Motion Picture News (Nov-Dec 1925)

2590 Motion Picture News ^erOpinionsonNewPict ■"Lights of Old Broadway"— MetroGoldwyn-Mayer, Capitol, New York The World: "Gay, smart and romantically beautiful is Marion Davies' latest screen comedy . . . One of the wittiest and most sensibly directed and acted comedies of the screen which have come this way ... In comedy Miss Davies excels. There are only a few who do . . . A large audience kept up a continuously steady ripple of laughter." Times : "Miss Davies gives for the most part a remarkable performance in a dual role . . . This present film is quite charming, for it is concerned with the Broadway of many years ago . . . Mr. Bell has inculcated some very nice touches in this picture, especially in the scenes recalling the personages of that day." Evening Telegram : "Marion Davies carries with consummate grace and ability the burden of a dual role in the picture . . . Miss Davies retains all the spirit and dash that mark her performances in her earlier films ... a well directed production that provides excellent entertainment." Daily News: "Marion Davies is delightful as Fely . . . There is much applause whenever a character from life is introduced — Roosevelt, 12, walking to school; Weber and Fields pulling a clog dance for Tony Pastor, or Thomas Edison, pictured as a moony-eyed youth, in his workshop." Herald-Tribune: "Fely is the sort of role Miss Davies does best, and we believe there is no actress •on the screen who could have played this part in so spirited a manner. She is absolutely convincing." Evening Graphic : "Marion Davies, in the dual role of Fely and Anne, gives excellent characterizations and displays her wellknown versatility . . . The historic atmosphere will give the film an appeal." Evening World: "Monta Bell has introduced dozens of novel touches with the result that the story never sags to the ordinary . . . Miss Davies does her part well and with evident relish." *' Classified " — First National, Strand, New York Herald-Tribune: "'Classified' is the most amusing picture Corinne Ctri ffith ever appeared in. Al Santell's direction is sympathetic and Miss Griffith is coy, pert, wise, ■witty and smart, but never sad. It must have been a red-letter day for her when she received that part, and it was a great day for us when we saw her play it." Daily News: "You don't know what a joy it is to give 'Classified' an ad. It deserves it. It's one of those movies that come our way once in a blue moon. Intelligent, human, sprinkled with laughs and with Corinne Griffith, the loveliest lady of the films, it is just about the perfect picture. Tlie sub-titles •sparkle, the direction is fine and the cast remarkable. You'll take it tli is is a good picture. Yes?" Times : " 'Classified' the new photoplay at the Mark Strand obviously was enjoyed by a large proportion of the audience yesterday afternoon. Miss Griffith is very attractive as Miss Comet. Jack Mulhall is a -manly young hero, and Ward Crane is satisfactory as the saturnine gentleman who unconsciously brings about a happy ending." Telegraph: "Corinne Griffith in the comedy 'Classified' will afford amusement and entertainment to patrons of the Strand this week as evidenced by the enjoyment the combination evoked yesterday afternoon." American : "Corinne Griffith should ask Alfred Santell, her director, and Ralph Spence, her title writer, to step forward while she pins a medal on their manly chests. They have done much for her in 'Classified' for they have helped her add some real comedy to her list of other accomplishments." Morning World: "It is amusing stuff, and its leading woman is a delight at all times." Post: "The beautiful Corinne Griffith may be seen at the Strand this week in her newest film, 'Classified,' straight from the highly humorous pen of Edna Ferber. 'Classified' is a very amusing picture. More than that, it is a very good picture, something true to life for a change. No one is expected to believe us, of course, but even the villain is practically a human being. Everybody in the cast seems to have entered into a conspiracy to oust a large slice of movie claptrap from the proceedings and the result is gratifying indeed." "The Eagle" — United Artists, Strand, New York American : "Mr. Valentino has a vehicle of real color and interest. The picture is colorful, full of action and has a real love story. Not since the feminine world went on its knees and called him a hero has he had such an engaging role. It would be difficult to say where the charm begins and ends. Mr. Valentino gives a fine, intelligent performance. Vilma Banky is exquisite. Do not miss this picture which will be on your list of the ten best films, that is if you like artistic and dramatic pictures." Herald-Tribune: "If 'The Eagle' is not a classic, then we do not know one. So much under the spell of our favorite movie hero were we that our judgment may not be accurate, but even so, every one will see it, and we hope every man, and especially every woman, will enjoy the picture as much as we did. Mr. Valentino was modest, sincere, whimsical and wistful, a most devastating combination." Times: "Mr. Valentino acquitted himself with distinction in 'The Eagle,' which is a satisfying picture." Mirror: "In 'The Eagle' Rudolph Valentino has come to the screen his oldtime debonair, romantic, adventurous self. The pic ture shows him handsome as a Cossack, dashing in bandit garb, impassioned as the lover with Vilma Banky his captivating sweetheart. 