Motion Picture News (Sept-Oct 1921)

September s 4 , j q s i 1669 "MOONLIGHT FOLLIES" (Universal) Fluffy Little Romance Presents Marie Prevost as Star UNIVERSAL has tacked an attractive title on its picture which brings Marie Prevost into stardom. As pictures go, "Moonlight Follies" does not carry much weight. The serious-minded will call it silly; the patrons easily pleased with their film fare are liable to call it a little bit of fluff. True it scampers about— this plot— like a fleeting shadow, paying no attention to continuity, action, or any other element of the drama. It is episodic and brittle, yet it carries a spirit of make-believe that makes it attractive in spite of all the shortcomings. It's a picture of a baby vamp who lowers her eyes, bites her lower lip, shrugs her shoulders, arches her eye-brows, assumes all the other graces and poses characteristic of her sex and age and the stupid male capitulates in the end according to the ways of Adam. In putting over the romantic chase, the heroine is presented as a pampered daughter who breakfasts in bed, takes milk baths, drives around in a s|K)rty roadster, scampers around at a private pool in a nifty bathing suit, and has a good time at these various frivolities. Of course one can see that such a collection of pranks is certain to be episodic in action and very much to the powder-pult in substance. However, Universal, seems to have a sure box-oflSce asset in the personality of Marie Prevost, erstwhile Sennett bathing girL, who is blessed with oodles of pep and poise and piquancy, and, who indicates that she might go far on the screen, so capably does she understand lights and moods and whims of the younger set. Many patrons will be surprised to notice that she is attractive of feature, their attention heretofore having been focused below the waistline in her bathing girl ensembles. The camera has caught her in various poses — even the bathing suit is used— as well as the bath-tub. Miss Prevost has screen magnetism that is certain to make itself felt when she becomes thoroughly engaged in her work. Just at present there is a tendency to be a trifle conscious owing to the desire to make a big first impression. But there is no effort on her part to emote or strut or emphasize the ingenue whims and impulses beyond the demands of the story. Indeed Miss Prevost possesses a charming naturalness. The picture may be fluffy, but the star's personality, the exploitation possibilities of the title, and the fact that it carries snap and ginger — these will insure box-ofiSce receipts. The humor is of the sparkling kind in many of the scenes, particularly when the cave-man touch is applied. The plot may be inconsequential, but Marie Prevost's figure is substantial enough to warrant masculine patronage any night, anywhere. — Length, 4,600 feet. — Laurence Reid. THE CAST Nan Rutledge Marie Prevost Jas. RuUedge Lionel Belmore Cissie Hallock Marie Crisp Rene Smythe George Fisher Tony Griswold Clyde Fillmore By Percival Wilde. Scenario by A. P. Younger. Directed by King Baggot. Photographed by Bert Glennon. PRESS NOTICE— STORY This picture, " Moonlight Follies,'' presents Marie Prevost as a star. It will be the feature attraction at the theatre next . Miss Prevost was formerly associated with Sennett comedies where she won deserved recognition through her piquant personality and an adaptability for youthful expression. Her figure endowed her with much physical appeal which combined with her beauty of face and her whimsical mood is sufficient to make her a star. " Moonlight Follies presents her as a temperamental daughter of an indulgent parent. Knowing her power to intrigue the susceptible male, she employs all the familiar artifices. She is really a baby vamp. Yet she plays the wrong card for when the trap is set the man involved refuses to stumble. Which of course causes her to use other tactics. In the end it is she who capitulates. Miss Prevost is assisted by Clyde Fillmore and others and the picture is handsomely staged. PROGRAM READER Remember Marie Prevost, the pretty girl on the extreme end of Mack Bennett's galaxy of bathing beauties? Well, she has become a star — a full-fJedged star. And well she deserves this position. This dainty little personality possesses a fragrance — a disposition — a piquancy — a beauty of poise and expression and figure which entitle her to some share of recognition. And she has in " Moonlight Follies " an ideal vehicle to win your affection. Marie Prevost will charm and intrigue you. It is a dashing picture of a twentieth century maid. Don't miss it. At the next . SUGGESTIONS Here you have a new star for exploitation who has built up a following despite the fact that her name has never been prominently featured. But she has been one of Mack Sennett's most charming bathing beauties. And her pretty figure and features — her stylish wardrobe and charming personality _ have earned her the right to stardom. So concentrate upon her name. Emphasize the fact that she is going to win your favor. Also play up the title, which is a sure winner. Feature the picture with plenty of stills and describe it as a lightsome, froliicsome study in yotmg girlhood. Use a snappy teaser campaign. "GOOD AND EVIL" (Herz Film Corp. — F. B. Warren Corp.) Attractive European Star in Pictorially Gorgeous Subject THIS i> a Sascha production, made, it is announced, in Bohemia, and fealurinj: a Franco-Slav actress, who might be, from her appearance and personality, a native-born American. " Good and Evil " is not sucli a radical departure from screen traditions as " Caligari," but it is a picture that is different from the average run of American productions. Pictorially it reaches heiglits that .