Motion Picture News (Jan-Feb 1922)

642 Motion Picture News “TURN TO THE RIGHT” (Rex Ingram-Metro) Successful Crook Play Makes Rattling Good Picture REX INGRAM has turned to that successful crook play of a few seasons ago, “ Turn to the Right,” for his latest screen expression. The subject, rich in the elements which build popularity, was destined for the silversheet. The inspiring theme of redemption, coupled with the vivid characterization and the plot incident have been excellently caught by the camera. June Mathis and Mary O’Hara have made an adaptation which carries the fidelity of the spoken version, and Mr. Ingram has embroidered it with deft touches, providing happy balances, well-rounded character sketches, and a subtle vein of humor. The central figure commands the deepest sympathy owing to the struggle which confronts him. Discouraged by his sweetheart’s hypocritical father, the youth goes to the city and turns to the left. He hobnobs with the associates of crime. Yet he keeps his balance even when sent to prison for a crime of which he is innocent. Mr. Ingram draws the picture — up to the release of the country boy — with deft, sure strokes, emphasizing the rural color, the intimate scenes of family life and the romantic spark with fine appreciation of their values. Pathos and humor go hand-in-hand, perfectly balanced. The city atmosphere is highly picturesque, the underworld figures being marvelous types. It is when the youth returns home, followed by his prison pals that the action fails to maintain its compactness of the early scenes. There is too much detail and the' bigger strokes are more or less sketched. Even the romance gives away to this intimate drawing, much of which reveals a peach orchard and the process of picking the fruit. There is too much emphasis given to unimportant scenes. However, the story always entertains even with this emphasis. One becomes acquainted with the crooks and sympathizes with them. Mr. Ingram has caught the pyschology of their redemption in excellent manner. Rich with humor is the scene showing them outwitting the old skinflint, robbing his safe and giving him back his own money. With some of the later incident dispensed with — such as a few romantic touches of the pals and their sweethearts, the action would be quickened. However, it is a splendid picture, painstakingly achieved, and with a convincing moral. Everything comes out all right in the end. The little mother inspires the crooks to turn to the right. Her philosophy of life — to believe the best — is caught by the spectator. He will react to it with keen appreciation. Pictorially, the play is richly decorated with atmosphere. Some of the characters may be overdrawn, as for instance, the grocery clerk who dresses according to the stage tradition and not according to life. The director has guided the players in a deft manner. He makes them feel their parts. The crooks played by Jack Mulhall, George Cooper and Harry Myers dominate the later scenes. All are pictures, especially Mr. Cooper. Alice Terry makes a lovely heroine, Lydia Knott, an old-fashioned mother, and Ed Connelly a vivid sketch of the old skinflint. “ Turn to the Right ” is a picture bound to score everywhere. — Length, 7,600 feet. — Laurence Reid. Elsie Tillinger . . . Joe Bascom Gilly Mugsy Deacon Tillinger Mrs. Bascom. . . . Betty Bascom. . . Jessie Strong. . . . Sammy Martin. . Mr. Morgan Lester Morgan . . THE CAST Alice Terry Jack Mulhall Harry Myers George Cooper Edward Connelly Lydia Knott Betty Allen Margaret Loomis William Bletcher Eric Mayne _ Ray Ripley By Winchell Smith and Jack Hazzard. Scenario by June Mathis and Mary O’Hara. Directed by Rex Ingram. Photographed by John F. Seitz. PRESS NOTICE— STORY The famous stage success, “ Turn to the Right,” has been adapted to the screen by June Mathis and Mary O’Hara for Metro and it comes to the theatre next as a Rex Ingram production. This is to say that it carries all the earmarks of success despite its popularity upon the stage. Mr. Ingram has again demonstrated his skill displayed in “ The Four Horsemen,” with the manner in which he makes this play live again. The simple villagers, the youth, who discouraged because of his sweetheart’s father refusing him permission to see her, going away to the city and turning to the left — the road to crime, the determination to keep to the straight path even when he is innocent and in jail, the prison pals who follow him home and help him in distress, the renewal of his love, the vindication which comes to him — these are intact. It is a pulsating drama, rich in its moral value, picturesque in types, colorful in intimate life of city and farm and throbbing with pathos and humor, romance and sentiment. It is splendidly staged and acted by a highly talented cast. PROGRAM READER “ Turn to the Right ” is coming to the ;. Manager ; takes great pleasure in announcing this production which is another screen triumph. As a play it scored a marvelous success. As a picture it is certain to duplicate its popularity. This throbbing, human slice of life — this humorous and pathetic and simple little story of redemption is presented here with all its fine qualities. Trust Mr. Ingram of “Four Horsemen” fame to give it a wonderful production. Skillfully acted, admirably adapted and staged, it is