Motion Picture News (Jan-Feb 1922)

February 4 , 1922 893 <( SATURDAY NIGHT (Famous Players — Lasky) u “THE RULING PASSION” (United Artists) Mismated Marriages Theme Given Original Treatment Ur>,ATURDAY NIGHT” is rather a peculiar offering for a De Mille picture. The first three or four reels are typical, relatUj ing through original and entertaining incident, titles, etc., what happened to bring about the marriage of a society bud to her chauffeur and of a rich young business man, fiance of the girl referred to, to the daughter of his laundress. Then comes a series of sequences, rather on the farce comedy order, in which the “ oil and water will not mix ” idea is gotten over. Following this is some melodrama— a very well done fire scene with the heroine rescued in a realistic manner. In the end the wives and husbands are explained as having been divorced, with the chauffeur happily married to the laundress and the other two deciding to try double harness together also. The picture carries suspense, especially on the outcome of the story, but it is possible that the ending may not be entirely satisfactory to some of the fans. The treatment, the theme, mis-mated marriages, has received gives the two people of the “ 400 class ” all the best of it. The wife who has always been used to luxury until her marriage, loves her husband and wants to stick to him. Likewise the husband who has married the erstwhile laundress is unwilling to call quits. It is the other pair, bearing perfectly good Irish names, who insist on the divorces so they may marry. The picture has been splendidly produced and is very well acted. It looks as if it might be cut to advantage in the sequences devoted to showing why “ oil and water won’t mix,” but also there is some comedy in these scenes that are sure of getting over with audiences. Acting honors go to Conrad Nagel and Leatrice Joy, probably because of more opportunities, and because their roles are sympathetic. The unusually large cast given place on the program is simply an oddity. Most of the parts except those of the first four players listed are only bits. Even Theodore Roberts appears in only one sequence. Length, 8,433 feet. — J. S Dickerson. THE CAST Iris Van Suydam Dick Prentiss 'Shamrock O’Day 'Elsie, Dick’s sister Mrs. Prentiss Uncle Mrs. O’Day The Count Tompkins The Professor By Jeanie MacPherson. Directed by Cecil B. DeMille. Leatrice Joy .... Conrad Nagel . • . .Edith Roberts Julia Faye • Edythe Chapman Theodore Roberts .... Sylvia Ashton . . .John Davidson James Neill" Winter Hall PRESS NOTICE— STORY Revealing a society marital mix-up of exceptional interest, Cecil B. De Mille’s Saturday Night,” will be shown at the theatre next The theme, which proves that men and women who marry outside of their own environment frequently find time to repent their rashness is said to be admirably presented. The plot revolves around a young man and woman of high social standing in life and another couple of humble origin and surroundings who by a peculiar twist of fate are led to the altar by a reversal of the usual scheme of things The fashionable young man weds the daughter of a laundress and the aristocratic girl jelopes with her chauffeur. The wealthy youth cannot bring himself to the level of his spouse who delights in trips to Coney Island. On the other hand the chauffeur has the conventional idea of the middle class and lower strata that a bath should be indulged in only on Saturday night. In fact he is of the same cloth as the poor girl who married the wealthy scion. How they come to realize their error and ultimately are brought together in more congenial ties, makes a thoroughly satisfying story — one filled with human touches, and typically De Mille action. Leatrice Joy, Conrad Nagel, Edith Roberts and Jack Mower are the leading players. The story was written by Jeanie MacPherson, one of the most gifted writers for the screen. PROGRAM READERS A" intimate story of love that rushed too soon in marriage. One woman — hi: W“e , he other — the wife of his friend. It is a noveltv. this nicture entitle! Saturday Night directed by Cecil De Mille. It treats of an heiress who weddei her chauffeur, of a washerwoman s daughter who married a son of wealth o these four, thrown together and facing a strange new world. See the breath-stoppim rescue over the side of the railroad bridge! See the terrible tenement fire! Se the sensational bathing dance of New York’s revellers! See Coney Island’s host at play and the accident that shocked society! It carries all the crash and ting] of the vividest melodrama and the poignant heart-tug of life. It is a picture o ^^.m%rr,,agceSr^i£°T ?eo.pl,e endeavoring to upset the conventions. “ Saturda' Night. Colorful title isn t it? The feature will be at the — nex SUGGESTIONS This De Mille production should be exploited for its novelty. You should stre< the features detailed in the Program Reader. Stage a fitting prologue— filled wit :olor and imagination. Your lobby can exploit the stills— and you can put ot :ompo-boards of the startling rescue. Bill it as another De Mille master pictur. Emphasize that it carries a fine theme treated in novel and daring fashion Pla jp the cast— the four leading players are all well known. And the title is colorfi ind unique. You should get a lot of attention from it in any manner which vo lt: Play »t up far in advance. Get people thinking about the title an vhat it suggests. Window card cut-outs will be furnished by your nearest exchang Use them Link .up with stores for such co-operation. Bill it as a novel dram pf life and romance, action and suspense. CATCH LINES A heart-stirring romance of every angle of New York life. With a brilliant ca' |md a dazzle of beauty and pleasure. See Cecil De Mille’s “ Saturday Night.” If an heiress eloped with her chauffeur and a millionaire