Motion Picture News (Nov-Dec 1922)

December jo, 1922 3385 “ The Ninety and Nine ” Vitagraph — 6800 Feet (Reviewed by Charles Larkin ) WELL, folks, they’ve all come back. Yes, and they’re in the movies! What? Why, the mortgage on the old homestead. The evil working villain. The hero fleeing from misguided justice. The village belle falling in love with said hero. The dirty deeds on the part of the villain to “git rid” ol our hero. The village “human newspaper.” The dash of the hero to rescue the folks in the next town. The arrival of the “ papers ” setting forth that Tom Silverton isn’t guilty after all and the close-up of the loving doves “In the Shade of the Old Apple Tree.” Doesn’t all this conjure up memories of the days when you used to sneak down to the old “ opery house,” and hiss the villain and loudly stamp your feet as the old engine poked its nose through the scenery, emitted a couple of puffs from its chimney, the hero dropped from the cab and clasped Nellie to his bosom? Didn’t you like it in the halcyon days? Sure you did and you’ll like it now, for in the second screen version, Vitagraph has made it all into a sure fire meller with all the trimmings and a bang up climax that will pull most folks close to the edge of the chairs. The forest fire and the running of the locomotive through the flames to rescue the folks in a neighboring town is the big feature of this production. Seldom has a forest fire been more realistically portrayed on the shadow stage. This feature is well done — both coming and going. On the way back the hero drags a freight train filled with human beings. The direction is good throughout, and the camera work during the fire scenes deserves praise. Life in a small town is realistically pictured and right here it might be mentioned that this one should prove a strong drawing card in the towns of these United States. Vitagraph has done well by this old classic of the barnstorming days. Tom Silverton... Ruth Blake Mark Leveridge. Kate Van Dyck. Abner Blake. . . . Rachel Bud Bryson Reddy Mri. Dougherty Mrs. Markham. . Eric Van Dyck. Sam Grant The Cast Warner Baxter Colleen Moore Lloyd Whitlock Gertrude Astor Robert Dudley Mary Young Arthur Jasmine Ernest Butterworth, Jr. Aggie Herring Dorothy Wolbert Rex Hammel Charles Moore Adapted from the stage play by Ramsay Norris. Directed by David Smith. Scenario by C. Graham Baker. Photographed by Steve Smith, Jr. The Story — A mysterious murder forces Phil Bradbury to flee and in a small town assumes the name of Tom Silverton. Here Tom falls in love with Ruth Blake. Later his old sweetheart and her new lover come to town for a vacation. Here the new lover frames him and awaits a detective from New York to arrest him. A forest fire starts in the village and Tom runs a locomotive through the blazing timber and rescues the inhabitants of the town. Then comes word of his innocence. Classification — A very creditable re-creation of an old melodramatic stage favorite. Production Highlights — The dash of Silverton in a locomotive through a blazing forest fire to rescue the inhabitants of a neighboring village. The fine attention to detail. David Smith’s excellent direction. Some fine camera work during the forest fire scenes. Exploitation Angles — Why not rig up a small locomotive made out of beaver board, put a Ford inside it and drive it about town, loudly ringing a large bell the while? Play up the fact that this is the film version of the famous stage play. Tell them about Colleen Moore , Warner Baxter and other well known stars in the cast. Drawing Power — There has been a demand for a rehabilitation of the old favorites lately. If your patrons are among those that like these pictures, hop to this one. Scene from “A Poor Fish,” Sunshine comedy. “ Captain Fly-by-Night ” F. B. 0. — 4900 Feet ( Reviewed by Laurence Reid ) JOHNNIE WALKER has starred in a variety of pictures since his big success in “ Over the Hill,” and the best of these is “ Captain Fly-By-Night,” which in spite of its will-o’-the-wisp title, is a generally pleasing photoplay revolving around the old Mission period of California history. Its author is Johnston McCulley, who wrote “ The Mark of Zorro,” and who has offered in “Captain Fly-By-Night,” another story with the same setting. There is supposed to be sustained suspense in this feature concerning the identities of two strangers, one of whom is known to be the mysterious bandit of the King’s Highway, from whom the title is suggested. This suspense falls short, but it doesn’t make any difference in view of the fact that the picture is intelligently directed, well acted and crammed with colorful action. Its star proves his versatility by appearing as a Spanish caballero in the California of 1824. It is a picturesque role and Walker’s personality makes it more so. Swordplay has a prominent part in the development of the story, which is one of those romantic, adventurous tales of a chivalrous and daring hero with a tendency toward bravado. In its denouement the picture approaches the spectacular. The climax presents a battle scene with a few hundred soldiers and horses mixing up in a snappy fashion. Then there is the thrill of flashing swords — a duel staged in high