Motion Picture News (Jan-Feb 1922)

February 4 , 1922 891 44 Science at Home ” (Kineto Review — One Reel — Released Through National Exchanges) PROF. F. F. SMITH, of London demonstrates some simple electrical experiments in this reel, all of which can be executed by amateurs with no other material than can be found in any American home. It is a reel which will be of unusual ' interest to those boys and young men who are beginning to find that the mysteries of electricity, its properties, and effects, extremely fascinating. A static electrical machine is made from two phonograph records, pasted with tinfoil. The further development of the machine is made simple to the audience by detail, after which follows some scenes showing the results which may be obtained. These are interesting shots. — MATTHEW A. TAYLOR. 44 Primitive Life in Tennessee ” (Kineto Review No. 91 — One Reel — Released Through National Exchanges) THE mountaineers of Tennessee have won the reputation of being among the most picturesque people of America, and this Kineto Review offers proof that they deserve the name. There are no modern improvements in the Lookout Mountain region. The people are still in the pioneer epoch. They live in log cabins, and the house wife does everything from sheering the sheep to combing and spinning the wool. The old farmer lights his pipe with flintlock and tinder-box. Candles are home made by pouring tallow into moulds, and the man of the house makes his own spoons from pewter. After providing a clear idea of the simple, provident lives of these people, the pictures shows some exterior scenes of impressive grandeur.— MATTHEW A. TAYLOR. 44 Hokus Pokus ” (Christie Comedy — Two Reels — Released Through Educational Exchanges, Inc.) BOBBY VERNON comes to the fore in this Christie comedy, after quite an absence. It is a rural comedy, and the “opery house” plays a large part in the story. The back stage scenes are well done and the types in the audience are carefully selected. The story concerns a magician who is to give an exhibition of his art to the villagers. He selects Bobby and his girl for his assistants. Of course, Bobby can’t do anything correctly. He shoves the goose up through the wrong trap door, and he uses force when he believes the magician has stabbed his sweetheart. For a climax there is a robbery executed by the former assistants of the professor. The jewelry, collected from the audience, disappears, and Bobby and the girl are wrongfully accused. But our hero straightens things out and catches the real crook. Vernon does some Russian dancing in semislow motion which is effective. In his close-ups his facial contortions are very emphatic. Josephine Hill is the girl. — MATTHEW A. TAYLOR. 44 So This Is London! ” (Prizma — One Reel) THE city of London carries enough atmosphere to charm the world. The American, the German, the Frenchman, the Italian — each responds to this immense center of life. Its history,' its glamour, its medieval lore brought down to the present day — these are all there for the interest of the traveler or picturegoer. If the latter is unable to avail himself of the pleasures to be gained by an actual visit, all he needs to do is to watch the theatre where the Prizma reel is showing. He will be rewarded as if he stood in Piccadilly Circus or along the Thames Embankment or gliding along in a London bus. The color scheme brings out richly the flower “girl”— an old lady to be correct — and the sidewalk artist, who draws anything for the sake of the shilling. The spectator mounts a bus, rides by the Houses of Parliament, takes in St. Paul’s and the Nelson Monument, travels on to the hour when the new guard displaces the old guard at St. James’s Palace. This is a pompous ceremony. It is all done with much color and atmosphere — a tribute of medieval days. The guards in their red coats and high buffers going through their military maneuvers — a ceremony which always attracts a crowd — is the crowning climax of a study which should find a nifty place on any program.— LAURENCE REID.. 44 Bright Eyes ” (Mack Sennett Comedy-First National) YOU merely have to glance at the title to understand that Ben Turpin is the star of this sparkling comedy from the Sennett lots. The comedian with the gifted eyes has a sure gloom-chaser here for it gives him the best opportunities he has had in some time. As long as Turpin has been appearing in pictures the directors have failed to take advantage that his face might stop a clock. But he glances at the time-piece on the mantel and the pendulum ceases to swing. He looks in a mirror and it breaks. Ben is up to other tricks here. He is aided in inspiring laughter by a rich assortment of clever titles — all of which have the true comedy spirit. The girl sends Billy Bevan, the butler, after a ham. Billy dons his Eskimo suit and goes into the refrigerator