Motion Picture News (Sept-Oct 1921)

Actober 15, 192 i 2053 "A CERTAIN RICH MAN ( Benjamin Hampton-Hodkinson) ffectiie Drama and Moral in This Hampton Production TTlLLIAM ALLEN WHITE'S interesting story of the idolatrouis i/x/ worsliip of money and tlie evil consequences it brings is brought ' ^ to the screen with a forcefulness which carries through as very reptable entertainment. While the tale is burdened with a wealth of aracter? which makes the action a trifle hazy to follow in the early els, once the spectator has made the acquaintance of the central figure^, s interest is aroused to a point where he automatically becomes a part the drama. It is a story wiiich travels over a score of years and theatri I or fictional license will have to be excused in several instances. But .ite an arbitrary leaning here and there, the plot carries vigor and vi\ and moves with a definite purpose. I I one searches for truth one may not entirely subscribe to the idea that :;irl can be urged into matrimony when there has been no parental essnre in tliat direction. A scheming banker, to cover his shortages, reipsts the heroine to marry a wealthy suitor or else suffer the consequences -ceing her father and fiance financially involved. The whole substance the story centers around this w ill to power, although in the backgromid ere is a swan song of blighted love which registers its pathos in comlling fashion. The romancers never forget their one-time happiness, nwhile the certain rich man has accumulated wealth by forgetting the lan attributes. He has forged to the top through ambition and power. ' There is some incident which provides a humorous and even a meloamatic interlude. Some of this is really effective, although much of it old be eliminated without hindrance to the theme. There is one flaw lich shows a crooked lawyer turning over a letter incriminating the incent parlies — after a lapse of ten years. The very character of this type )Dld lead one to think that he wouldn't hesitate an hour to effect a ;ooked deal or embarass an innocent party. The husband of the heroine ~ ses his money and becomes a sodden figure when he realizes that the Jlirriage has been one of convenience. But liis presence in the story is fmanded because it means a note of suspense. Not until the Croesus of e tale loses his wife does he regain his human outlook. He straightway mpensates for tlie misfortunes he has brought to others. The story carries several twists and turns and details are brought out in lid relief. Yet because it carries so many stimulating elements it is lund to assert an appeal. Robert McKim plays the rich man with his itomary finesse and the supporting company consisting of Joseph (Owling. Claire Adams and a host of others is good. Ebccept for a delibation in telling the plot and a meditation among the players the direc>n is above reproach. The atmosphere is excellent. — Length, 6 reels. — mrence Reid. THE CAST hn Barclay Robert McKim oUy Culpepper Claire Adams )b Hendricks Carl Gantvoort Irian Brownell Jean Herslaolt iL Martin Culpepper Joseph J. Dowling hn Barclay's Mother Lydia Knott >ung Neal Ward Frankie Lee )ung Janet Barclay Mary Jane Irving ■ncral Hendricks Harry Lorraine ge Bemis G. Gunnis Davis iatts McHurdie Charles Colby ke Dolan Walter Perry Me Fleming Pitts rs. Col. Culpepper Grace Pike net Barclay Eugenie Gilbert •al Ward Gordon Dumont s. Jane Barclay Edna Pennington By William Allen White. Produced by Benjamin B. Hampton and associates, William H. Clifford, Elliot Howe, Jean Hersholt and Elliot J. Clawson. PRESS NOTICE STORY What is called by Impartial critics one of the best photoplays of the year is ^ Certain Rich Man," which comes to the theatre next th a cast comprising such favorite players as Robert McKim, Claire Adams, Carl ntvoort, Jean Hersholt, Walter Perry and many others of equal ability. This :ture is an adaptation of William Allen White's popular story. It is said to rich in heart throbs and wonderfully human and surging with life. The story is played in settings familiar to every American. It begins and ends the small town. The first episode of the novel that appears in the photoplay in the eighties and another period is laid at the beginning of the twentieth cenry, and the last period is modem. The picture is said to be vital an^ human d hits the lives of ninety-nine out of every hundred individuals. SUGGESTIONS A campaign of snappy advertising put out in the shape of program readers and ten Unes and throwaways will prove advantageous in putting this picture over, w can play up the author as one who writes of life as it is lived every day. so mention of the cast will interest the spectators to the point where they will dize that it is exceptionally interpreted. You can put it over as a heart drama iich surges with humanity and lifelike touches — which shows the power of conence as the greatest force in the world. Play up that it is a stimulating drama everyday life. CATCH LINES Ruthless, relentless, powerful, he strode down the Pathway of Life, crushing >se who opposed him. And when the goal was reached, he found that his gold s only dross. See " A Certain Rich Man," written by William Allen White. "LITTLE MISS