Motion Picture News (Nov-Dec 1925)

2562 Motion Picture News inions on Current Short Subjects " The Range Law " (Universal-Mustang — Two Reels) (Reviewed by Chester J. Smith) THIS western which features Edmund Cobb is slightly better than the usual run of these two-reelers, though there is much of a sameness about them all. The story has been told many times but there is a bit more impressive suspense than is usual and the story plot is better maintained throughout the action. True, much of the action is not very plausible, but that is excusable in stories of this type. It fairly abounds in intrigue and some of the situations are highly exciting. The Story — Tom Ricks, owner of a ranch, fhurdered a man named Bradford twenty years ago and the murder was witnessed by the man's young son, whom Ricks loses track of. Ricks also has secured guardianship over a girl named Jane who is forced to serve as ranch slavey without pay. Jed Harrison, ranch employee is familiar with the details of the killing and threatens Ricks that unless he can have the girl Jane for his wife he will expose him. Jane is accidentally caught in her lariat and dragged by her horse. She is rescued by young Jack Bradford, who falls in love with her. Jed overhears Bradford introduce himself and rushes to warn his boss. They waylay Bradford, rope him and he falls over a cliff, suspended, but they think him dead and return to complete the marriage ceremony between Jane and Jed, whom she despises. Jack returns in time to interrupt the ceremony and there recognizes the slayer of his father. There is the usual happy ending when he weds the girl. Summary — This is a fairly interesting western with 3 good story and a well sustained plot. There is an abundance of action and the picture is well acted and well directed. " The Soapsuds Lady " (Fox — Two Reels) (Reviewed by Edw. G. Johnston) Mack Sennett and Director Arthur Rosson have produced splendid entertainment in this two-reel subject. Alice Day, the star is very charming and her efforts all the way through are worthy of a lot of praise. Miss Day is seen as the village laundress, whose mother is portrayed by Sunshine Hart. William McCall is the husband and Billy Gilbert, the old Grandpa. Barney Helium is the lad who girls forget, Danny O'Shea, the young man of wealth and Eugenia Gilbert, his fiancee. All in all, it is a fine cast. The Cast The Daughter Alice Day Her Mother Sunshine Hart The Husband William McCall Grandpa Billy Gilbert The Youth Barney Helium The Wealthy Young Man Danny O'Shea His Fiancee Eugenia Gilbert The Story — Presents a series of gags and fast-action incidents based on a plot which is concerned with the romance of a girl who works in a laundry and a wealthy chap. The girl's parents believe her the prize which will win affluence for them and deceived by the villain, who hires expensive clothes and poses as a rich man they try to marry her off to him. But Betty loves the other boy — the one who saved her life and who is engaged to a society girl he doesn't love. With the help of circum "A Good Program Must Have Novelties" Edwin Miles Fadman, Pres. stance and a lot of determination on the part of the two lovers, Betty and Jack realize their ambition to become husband and wife. Summary — A first rate two-reel comedy with Alice Day at her best. Has excellent supporting cast. " Framed " (Educational — Two Reels) (Reviewed by Chester J. Smith) THESE Lloyd Hamilton comedies are indulging more and more in the slapstick and knockabout stuff to the exclusion of a story and all else. There is little to recommend in this latest one. Hamilton works hard enough, but the material is not of a quality to get the laughs the picture cries for. It is unfortunate for this rather able comedian to be burdened with such crude comedy, as he is undoubtedly capable of much better things. "Framed" is just a series of rough and tumble, knock down and drag out stuff that looks as though it had been shot without any preparation and without the thread of a story. The Cast A Young Lover Lloyd Hamilton The Girl Virginia Vance Directed by Stephen Roberts ; photographed by Dwight Warren. The Story — Hamilton is the lover who goes to the photograph gallery to get his picture taken and succeeds only in wrecking the gallery. He then goes to the home of the girl, where her rich father is entertaining his guests with the aid of a magician. Lloyd becomes the butt of all of the magician's tricks and before the thing is concluded the house is also a wreck. Summary — There is nothing