Motion Picture News (Jan-Feb 1922)

1267 February 25, 1922 “THE SONG OF LIFE” (John M. Stahl-First National) A DOLL’S HOUSE” (United Artists) A Different “ Mother ” Story; a Real Dramatic Treat THE story value of John M. Stahl’s latest production is near the hundred per cent. mark. It is a different treatment ot an attractive theme— a woman revolting against a sordid home life in her desire for luxury. It is a splendid screen drama, which never fails to convince, and because of this quality of sincerity, it stamps Mr. Stahl once more as a director of unusual merit The “ mother story,” which allows its central character to ma e a succession of sacrifices for her child, is ordinary enough, but Mr. Stahl gives us a mother who lives to redeem herself for a wrong done to her child in babyhood. He paints the pathos of this woman s life in rich colors; he shows the pitiful tenderness of her soul as she tries to win back her son’s love and yet keep her identity hidden from him. She sees this son’s wife on the point of making the same m stake which she made in her early life. She understands the longing that fills the girl’s soul when her life is but a drab existence in the New York tenement district, and her heart calls for a life of gayety and about the denouement. The husband shoots the man who is winning his wife away from him, and the old lady, st keeping her identity hidden, tries to shield him. Here are some police court scenes which rank with those in the foremostof the crook plays. The officials will not believe her. Her son is to be accused Then, although she knows that her son’s heart is filled with contempt for the mother he hardly remembers, she makes herself known She must assign a logical motive for his confession of crime. And so it is that the boy is cleared of suspicion, although he protests his guilt. To save the floppy ending, Mr. Stahl has the wounded man recover and refuse to press the charge, claiming that the shooting was simply accidental. The climax is one of real power; it is dramatic conflict t IDire<ftor Stahl rounds out his production by some comedy scenes, in which a monkey with the funniest face and mannerisms the screen has ever seen, plays a leading part. Little curly-headed Richard n^The* action ShXter part of the feature is laid entirely in the New York slums, and the atmosphere is established in a decided, convincing manner. Georgia Woodthorpe gives a vivid performance as the mother. She feels her pathos, and she can make an audience feel it without overacting. Gaston Glass gives his u^^^ltab 5 performance as the boy. The young wife is Grace Darmond, and Arthur Stuart Hull, in a small bit as the District Attorney, impresses with his naturalness. Length, 6,920 feet. — Matthew A. Taylor. THECAST Gaston Glass David Grace Darmond Aline Tilden Georgia Woodthorpe Mary Tilden Richard Headrick Neighbor s Boy | . Arthur Stuart Hull District Attorney ...Edward Peil Amos Tilden ....Fred Kelsey Police Inspector. Claude Payton Central Office Man.... ■ V ’ ’ i' ' ’ni' 'qL’m Directed by John M. Stahl. Photography by Ernest Palmer. Scenario by Bess Meredyth. PRESS NOTICE— STORY “ The Son? of Life.” an engrossing story of a woman s life-long struggle for ^ fli^f gripping dram?K^n luxury? but in vain. And when, years later, the opportunity comes to save another WTacnapa°b?e ^adS^Th I ?r^SductimlawasCd?e?^ab?0JohnC(M(^tahb °who_?^pn3duced^;he only fo^yeYrro^, £i& H^dricI^^ G rerfra k 3 “CThe Son? ofWLif e^,aSwBl 6be ^hown S ^ days, beginning . PROGRAM READER . . . , her — save her even at the cost of her own life. ___ “The Song of Life,” which will be the feature attraction at the theatre on —— is as gripping a story as has reached the screen in many a dav It is a John M. Stahl production with Gaston Glass and Grace Darmond in threading roles Others in the cast include little Richard Headrick Georg a Woodthorpe and Arthur Stuart Hull, all popular screen players especially little Richard Headrick, who is one of the best liked child players on the screen. CATCH LINES ... u A story of a woman who placed finery and1; pretty that was as dull and monotonous as the desert in which she lived. Years later sne discovered her mistake. You will enjoy seeing The Song of Life, the JohnJVI. Stahl production which will be the feature attraction at the on • Good Production of Famous Stage Play TRIANGLE did Henrick Ibsen’s “A Doll’s House” in 1916, Universal made it in ’17 with Dorothy Phillips and Famous, ditto, in T8, Elsie Ferguson being the star and now Nazimova selects this famous “ high brow ” play as a vehicle. The result, from the standpoint of the fan, especially Nazimova fans, is