Motion Picture News (Sept-Oct 1921)

October 2 g , i q 2 i 2351 "UNDER THE LASH" (Paramount ) W ell Produced and Acted Drama of South Africa GLORIA SWANSON leaves the Ue Milliaii atmosphere of the American hearth in this production to migrate to Soutli Africa and there to live the dull and docile life of wife to a Boer farmer. And, although the romance develops from the eternal triangle idea, she may be said to have again deserted the sex drama, ("ertainly there is no attempt for sex appeal. It is straight drama, developing with keen interest for the first few reels, but fagging somewhat towards an unconvincing climax and a protracted ending. But ■' Under the Lash," known on the printed page as " The Shularaite," cannot fail to be entertainment, nor can it disappoint the large personal following of its star, except possibly by the lack of beautiful gowns and society background. There is an advantage in laying a screen story in a less-written-about country. And it affords opportunities for new characteriawtions, which Russell Simpson and Lillian Leighton make the most of. Both of these players give impressionable performances. We do not think Mr. Simpson's strange make-up is exaggerated, hut it is jKissible that the picture public will. Miss Swanson's role is that of an obedient, intellectually-stinted second wife of a stern Boer who believes in ruling by the lash, and who quotes the Bible (as interpreted by himself) to sanction his cruel and drastic code. To this lonely farm comes an English wanderer who reveals to the wife a new world in the world of books. Influenced by him, she rebels against her husband's claims to absolute dominion over his wife and servants. To save herself from a beating she lies to her husband, telling him she is soon to be a mother. This lie brings about the climax, for the Boer discovers the falsehood as well as learning of the irmocent love which has sprung up in the heart of his guest. This offense, according to his belief, merits death; so he takes his wife into the barn to shoot her. She has been forced to put on her gorgeous wedding dress for the occasion. This does not quite ring true. Her danger does not plant fear in the heart. The Englishman is the rescuer, but the end is not yet. He must be cleared of any murder charge. This is rather difficult, since there is a Boer aunt who must be bought off. Evidently there are no coroners in South Africa. As it is a lonely country, this fact seems perfectly logical. But then there is the hero's wife in England to keep the lovers from one another and the picture from ending. A divorce settles this and the fade-out is staged on the Veldt at dawning. Malilon Hamilton gives a fine performance as the hero. The picture is well acted and well directed, and careful detailing gives it good atmosphere. — Length, 6 reels. — Matthew A. Taylor. THE CAST Deborah Krillet Gloria Swanson Robert Waring Mahlon Hamilton Simeon Krillet Russell Simpson Tant Ann Vanderberg Lillian Leighton Jan Vanderberg Lincoln Steadman Memke Thena Jasper Kafiir Boy Clarence Ford Adapted from the novel " The Shulamite " by Alice and Claude Askew and the play by Claude Askew and Edward Knoblock. Directed by Sam Wood. Scenario by J. E. Nash. PRESS NOTICESTORY Having as its principal players, the popular Gloria Swanson, " Under the Lash," the Paramount feature, which will be the main attraction at the theatre on , promises to be one of the best liked screen productions to reach the screen in many weeks. " Under the Lash " is a screen adaptation of " The Shulamite," which a few years ago was one of the best selling novels in this country. The novel is from the pen of Alice and Claude Askew. As a play " The Shulamite " enjoyed a lengthy run and unusual praise from the critics. As a screen production this novel, re-titled " Under the Lash," loses none of the charm or intense drama whicTi made it so popular on the printed page. It affords Gloria Swanson, the appealing star who will be remembered from her sterling work in " The Affairs of Anatol " and " Why Change Your Wife? " as well as^ther De Mille successes, a new type of role in which to prove even more emphatically her versatile dramatic powers. Her supporting cast may well be called all-star. As the leading man Mahlon Hamilton gives a polished performance and other well remembered players are Russell Simpson, Lillian Leighton and Lincoln Steadman. Sam Wood directed the feature. The story of "Under the Lash" is laid in South Africa; the star playing the obedient wife of a straight laced Boer farmer, who believes in ruling by the whip. It develops into a beautiful romance, and thrilling drama with suspense which remains until the very final fade-out. PROGRAM^ADER Living in desperate loneliness Deborah, the young second wife of Simeon Krillet, wondered what lay behind the grey horizon which shut her off from the rest of the world. Krillet was a Boer who worked his South African farm until it made him wealthy, and who lived in stern righteousness — reading nothing but the Word ; ruling only by the lash ; smiling never at all. To this solemn and strange people came a foreigner, an Englishman. To the meek Boer wife he offered books, and through books, new ideas and aspirations which made the dull life she led only more unbearable. There is little doubt but that you will like " Under the Lash," the screen adaptation of " The Shulamite," which will be offered at the theatre on , with Gloria Swanson in the leading role. It is the same Gloria who scored in "Why Change Your Wife?" and "The Affairs of Anatol," but it is a Gloria in a new kind of role, exhibiting in a new and pleasing way the dramatic powers which lay within her