Motion Picture Magazine (Aug 1921-Jan 1922)

■"»* MOTION PICTURC" A Better Way Than Diets and Exercise For Reducing Diets and exercise are sometimes helpful for reducing. But they are inconvenient and unpleasant, and usually produce only temporary results. Then, too, they are merely corrective measures. A better way is to aid the digestive organs to turn food into muscle, bone, and sinew, and not into corpulent tissue. This method allows you to eat many kinds of food which others eat and does not require strenuous exercise. Thousands have found that Marmola Tablets give relief from obesity in just this way. Marmola Tablets are made from the same formula as the famous Marmola Prescription. If taken after meals and at bedtime, they retard the development of fat by helping the digestive system to obtain full nutriment from food. When the accumulation of fat is checked, reduction to normal, healthy weight soon follows. All good drug stores the world over sell Marmola Tablets at one dollar per box. Ask your druggist for them, or order them direct and they will be sent in plain wrapper, postpaid. MARMOLA COMPANY 277 Garfield Bldg., Detroit, Mich. "Looking more fascinating than ever, a famous prima-donna returned from abroad with bobbed EVEN the stately beauties of tin operatic stage have turned U 9 bobbed hair for additional charm and fascination. Just picture yourself, too, in an artistic mass of bobbed hair, with the lovely little curls making you beautiful and attractive (and underneath the bob, your own hair safe). With the bewitching NATIONAL BOB your hair can be BOBBED— WITHOUT BOBBING (For the girl whose hair is uncut) CURLED— WITHOUT CURLING (For the girl whose hair is already cut) The NATIONAL BOB slips on in a jiffy. It will bring to you the irresistible fascination — the charm and loveliness you have long sought! Tuck the tiny combs into place — lightly pat the invisible pins and be radiantly beautiful In your NATIONAL BOB. Send us a strand of your Mir and $10.00. The Bob will he sent to you ut once postpaid. Satisfaction guarrntted. "The National Bo!) is an Investment In Personal Charm" Send for free hair goods catalogue. Artificial Eyelashes — $1.50 per pair. NATIONAL HAIR GOODS CO. Dept. O. 368 Sixth Avenue New York 108 1A££ Across trie Silverskeet (Continued from page 67) desires with an immobile expression. It will be remembered that Mr. Wegner also played the name role in "The Golem." The settings are the weird atmospheric things which we have come to expect from the German producers. The photography is wretched, but, if we remember correctly, this was true of the other importations. However, they overshadowed this fact. "One Arabian Night" is not so successful. FOOTLIGHTS — PARAMOUNT "Footlights," built about the splendid characterization given by Elsie Ferguson, is an interesting picture without making any pretense at being a great picture. It is a relief when there is no persistent attempt at greatness. The story, which is by Rita Weiman, is said to be based on the life of one of our own actresses, but whether or not this is true, we cannot tell. Suffice it to say that it gives a good idea of just what can be done when a clever theatrical manager wills to do it. The transformation of little Lizzie Parsons from New England into Lisa Parsinova, the rage of New York, is replete with interest. And where Lizzie Parsons dreamed daydreams over the portrait of a great star, Lisa Parsinova dreams over a picture of an awkward New England girl. The heart of Lisa Patsinova eventually proves to be the heart of the little Lizzie who has gone before. We liked the psychology of the story. But more than this, we liked the varied characterization of Miss Ferguson ; first the little New England girl, then the earnest vaudeville artist doing imitations ; then as the Russian tragedienne, Lisa Parsinova. Of a certainty, she has a great gift! The rest of the cast, including Reginald Denny, Marc MacDermott and Octavia Handworth, was excellent. And more splendid things are to be said of the direction of John Robertson. THE CHILD THOU GAVEST ME — FIRST NATIONAL To tell the story of "The Child Thou Gavest Me" might be helpful, but, on the other hand, it would make it futile to see the picture. As a matter of fact, it was some time before we could straighten things out satisfactorily in our mind. Others may fare better. It is not the "And a little child shall lead them" affair. Quite the opposite, as a matter of fact, and for this we are duly grateful, even tho the production was quite as banal in many ways. The cast possesses many well-known players, among them Barbara Castleton, Winter Hall, Adele Farrington, Lewis Stone, William Desmond and Richard Headrick, who plays the child. Richard did well and was quite unconscious of the camera. Nevertheless, he often gets directly in the way of the plot. This, however, is probably not his fault. If he must do cute tricks, he must do cute tricks. Be it said to his credit, that he is cute doing them. That is an achievement. THE SHEIK — PARAMOUNT Almost everyone has read "The Sheik." And almost everyone tells you, "Of course, I know it isn't a great book, but it is exciting." And, having read "The Sheik" yourself, you admit that much, anyway. Rudolph Valentino plays the title role in the screen production. Agnes Ayres plays the heroine, Diana. George Melford is responsible for the direction. Needless to say, the motion picture is not so exciting. Remembering censorship, we wondered why they ever bought the motion picture rights in the first place. Then George Melford made statements declaring that there would be no cause for censorial complaint. There isn't. Nor is there any of the mystery or high adventure which you might expect. Diana meets the sheik before he abducts her and makes her his prisoner in his desert village. As a matter of fact, she dresses up in the native costume and steals into the casino where he is stopping while at Biska. Except for this, and the fact that the sheik repents once he has her in his striped tent, and acts for all the world like a Continental gentleman, the screen story coincides fairly well with the novel. Rudolph Valentino seemed an ideal choice for the name part, but he has not invested his characterization with the indomitable spirit and sphinx-like mien which might be expected. He smiles often. And you wonder why Diana is ever afraid of him. If there is anybody anywhere who has not, as we said before, read "The Sheik," they'll probably enjoy the picture far more than they otherwise would. I ACCUSE — UNITED ARTISTS "I Accuse," too, is an importation. It is the work of Abel Gance, the French poet and author. Undoubtedly, there was, originally, a strong foundation to the story. It has disappeared, because it was probably questioned whether or not it would offend. The story tells of two soldiers, follows them thru the trenches and right up to the firing-line. One, a poet, dearly loves the other's wife. Before their companionship in the trenches, they were enemies, but the horror of their experiences brings them together and cements undying friendship. There are high points in the story, but it is well to let a thing alone entirely unless you are ready to stand firm. To detract here and there, is to weaken any creation irreparably. We do not know definitely that this was done to "I Accuse," but everything would indicate that it was. It is the poet who returns home after the armistice who accuses. Demented, he gathers together the people of the township. He tells them of the battlefields strewn with their dead. He accuses — and accusing, asks whether their sacrifice has been made in vain. However, despite its expurgation, "I Accuse" deals vitally with truths and leaves its audience heavy-hearted. THE SHADOW WORLD By Clarence E. Flynn There is a world of shadows; We see it on the screen — A. world of grassy meadows, With sunlit streams between, Streams flowing to the ocean. They come from everywhere. Love, hope, despair, devotion, Joy, sorrow — all are there. This world of wondrous seeming Is not a distant place. 'Tis a new way of dreaming To walk in it a space, To tread its flow'ring meadows, To sit beside its streams. It is a world of shadows, And yet how real it seems ! I