about this tworeeler to warrant much enthusiasm. The comedy is crude and the situations and gags of an order that will not be good for many laughs except perhaps, on the part of the younger children. "Control Yourself" (Fox — Two Reels) (Reviewed by Edw. G. Johnston) Sid Smith and Katherine Bennett are the leads in this latest two-reel comedy from Fox and we believe that it will prove first rate entertainment. Director Robert Kerr has provided an unusually lavish set in the latter part of the second reel — that of a big dam that crumbles at the proper time. Larry Stear and Frank Weed make up the balance of the cast. Another interesting feature of this comedy is the use of a mechanical horse that achieved considerable publicity a short time ago when brought out that it was being used by one of our high officials. The Cast Simon Legree Sid Smith The Girl Katherine Bennett Mr. Barton Larry Stears Father Frank Weed The Story — This is the story of a gilded son by name of Simon Legree who has inherited the violent temper of his ancestor of Uncle Tom's Cabin fame. His main interest in life has to do with winning a beautiful girl and providing plenty of slumber for himself. Each morning, he is awakened by a harp solo — and all is well except for the fact that his prospective father-in-law does not rate him very high. However, his opportunity comes at last to prove his worth when he frustrates the plans of a crooked contractor who is constructing an unsound dam for father-in-law. Summary — This one should register in good fashion as it appears to be above the average. There are plenty of amusing situations. " Slow Down " (Educational-Cameo — One Reel) I HIS is one of the best short comedies in which Cliff Bowes has been seen. Its action is fast and snappy, it is without the usual, amount of hokum and it has a story that is maintained throughout. Cliff's girl, Helen Marlowe, daughter of a family of wealth receives a warning not to be home that night if she values her life. Cliff goes to the house to protect her in her father's absence. They hear weird noises and finally the father, whom Cliff does not know, returns. He is captured and locked in the bathroom as the police are called. Father makes his escape and is told by daughter of the threat made against her. He rushes up stairs, catches Cliff and locks him in the bedroom, also calling the police. The latter arrive and are completely disgusted when on further perusal of the threat it is revealed that the girl has been warned by the local picture house not to remain home, but to come and see the show. It is a very pleasing vehicle.— CHESTER J. SMITH. "Faint Heart" (Universal-Bulls Eye — One Reel) CHARLES PUFFY is the featured player in this one-reeler which offers some fair comedy. Puffy is the extremely bashful lover who in five years has not been able to screw up his courage to the point of proposing. Eventually the girl hands him a book on cave man love. He becomes engrossed in it, decides upon the proper action to take, hangs his rival on a pair of moose horns, disposes of the father and rushes her off to the office of the justice of the peace, where the ceremony is performed. It's a pretty lively little story that should be appreciated in the neighborhood houses.— CHESTER J. SMITH. " Hodge Podge " (Educational — One Reel) /"\F this well arranged and cleverly executed Hodge Podge series, none has surpassed this one which bears the number 39. Cartoons, scenics and humor are well shaken up into a most pleasing concoction. Views of scenic splendors reveal some exceptional shots from different parts of the world and trick photography adds much, to the humor. Althogether1 this one should be welcomed in almost any house.— CHESTER J. SMITH. " The River Nile " (Fox— One Reel) HERE is a fine single reel picture of life along the river Nile that will stir a sympathetic response from most audiences when they look upon the ancient and crude efforts that these river people employ in order to eke out a living. The methods that their ancestors us£d over five thousand years ago are still in vogue. — EDW. G. JOHNSTON. Another Imperial Comedy Started for Fox "Officer of the Day," another Imperial comedy has just been placed in production on the Fox lot. It is being made under the joint direction of Max Gold and Andrew Bennison, who were also responsible for the scenario. Harold Goodwin has the male lead, while others in the cast are Eugenia Gilbert, Brooke Benedict, Harry Woods, Jack Ackroyd, Larry Stears, Broderiek O'Farrell and Edna Tichner.