to bring it forth. Do you want to know Ben’s occupation? Well — he is in oil. His fame has preceded him, and after he has been ejected from the rich mamma’s house, he is finally admitted and paid the proper attention. But villains are at work and Ben gets the air when mamma is made to believe that he is an imposter. Ben doesn’t care. Why? The prettiest girl is the kitchen slavey. He gets aboard the flivver and has a thrilling time — thrilling for the audience, too. Trains just miss him. A sample of capitalizing Ben’s trick eyes is seen when he is eating or drinking the soup. He puts the spoon in his neighbor’s dish, thinking it his own until called attention to the breach of etiquette. “ Bright Eyes ” will make bright faces everywhere. Just book it and see for yourself. — Length, 2 reels. — LAURENCE REID. 44 Shipwrecked Among Animals ” ( Century Comedy — Universal ) THE cannibals are missing here and in their place are the animals. Harry Sweet carries on the antics here. He is discovered shipwrecked on a South Sea Island, attempting to impress his personality upon a native daughter. But the animals are too plentiful and too wild and Harry is forced to seek safety in flight. Universal, as the title indicates, has burlesqued its feature production, “ Shipwrecked Among the Cannibals,” and the tomfoolery is not long in arriving. The shipwreck scene itself is good for a hearty laugh. Harry fits a life-saver upon the dog and makes his way to the telephone booth. The wire is busy. The comedy releases other comic ideas too; which taken collectively makes it far above the average of its kind. Length 2 Reels. — LAURENCE REID. 44 One Stormy Knight ” (Christie Comedy — Two Reels — Released Through Educational Exchanges, Inc.) AS is usual with Christie comedies, “ One Stormy Knight ” is built upon stronger material than mere senseless slapstick. There is a story behind this action, and it provides opportunity for continual fun and some healthy laughs. It is all about a prize fight fan whose ticket for a big bout is stolen by his wife. But hubby sneaks off anyway, and wife, just as determined to see the fight, disguises as a man, and goes to her reserved seat. After this scene, which is well staged, comes the plot developments. A stag party is in progress, but there are thirteen at table, so wifie, still in man’s clothes, is requisitioned. The party ends in wild confusion when the second wife unexpectedly returns. The guests are hid in all parts of the house. Here is a wild mix-up, which is complicated when the female prize fight fan changes to a woman’s apparel and is discovered by the wife. There is considerable fun before the tangle is straightened out. Dorothy Devore is featured. — MATTHEW A. TAYLOR. 44 Schoolday Love ” (Campbell Comedy — Two Reels — Released Through Educational Exchanges) WS. CAMPBELL does not seem to quite • be able to equal his first release for Educational, “ The Stork’s Mistake.” His latest, “ Schoolday Love,” is an othodox “ kid ” comedy, well packed with those little cute gags which make for a good reception by an audience, and enacted by a couple of youngsters who know how to make the most of their childish appeal. It should, therefore, prove satisfactory at the box office, even if the action is along familiar lines. The cast consists chiefly of a little boy, a littler girl, a monkey, dog and mule. The boy has a patent automobile, with a dog on a treadmill providing the motive power. The girl rides to school on the mule, with the monkey to keep her company. The youngsters are left for a time and the audience follows the fortune of a schoolmaster who is chased by a bear. Then comes the climax — the burning of a cabin and the rescue of the two children by the animals. These animals are well trained and a neat thrill is provided. — MATTHEW A. TAYLOR. 44 Peace and Quiet ” (Eddie Lyons Comedy — Two Reels — Released by Arrow Film Corp.) EDDIE LYONS, veteran comedian that he is, has brought out a rattling fine comedy for Arrow in this release. It is fast moving, and draws its material largely from the “haunted house” idea — an idea which can be worked cleverly for any number of laughs. “ Peace and Quiet ” has a whirlwind introduction. Eddie plays the part of a new editor. The typical chaotic newspaper office is pictured. To get revenge, a copy boy mixes the type so that a debutante is described as “ wanted by the police” This is one of the many “journalistic bones ” flashed on the screen. The editor goes to a sanatarium for peace and quiet. So does the debutante who has been libeled. The sanatarium houses also a bootlegger and a superstitous housemaid. To secure solitude the bootlegger poses as a ghost and as a result the patients get anything but peace and quiet. There will be continual laughter during this ghost sequance, for the gags are sure fire and consistent .—MATTHEW A. TAYLOR.