Motion Picture News (May-June 1921)

3358 Motion Picture News "COLORADO PLUCK" (Fox) Has Not the Action They Expect of This Star THERE is enough originality in the locale and the characlerizations in "Colorado Pluck," to make it a fairly interesting program picture. Then there is the star, William Russsll, who has been given an extremely sympathetic part. In fact, after he is cheated out of two million dollars, tricked into a marriage with a girl who loves another, he may be such an abussd individual that an audience will lose patience with him. Of course, the girl comes to love him at the end, but the two million is irrevocably gone. Despite the title, " Colorado Pluck " is not a Western. It opens in New York, where Colorado Jim arrives after having made his stake in the West. He falls in with a young Englishman, the only son of an impoverished British family. Together they travel to England. Reggie has been expected to bring back a rich American wife, but in lieu of an heiress, the aristocratic British family are satisfied with a millionaire Westerner, and proceed to marry him off to their daughter. This girl is engaged to another, but forced to marry the American. The marriage settlement is half a million. But that is only the beginning, and before long Jim is fleeced of his total fortune by the scheming family. Then he packs up and goes back to his Colorado home with his wife. He is wounded by a brawler just before his wife's old lover appears on the scene. His wife is undecided whether to leave him to die and return to England or to stay with him. Finally she decides that she loves him, and stays. An audience will leave with an unsatisfied feeling. The villain is unpimished, the English family is two million to the good, and the wife is forgiven without a murmur. This story does not give the star a chance to engage in the rough and tumble action of " Bare Knckles " or " The Challenge of the Law." It probably will be disappointing to the star's admirers for this reason. The cast is average, with Margaret Livingston playing opposite the star. Others in the cast are William Buckley, Helen Ware, Bertram Johns, and George Fisher, not entirely convincing as the villain. The picture is made up largely of interiors. Comedy to a small degree is developed out of the situation of the raw-boned Westerner in the home of British nobility. — Length, 5 reels. — Matthew A. Taylor. THE CAST Colorado Jim William Russell Angela Fetherstone Margaret Livingston Reggie Fetherstone William Buckley Philip Meredith George Fisher Lady Fetherstone Helen Ware Lord Fetherstone Bertram Johns Butler Ray Berger Story by George Goodchild. Scenario and direction by Jules G. Furthman. , Photography by George Schneiderman. PRESS NOTICE— STORY William Russell is the star of " Montana Pluck," which will be the feature attraction at the theatre on . This popular William Fox star has been given another exceedingly interesting story to offer to the public as a successor to " The Man Who Dared," " The Iron Rider " and " The Challenge of the Law." " Colorado Pluck " is wide in its locale, the story shifting from New York to London, and back again to the mining regions of Colorado. Russell is cast as a Western miner who strikes it rich and comes to New York with a lot of money and considerable time on his hands. From there he travels to England and there is considerable comedy and not a little romance developing when he is entertained at the home of an exclusive English family. The story ends in Colorado with., a thrilling climax, which enables this popular star ample opportunity to impress an audience by his virile ppersonality. Supporting the star in this picture is dainty Margaret Livingston, a popular screen leading lady, who is cast as the languid daughter of a noble English family, and who marries the rough miner for his gold, but finds later that she truly loves him. Others in the capable cast are George Fisher, Helen Ware, a highly successful actress recruited from the legitimate stage, Bertram Johns, and William Buckley. The story is by George Goodchild, one of the most successful authors, and the scenario and direction was done by Jules G. Furthman. " Montana Pluck " will be shown at the theatre for days beginning . It is expected to be one of the most popular pictures shown at the in some time. PROGRAM READER " Colorado Pluck " is the title of the newest William Russell picture which will be the attraction at the theatre on . The popular William Fox star has been given another one of the virile parts in this picCure, which have made him to-day one of the most popular male stars on the screen. It is, we believe, the kind of a story which you will all want to see. It combines romance with thrills, and comedy with drama in such a skilful fashion that it makes an ideal evening's entertainment. Russell is supported by Margaret Livingston, a winsome leading lady. Others in the highly capable case include William Buckly, George Fisher and Helen Ware, a well known Broadway actress. If you have never seen William Russell on the screen, we advise this as an excellent time to become acquainted. If you have seen him in his previous picture, we feel sure that you will not miss this opportunity to see him again. "Colorado Pluck" is the name; the time , and the place right here in the theatre. "THE LOST ROMANCE" (Paramount) Very Artistic, But Short on Drama and Action FOR what is announced as his first original screen story, Edward Knoblock has written a romantic and, some might say, sentimentally sweet little