Motion Picture News (Mar-Apr 1922)

2218 easy money. He has his prison pal with him. But after seeing his boyhood sweetheart and learning that she is being swindled along with other relatives he decides to go straight and frustrate the plans of the oil sharks. He operates a fake gusher and succeeds in spoiling their scheme. They have considerable money which they have mulcted from the townspeople and he sells out for the sum which they have collected. When they attempt to make a getaway he catches them and restores the money to the owners. The idea is not new, nor has it been treated to bring forth any novelty of situation. However, it is well told, progressing to its climax easily and surely and conquering the spectators through its heart interest touches and the intimate local color. There is presented a balancing vein of humor which serves its purpose in giving an even quality to the theme. Herbert Rawlinson plays the hero-crook with breezy abandon, entering into the spirit of the role with adaptable poise. Barbara Bedford is the heroine, while George Hernandez portrays a character crook in his customary fashion — a portrayal rich in personality. The picture is adeouately staged by Tod Browning who has caught the atmosphere of the story so well that the action proceeds like clockwork. The Cast Paul Porter Daddy Moffat Mayor Harper.... Jones Wiley ‘ Coal Oil ” Chase Holt Langdon Margaret Langdon. Col. Culpepper The Kiddies . . Herbert Rawlinson . . . George Hernandez William Courtwright George Webb Ed Tilton Gerald Pring .... Barbara Bedford Willis Marks ( Helen Stone ( Betty Ellison By Louis Victor Eytinge. Scenario by Henry Gates. Directed by Tod Browning. Photographed by Virgil Miller. Produced by Universal. The Story — Crook with his pal serve term in jail and upon their freedom go to farmer’s home town with the purpose of finding “ easy pickings.” The hero discovers his boyhood sweetheart about to be swindled by some oil sharks. He decides to go straight and help her win back her money. He concocts a scheme whereby he has “ discovered ” a gusher and swindles the sharks into buying it for the sum they took from the townspeople. They find themselves in a trap and attempt to escape but the hero frustrates their plans. Classification — Crook story on human interest theme carrying a sustained note of romance and some comedy relief. Plenty of local color. Production Highlights — Good human interest values. Scene when crooks turn tables on oil swindlers. Romantic vein. Fine work of cast. The local color. Exploitation Angles — Title suggests mystery melodrama but it is good crook story. Played up for its theme will draw. Mention should be made that the story is written by a “ lifer ” in the Arizona State prison. Rawlinson gives a good portrayal. Drawing Power— This one will please ’em everywhere on account of its heart interest. Real showmen have chance to cooperate with prison and jail authorities in their towns and put over some big publicity. 44 Arabian Love ” Fox — Five Reels (Reviewed by Laurence Reid) THEY have taken a familiar situation out of an interior set and placed it as the piece de resistance among the white hot sands of the desert and titled it “ Arabian Love.” This situation presents the girl falling in love with the man upon whom she has sworn vengeance for killing her husband. The idea has been used often on the screen and when it is developed in the customary fashion it stands to reason that it doesn’t offer a great deal of suspense. In this case, however, transplanting it in an Oriental soil and allowing it to thrive amid the seething passions of the Arabs gives it a coloring and atmosphere which will attract attention almost anywhere. The title is a “ nifty ” and suggestive of sheiks and passionate amours. In reality the picture is the latest edition of the brand started some seasons ago with H. B. Warner as star and followed up this year with “ The Sheik” and ‘‘The Sheik’s Wife.” John Gilbert, the Fox star, makes a good type for the hero, and garbed in the trimmings and trappings of the Arab he fits right into the picture. There is a certain dash about his work which commands praise. For one thing he is in deadly earnest. The action takes in considerable riding over the white sands. For a background one views the numerous caravans, tents and conflicts of the natives — to say nothing of the typically Eastern interiors of the sheik’s palace. The story is so familiar that one may be excused for guessing the outcome from the start. However, it keeps a fast pace, is evenly developed and glows with vitality. The heroine learns that her husband has been killed by an American. On the return journey she is kidnapped by a group of bandit Arabs who cast dice for her possession. The winner is the American youth disguised in Oriental attire. He permits her to escape and the intervening scenes before the climax is reached are filled with his several conflicts. The picture is handsomely mounted and due to the appeal of the characterization which seems to be so popular at present, “ Arabian Love ” should be a magnet for any house. Barbara Le Mar is colorful as a native girl while Barbara Bedford is adequate as the heroine. The feature possesses good exploitation possibilities. The Cast Norman Stone John Gilbert Nadine Fortier Barbara Bedford Thamar Barbara Le Mar The Sheik Herschel Mayall Ahmed Bey Robert Kortman Dr. Lagorio William A. Orlamond By Jules Furthman. Directed by Jerome Storm. Photographed by Joe. August. Produced by Fox. The Story — Bride