'The Eagle' rises to the clouds of romantic heights. The story is intriguing." Telegraph : "Rudolph Valentino offers us a romantic comedy in 'The Fagle.' When he kisses Vilma Banky and in his scene with Albert Conti, the old Valentino flashes forth like a thread of lightning. The production is superb." Evening World : "Applause was frequent during the showing and at the conclusion of 'The Eagle,' an interesting, entertaining and dramatic picture, beautifully staged. The Cossack role is well suited to Mr. Valentino's talents. The whole production is relieved by timely humor. 'The Eagle' is a good film combining beauty and entertainment and is well worth seeing." Journal : "The picture is delightfully polished and piquantly enjoyable Mr. Valentino does excellent work. He rides, fights, dances the mazurka, and makes love with a debonair smile, and what more could you ask of any picture-" Graphic : " 'The Eagle' is a picture that probably will over-run its schedule. There is not the shadow of a doubt that the man who popularized the word 'Sheik' is still the popular screen idol par excellence. The picture gives Mr. Valentino the opportunity to shine in the sort of role that the public loves to see him in — a dashing, romantic figure, fearless in danger, ardent in love, agile in horsemanship, subtle in diplomacy and with a goodly sense of humor. The sets are marvelous." Sun : " 'The Eagle' is a colorful, rather sumptuous production that obviously pleased the assembled multitude that jammed the Strand in pursuit of pleasurable romantic heart thrills. It is an entertaining photoplay; Mr. Valentino is picturesque as usual. The settings are rich and handsome." "Big Parade"— M-G-M., Egyptian, Hollywood Examiner: '"The Big Parade' marched into Hollywood last night, and triumphed on every count. Today, King Vidor, its director, is one of the most distinguished men in filmdom. After years of preparation and study he has touched a cinematic goal so exalted that his must be a steady head indeed to carry all its honors. Heralded in advance as one of the greatest pictures ever made the new film met with storms of applause, gales of laughter, excitement and torrential emotional waves, all of which testified to its success." Times: "With a martial swing, and the rhythm of blended comedy and drama, with romance and heart interest, the great war epic has at last arrived! Never has there been such enthusiasm — such ovation— such growing and climaxing through a film presenta tion. The emotion of a new experience— the power of touching humanness; mirth and sorrow, laughter and bitterness all mingled and surged and conquered with something almost of relentless force a public that grew attuned every moment to the triumphing might of one of the most vigorous and compelling achievements in all the history of the motion picture." Record : "If you never see another motion picture in your life, go see 'The Big Parade.' Go if you have to rob the baby's bank — hobble there if you have to borrow a crutch; ride in a limousine, or a street car, or walk — but get there. You — all of you, who lived through the days of 1917-18 — owe it to yourselves. 'The Big Parade' isn't a motion picture, although you'll see it on the screen; it isn't a spectacle, although thousands of persons appear on its scenes; it isn't a story, although there is a love theme involved — It's War." Herald: "'The Big Parade' is worthy of all the praise that is being written and spoken of it today, and that will be written and spoken for some time to come. "The Big Parade' is a really great photodrama. I think it can safely be said that no picture depicting the war approaches it. It is a true picturization of conditions and circumstances in No Man's Land, vivid, pulsating, full of thrills and tragedy, with just the desired comedy interjection." "Old Clothes" — M-G-M., Capitol, N. Y. Sun: "That offspring of Mr. and Mrs. Coogan, who is the favorite adolescent of the film world is unusually entertaining in 'Old Clothes.' which may be seen and laughed at in the roomy reaches of the Capitol this week. He is still able to stir with his former skill the maternal and paternal complexes of his audiences. That ability is one that he shares with very few stars — and it is probably the secret of Jackie's exceptional drawing power at the box office." American : " The mothers of New York and the surrounding country owe Marcus Loew, Jackie Coogan and all concerned in making the picture a genuine debt of gratitude. The little fellow with the big brown eyes and smile always furnishes the kind of entertainment the children can enjoy." Daily News: "Jackie Coogan is as cute as ever and Max Davidson gives good support. There are many clever directorial touches, especially in the scene where Tim is trying to get damages from a hard-boiled adjuster. A gentle, wholesome comedy that presents Jackie as you like him." Brooklyn Eagle '"Old Clothes' I have found to be a thoroughly satisfactory comedy. It is a lightfooted composition, unhampered by too serious a plot construction and carried along easily upon a thin coating of romance in which Jackie, himself, is incidentally concerned."