play, based on the age old domestic problem, that happens along in the lives of most married people when romance seems to have just naturally evaporated and affection, mutual imderstanding and respect have not as yet come to take the place of that which has been lost. From this obviously poor picture material William De Mille has produced a photoplay that requires endless titles to explain the scenes and to preach its commendable sermon. Also Mr. De MiUe or Mr. Knoblock, whichever one is responsible for the incident of the picture, has gone to extremes in what has been provided for the purpose of illustrating the theme. In consequence the spectator does not find much s\Tnpathy for any of the characters of the eternal triangle. The wife is a silly romantic scatterbrains. The husband a disagreeable and peevish individual, who apparently has no sense of the obligations that accrue when one takes a wife. The "other man" is a sentimental fool, mooning over the loss of a girl whom he knows never cared for him. As for the actual plot, the end is always in sight, with little suspense and absolutely no action to carry interest in individual sequences. Scarcely a single scene would mean anything without the titles to serve as captions. However, so far as the technique of the production goes, it is lavish and commendable. Splendid sets that carry fine atmosphere, excellent acting so far as the opportunities go and artistic lightings are the rule, all of which may compensate considerably for the lack of action and interesting incident. As for audience appeal, it is a picture for unhappy wives and seatimental girls. For the average every-day fan, esx)€cially the male of the species, we fear it will be voted a tame, imreal story, telling once again . what everybody knows, that married life, to be successful, is a partnership. — Length, 7 reels.— J. S. Dickerson, THE CAST Mark Sheridan Jack Holt Sylvia Hayes Lois Wilson Elizabeth Erskine Fontaine LaRue Allen Erskine, M. D Conrad Nagel Allen Erskine, Jr Mickey Moore Librarian Mayme Kelso Butler Robert Brewer Nurse Barbara Gumey Police Lieutenant Clarence Geldart Detective Clarence Burton Story by Edward Knoblock. Scenario by Olga Prinizlau. Directed by William De Mille. SUGGESTIONS Outside of exploiting the star, this picture does not appear to be unusual enough in any respect to merit any novel exploitation. You might mention all or some of his previous pictures if you have shown them. Give enough of the story in your catch lines to plant the locale of Colorado, New York's white lights, and exclusive England. Helen Ware in the cast will be known to some of the older followers of the legitimate theatre. Others in the cast are not prominent. PRESS NOTICE— STORY That ever new and interesting domestic problem which comes to married people,' the void between the end of romance and the beginning of affection, has been selected by Edward Knoblock, famous playwright, as the theme for his first original story for the screen and presented under the title of " The Lost Romance." Produced with an all-star cast which includes Lois Wilson, Conrad Nagel and Jack Holt and directed by William De Mille, who also made " Mid-Summer Madness," " The Lost Romance " is one of the notable pictures of the year. It has all the requirements for the ideal photoplay — author, cast and master producer and a really big theme. The picture began its career with a highly successful run at the Criterion theatre. New York, and has since played many of the big houses of the large cities for runs of several weeks duration. " The Lost Romance " will be the principal film attraction at the theatre for a days engagement beginning . PROGRAM READER " The Lost Romance," Edward Knoblock's first original story for the screen, directed by William De Mille and with an all-star cast that includes Jack Holt, Conrad Nagel and Lois Wilson, will be the feature picture at the theatre for a days engagement beginning . Founded on that ubiquitous question of all married couples, what is to happen when romance is dead, " The Lost Romance " is a picture wdth a theme of real import. It not only entertains but teaches all married people or those who expect to be married a lesson that is of inestimable value. " The Lost Romance " is a Paramount picture that measures up to this company's new ideals, and is notable in that it has every requirement for a great picture — author, cast, director and a strong story with a theme. It is a picture that no one should miss, promising rare entertainment. SUGGESTIONS The biggest exploitation bet of this picture is the theme and the opportunity of awakening the interest of all the wives in the " lost romance " period of most married couples' lives. There is also the fine cast, Mr. Knoblock's fame as a playwright, William De Mille and the general excellence of the producti.| to bill. We would present the nicture frankly as a problem play. A prologue with lines from the picture could very easily be produced. CATCH LINES A fascinating drama of the first years of married life: of lie time that comes to every wedded couple when romance is dead and wnen the void has not been as yet filled by affection and mutual imderstanding. An interesting story of the problem of the ages; bridging the gap between the death of romance in home and the birth of affection. A story of two wedded people who found romance dead, just as all married people ultimately do, and who had not as yet found that true love that " passeth understanding.' THB WTLUAMS PBINTINO COMPANT, NBW TOaK