Motion Picture News (Jan-Feb 1922)

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1274 Motion Picture News “A STAGE ROMANCE” (Fox) Artistic Achievement for Wm. Farnum THERE will doubtless be a great many among William Farnum’s following who will consider “ A Stage Romance ” his most artistic achievement. Certainly the Fox star has never had greater romantic opportunities than this picturization of Duma’s play based upon the life of the celebrated English tragedian, Edmund Kean. Perhaps the majority of his following will be disappointed not to find him in a picture which expresses more action. In our opinion it is his finest offering since he appeared in the Mormon stories by Zane Grey. Perhaps it will be over their heads. For one thing it goes back many years and may be called a costume drama. The proper definition of it would be to call it a character sketch of a truly colorful figure. And this sketch is filled with picturesque incident of a decidedly romantic nature. From this standpoint we cannot see how it will fail to carry appeal for those in search of illusion. There is so much to tell that the sponsors may be pardoned for revealing much of Kean’s life through the subtitles. We see how he rises to the heights from a cirqus acrobat; we discover that he was an idealist who placed woman on a pedestal and who would keep her there even though royalty would bring her down to earth. A gentleman, a philanthropist, a man of honor — he strove to keep to his ideals, even though eventually he was banished to America for daring to defy the Prince of Wales. Kean has two amours in this picture — one with a countess, the other with a stage-struck, hero-worshipping girl, who refuses to go out of his life even when he commands. Farnum has occasion to display a virile punch when he punishes a group of roustabouts determined to kidnap the girl. The big moment comes when he consents to give a charity performance and allows himself to suffer with temperament. He learns that his royal friend is faithless. So in a Hamlet scene he becomes pedantic and denounces the Prince from the stage. Farnum has presented a novelty here in “ A Stage Romance,” something entirely different from anything heretofore attempted. At this time when the screen is under fire, the character of Kean will do much to kindle a feeling of generosity. If the exhibitor will remember this note and exploit it so that press and pulpit and the general public can be influenced — then Famum’s picture will not have been made in vain. Director Herbert Brenon has produced it with a correct tempo, giving the scenes a splendid balance and marking the story with a fine atmosphere characteristic of the period. The cast is a large one and contains such excellent players as Holmes Herbert, Etienne Giradot and Paul McAllister. Peggy Shaw reveals a charming quaintness and screens wonderfully as the little stage-struck girl, while Myrtle Bonillas gives a sincere performance as the aristocratic lady. Length, 7 reels. — Laurence Reid. “BLUE BLAZES” (Western Pictures — Doubleday — State Rights) Action and Incident in This Western TPEY you Western action and incident in generous doses here. Blue Blazes,” which is being “ state-righted,” is likely sample of the characteristic, melodramatic slice of the open country, with a hero whose object is to knock villainy for the count. There is nothing original in the plot itself, but the director has crammed it with enough sure-fire touches to put over as a feature always interesting and sometimes thrilling. The spark of sympathy is ever being ignited not only because the hero has a man-size job on his hands frustrating the villain’s dastardly plans, but because the herome and her mother are constantly harassed to save the mortgage. The central figure is a pugilist, who, upon being held up by a group of tramps and deprived of his clothes and money, journeys to a ranch and. receives food and shelter. It doesn’t take any imagination to realize that this house harbors the heroine and her mother, who are being troubled about the mortgage. The young man champions them and because of his heroic qualities you instinctively feel that there is going to be something doing in the shape of “ he-man ” fights, guntoting and daring rescue work. You are not disappointed. He is arrested upon mistaken identity but manages to escape in time to foil the “heavy.” The latter is desirous of gaining possession of the property because it is rich in oil. The title carries a double meaning. The guns release a fire and there is a burning oil scene which is colorful and even thrilling. Some rescue work is interspersed with the action and plenty of hand-to-hand conflict. Later it is revealed that the hero is a pugilist. The picture is staged in appropriate atmosphere and since it contains a healthy sample of action and some suspense derived from the scenes and not from the story, there is no question that it carries a forceful appeal for this type of offering. It is a typical western melodrama constructed to release the elements of strife, pathos, heart interest and the inevitable romance. It is adventure tinctured by fiction rather than reality. Exhibitors should find it a good proposition for the fans who glory in Western stuff. Lester Cuneo portrays the hero with the necessary courage and his feminine lead is played in acceptable fashion by Francelia Billington. Length, 5 reels. — Laurence Reid. THE CAST Jerry Connors Lester Cuneo