bound to entertain you. So come to the . Be prepared to see a real screen triumph. CATCH LINES He left the farm and turned to the left. And he paid the penalty. Did he turn to the right? “CAMERON OF THE ROYAL MOUNTED” (Ernest Shipman-Hodkinson) Vivid, Thrilling Dramatization — Interesting Departure ONE of the things that has not been overdone in picture making is realism. The screen version of Ralph Connor’s famous book, “ Corporal Cameron,” deviates in this respect. It is realistic in the extreme. No “sets” nor exteriors similar to the locale depicted could be substituted for the wonderful mountainous country of Northwest Canada. Therefore, the actual scenes described in the original story, the long winding trails, dangerous declines, steep water falls, etc., have been used with splendid results. The title role, a most difficult characterization, enacted by Gaston Glass, is a new departure for the young actor, and has been admirably done. That he is capable of appearing as a fast maturing boy in the first of the picture, and develops after he seeks the Canadian wilderness, into a rugged, well-built man, handling men twice his size and with apparently double strength, is hardly believable. Yet Mr. Glass never falters for a moment in any of the thrilling and perhaps hardest fought hand-to-hand encounters, although outnumbered many times. When he finally becomes “ Corporal Cameron,” his apt ability to wear a uniform and assume an unmistakable military bearing, add, consistently, to his performance. Vivienne Osborne, who plays the only feminine role of prominence, is appealing. She is easier in her scenes as the trained nurse, than in the first of the picture when she is cast as a demure country maiden, although her performance does not carry any great amount of weight. Here is a picture that will gratify the men. It is a man’s picture, the important parts all being well played by men who look them, especially Irving Cummings, a splendid type of ability necessary to characterize his prominent role. A word about the scenic value is due, some of the shots the most beautiful of their kind ever shown clear and intense, marvelous in length. The entire production, with the exception of a few necessary interiors, has been made in the mountains, with real snow, real Canadian woods and a platoon of real Canadian Royal Mounted Police, to great pictorial advantage. The story relates the activities of a young Scotchman of wealth and breeding. About to complete his course at Edinburgh, he is drawn into a friendly poker game with his school pals; also induced to take more to drink than is good for him, with the result that he finds himself a heavy “ loser,” and the check his father had given him for fifty pounds, missing. After the youngster has sobered up and returned to his school duties, his father’s visit interrupts. The check has been “ raised ” to five hundred pounds. The son does not remember whether he did it or not. Unable to prove he did not, and practically disowned, he seeks to hide his shame by leaving for parts unknown. His destination, Canadian forest country, finally offers work on a farm. It is there he meets the girl. What happens before he can clear his name, marry the girl and claim his birthright, incorporates thrilling melodrama, love interest and an idea of what life in Northwestern Canada is like. Runs seventy-two minutes. — Lillian R. Gale. THE CAST Corporal Cameron Raven Mandy Little Mandy Potts Jim Haley Directed by Henry MacRae. Original story by Ralph Connor. . ... .Gaston Glass . Irving Cummings Vivienne Osborne • ■ .Frank Lanning . . . George Larkin Joe Singleton PRESS NOTICE— STORY “ Corporal Cameron,” the great story of the Northwest, written by Ralph Connor has been dramatized for the screen under the title of “ Cameron of the Royal Mounted.” It comes to the on . The author, known the world over for his works such as “ Black Rock,” “ The Sky Pilot.” “ The Man from Glengarry ” and “ The Foreigner,” unconsciously laid out one of the greatest screen stories ever written, when he wrote the tale of the young Scotch lad, ready to graduate from school, who, because of a moment’s hesitation and weakness, endured hardships altogether unnecessary for one of his birthright. But it made a thorough man of him, made him at last, one of the envied mounted police, Canada’s “ Royal Mounted.” It has scenic value, love interest, is commendably acted and will be most gratifying to lovers of Canada, as well as followers of stories of the rugged, brave and thoroughly manly recruits in the" MountedPolice.” PROGRAM READER In “ Cameron of the Royal Mounted,” which will appear at this theatre on Gaston Glass will be seen in the title role. You recall the young lad who played the idolized son of the Jewish mother in “ Humoresque? ” The same who played the poet, innocently causing all the trouble in “ The World and His Wife? ” The same. Gaston Glass, will surprise you in “ Cameron of the Royal Mounted,” when he indulges in some of the most realistic and hard fought hand to hand battles ever seen on the screen. CATCH LINES There is no use to run. If the “ Royal Mounted ” are on your trail — they’ll get you! A vivid story of the Northwest Mounted. A screen drama filled with action and adventure. The lure of the great outdoors. The romance of the Northwest.