Motion Picture News (Jan-Feb 1923)

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706 Motion Picture News Bull Montana as he appears in " Rob "Em Good," Metro, a Hunt Stromberg production. " The Challenge " American Releasing Corp. — 5 Reels (Reviewed by Eugene Carlton) CONTRARY to the popular supposition conveyed by the title, " The Challenge " is a bloodless, fightless production that carries a good moral. There is a love story, to be sure, but there is no challenging between the lovers. In fact, all the challenging is done within the cerebral hemispheres of one man, the unlucky suitor who challenges his own conscience in the face of the weakness of his rival. The plot has been done before, but there are just enough new angles to the picture to wipe out the memory of any former theme. The natural settings in the Adirondacks during the Winter add greatly to the attractiveness of the production, as well as bolster up the realism of the plot. When rival lovers are alone together in perilous mountains there usually is a series of hackneyed plotting against the life of the " other fellow," but although there is some of this element in " The Challenge," it is easy to overlook, as the real plot reveals the strong moral character of the loser for the heroine's hand. When the scene is shifted back to New York the general trend of the production is over well beaten paths, a wealthy admirer of a poor artist's wife scheming to effect a separation by the same methods that already are worn ragged. But, in view of the fact that when this wealthy admirer obtains the opportunity he has sought, only to challenge his conscience and refuse to take advantage of a down-and-out rival, the weaker points of the production readily can be forgotten. The Cast Barbara Hastings Dolores Cassinelli Stanley Roberts Rof La Rocque Ralph Westley Warner Richmond Peggy Royce De Sacia Moores Mr. Hastings Frank Norcross Mrs. Hastings Jane Jennings Directed by Tom Terriss. By Star Productions, Inc. Photographed by Hal Sintzenich. The Story — Two men in love with girl, who is hostess of mountain resort, one a banker and the other an artist. The artist marries the girl, but after returning to New York the banker seeks to separate them by anonymously purchasing one of his pictures, causing the artist to spend money freely, thereby ruining himself. The banker buys the mountain resort and offers the girl her former position. She accepts but remains true to her husband, and the banker, realizing his mistake, sends artist to join his wife. Classification — A love story, mixed with adventure. Production Highlights — Beautiful scenes in Adirondacks and scene where banker decides against his own plotting desires. Exploitation Angles — Lobby can be decorated to resemble the porch of a mountain resort. The scenic attraction of the production should be featured. Drawing Pozver — A wide appeal. Should go good in large or small houses if properly exploited. " What a \^ ife Learned " Inee-First ^National — Six Reels (Reviewed by Laurence Reid) \ [ ARITAL misunderstanding forms the 1VJ central idea of this picture which solves nothing. In fact, the story doesn't disclose a thing which would lead the wife to realize that she has learned a few points about marital fidelity. Furthermore the tale doesn't give the spectator any chance to use his imagination. And he will possibly condemn the husband in the case as utterly stupid. The plot is arbitrarily developed and one knows for a certainty just how every scene and incident will be treated. Lacking the value of surprise one becomes more interested in the characterization. It must be said that John Bowers as the husband, Milton Sills as the other man and Marguerite De La Motte as the wife do all that is possible with their assignments. The husband and wife carry on a few tiffs. She is eager for a career, yet she would search for happiness in matrimony. Her book is published and a dramatist sees possibilities in it for a play. As a result the young couple move to the city, where the wife may collaborate with the playwright. The husband takes up a menial position and lurks in the background until they disagree about going on to New York to see the play produced. So he returns to the West and tackles an engineering job. The scenes are mostly repetitious and the conflict between husband and wife soon taxes one's patience. The triangle is faintly suggested when the dramatist accompanies the wife West. And here comes the melodramatic climax. They arrive just as the dam is swept away by a heavy storm. The husband, to provide his wife with happiness and thinking that she loves the playwright, risks his life to save the other, but