grasp. She is assisted by a cast of the highest calibre including such players as Mahlon Hamilton, Russell Simpson and Lincoln Steadman. Whether you have read the novel or not, you cannot afford -to miss " Under the Lash." "THE MYSTERIOUS RIDER" (Beiij. B. Hampton-Hodkinson) Involved Story I\ot V p to Zane Greys Standard IK this is a faithful adaptation of Zane Grey's novel, then the author ha.N not reached the .standard which has established his name as a household word among fiction readers. A Zane Grey picture usually means a throbbing canvas of life -a canvas teeming with rapid action, bristling with incident and charged with suspense. "The Mysterious Rider " finds the author content to get out of his element and revel in a plot which does not carry the breadth of the big outdoors notwithstanding the fact that most of its action comprises a series of exteriors and that its figures are as colorfid as the others drawn by the author. The weakness of this story rests in the limitations of the plot, which reveals a prodigal son — a truly vicious figure endeavoring to harass his father at every opportunity — and a mysterious rider whose identity is weD hidden from the spectator for purposes of suspense and surprise. The expected sweep, the fast-moving action which characterizes a Grey story, is missing through the early reels, while he takes special pains to paint character development. If the idea was fresh or novel his plot would carry an adequate force. But emphasizing the weak character and showing intimate detail which has nothing to do with advancing the action tends to make the spectator lose his grip on the array of events. Once the mysterious character is introduced the picture picks up in tempo and a flash of the real Grey is seen and appreciated. Robert McKim, who seems to have abandoned villainous roles, temporarily, at least, is seen in this sympathetic part of the rider whose mission is to exact vengeance upon the wretch who destroyed his home and ruined his life. A counterplot involves an up-to-date cattle rustler who employs motor trucks in his scheme. It is this man who is the hunted figure. And the prodigal son is caught in his clutches and compelled to follow his plans. There is some flashes of the triangle situation revealed when the wife of the rustler entertains the advances of the vicious youth. And another romance (this one clean and wholesome) involves the hero and the adopted daughter of the ranchman — the girl being the kidnapped child of the plot. With some of the detail eliminated it may be assumed that the action would proceed in a more progressive manner. Much of this incident concerns comedy relief. The thrill enters when the rider exacts his vengeance. It is a stirring fight and the participants are drawn into a waist-high pond before the criminal succumbs. It all ends happily. The director has brought out the rugged touches in able fashion and his atmosphere is rich and colorful. — Length, 6 reels. — Laurence Reid. THE CAST Columbine Claire Adams Hell Bent Wade Robert McKim Wilson Moore Carl Gantvoort Jack BeUounds James Mason Bellounds Walt Whitman Ed Smith Frederick Starr Madge Smith Maude Wayne "Smokey Joe" Lem Billings Frank Hayes Maria, the cook Aggie Herring By Zane Grey. Adapted and directed by Benjamin B. Hampton and Associates. PRESS NOTICE^STORY A story by Zane Grey is sufficient to arouse the keenest interest of the reader. When one of this author's tales is visualized on the screen, it takes on a force which enhances its appeal. It throbs with life. Therefore " The Mysterious Rider " on the screen is crammed with action and incident. It is a story which details a prodigal son who returns to harass his father and others; it is a story of a pathetic figure who harbors a hatred which eventually culminates in shedding the sorrow from his life. For Hell Bent Wade waited many years to exact vengeance upon the criminals who killed his wife and kidnapped his child. Zane Grey's flair for dramatic action — his skill at characterization has never been manifested to a better degree than in this highly interesting picture produced by Benjamin B. Hampton and which comprises a cast that includes Robert McKim and others. "The Mysterious Rider" will appear at the theatre next . No PROGRAM READER one knew his identity. He roamed the hills — a colorful, pathetic figure — a figure who kept to himself. But he had a mission to perform. This mission was to exact vengeance upon the brute who killed his wife and kidnapped his child. He watched and waited and then — . Far below in the valley, cattle ruslers were busy. But they were caught. Who caught them? The mysterious rider? "That is for you to find out. But when you come to the theatre next and you will see a clever story — an absorbing picture adapted from a Zane Grey manuscript. So come and see " The Mysterious Rider." SUGGESTIONS Here is the name of Zane Grey attached to a story. So make the most of it. This author has established a wide following through his skill at plot and characterization and his name is almost a household word. The mere announcement of his name as the author of the picture should attract picturegoers. Play up Robert McKim, Claire Adams and Walt Whitman as players who are in the cast. Play it up as an absorbing melodrama of the far-off country — the country of the plains and mountains. Bill it as a picture filled with surprises, dramatic clashes, romance and pathos and thrills. Link up with your bookdeaJer. A rider garbed mysteriously — the identity unknown — galloping through the streets would invite attention to the picture. CATCH LINES See " The Mysterious Rider " by Zane Grey. A powerful, absorbing picture.