HAWKSHAW" (Fox) Cinderella Pattern Provides Pro'^ram Offering for Eileen Percy THE Cinderella formula provides the theme around wiiich Eileen Perry's latest Fox offering revolves. And looking at it from every angle one feels justified in stating that it presents her in the most attractive role she has had in some time. Miss Percy is not a comedienne and her recent appearances in farce-comedies have not proven very successful. '■ Little Miss Hawkshaw," written and directed by Carl Harbaugh, i;i sweet and wholesome entertainment, and since the star is cast as a heroine who emerges from rags to riches, one can easily see that the role is an entirely sympathetic one. The picture is pure fiction, there not being much similarity to life because of its convenient situations. It begins with a prologue which shows a proud and stern nobleman ca.sting his daughter out because she has had the temerity to marry beneath her station. The aristocratic " blue-blood " is represented as jotting down his life and attempting to make amends for his harshness. And there is uncovered a wealth of subtitles before the action hits its stride. The setting is a castle in Ireland. The scene switches to New York with the time twenty years later. And the nobleman, grown old and gray, is endeavoring to locate his grandchild, the missing heiress. He has intrusted the mission of finding her to a detective who in reality is a crook. The Cinderella coincidence is uncovered when the gangsters, employed by the detective, present her to him for the purpose of blackmailing the wealthy Irishman. The heroine is an East Side " newsy " who is having a hard time in life avoiding the brutalities of a foster-father. She is befriended by another detective who is as honorable as the more famous Sherlock is crooked. When the honest sleuth intercedes in her behalf good fortune places the crook in his power. And so a melodramatic touch is added when a fight takes place. There is a moment of kidnapping before she is rescued and brought to Ireland. And she registers surprise when she discovers that she is the rightful heiress after all. There is a slight love interest which might have been made more of had some of the convenient incident been eliminated. The youth in the case is the aristocrat's nephew, who has come to America to help locate the girl. The picture carries a fair sample of lively action and the Cinderella note is well emphasized — so much so that one's sympathy never wanders from the central figure. Mr. Harbaugh has shown more invention with his direction than he has with his story. However, it is equipped with first class atmosphere and settings, and the figures in the tale arouse the interest. — Length, 5 reels. — Laurence Reid. THE CAST Prologue. Patricia Eileen Percy Sir Stephen O'Neill Eric Mayne Her husband Leslie Casey New York Sequence. Patsy Eileen Percy Mike Rorke ^ Frank Clark Miss Rorke Vivian Ransome Arthur Hawks Francis Feeney Inspector Hahn J. MacDonald J. Spencer Giles Fred L. Wilson Sock Wolf Glen Cavender By Carl Harbaugh. Directed by Carl Harbaugh. Photographed by Otto Brautigan. PRESS NOTICE— STORY Eileen Percy in the role of a pretty little waif in New York will be the attraction at the theatre next — ; and when she appears in " Little Miss Hawkshaw." This Fox picture first brings Miss Percy to the screen as the mistreated foster-child of an old sailor, but later she comes into her inheritance and gets a husband, a castle and vast estates across the sea to make up for her earlier hardships. The story proper opens in Ireland and the opening scene presents an irate nobleman who ejects his daughter, Patricia, from his castle because she has married the son of a blacksmith. Patricia leaves for America while her husband is placed under arrest by the nobleman. In the course of years she dies and the baby is left in the care of the old sailor. Eighteen years later the little girl is seen presiding over a news stand. And the nobleman, realizing the injury he has caused her mother, seeks to square the account by finding the grandchild if possible. A couple of detectives involve the story which charms and entertains because of its dramatic moments. Miss Percy gives an appealing performance and is well supported. PROGRAM READER Eileen Percy, the vivacious and lovely Fox star, appears in a wholesome and charming picture, " Little Miss Hawkshaw " which comes to the theatre next . The story was written by Carl Harbaugh and also directed by him. Miss Percy is seen as a New York " newsy " in an environment of poverty. She rises above her sordid surroundings by sheer determination to better herself. Near the close of the story and after many exciting, amusing and sentimental incidents. She finds her rightful place and gains the love of a true man. It is a story replete with humor and tender emotion and Miss Percy gives a fine portrayal of a poor child who, reared as a waif, turns out to be an heiress. CATCH LINES She was reared in poverty and when riches and happiness came to her — well she couldn't believe it. See Eileen Percy in " Little Miss Hawkshaw." The charming Eileen Percy is coming to the theatre next in " Little Miss Hawkshaw," a picture of charm, humor and sentiment.