Motion Picture News (Mar-Apr 1923)

March 10, 1923 1197 Read fHfclT what the KewYorkPapers said about 11 * DRIVEN "Famous Mrs. Fair" Is Endorsed Fred Niblo Production Just Released Brings Much Favorable Comment THE Fred Niblo production, " The Famous Mrs. Fair," which has just been released by Metro Pictures Corporation after six months of intensive studio work, has already proved to the industry that the careful attention given to its production has been warranted according to Metro. Endorsements, fully as enthusiastic as those given to the story in the stage version by James Forbes, have already been received for the photoplay, and Metro officials regard it as one of the best of their season's output. Metro's confidence in the ability of this Louis B. Mayer production to make a high place for itself among the season's hits is based on several factors, each of the highest importance. In the first place, the play ran for a solid year on Broadway, with Henry Miller and Blanche Bates in the leading roles. For two years afterwards, three hundred American cities applauded it. Secondly, there is the skill of Fred Niblo which has time and again called for the highest tributes from photoplay critics. The director of such big productions as "Blood and Sand" and ''The Three Musketeers " has enlarged on the stage version of the play, and the result of his labors is a heightening of the vital appeal of the drama in the story. Thirdly, there is the cast, each member of which has been chosen solely on the basis of his or her fitness for each particular role. Myrtle Stedman, film actress of splendid capabilities, plays the role of Mrs. Fair; Huntly Gordon, a screen newcomer whose artistry has been promptly recognized, is seen as Jeffrey Fair ; and others of importance in the large cast are Cullen Landis, Marguerite De La Motte, Ward Crane, Helen Ferguson and Carmel Myers. Fred Niblo directed "The Famous Mrs. Fair " from Frances Marion's scenario of the great American play by James Forbes. Charles Van Enger photographed it. "Village Blacksmith" Is Praised Fox Reports First of Special Releases Being Well Received by Audiences "Hp HE VILLAGE BLACK1 SMITH," the first of the recent list of Fox specials to be released, is receiving the wholehearted acclaim of audieinces throughout the nation, according to reports to the Fox offices from exhibitors in many of the key centers. The Fox publicity department writes of the picture: " In settings of pristine loveliness, the story of the village ' smithy ' is unfolded. The film contains some of the most beautiful photography ever shown. It is an idyl of small-town life. " Jack Ford, who directed the production, merits much commendation. He has kept the picture from becoming saccharine. It is as lovely as a New England springtime, and as rugged and strong as the sinews of the blacksmith. This is due to intelligent and capable acting. Bessie Love quite surpassed herself in a role of youth and' charm. " The Longfellow poem is too familiar to require elaboration in comment. The picture, founded on the poem, should have a tremendous success. It is universal in its appeal, is filled with honest sentiment and possesses many scenes of great beauty." The cast includes Miss Virginia True Boardman, Miss Ida Nan McKenzie, Dave Butler, Gordon Griffith, George Hackathorne, Pat Moore, Tully Marshall, Miss Caroline Rankin, Ralph Yeardsley, Henri de la Garrique, Francis Ford, Miss Bessie Love, Miss Helen Field, Mark Fenton, Lon Poff, Miss Cordelia Callahan, Eddie Gribbon and Miss Lucille Hutton. The scenario is by Paul H. Sloane, while George Schneider man is the photographer. It was directed by Jack Ford, and according to the announcement is a 1923 melodrama. Clifton Tells Perils Of Picture Making Thousands of radio fans throughout the United States and elsewhere, possibly — "tuned in " dn Weaf's concert program last Wednesday night and enjoyed hearing Elmer Clifton, producer of the Hodkinson super-special " Down to the Sea in Ships," which is now showing in New York, for an indefinite run at the Cameo theatre, and in several other cities, tell of the perils encountered by motion picture producers in filming novelties for the screen, and especially with reference to the dangers met in screening his own production. Mr. Clifton, who is an interesting talker, held undivided attention for fifteen minutes while he related the adventures of his expedition to the Caribbean Sea. "Isle of Lost Ships" Prints Arrive Prints of Maurice Tourneur's " The Isle Of Lost Ships " have arrived in New York from Los Angeles and the production is said to have been approved by those who saw the preview. For some of the scenes he gathered together many old and new hulks of the sea from barges and sailing ships to submarines and liners. The cast includes Milton Sills, Anna Q. Nilsson, Frank Campeau. Walter Long, Hershell Mayall and others. The picture is a First National March release. " A really splendid film. As artistic as anything yet produced on the screen. Whoever misses seeing this piece misses a film that he or she would have been glad to remember. It is gratifying to be able to recommend this picture as one of the finest we have ever seen! -N. Y. MORNING TELEGRAPH " Among the very best, not only this season but all other seasons. In all respects it is a masterly work. Greatness is achieved. 1 Driven ' could be utilized to serve as a model for the great majority of cinema producers." — N. Y. GLOBE " Among the best cinemas produced here in a long time. An unusual picture. A powerful story. Many thrilling moments. True to life. It is well worth seeing." — N. Y. EVENING TELEGRAM " A photoplay having every element of an exceptional picture. A praiseworthy film." — N. Y. EVENING MAIL " One of the really fine things, dramatically, which have been shown on Broadway screens this year. It is natural and human and moving; it is acted with exceeding grace and faithfulness." —NEW YORK WORLD "Fascinating and real. Mr. Brabin has done it perfectly. It is well worth seeing." —N. Y. TRIBUNE A CHARLES BRABIN Production UNIVERSAL JEWEL £/Carl Laemmle