undoubtedly the best production to be made, the reason being that the Ibsen stuff has been very largely denatured. The picture is simply the story of a young wife who after making a great sacrifice to save her husband’s life, finds him unworthy of her love and decides to leave him. In evolving a picture play from the original script, no actual liberties have been taken with the plot. Action and incident, even though rather trivial, has been substituted for words and the characters move about and get over effectually and without the excessive use of titles, all that is necessary in unfolding the plot. How well the picture will please the aggressive, however, is another matter. Lovers of Ibsen may object because the Ibsen touch is missing. Those who know little of Ibsen and considerable about pictures, may think that the plot lacks punch and is rather trite. The picture is well acted. Nazimova has corrected many of her late acting faults in that she displays no disposition to pose and is truly effective in her emotional scenes. The supporting cast is flawless being good types and proving excellent foils for the star. The production as a whole is adequate. Good sets have been provided and the photoplay and camera work are satisfactory. Also considering that the dramatic strength of the plot is not great, an excellent continuity has been evolved. The picture makes no attempt to be foreign in atmosphere and is presented as a drama which might happen anywhere. Length, 7 reels. — J. S. Dickerson. THE CAST Torvald . Helmer ^azimov? Nora, his wife ; ’ ’ ’ ’ ; ; ; ; i ! ; ! Nigel De Brulier Dr. Rank..... Elinor Oliver Mrs. Linden ............ Phillippe De Lacy i,var Barbara Maier Adapted from Henrik Ibsen’s play of the same name. Directed by Charles Bryant. Scenario by Peter M. Winters. Photographed by Charles Van Enger. PRESS NOTICE— STORY At last Nazimova is to be seen on the screen in one of the great Ibsen plays in which she gained recognition as our foremost English-speaking actress. She has adapted Henrik Ibsen’s “ A Doll’s House ” one of the discussed^plays in modern literature, and will appear in it at the theatre tor an engage m Nazhnova plays the lame role in the screen version of this famous play, released by United Artists, as she did on the stage, that of Nora the affectionate little wife who is willing to sacrifice all to her inconsiderate husband. It is a tremendous drama of life and because of the world-wide storm of discussion it aroused has been one of the chief instruments used by the advocates of Feminism in their long continuing struggle for the recognition of Woman s right to frame her destiny. PROGRAM READER u , Every human emotion is pictured, and all the elements of a . really great Ph°t°Play arft?be found in “A Doll’s House,” which the great Nazimova, who made this play tremendously popular on the speaking stage, has transferred to the screen in her first production for United Artists, and which will be seen next at There is comedy and pathos, even to the point of laughter and tears, according to the theatre management; there is humor in the situations wherein Nora, the , n j:,.. wife the character pictured by Nazimova, makes her odd and ludicrous mfit'akes Ts a housekeeper6 anPd as a mother of two beautiful children and a tiny infant and there is the lesson for all women every where_ that brings °utthebig poinT’in the play, namely, that every woman has the right to control her own destiny, to the development of her own individuality and personality. SUGGESTIONS Get after the leading woman’s club, women’s political organizations, local card and dancin° clubs and similar groups of women banded together for purely social purposes even the welfare organizations in whatever big industries there may be Fn'the6 community? Window displays in connection with Ibsen can be easily arranged. Also work with the public libraries. p showing for influential people should be easy to arrange. CATCH LINES Ibsen’s most famous play, Nazimova’s great stage vehicle and one of the greatest of modern classics brought to the screen. As in the play, Nazimova has a perfect vehicle for her particular talents. She brings Ibsen to the screen in all its beauty. A classic of the stage with the star who made it famous in America playing the same role. A great picture and a great vehicle for Nazimova. A dramatization of Ibsen’s greatest play. Nazimova inbet best role in “A Dolls House.” A story which reveals every quality of the womans soul. As powerful a drama as has reached the screen in many a mo°n. I' ful play, “ A Doll’s House,” rich in pathos and drama, filmed witn nazimova the leading role.