Motion Picture News (Mar-Apr 1923)

March 31, 1923 1573 " The Trail of the Lonesome Pine " Paramount — 5500 Feet (Reviewed by Laurence Reid) HP HIS, the last of Mary Miles Minter's Paramount expressions, is a reproduction of a picture which was made by Cecil De Mille back in 1916 — a picture in which Charlotte Walker was the star and Tom Meighan and Theodore Roberts provided the chief support. Miss Walker, incidentally starred in the play, written by Eugene Walter. And now it comes forth again as a Charles Maigne production with Miss Minter as June Tolliver and Ernest Torrence and Antonio Moreno succeeding Messrs. Roberts and Meighan. Everyone is more or less familiar with John Pox's story. It has served as a pattern for all scripts dealing with feuds and moonshine in "them thar hills." And being such an often told tale one's only recourse is to sit back and see if Director Maigne has made it as vital as the book. Its familiarity, however, is against it in so far as inviting any suspense. One knows just what will happen from the moment when the barefooted wildflower encounters the young "furriner." The romance is nowhere near as interesting as the incident and there isn't much of that until the finish when the warring clans invade the valley town and "Devil" Judd Tolliver is killed by a bullet fired from one of his own kin to keep him from a hanging. Otherwise it presents a few arguments between a jealous cousin of the girl and the stranger with whom she has fallen in love. Its outstanding values are the settings and atmosphere which are picturesque and colorful. The mountain maid is sent North to be "eddicated" and returns after a lapse of time ashamed of her kin. There is nothing to do but wait for the climax when the men from the hills are confronted by deputies. And it is rather disappointing. Miss Minter does nothing except pose, so the acting falls upon the shoulders of Ernest Torrence who is as lifelke as usual. His comedy scenes with the demijohn of "cawn" whiskey furnish some bright moments. Antonio Moreno is satisfactory as the hero. Call it fair and let it go at that. The Cast June Tolliver Mary Miles Minter John Hale Antonio Moreno "Devil" Judd Tolliver Ernest Torrence "Bad" Rufe Tolliver Edwin Brady Ann Frances Warner Buck Fain J. S. Stembridge Dave Tolliver Cullen Tate By John Fox, Jr. Play by Eugene Walter. Scenario by Will M. Ritchey. Directed by Charles Maigne. Produced by Famous Players. The Story — Girl, member of mountaineer family, meets young " furriner " from city and falls in love with him. This arouses the envy of her relatives. But the young man sends her away to be educated. She returns to act as peacemaker in settling the feud between her people and a rival clan. Classification — Adaptation of the story by John Fox, Jr., and the play by Eugene Walter. Melodrama and romance of life among the Kentucky mountaineers — featuring feuds, moonshine activities, etc. Production Highlights — The appropriate settings and the first rate atmosphere. The good camera work. The splendid portrayal of Judd Tolliver by Ernest Torrence. Scene when clans gather and surround the courthouse. Scene when prisoner is shot. Exploitation Angles — Feature the author and the playwright, telling that the picture is founded upon one of the most popular books and which created a big hit on the stage. Use song based upon title for a musical setting — employing a vocalist to put it over. Use an atmospheric lobby display. Feature Ernest Torrence in all your copy. Use stills of Mary Miles Minter. Drawing Power — Suitable for any downtown house. Also suitable for neighborhood theatres and small towns. Those having seen play or read the book will want to see the picture. Left to right, Duane Thompson, Neal Burns and some " kiddies," who appear in the Educational-Christie comedy, " Hot Water." " The Tie That Binds " Jacob Wilk — Six Reels (Reviewed by Laurence Reid) A REGULAR Charles K. Harris sob story, characteristic of the songs which made him famous, is offered in " The Tie That Binds." The picture patron who is not too critical will possibly accept it as average entertainment. It should make a suitable attraction for audiences that are not too discriminate in their tastes. Not enough incident is involved in the issue whereby the heroine, married to an ambitious inventor, runs off to indulge in riotous gaiety. Certainly, there can be no sympathy for a woman who deliberately leaves her home and child simply because her husband cannot afford to give her the necessary luxuries of life. This, especially after she marries him knowing full well his impoverished circumstances. Weak motivation there. The central figure in the story is David Winthrop, a designer of mechanical toys. His employer dismisses him when he finds him kissing his confidential secretary. The girl spurns her employer and marries the youth. He labors hard to perfect his invention and the bride begins to play fast and loose. Result? A murder is introduced to give the story a punch. The young husband is accused of killing the designing employer, but further developments reveal the fact that