Motion Picture News (Sept-Oct 1921)

2190 Motion Picture News "THE FOOLISH AGE" (Robertson-Cole) Sparkling Little Comedy With Doris May as Star IT is a sparkling little comedy which Doris May has for her first starring venture. " The Foolish Age," written by Hunt Stromberg, may be catalogued as a delightful study of that impulsive period of girlhood whfen it is difficult to reason things out from a safe and sane attitude. The very fact that it bears a resemblance to life makes this satire ring much more genuine than its character on the surface would indicate. The star is seen in the early scenes in the role of a charming undergraduate who, when the great moment arrives to leave the environment of her college, decides to practice what the learned doctor who delivered the baccalaureate sermon preached. His advice is to uplift the downtrodden. So she straightway takes up settlement work. Being a little daughter of the rich, the idle life does not appeal to her. She has bigger things to do than disport about in finery and attend social functions. So she opens up an office to take care of the derelicts of humanity. It is a humorous scene which shows a motley throng of " downand-outers " assembling at the office to apply for the position of secretary. And she takes the roughest looking one of the lot. Here is the occasion for Bull Montana to be introduced, and again this colorful type nearly walks away with the honors. The picture develops a deal of funny incident which, while of a fluffy character, nevertheless sparkles with plenty of pep and spontaneity. The heroine is quite determined to show her friends and relatives that she is able to take care of herself. They may say that she is passing through the foolish age, but their toleration of her pet theory indicates their belief in her sincerity. There is no lapse in the sparkling action. Indeed the by-play indulged in by the impulsive heroine and the erstwhile gangster whom she rescued from the slums is sufficiently amusing to score most anywhere. Particularly funny is the scene which shows the girl giving a box party at the theatre with her crude friends violating all the standards of good etiquette. Montana is attired faultlessly, yet he imagines himself at a circus, because he is shelling peanuts and dropping the shucks on the audience below. And the reception scene is a sure gloom-chaser. There is a note of conflict which introduces the heroine's fiance attempting to embarrass the rough secretary. This dramatic touch is well developed and offers some effective incident. The heroine comes to her senses when she discovers her gunmen reverting to type. The picture is well titled, the scenario is compact and the direction and acting are entirely competent. Doris May has proved that she is capable of stardom and "The Foolish Age" is certain to start her off with flving colors. — Length, 5 reels. — Laurence Reid. THE CAST Margy Carr Doris May Homer Dean Chadwick Hallam Cooley "Old Top" Carr Otis Harlan Lester Hicks Arthur Hoyt Flossy Lillian Worth Bubbs Bull Montana Cauliflower Jim Billy Elmer Todd "Spike" Robinson By Hunt Stromberg. Scenario by Violet Clark and William Seiter. Directed by William Seiter. Photographed by Bert Cann. PRESS NOTICE STORY Doris May is the star of " The Foolish Age," which comes to the theatre next and . This dainty actress, who will be remem bered for her fine portrayals while starring with Douglas MacLean, comes into her own here as a star on her own initiative and it must be said that the figure of Margy Carr is ideal for the expression of her wistful and charming personality. Margy has but recently graduated from colfege with the idea that humanity should be uplifted. Her efforts in this direction cause her all sorts of embarrassment — although many of her adventures are marked for their humorous moments. After she has brought embarrassment to many of her relatives she suddenly decides to let well enough alone. Her place she discovers is in the home instead of the office. The picture sparkles with humor and is excellently acted by the star and her capable assistants, among whom are included the picturesque Bull Montana, Hallam Cooley and Arthur Hoyt. Hunt Stromberg wrote the story, while William Seiter directed. PROGRAM READER Margy had just received her diploma. She was young and impressionable and she had a mind of her own. But her folks said that she was going through the foolish age because of her desire to appear utterly unconventional. It was something of a shock to her relatives and friends when she took up work for the betterment of mankind. She had a secretary who was once a gangster. And when Margy gave a reception at her home for her uncouth friends — well, her impulse proved a profound shock. But she was only going through the foolish age. Everybody has to go through that age at some time. Come to the and see the charming Doris May in " The Foolish Age." Next is the date. Don't forget. SUGGESTIONS Here is Doris May as a star. Fans will remember her co-starring venture with Douglas MacLean. And she made a big hit in the clever farces presented to her. bo tell them that this clever little actress who possesses charm and talent to an unusual degree has in " The Foolish Age " a picture calculated to estabhsh her as a star to be reckoned with. Play it up as a sparkling human document of a ■ humorous twist. Emphasize that all girls and boys have to go through the foolish age — where they don't quite know their own minds. Treat your copy in a light snappy