Motion Picture News (Nov-Dec 1923)

Record Details:

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2476 Motion Picture News Appraisals for Territorial Buyers " Let's Go " Truart— 5198 Feet (Reviewed by Roger Ferri) Distribution Basis — Not ascertained. Producer — Truart Pictures Corporation. Theme — Rip-roaring story of son who returns to defeat crooked town politicians, establishing new administration and winning the hand of the daughter of the man whom he made mayor. Cast — Richard Talmadge at his very best, surrounded by a cast of well-known players who do him justice and lend class to the lineup. Classification — Stunt comedy drama. As a Whole — One of the best produced pictures of its kind seen by this writer, jammed full of action and with Richard Talmadge finally coming into his own in a production with class written all over it. Lucky are those exchanges that have already hooked up this series, for if the first of the new string is a sample of what is to follow they have lined up a gold mine. The general quality of the Talmadge picture has been dignified and the style of working not only on the part of the star but production in general from humblest player down to the props is on a much higher level. It is fit for the best house to show. Talmadge shines throughout with amusingly spectacular stunts that are hazardous and extremely daring, but carried out with a finesse that is refreshingly entertaining from beginning to end. What Dick does not do in the way of stunts seemingly can't be done, for he does everything and does it well. However, there is rhyme and reason for all that is actually done, the action follows in logical order and the story unfolds itself interestingly and dramatically with a comedy vein that serves its purpose satisfactorily. And to add to the superlative entertainment value of this light comedy drama, so far as comedy dramas go, there are a set of clever titles written by Ralph Spence that_ are a riot and at the same time informatively diversifying. Shortcomings — None. Settings — Luxurious interiors, picturesquely furnished and giving the production a cloak of style, with exteriors that are not foreign in location or to the story and atmosphere. Photography — W. E. Shepard did a handy job, getting just the right tints and contributing materially in other ways. Direction — William K. Howard knew his star and kept him at work doing stunts daringly, but with a keen understanding of the logical. Exploitation — Producer spending liberally. Exploitation Possibilities — There are many incorporated in the press book. Producer Advertising — Trade papers. Advertising Accessories — Elaborate layout of paper, slides, lobbies, cuts, ad mats and cuts, heralds and novelties. The Cast Barry Macklin Richard Talmadge Lucy Frazer Eileen Percy Jake Frazer George Nichols Erza Sprowl Tully Marshall Milo Sprowl Bruce Gordon Ollie Banks Al .Fremont " Dip " McGurk Matthew Betz Luke Hazey Lou King Story and scenario by Keen Thompson SYNOPSIS — Barry Macklin, evading the traffic and speed officers, arrives in his home town, Hillsboro, which is in the control of a syndicate of politicians. He learns of his father's difficulties with the mayor, a " plant " of the cligue. Meanwhile, a tramp, who had robbed Barry of his clothing, puts in an appearance, but instead of turning him over to the authorities, he becomes friendly with him. The town marshal is under fire. He must make an arrest. Out of gratitude to Barry, the tramp consents to allow himself to be arrested for safe-breaking, but in doing so the tramp comes in possession of evidence incriminating the mayor. Real thieves hit the town, and, after a long chase, Barry overtakes them and turns them over to the town marshal, who later is nominated mayor, thanks to the efforts of our hero. For his reward Barry wins a wife, the daughter of the mayor whom he had long loved, and incidentally smooths things over for his dad. T .NDER the above heading m J productions are reviewed for state! rights buyers only and opinions rendered are on the basis of distribution. As soon as a picture is available for theatres, a second review covering the production from the exhibitor's angle will be published. "Made to Fight" Hercules Prods.— 5,000 Feet (Reviewed by Roger Farri) Distribution Basis— $35,000. Producer — Hercules Productions, Inc. Theme — Reformation of a quiet peaceful artist to a pugilistic alderman, all for the love of a girl, and the determination of a disgusted and disillusioned uncle. Cast — Jack Polio, capable stunt actor, is starred; Eva Novak, Dick Sutherland, Billy Elmer, Joe Girard, and Milburne Morante. Classification — Stunt society comedy drama. As a Whole — Very good entertainment with stunts aplenty and no few pugilistic encounters with roughnecks. Suspense is well built and climax comes at the opportune time with players contributing notably to the construction of the story, which is a split between society stuff and politics with romance registering effectively, though not the outstanding appeal. Star works along daringly and does a series of stunts that are close-upped effectively and of the hair-raising variety. Polio looks like a good bet for a series of pictures of the type of " Made to Fight," which is a human thing, though not done sensationally, but