bell tower. Incidentally this set is a splendid one. The whole picture has a historical interest by reason of its California Mission settings. And American history was made in those early days when Spaniards and Mexicefns owned the land. Shannon Day, who appears opposite the star, is a good type for the senorita, while Victory Bateman is an acceptable duenna. William K. Howard is responsible for the capable direction. We would say that “ Captain Fly-By-Night ” has a definite audience appeal — because of its romance, setting and action. First Stranger. . Second Stranger Anita Cassara Senora Padre Michael. . Indian Governor Gomez The Cast Johnnie Walker Francis McDonald .Shannon Day Edward Gribben Victory Bateman James McEldern Charles Steven* Bert Wheeler Fred Kelsey By Johnston McCulley. Scenario by Eve Unsell. Directed by William K. Howard. Photographed by Lucien Andriot. The Story— Treats of mysterious adventure in early days of California with highwaymen known as “ Captain Fly-by-Night ’’ found excitement and romance. Classification — Adventure story of chivalrous hero who is a bandit — Locale, California in 1824. Production Highlights — The adventurous action. The climax showing a vivid battle scene. The swordplay. The good work of Walker. Exploitation Angles — Would suggest making a feature of early California history — putting over the color and atmosphere in lobby and prologue-dressing your ushers in Mexican and Spanish costumes, etc. Play up Walker as star of “ Over the Hill.” “ A Front Page Story ” Vitagraph — Six Reels (Reviewed by Laurence Reid ) A REGULAR slice of life is this little document from Vitagraph — a slice of small city politics which revolve around the glass top desk of the mayor and the swivel chair of the editor of the local paper. You all recognize this bit of enmity which puts color in our smaller communities, and Jess Robbins, the director of this picture has brought forth all its vitality — all its humanities and realism. Trust Robbins to make no mistake when it comes to incorporating lifelike incident. He showed a sample of his skill with “Too Much Business,” and in “A Front Page Story ” he makes his picture so human — so interesting that is stands out a conspicuously fine, little document. The comedy note is dominant because it is introduced by Edward Horton, a comedian with a sure grasp upon the qualities which create humor. He plays in a deadly serious manner the part of a lackadaisical youth determined to get a job. He rides into the town at the wheel of a flivver and puts an ad in the local paper. There is some deft comedy introduced with the car — which is not of the slapstick brand — even though the car is always a good prop for hokum. And by using his head and taking advantage of opportunity when it knocks he eases himself into a partnership with the editor. The rest of the story has to do with patching up the feud between his elder partner and the mayor — and he does this by sheer bluff. The front page story is nothing but a screaming scarehead announcing that the mayor will be exposed. It precipitates a deal of anxiety for all concerned — even for the partner whose ideas of journalism follow the orthodox channels. The , old man’s daughter is a handy girl about the office. And aside from acting as a foil here and there it is her object to carry the romance. Robbins has uncovered a real old time job printing plant. The place may be small but it looks like the real thing. In fact the atmosphere and background are genuine throughout. Horton gives a sincere portrayal of the youth who acts as peacemaker, while Lloyd Ingraham and James Corrigan as the mayor and editor, respectively, not only look real, but manage to extract the utmost amount of color and humor from their characters. Rodney Marvin . . . Mayor Gorham . . . Virginia Hayward Matt Hayward . . . Don Coates Tommy Mrs. Gorham Suzanne Gorham. Jack Pedler The Cast . . Edward Horton Lloyd Ingraham Edith Robert# .James Corrigan W. E. Lawrence Buddy Messenger Mathilde Brundage Lila Leslie Tom McGuire By Arthur Goodrich. Scenario by F. W. Beebee. Directed by Jess Robbins. Photographed by Vernon Walker. Produced by Vitagraph. The Story — Youth in search of work rides into small city at wheel of dilapidated flivver. Puts ad in local paper and by using his wits becomes partner of editor. His object is to patch up the quarrel between the editor and the mayor— which he does by bluffing with a scarehead story on front page of paper. Wins the editor’s daughter. Classification — Comedy-drama of political life in small city — with humor rich and novel. Production Highlights — The exceptional direction in getting every possible situation and idea from story. The fine acting by Edward Horton, James Corrigan and Lloyd Ingraham. The splendid atmosphere. The human interest. The convincing detail. Exploitation Angles — This title suggests a smart campaign to co-operate with local editors. Put out teasers, briefs, etc. Play up Horton as a comer. Treat it lightly. Bill it as one of the most human and lifelike stories of the screen. Drawing Power — Once seen will be advertised by word of mouth. Make a play to get the crowds in on this one, as it deserves patronage. Good for any locality.