married his prett laundress — what would their wedded lives be like? See “ Saturday Night.” P Great Entertainment ; the Gem of the Season HERE is a picture which didn’t cost a million dollars, but it ought to gross a million which is a lot more important to everybody. Nothing quite so delightfully human, truly humorous, likable and entertaining has come through this season. There isn’t much drama to “ The Ruling Passion ” and no heroics or thrills. It is just a simple little story about a business man who retires to rest and discovers that rest for him means not only rust but positive boredom combined with an alarming decline in health. Finally he goes into partnership with a young chap under an assumed name, regains his health, gets a fine young fellow for a sonin-law and has a good time beating an unscrupulous rival in the garage business. Mr. Arliss as a comedian is a revelation. His pantomime is expressive and subtle; his characterization is sharply defined and always pleasing. However, the success of the picture is in no way entirely due to the star. There is a fine cast of types and a fine co-ordination of effort in every role. Doris Kenyon whose screen portrayals are well known to fans, does the best work of her career. Edward J. Burns makes a likable hero and Ida Darling, playing the part of the business man’s wife, scores also. “The Ruling Passion” is an adaptation of a S. E. P. story by Earl Deer Biggers. In its screen form it represents the kind of picture that press and public alike, in big towns and small ones, will not only approve but go out of their way to boost. There is no maudlin sentiment, no cheap thrills, no theatricals, no off color scenes, no domestic problem, to offend or with some, to disgust. It is as "clean and sweet as any “ Pollyanna ” picture ever made without being trite or stereotyped. It carries interest from scene to scene simply by its narrative. You like the characters. You like the theme and you want it to come out just the way you know it is going to. “ The Ruling Passion ” brings to the screen a new director in Harmon Weight, and what he has delivered indicates that a genius has been discovered, for “The Ruling Passion” is flawless technically. Continuity, lightings, tempo and camera angles are perfection. All in all, it is another “ Skinner’s Dress Suit ” and that is saying a lot — Length, 6,700 feet. — J. S. Dickerson. THE CAST James Alden Angie Alden “ Bill ” Merrick . Mrs. Alden ’ . . ' . . ." Peterson Carter Andrews “ ai ” ..'.'.'.v.'.'.'.'.'.:;."" ■ Dr. Stillings i . . . By Earl Derr Biggers. Scenario by Forrest Halsey. Directed by Harmon Weight. Photographed by Harry A. Fishbeck. ■ • ■ • George Arliss . . . Doris Kenyon • Edward J. Burns Ida Darling ■ .J. W. Johnston ..Ernest Hilliard Harold Waldrige .... Brian Darley George Arliss in a new role; in a characterization different from anything this famous star ever has portrayed either on the stage or screen. George Ariiss Is the star in a comedy-drama, with all the superb artistry, the speaking gestmef the deft touches and clear-cut pantomime for which he is famous This is the promise of the management of the — theatre which announces thl engagement of the new Arliss photoplay, “ The Ruling Passion,” founded upon EaHDerJ Biggers story Idle Hands,” which will be shown next — . 6 the ? philanthropist, a retired manufacturer of automobiles who refuses to remain idle in his retirement. Adventures multiply as Jame7 Alden fnSwTvh^e -nameu°, John Gr,ant ” ^ day and mends automobifes in a gtrage am H hjh J® a half-owner with a young man who unwittingly falls in lovf with Alden s daughter. It is a picture marked for its deft shading of character foTits intimate comedy, for its snug romance. Mr. Arliss is supported by a ckst that “The Kenyon, Edward J. Burns, Ida Darling, J. W. Johnston and others The Ruling Passion offers a good argument that it is better to work than of health" retirement and that working is better than rest for anyone in search PROGRAM READERS You have heard of people living a dual life. Usually they have a dual existence which makes them honorable by day-time and criminal by night. The rich clubman and stock broker or man of affairs may pursue honorable dealings in the broad daylight. He may be a representative of the most sterling integrity. Yet he may fi>e»rlCwlmaJy l!iCllrfd m!h\ But here comes a picture which presents a man a double life for the fun of it— or rather for the fun of retaining his bfaHh George Arliss is the star— which is enough to state that it is superbly , H? Pjays the part of a wealthy retired manufacturer of automobiles. At night he is the polished clubman, the man of social position. By dav he is a 'f,°n=ILi1,n a %arage" Thus hjs, brushing with the common world makes him a philasopher and keeps him at balance with things. It is a change of environment ^%profits ,?y 'V, S.° come and be royally entertained by this interesting feature, The Ruling Passion.” At the next „ . SUGGESTIONS Here is George Arliss again in a superb role — which he makes the most of witf PJS, exceptional histrionic gifts. Make mention that the star who flashed his talen iwr.it he D«5vl1 iUand Disraeli is here again, demonstrating his superb artistry, Make mention that a notable cast assists him— a cast including Doris Kenyon J W JpbustPJ1 a"4 others equally well known. Your crowd is familiar with ; few of them. So play up the personalities. Tell that the picture is a semi-humorou; account of a man who refused to retire after he had announced his retirement. Hi discovered that rest would not do him as much good as work. But this worl JTovSeltve ™ tw w d'fferent occupation Play up this plot and emphasize its noveny. . Tell that Earl Derr Biggers, author of many stories and plays wrote thi su|gyest°eTfromythe"heme A prolo&ue carryillg real nove!ty can b<