leaves husband in Arab community to visit mother. She learns on return journey that her husband has been killed by an American youth. She swears vengeance. When she is kidnapped by Bedouin bandits the American, his identity unknown to her, effects her rescue by winning at dice. Later she learns to love him when she discovers that her husband deserved his death. Classification — Romantic adventure story with locale in Arabia. Carries similar plot and characterization to “ The Sheik.” Packed with action and romance. Production Highlights — Work of John Gilbert. The atmosphere always correct. The fast-moving action. The scene when the hero rescues the heroine. The picturesque backgrounds. A number of adventurous sequences. Exploitation Angles — This picture should get over with good exploitation. It is a fad, now, with the public to be responsive toward stories with Arabian locale. So cash in on the title and the theme. Gilbert is a comer and his name should begin to attract them. The story suggests a colorful prologue. This can be arranged with atmosphere, oriental dancers, etc. Drawing Power — Title should prove a winner in attracting crowd. Gilbert beginning to be known after his work in “ Shame ” and “ Gleam o’ Dawn.” Prologue should help. With proper play feature should draw well everywhere. Not big enough for week run, but good enough for two days. Will be liked for* fast action and color. 44 Reckless Youth ” Selznick — Six Reels (Reviewed by Laurence Reid ) COSMO HAMILTON has long been noted for skating on thin ice. In “ Reckless Youth ” he skirts the danger mark in his customary style, pointing a moral in a subtle way and showing up the modem tendencies of the irrepressible flapper. This story treats rather delicately that youth, gifted with imagination and impulse, cannot be subject to suppressed Motion Picture News desires without reaping the harvest. The result might well be a daring recklessness of consequences. Hamilton believes in letting them have certain privileges which accompany the period when youth is blossoming into maturity. There is a tendency upon the part of the author to smash conventions. At times he succeeds but the smartness often gives way to a human quality which makes this feature entirely enjoyable despite the fact that the characters are quite exaggerated. The heroine accustomed to having her own way runs away from her crotchety relatives and dashes into the respectable environment of a conservative youth’s home. She is far too breezy for him. Her spirited disposition is well contrasted to his plodding manner. Still in search of adventure the youth marries her to give her the protection of his name and steps aside that she might be expected to start a rumpus and display some spirit — some pride of possession. However it is all in good fun. The climax introduces the dream situation with the girl giving up her mad existence when she dreams that she has been kidnapped by a villain and taken aboard a yacht. The dream is a realistic one and it is effective in bringing to the girl a proper value of things. The picture offers some zippy incident, moves along with creditable speed and is handsomely staged. Ralph Ince directed. The Cast Alice Schuyler Elaine Hammerstein John Carmen Niles Welch Mrs. Schuyler-Foster Myrtle Stedman Mr. Schuyler-Foster Robert Lee Keeling Harrison Thomby Huntley Gordon Mrs. Dahlgren Louise Prussing Cumberland Whipple Frank Currier Martha Whipple Kate Cherry Chorus Girl Constance Bennett By Cosmo Hamilton. Scenario by Edward T. Montague. Directed by Ralph Ince. Produced by Selznick. The Story—' Treats of a girl’s selfishness— a self interest that inspires conduct governed bv a “ don’t care ” spirit. She finally experiences a change of heart when love comes to her through a realization of her husband’s worth and her own shallow nature. Classification — Story of psychology of modern girl’s soul — the self-centered flapper who, through experience, learns to measure true values. More of a character sketch than a drama. Sufficient conflict and romance. Production Highlights — Modern treatment of old theme. Carries a note which will be noticed by the unthinking youth bent on self interests. Good work of star and Niles Welch. Charming bedroom scene not a bit risque. The romantic touches. Exploitation Angles — Author’s name means something. Stands sponsor as writer knowing his subject matter especially when he writes upon moralities of modern life. Title is a humdinger and could be featured in snappy advertising campaign. Stills of star and situations stills will help. Drawing Power — Wherever Miss Hammerstein is popular picture will draw. Title and name of author will also help. Best suited for select neighborhood houses with a distinctive clientele. Feminine patronage especially will find it an attractive picture. p £ L “ Intrigue ” S. R. Levinson-State Rights — 4500 Feet (Revieiced by Charles Street ) THIS is distinctly not a masterpiece. The fault lies in the loose handling of plot and direction, which, although the picture comes from abroad, is not a purely European unhappy faculty. In the role of a spy Pola Negri could be par excellence, but it is owning to the aforementioned shortcoming that she does not measure up to standard. With only a youth to send to a self-selected grave and his father to enmesh there is a sad neglect of skilful portrayal bearing directly on the character. Miss Negri appears in more forceful poses in this than in some of her other late releases. One lover lost to her through her arrest in a