Mary Lee Francelia Billington Mrs. Lee Fannie Midgely Black Lanning Bert Sprotte Foreman of ranch Roy Watson Lawyer Philip Gastrook Directed by Robert Kelley. THE CAST Kean Anna Damby Prince of Wales Lord Melville Count Koefeld Salomon Mr. Sleeker Old Bob Darious (hairddresser) John (prizefighter) Stage Manager Bardolph Tom Needles (spy) Countess Amy, Countess of Goswill Kitty, the Blonde Gidsa Mrs. Bob Lady Anne Boyle Little Emily From play by Alexandre Dumas. Scenario by Paul H. Sloane. Directed by Herbert Brenon. Photography by Tom Molloy. ...William Farnum Peggy Shaw . . . Holmes Herbert Mario Carrillo . . . . Paul McAllister . . Etienne Gerardot .... Bernard Seigel . . . . Hal DeForrest ...Edward Kipling Harry Grip .Augustus Balfour Jack Collins , . Cuyler C. Supples ....Edward Boring ... Myrtle Bonillas Paula Shay Viva Verome . . Florence Kimball Florence Ashbrook .America Chedister .Ruth D. Goodwin PRESS NOTICE— STORY William Farnum is coming to the theatre next in what is said to be his greatest film achievement. It is the role of Edmund Kean, famous as England’s most gifted actor of all time. The picture is entitled “ A Stage Romance ” based upon a play by the gifted French author and playwright, Alexandre Dumas, and it gives to William Farnum the opportunities to flash his expression as a romantic actor. The story is rich in situation and incident and romance and pathos, too. It relates the romantic adventures of the famous Kean, an actor who rose from the circus to become the greatest interpreter of Shakespeare. Mr. Farnum has moments when he appears as Othello and Hamlet, and in the background is the tale of Kean himself — his amours — his willingness to sacerifice his fame and fortune to bring honor to the women of his heart. PROGRAM READER William Farnum comes to the theatre next in what is said to be his greatest screen achievement. This picture, presenting the celebrated Fox star, is adapted from a play by Alexandre Dumas, and relates the adventures and romances of Emund Kean, the famous English actor, who was banished to America for daring to denounce the Prince of Wales. The picture presents charming atmosphere of a period rich in English stage traditions. Kean, the famous actor, rose from the depths to become the greatest star of his time — a star who quite eclipses them all in the power of his emotion. PRESS NOTICE— STORY This Western picture entitled “ Blue Blazes,” features Lester Cuneo, who has achieved popularity through his capable performances in the past and it comes as the chief attraction of a well balanced program at the theatre next . The story concerns a successful pugilist who is held up by tramps m the sage-brush country and deprived of his clothes and money. Forced to become a hobo himself, he walks to the nearest ranch and is given food and shelter. Here he discovers that the mother and daughter are about to dispossessed and he becomes their champion. There is a villain desirous of_ obtaining the ranch and marrying the girl and Jerry Connors, the erstwhile prizefighter, defeats the plans of the vicious thug. Jerry is involved in several difficulties which include a couple of arrests. But he manages to escape and punish his enemy. The villain discovers oil on the property which brings into the story some melodramatic incident which has to do with a fire and a rescue scene from the flames. The picture is punctuated with typical western action of the gun-toting kind. Francelia Billington plays the heroine in an acceptable fashion while others include Bert Sprotte, Roy Watson and Fannie Midgely. PROGRAM READER . A picture typical of the rugged West — a picture crammed with fighting, smashing, crashing action and keen suspense — a picture of the big, open country of plains and mountains— a picture of the triumph of virtue over villainy — a picture of a picturesque pugilist who conquered his enemies through his strong hands and his indomitable courage. He came to the house begging for food and he remained to show his gratitude. It was lucky for the girl and her mother. “ Blue Blazes ” presents some crackling incident, several thrills, and colorful scenes which include sensational rescues and a picturesque fire. Lester Cuneo is the star, while Francelia Billington is the leading woman. “ Blue Blazes ” will appear at the ■ theatre next . SUGGESTIONS You can advertise this picture as a rugged document of the West. Express the fact that it carried a wealth of action and a goodly quantity of suspense. Make mention that it is typical of the big, open country. Tell that it carries thrills, adventure, heart interest, romance and colorful incident. Feature the fact that the hero inspires a sympathy because of the vicissitudes which beset his path. Tell that he is courageous enough to meet and conquer them. Mention that Lester Cuneo is the star. If he is not known to your patrons, the chance is yours to advertise him as a star likely to interest them. Bill his name. Play up Francelia Billington, who is appealing. Run stills of her. Play it up as a clever melodrama carrying the sure-fire incident which interests the spectator. CATCH LINES A picturesque and rugged photo-drama of the big, open country. A picture of a courageous hero who met his problems and solved them through his daring and perseverance. See Lester Cuneo in “ Blue Blazes.” He was a pugilist and he knew how to put up a battle. See the melodramatic offering crammed with action. See “ Blue Blazes.”