the night watchman of the factory put his boss out of the way for a wrong perpetrated upon his daughter. " The Tie That Binds " contains very little suspense, and it runs along conventional lines. There are very few exteriors, most of the action taking place in the home of the inventor and the offices of the toy factory. The cast is adequate with none of the players contributing any noteworthy performances, although Barbara Bedford and Walter Miller manage to be sincere. The Cast Mary Ellen Gray Barbara Bedford David Winthrop Walter Miller Hiram Foster Raymond Hatton Daniel Kenyon William P. Carleton Charles Dodge Robert Edeson Leila Brant Julia Swayne Gordon Flora Foster Marian Swayne M". Mills Effie Shannon The Baby Mary Louise Written by Charles K. Harris. Adapted by Pearl Keating. Directed by Joseph Levering. Produced by Ben Goetz. Photographed by James A, Robertson. The Story — A young wife neglects her home and child for the bright lights of New York, but later finds that the love of her husband is far better than all the artificial gaiety offered by a designing toy manufacturer. Classification — Comedy-drama. Production Highlights — Cabaret scenes. The murder. Exploitation Angles — Play up the angle of the neglected husband. The query: What is " The Tie That Binds?" gives a teaser slant that can be used to advantage. Drawing Power — Suitable for small town and second class houses. An average program offering. " The Man from Glengarry " Ernest Shipinan-Hodkinson — Six Reels (Reviewed by Laurence Reid J A GRAPHIC account of life among the lumberjacks in the reaches of the upper Ottawa River, which while of a familiar design, manages to sustain the interest in Ralph Connor's story, "The Man from Glengarry." It is easy to forsee the development of the story, but because of the vivid action which follows through for four reels and some exceptional backgrounds the picture is certain to be accepted as something worth while, notwithstanding its ancient vintage. Connor wrote his story many years ago. From the day that it reached the public to the present time, his idea has become one of the favorite formulas of the screen. So it isn't so novel. If the director has missed some of its spiritual significance he has compensated by giving us a he-picture which concerns a burly boss of the timberlands who, having absorbed religion, has a continual conflict with his better nature. He is provoked time and again into giving battle to a vicious Canuck from a rival camp. But he stays his fist and is killed. Thereupon his primitive son vows vengeance. The picture releases some first rate incident— much of which is positively startling when it shows the lumberjacks piloting the logs down the river and hopping about from log to log with the agility of jack-rabbits. When the story stays out in the open it fascinates the eye and invites considerable suspense, but when it plunges into a society ball room and clears up the complications developing: from the rival camps, it often appears confusing and hurried. The romantic interest seems extraneous as the girls who are introduced do nothing of consequence except provide a sentimental balance for the picturesque incident. One of them loses her footing on the logs and the boss' son rescues her from the river. The conflict of the superintendent's daughter to intrigue the hero never rings genuine. But taken as a whole the picture travels at a good pace, is well constructed up to its final reel, exudes volumes of atmosphere and is staged amid awe-inspiring backgrounds. Most of its characters look genuine, which means that the interpretation is satisfactory. The feature will be remembered for its local color, incident, and exteriors. The Cast Big MacDonald Anders Randolph Ronald MacDonald Warner P. Richmond Rev. Alexander Murray Harlan Knight Kate Murray (his daughter) Marion Swayne Louis Lenoir E. L. Fernandez Eugene St. Clair Jack Newton Maimie St. Clair Pauline Garon Frank De Lacey Frank Badgley Coldnel Thorpe William Colvin Kerstin McLeod Marion Lloyd By Ralph Connor. Scenario by Kenneth O'Hara. Directed by Henry McRae. Produced by Ernest Shipman. The Story — Glengarry, boss of the lumberjacks, takes up with religion and promises not to fight. Rival leader provokes him into a fight and the latter is killed. His son vows vengeance, but the rival repents and seeks forgiveness. The son is given a fine job at another camp and finds happiness with his sweetheart. Classification — Melodrama of timberlands carrying usual adventures, action and romance. Production Highlights— The fine atmosphere. The exceptional backgrounds. The thrills attending the log incidents. The first rate acting contributed by Anders Randolf and Warner Richmond. The scene when the boss is knocked down. Exploitation Angles — Presents opportunities to tie-up with bookdealers on a campaign of Connor's novels. An atmospheric lobby would stimulate patronage. Ballyhoo the picture with plenty of copy and employ men to advertise it. Drawing Power — Good for the average public. Suitable for downtown houses, neighborhood houses and throughout small towns.