\nierican producers still gaze at with iiope and aspiration. It is an artistic triumph, but not all the credit can go to the director. One sequence shows the Royal Palace of Vienna and thousands sporting themselves on the lawn. Such a background as St. Marks in Venice, for instance, is used only for one unimportant flash. This proves the superabundance of rich exteriors which were at the disposal of the producers. The story also allows for varied and rich interiors. The tale is an allegorical one, and switches from present day Paris to Monte Carlo, to old Japan, to France in the Colonial period, and to fantastic Persia. Elach interior scene is a portrait, arranged with infinite care. There are bizarre sets; luxurious, sensuous sets; and dainty, whimsical sets of Japan. In some scenes thousands are before the camera. Dramatically the picture is not according to the formula which has been offered for American fans. It is more like the American picture than Caligari," but less like it than " Passion." Opening with an exceptional, gripping sequence of a convict escaping from prison and finding his way to the chateau of a wealthy duchess, it promises to be a world-beater. But then the story is told largely by sub-titles. We are not accustomed to one wordy title explaining action which might well be told in a full reel. The allegory enters in when the hero is dissuaded from suicide at Monte Carlo by a figure who calls himself Fate. This gentlemen objects to being blamed for so many of the world's ills, and proceeds to show the hero several pages from the book of life, illustrating how Temptation, Intrigue, and Passion seek ever to destroy Youth. This allows for episodes which sweep from Persia to eighteenth century France and Japan. These episodes are not complete enough to be dramatic in themselves, nor are they strung together with any dramatic force. The main thread of the story is taken up again in the end. Lucy Doraine is a European star who is going to be very well received by Americans. The pictorial beauty of the feature wiU so charm many audiences that they will pass by its somewhat sketchy and hazy story. Undoubtedly editing has helped it immeasurably.— Length, 6 reels. — Matthew A. Taylor. THE CAST The Duchess Vera Ormonde ■» A Geisha I _ _ The Marchioness of Roche ( ^ucy Doraine Eminah, Daughter of the Orient J Pierre Danton Alphonse Fryland Bessie Wmthrop MadeUne Nagy Marlm Delome Antoine Tiller The Stranger Ralph Osterman Produced by Sascha. PRESS NOTICE STORY A picture which has been called " the successor to ' Passion ' " will make its appearance on at the . It is entitled " Good and Evil " and was produced in Bohemia. The cast of this spectacular photodrama is headed by Lucy Doraine, a Franco-Slav screen celebrity, whose exquisite beauty and personality places her with the greatest screen stars of America and Europe. She is supported by a cast of 10,000 people. Many of the scenes were actually taken at the Royal Palace in Vienna, and the production, all-in-all, is the most beautiful picture ever made from a dramatic and photographic standpoint. " Good and EvU " is a story of love and sorrow told in the most impressive manner. The theme is a man's love for woman, and his battle with Fate to win out in the contest of life. How he has to battle Temptation, Love. Intrigue and Passion before he can finally find his true love. Lucy Doraine and her co-workers in " Good and Evil " illustrate this story in a most tense and interesting manner. It is an artistic accomplishment that should merit the approval of every picture fan and pleasure-seeker. PROGRAM READER The management of the theatre announce as the feature attraction on , a stupendous European sensation, entitled " Good and Evil." The cast of this spectacular photodrama is headed by Lucy Doraine, whose exquisite beauty and personality places her vrith the greatest screen stars of America and Europe. Built upon the eternal influence which woman has had over man throughout all stages of human history, and proving how, nine times out of ten, woman is directly responsible for every action and deed of man, the story tells how a convict effects a successful escape from prison and hides in the chambers of a beautiful Duchess. She takes a liking to him and endeavors to make a man of him. Successful in her attempt, she is later stunned when she realizes his love for another. CATCH LINES See Marie Prevost in " Moonlight Follies." The erstwhile Sennett bathing beauty in a picture of youth and sununertteie and love. (Continued from page 1661) It is this comedy which suggested Jeanie MacPherson's photoplay of the same name which Cecil B". De Mille has produced for Paramount. It will be shown at the theatre for days beginning next. An unequalled cast including Wallace Reid, Gloria Swanson, Elliott Dexter, Bebe Daniels, Monte Blue, Wanda Hawley, Theodore Roberts. Agnes Ayres, Theodore Kosloff, Polly Moran, Raymond Hatton, Julia Faye and others appear m this superb all-star production.