entertainingly enough to make a bid for mass appeal. Shortcomings — Ineffectiveness of several titles, but these are being replaced so that, after all, they cannot be counted up in the final appraisal of the picture. Settings — Exteriors and interiors both good, with the latter very luxurious. Photography — Acceptable throughout Direction — Jack Nelson directed logically and knew the talents of his star to whom he gave a free hand to go the limit. The fight scenes were particularly well handled, and there is a lot of scrapping shown that led this writer into believing that the wallops were not " pulled." Exploitation — All depends on how much the exhibitor cares to spend. Exploitation Possibilities — Many. Good idea to play up the pugilistic end for this chap, Jack Polio, packs a wicked wallop and lands it straight from the shoulder with full force. Good for athletic stunts and tie-ups. Producer Advertising — Trade papers. Advertising Accessories — Two one-sheets, one three-sheet and one six-sheet poster ; two twocolumn cuts, two three-column cuts, two onecolumn line ad cuts, novelties and heralds. The Cast Hal Mason Jack Polio Patsy Eva Novak Live Wire Dan Milburne Morante Pete Mason Joe Girard " Grief " Malloy Billy Elmer Tim McClosky Dick Sutherland SYNOPSIS — Out West the Masons were a fighting clan, but Hal Mason took to art, although representing himself to his uncle to be a fighting business man. Hal meets Patsy, a slum damsel, who saves him from a beating from rowdies. Meanwhile uncle arrives and is disillusioned. He tries in vain to make Hal defend himself, and finally turns him out of the house. Hal. however, says he'll come back — and when he does he'll lick uncle. Time passes and Hal a victim of a press agent's dream, is elected to the aldermanship, but in winning he has been forced to encounter a crooked " ward heeler " and with the aid of a pugilist learns how to use his hands to advantage. Comes the day when Hal returns home, defeats his uncle, knocking him out, and introduces friend wife. " The Mark of Lopez " Monogram Picture Co. — 5,000 Feet (Reviewed by Roger Ferri) Distribution Basis — Not ascertained. Producer — Harry J. Brown. Theme — Adventure of cowpuncher in running down band of rustlers, headed by a mysterious leader, and romance with woman owner of ranch. Cast — Fred Thomson, all-around athlete and clever horseman, starred deservedly. Supporting cast in its entirety is very good, specially Frank Hagney, Hazel Keener and Bob Reeves. The others are Wilfred Lucas, George Magrill, Dot Farley, Pee Wee Holmes, Bob Reeves and Dick Sutherland. Classification — Western. As a Whole — A clean-cut, excitingly entertaining picture, well produced and with a lot of hard-working players who don't miss an opportunity. This is the first of the Fred Thomson series for State Right release through Monogram Pictures Corporation. It has a strong story, the theme of which while not fundamentally new has a punch and a twist that puts it in the first grade of box office entertainments. Here is a splendid buy for exchange and exhibitor, for it has been produced minus the customary superfluous stuff found in westerns, with the action centered about the plugging of an ex-convict (Fred Thomson). The star is a splendid athlete and horseman and rides a steed that is pretty to look at. He is of the Richard Talmadge type, only his work is cleaner cut than that athletic star. Good stories bringing into play the capabilities of Thomson will make the series a corking good bet, if the first release is a criterion. The production, as a whole, was carefully conceived with every detail expertly handled. This is an A No. 1 Western replete with excitement, romance and wholesome opportune humor. The independent market should have more Westerns like this one. Shortcomings — None. Settings — Mostly exteriors, but well selected. The Mexican village exterior is the most lavish set and presents a picture pretty to look at. The interiors are well-constructed and serve every purpose. Photography — One of the best things about the picture. The long shots are fine, but the step-to-step photography of the running horses grips. Direction — Good. Exploitation — Monogram is going after its Western series in big time fashion, with Tom North, one of the best showmen-exploiteers in the business in charge. Exploitation Possibilities — There is an air of mystery in this picture that affords much mystery exploitation gags that suggest tie-ups with merchants and the papers. Producer Advertising — Trade papers. Advertising Accessories — Customary posters, slides, heralds, press sheets and novelties. The Cast Jack O'Neil .Fred Thomson Richard O'Neil Wilfred Lucas Angel Face Harry David Kirby Doris Hampton Hazel Keener Steve Gore Frank Hagney Lopez George Magrill The Matron Dot Farley Shorty Pee Wee Holmes Dick Bob Reeves The Mexican Dick Sutherland Silver King By Himself Story and scenario by Marion Jackson SYNOPSIS — Jack O'Neil, as an ex-convict, gains employment on the ranch of Doris Hampton, whose cattle is raided by rustlers headed by an unknown leader. Jack starts in pursuit of a suspect and is " framed " by one of the rustlers. He is captured, but through a ruse turns the tables and unmasks the real leader of the gang as the foreman of the Hampton ranch.