Motion Picture News (Jan-Feb 1922)

1056 Motion Picture N ez< 44 Monkey Shines ” (Campbell Comedy — Two Reels — Released Through Educational) WS. CAMPBELL, instead of relying • simply upon the cunning tricks of cunning children here offers a blend of juvenile hokum and pathos. With the increase of such story interest, there is a natural diminishing of comedy. A new youngster plays the lead. He is a chubby little chap, who is trying to support an invalid mother by shining shoes. The monkey and dog are his pets. These animals aid him to get business by spreading a newspaper over a mud puddle at a street crossing. When the policeman falls into the trap, the boy’s troubles begin. But when he rescues the policeman’s little girl as she plays on the railroad track, everything turns out pretty. His mother and the policeman find romance. The production is up to the average of Mr. Campbell’s few preceding pictures. • — MATTHEW A. TAYLOR. 44 Felix Saves the Day ” (M. J. Winkler Cartoon Series — State Rights) «<17'ELIX,” Pat Sullivan’s versatile cat, who r cut up didoes in Paramount magazine for some time previously, now steps forth in an animated cartoon series all by himself. “Felix Saves the Day” is the first of the series. “Felix” now acts with human characters. He is drawn into photographs. In this reel he climbs up the Metropolitan tower in New York and sits on the flagpole. The subject matter is provided by baseball. “Felix’s” team is losing, so to save the day, the cat hits the ball far skyward. It rebounds from the head of Joe Pluvius, who in anger, sends down the deluge. The game is called and the team saved from ignominious defeat. “Felix” is a delightful cartoon character. He is given a distinct personality. There are some really humorous and many pleasant moments in this first subject. — MATTHEW A. TAYLOR. 44 Stage Struck ” (Pollard-Roach Comedy-Pathe) THIS comedy is a travesty on the old “ barnstorming ” theatrical days and presents the sad-eyed Pollard as a stage-struck young man who steps into the performance, filling the part of the hero when the leading man develops a temperamental streak. The opening shot finds Snub dodging the cop on duty at the stage door. He manages to elude him and enters just as the thrilling rescue act is being enacted. The leading man is fired and Pollard steps into the character and convulses the audience with his caricature of a Civil War general. The officer’s horse tips over the fortress and when the leading man out of r-r-r-r-r-r-evenge sets off a batch of fireworks in the balcony, the theatre is thrown into a turmoil. The climax is an amusing one and sending sky-rockets upon the innocent thespians seems like a new stunt. Cabbages and rotten eggs and fruit are replaced by a healthier kind of bombardment. The comedy is certain to raise a chuckle or three. Length 1 reel. — LAURENCE REID. 44 With Stanley in Africa ” (18 Episode Serial-Universal) UNIVERSAL is deserving of the highest encouragement in its ambition to visualize the moving chapters of history. This long neglected mine of drama, adventure and character drawing has been opened in regard to the pioneer expedition to the gold fields in ’49 — surely a vivid chapter in the development of America. And Universal, sensing the importance of bringing color and form and moving drama to the famous Stanley expedition of 1871 — the object of which was to search for Livingstone and find him if possible — has repeated the glowing pictures revealed in the other serial “ Winners of the West.” Universal has started something. Page after page — a regular outline of history can be recorded by the camera, and the field is limitless. History for the first time takes on the form of adventure. The cold, printed word is replaced by the camera lens and the result is an achievemment that should be welcomed by every educator in the land. “ With Stanley in Africa ” records the vivid chapters of the Stanley expedition. This is the central background around which a modern story is constructed for pure romance purposes. Thus the spectator is being treated to historical facts and he is not losing any romantic adventure in the bargain. The erstwhile Dark Continent offers a great scoop for the camera. True a few jungle slices have been offered in various serials — but they are only slices. The very suggestion of Stanley’s name opens up vistas to the mind of the spectator. He is reveling in unexplored lands. Suspense is measured out in the disasters which constantly threaten him. From the moment that George Walsh as a scientific explorer, commissioned by a newspaper to get in touch with Stanley, leaves for Africa, the edventure takes on an appeal which is irresistible. A rival paper sends a woman reporter who must keep in touch with Walsh. And thus the romance is deftly introduced. History and fiction go hand in hand and the result is an emphasized story interest. The opening reels disclose a vivid fire scene — which looks like the real thing. Thrills are not long in accumulating. And then comes an inkling of what to expect in the shape of mysLorraine in their attempt to reach Stanley, terious plotting to harass Walsh and Leota Kidnapping scenes are balanced with some a ; letic rescue work by the star. The direc i has added some first rate atmosphere, and • < extras and other members of the cast lc ' genuine. A minor flaw in the up-to-date p ^ tern of the explorers’ clothes will be ov looked in the fast-moving array of events. 1 picture possesses great historical value as from its stimulating melodramatic quality 44 The Ranger ” (Sunset-Berrud Polychrome — One Re< ' WITH an orchestra playing the Largo fr< : Dvorak’s “New World Symphon; this beautifully tinted scenic of the far-off plat ; entitled “ The Ranger ” takes an appeal, t force of which is irresistible. Towering mot j tains, deep valleys, transparent lakes — the visl : of nature as discovered in the country beyo : the Rockies — these are vividly present* • Against these backgrounds is silhouetted t ranger, mounted and ready for the call to dt or romance. The Largo movement as play by the Capitol theatre gives this an enchai ment that is certain to be felt by everyone w has an eye for color and form. That fitti music embellishes a picture cannot be deni* Dvorak's crooning notes make “The Range a harmonious tone poem. — LAURENCE REI 44 Circus Clowns ” (Century-Universal) THIS Century introduces Baby Peggy a Brownie, the “ wonder ” dog, as the st performers of a country circus. While it a one-ring affair, there is enough amusing m ments to keep one from looking around in va for the other two rings. Brownie does his a while Peggy in the role of ring-master guid him through his yaces. The little tot then ft lows with a bare-back riding specialty. T parents are frantic in their search for the i fant prodigy and they engage a detective help locate her. The man of the law manag to get behind the scenes and run away wi Peggy, but he is followed by the brutal circ owner. Everything ends happily. The fin scene shows Brownie attempting to capture mouse and his determination causes the hou to be wrecked. “ Circus Clowns ” is good k stuff and up to the other releases which fe tured the babv and the dog.— Length 2 reels. LAURENCE REID. ii TT was eminently successful because it is a clean, wholesome I American story, and earned the applause the capacity audience gave it. There is in ‘ The Prodigal Judge ’ action enough to suit those who seek it; laughs for those who seek humor, and there is also romance. These are the three things that go to make up the sort of picture the public demands today. It provides quite a contrast to a certain questionable type of scenario dealing with sex problems. The public is surfeited with this sort. This was shown by the approval of last night’s show in this drawing-room-like theatre. “ Jean Paige was the featured member of the cast, while Maclyn Arbuckle and David Torrence as the old judge, a most lovable vagabond, and Mahaffy, a sour but loyal companion, respectively, were the outstanding members of the cast. To give the merits of one would be giving those of the two others, and they deserve the best. The trio was ably supported by the others in the cast.” — NEW YORK EVENING TELEGRAM. Branch Managers Wanted Distributing Organization — Non-theatrical field. National in Scope — First Run Program Plan. Can use a few more live wire experienced men as Branch Managers. Percentage basis. You must maintain small headquarters in your territory. We will back you up with national advertising and cooperate with you in the field. The men we want must earn $15,000.00 a year on our proposition or we don't want them. This is your big chance no matter where you are. All replies will be considered as confidential. State age, experience and present position. 323 Union League Building DEPARTMENT E Los Angeles, Calif.