha, ha, ha!" Then when they've practically worn themselves out with laughter, they go back to where it's shady for a nap and pretty soon it's dinner time. Nasty Old Efficiency SO you see how merry life can be in a movie studio. Because in a movie studio you can have a lot more fiin than in the shoe business, for instance. Because in the shoe business they have a silly thing called e-f-f-i-c-i-e-n-c-y which takes all the real joy out of working. That is, when you work in the shoe business, kiddies, you really have to work. And in the shoe business if you sit down for more than six hours a day, a man is apt to come along and say, "V'ou'rc fired!" And that's no fun. But they never say that in the studios. They used to, but it's too risky now because if a director fires a prop man, the I»rop man is liable to hold it against him when the director tries to get on as a janitor three or four months later. Because in the movies they've found that if a man is fired on Tuestlay, he's usually back by Wednesday. And on Thursday the one who did the firing is wondering if it's too late to learn aviation. So the people in a movie studio are just one big happy family, and no one siiys anything very bad about anyone else till after he's gone. But when they are all together, there is nothing but the best of feeling. ICveryone tells jokes and the place fairly rings with laughter. And the company is especially merry when the director tells his joke. For as we all know — or if we don't we very soon learn — the director's jokes arc funniest. Well, kiddies, I see the director is helping the star into his car. That means they've finished for the day. My sakes, but they must be tired! I guess we'd better be going, too. And don't let me hear you say you've never seen them take movies. Next time, if you arc real, real good, I want to tell you how you, too, can become a movie star. Class excused. What Every Lover Should Know One of the largest studios in Hollywood has recently instituted an idea which is both unusual and immensely interesting It has engaged the services, for the casting of its pictures, of a psychiatrist lately associated with Columbia University and New York University He has been called in as consultant in the analysis not only of the characters of the several players from whom will be chosen the leading characters in the studios' photoplays, but also to assay their sex-appeal While this enterprise is fundamentally of direct interest to the picture producers, the findings of this mental specialist are of interest to everyone — of absorbing interest For he has revealed to a representative of Motion Picture Classic the scientific fundamentals of personality and bodily magnetism This he has done clearly and simply. And so engrossing is the information that no matter even if you are not interested in pictures and picture people, you will find it fascinating to apply to people you know, the secrets disclosed What blonde girls are like and what brunette— and what redheaded ones. .And the same of men. How they react. Ihcir prime motivations Because the treatment of these subjects concerns love especially the title "What Every Lover Should Know" has been given the article Motion Picture Classic, in which it will appear, will itself appear on the newsstands May loth. You'll find it more than worth while to appear there and then yourself — for your copy of the June Classic JHofion Ticture Qlassic "it's the magazine with THE personality" 95