fortunately both men are saved. After which the wife appreciates that a husband's love is more valuable than a career. The story carries some hokum which runs true to form. For instance — the other man, out of gratitude for having his life saved, informs the husband that his wife loves him. Which accounts for hubby's stupidity in not realizing it before. The scenes are broadly planted for the most part — so that one knows just what to expect. The story is not convincing because of the weak situations which bring on the incompatibility of the husband and wife. The Cast Jim Russell John Bowers Rudolph Martin Milton Sills Sheila Dome Marguerite De La Motte Esther Russell Evelyn McCoy Tracy McGrath Harry Todd Maggie McGrath Aggie Herring Lillian Martin Francelia Billington Percy Bertram Johns Terry Ernest Butterworth Maxneld John Steppling By Bradley King. Directed by John Griffith Wray. Produced by Thomas H. Ince. Released through First National. The Story — Husband and wife misunderstand one another — the wife developing a career as novelist and playwright, while the husband follows her to the city where her story is to be dramatized. They drift apart and the husband turns to engineering projects. The wife returns to the West accompanied by the dramatist. The two men are caught when the dam breaks and the husband risks his life to save the other, thinking that it means his wife's happiness. She learns however, that she loves her husband. Both are saved. Classification — Domestic drama which approaches a triangle without developing into one. Career versus married life furnishes theme. Production Highlights — The mechanical side of picture, photography, staging being O. K. Good work of cast. Exploitation Angles — Might start a campaign based upon theme showing that a wife cannot accept a career and be a good wife at the same time. Play up three leading players. Draining Pozvcrs — Suitable for neighborhood houses. A scene from "Tansy," Alma Taylor, the shepherdess. A Burr-Nickle production " The Man and the Moment " Playgoers — Five Reels (Reviewed by Eugene Carlton) T N BEAUTIFUL exteriors of English landJ scapes " The Man and the Moment " is a treat, but that is all that can be said of the production as far as larger first run possibilities are concerned. A few minutes after the reel has been started the climax of the story is self evident and the suspense is woefully weak. In fact, there is no suspense. The continuity, on the whole, is smooth, but the plot, typical of Elinor Glyn's novels, is based on the physical passion theme, although anything offensive, diplomatically, has been " side-stepped." A minor plot in conjunction with the picture might work wonders, but as it is the audience is confronted with a hasty marriage upon first meeting, for convenience's sake; then a parting, and the spectator is forced to sit through five reels, knowing well enough that the two principal characters will meet in the end, just as they do. All this valuable footage of film, however, consists of nothing more than a search by the husband for his wife, the discovery of her at last as the fiancee of a close friend of his, which is followed by a reunion of husband and wife after the friend discovers the relationship between the two. Twisted about in any other manner the story, with its wonderful settings, would command interest. Some of the light and shadow effects are excellent, but the characters lend the impression of stiffness and appear unreal. The Cast Michael Aranstoun Hayford Hobbs Sabine Dahlberg Minora Thew Samuel Greenbank Charles Ashley Henry Fordyce Charles Bane From the novel of Elinor Glyn of the same title. Produced by Playgoers Pictures. The Story — Meeting for first time, Michael Aranstoun and Sabine Dahlberg decide to marry for convenience sake and then part immediately. They do, and Michael spends several months searching for his wife, whom he finally finds as the fiancee of a close friend of his. The friend discovers that his fiancee is Michael's wife and brings them together, husband and wife being reunited and professing their love for each other. Classification — Slow moving love story based upon the physical passion theme, but including many beautiful exterior scenes. Production Highlights — Imposing castle scene looming in background, and landscape scenes. Exploitation Angles — The fact that the picture is from the novel of Elinor Glyn of the same title should be featured. Drawing Power — Suited best for the smaller house, where patrons are not too critical. Guarantee Your Business for $15 a Year Save on every single booking. It means thousands of dollars annually. Send your check today for A Real Investment CHICAGO, ILL.