Motion Picture News (Nov-Dec 1925)

2570 Motion Picture News Bright Lights (Metro-Goldwyn — 6260 Feet) • Reviewed by George T. Pardy) OFFERS excellent entertainment. Charles Ray appears in the sort of role which first won him high honors on the screen, that of a rustic youth, and does full justice to it, with Pauline Starke and Lilyan Tashman acquitting themselves creditably in the feminine leads. It is a well directed comedy drama, with alternate shades of pathos and light humorous relief, the plot is convincing, the characters life-like, and director Robert Z. Leonard has not only succeeded in developing and maintaining the human interest angle nicely, but kept the action moving at a -nappy clip throughout. Mr. Ray's pantomime is natural and refreshingly unaffected, and he scores a palpable hit in the scene where the guileless hero apes the garb and manners, or rather lack of manners, of a flashily attired city loafer, in the mistaken belief that he is acquiring social polish and prestige. This is distinctly funny, yet you can't help feeling sorry for the boob. In fact much of the picture's charm lies in such transitions of mirth to sympathy and back again. THEME. Comedy drama. Country lad and Broadway actress fall in love. He almost loses her through acquiring "fake gentleman" veneer, but all comes right in end. PRODUCTION HIGHLIGHTS. Contrasted city and country atmosphere. Star's fine acting. Neat pathetic touches and amusing comedy. Skillful direction. EXPLOITATION ANGLES. Feature Charles Ray. Tell patrons star is back in kind of role that made him famous. Stress story's love interest and bright comedy. DRAWING POWER. Has general audience appeal. Suitable for any house. SUMMARY. Charles Ray scores heavily in this, returning to the rustic type of role which raised him to stardom. A pleasing comedy drama, with striking human values, and humor of sure-fire, laugh-arousing brand. THE CAST Tom '. Charles Ray Pansi Pauline Starke Gwendolyn Lilyan Tashman Marty Lawford Davidson Barney Ned Sparkes Author, Richard Connell. Director, Robert Z. Leonard. SYNOPSIS. Pansi Delaney, actress, tires of the bright lights and goes home to her mother on the farm. She and Tom Corbin, country lad, fall in love. Tom feels acutely his lack of good manners in comparison with some of Pansi's city friends. Tom visits Chicago and is much impressed by the style of a well-dressed loafer, whose clothes and manners he imitates in the hope of pleasing Pansi. The reverse happens, however. Pansi is shocked and disgusted. Tom becomes his natural self again and the lovers are reconciled. Bright Lights (Metro-Goldwyn) PRESS NOTICE CHARLES RAY, in one of the rustic roles which won him screen fame and fortune, is the star of "Bright Lights," a comedy drama of contrasts between farm and city life which is the main attraction on the screen of the Theatre on . The hero is a country lad, the heroine a Broadway actress. They meet and fall in love, the lad visits Chicago and tries to model himself on the l.'nes of a well-dressed loafer whom he supposes to be a gentleman. The girl disowns him but when he becomes his old self again, they are reconciled. Pauline Starke is the heroine, supported by a stellar cast. CATCH LINES Tired of Brodway's glare, this young actress sought the country and learned to love a rustic lad. When he Sought social polish he got the wrong kind. Then came trouble. Don't miss Charles Ray in one of his best roles! Charles Ray, whose latest appearance is in "Bright Lights," (Metro-Goldwyn). Stella Dallas (United Artists — Eleven Reels) (Reviewed by George T. Pardy) AHEART-GRIPPIXG picture with undeniable audience appeal, "Stella Dallas" easily registers as one of the season's most poignant screen studies in human emotions. It Is well directed, beautifully photographed, cleverly acted and strikes the key-note of sincerity with unfaltering touch. The hapless Stella is so clearly the victim of temperament and environment that she gets sympathy even in the early stages of her career when she pursues the giddy course that ultimately wrecks her home. And none will refuse her the tender grace of pity at the last, when, her self-sacrifice complete, she stands without a window in the beating rain and watches her beloved daughter's marriage ceremony, until a gruff cop bids her "move on." Nothing conventional about this ending, where intense pathos vies with joy, but we fancy its artistry will appease even the fan who demands the regulation happy finish. Belle Bennett shines gloriously in the Stella role, and every member of the cast contributes to the film's success. THEME. Drama. Stella's frivolity results in estrangement from husband. Her final self-sacrifice leaves her outcast, but brings her daughter happiness. PRODUCTION HIGHLIGHTS. The excellent acting, capable direction, sustained interest, emotional urge. Scenes where mother and daughter are snubbed at summer resort, and Stella's vigil outside house where Laurel is being married. EXPLOITATION ANGLES. Go after feminine patrons, for whom this will have unfailing appeal. Stress story's trenchant pathos, emotional power. Feature principals. DRAWING POWER. Cast names should pull 'em in. Suitable for any house. SUMMARY. A powerful domestic drama of tremendous heart interest, vividly emotional and pathetic. Acting and direction A. I. Possesses universal appeal. THE CAST Stella Dallas Belle Bennett Stephen Dallas Ronald Coleman Helen Morrison Alice Joyce Ed Munn Jean Hersholt Laurel Dallas Lois Moran Richard Grovesnor Douglas Fairbanks, Jr. Miss Tibbets Vera Lewis Author, Olive Higgins Prouty. Director, Henry King. SYNOPSIS. The marriage of Stephen Dallas and Stella Martin results unhappily. A separation occurs, Stella retaining her baby daughter, Laurel. Years pass. Stephen revisits his wife and finds Munn, a former lover, there, drunk. She agrees to a divorce. He weds his old sweetheart, Helen Morrison. Laurel visits her father and falls in love with Richard Grovesnor, a college lad. Stella deliberately marries Munn, knowing that Laurel will thus be driven to stay with her father. Later, through a window in a rainstorm, she sees Laurel united to Richard. Stella Dallas (United Artists) PRESS NOTICE ONE of the big outstanding films of the year, "Stella Dallas" will be given its local premier at the Theatre on . This is a story of tremendous emotional power in which Belle Bennett appears as a frivolous young wife, whose actions result in a separation from her husband, she retaining their baby girl, Laurel. Years pass, the husband obtains a divorce. His ex-wife, realizing she is dragging down Laurel, performs an act of self-sacrifice which drives the girl to her father. Later, watching from the street in the rain, her mother sees Laurel get married. Ronald Coleman plays the hero, with Alice Joyce, Lois Mcran, Douglas Fairbanks, Jr., and other prominent players featured. CATCH LINES Stella Dallas couldn't rule her own heart, but she'll sway yours! Belle B Dallas ennett. featured in "Stella United Artists release.