fashion. Put on an all-comedy bill. Play up Bull Montana. CATCH LINES Did you ever live through the foolish age? It is a 'fascinating period of life. Come and see the irresistible star, Doris May, in " The Foolish Age." "HIGH HEELS" (Universal) Character Study Makes Fairly Pleasing Picture THEY have given Gladys Walton a character sludy as her latest expression on the Universal program, and the role of the selfish, intolerant daughter of an over-indulgent father, gives her enough opportunities to flash her individual talent, even though the emotional heights are never scaled. The petite star plays the part in strictly up-todate fashion — heedless and headstrong and unduly wrapped up in her own .mportance. And her portrayal rings true because of the very fact that the emotional chords are not touched. The picture is pleasing enough even though one can anticipate the action from the introductory scene to the final shot, and because it lacks the element of surprise it doesn't hold the interest. The heroine is permitted to have her own way, the scheme being to bhow up her selfishness. She is pleasant enough to a young romancer, but when any of her relatives appear on the scene she develops an impulsive tantrum, most of which can be summed up in terms of neglectfulness. Her father suddenly dies and the daughter immediately sees the light of understanding. Her attitude toward her family takes on the form of kindly solicitude. However, the death of the pater causes the other members financial embarrassment and they are forced to give up their palatial home in the city and migrate to a cottage in the country — a cottage which adjoins the estate of the wicked and wealthy ogre who was really responsible for the father's fatal attack. This is the occasion to introduce some mild incident in which a pair of tiny twins carry the burden of the plot for a while. When the youngsters become lost, the redeemed sister goes to their rescue and wins over their affections. There is an illogical touch added when the girl is forced to dance at a social fete in order to make both ends meet. The interior decorations of the cottage, coupled with the elaborate wardrobe of the heroine, gives the lie to the idea that she is poverty-stricken. Miss Walton displays a wardrobe which is both stylish and varied. The romance enters when a persistent suitor — a doctor by profession — pleads his case and is accepted when the fickle youth of the early scenes shows his true character. "High Heels" preaches an effective little lesson and ingratiates itself because it carries a deal of charm. It is a simple story told in a simple fashion and seven patrons out of ten are likely to vote it a winner. The cast does good work although William Worthington is made up badly as the wealthy enemy. A thrill is tacked onto the finish which shows the heroine rescuing the old man from a fire. — Length. .5 reels. — Laurence Reid. THE CAST Christine Trevor Gladys Walton Dr. Paul Denton Frederick Vogeding Joshua Barton Wm. Worthington Cortland Van Ness Freeman Wood Laurie Trevor Geo. Hackathorn Daffy Trevor Chas. Debriac Diffy Trevor Raymond Debriac Douglas Barton Milton Markwell John Trevor Dwight Crittenden Robt. Graves Robt. Dunbar Amelia Ola Norman Jennie Chubb Leigh Wyant Armand Jean Debriac Mike (Butler) Hugh Saxon By Louise B. Clancy. Scenario by Wallace Clifton. Directed by Lee Kohlmar. Photographed by Earl Ellis. PRESS NOTICE— STORY A charming little story of a selfish society girl, who undergoes a transformation of character is " High Heels," Universal's latest picture starring the petite and popular Gladys Walton. The offering will be the feature attraction at the theatre next . The star merely tolerates her indulgent father and neglects her three brothers, one of whom is a cripple and the others being twin youngsters. As Christine Trevor, she is determined to pursue her selfish impulses until the death of her father causes her to realize that her ideas are wrong. She develops into an imderstanding woman, capable of deep sympathy and kindliness. The picture offers a charming romance which is developed in a fascinating manner and adding to the picture's interest is a climax of real dramatic strength. The girl risks her life to rescue an enemy neighbor from a burning house. In all " High Heels " will carry Miss Walton still further along the heights of popularity. It is well staged and acted, and is rich in incident. PROGRAM READER She wore high heels and dressed in the latest fashion, and she was the product of an over-indulgent father — a man who catered to her every whim. It is no wonder that the girl was wrapped up in her own personality. She became uiiduly selfish and impulsive and strived only to satisfy her craving for pleasure and stylish finery. Then it happened that sorrow entered her life and the shock of death in the family wrought a transformation in her character. She developed a charming, kindly, unselfish nature, beloved by everyone with whom she came in contact. This is the outline of " High Heels," the clever picture which comes to the theatre next with Gladys Walton as the star. SUGGESTIONS Gladys Walton is being heard from in box-office reports. So you are not gambling in presenting her at your theatre. Simply state that she has an ideal vehicle here — one that entertains as well as teaches a lesson in overcoming selfish impulses. Bring forth that the picture offers a charming romance, and that there is plenty of human detail throughout its varied scenes. Play up Miss Walton.