Motion Picture News (Sep-Oct 1922)

September 9 , 1922 1297 “ Saved By Radio ” (Russell Productions — Six Reels) (Reviewed by Laurence Reid ) THE radio has found its way into the plot of a motion picture in “Saved By Radio.’’ It is an “ up and at ’em ” type of story. A sequence of three is given up to a grand melee with George Larkin as the hero, in the midst of every fight, sending out a good right or left, occasionally allowing himself to bite the dust, and emerging triumphant according to the ethics of heroism. The plot introduces a few crude touches — one of which should be stricken out. It shows the hero, pleading with a physician, who no longer practices his profession, to save his mother’s life. The doctor refuses and his obstinacy results in his being dragged by the scruff of the neck through the village street and compelled to show some humanity. We dare say this touch will not please the members of the medical profession who witness it. We also offer the idea that a doctor, whether retired or not, would not so far forget the ethics of his calling. When he enters the sick chamber, there is not a particle of dust on his clothes though he has just been forced to make a dusty trip. This is a jarring note in a melodrama which carries considerable thrill. The doctor has his enemies, yet when the youth, a product of the village made threats against him the natives become exceedingly wrathful and cause the sheriff to imprison him because the medic has disappeared. They do this notwithstanding the presence in their midst of a disreputable stranger and his hirelings. This is also a jarring note though it will likely pass unnoticed because of the physical action which accompanies nearly every scene. There is a punch to the picture — some corking good stunt scenes executed by Larkin, and the atmosphere is first rate. Ditto the photography. The acting is adequate though the star becomes too enthusiastic here and there. The love interest is a side issue. What puts the offering over is the climax and the fact that most of the players are right up on their toes every minute. Call it an adequate audience picture. John Powell . . Spike Jones Dr. Ezra Stafford Philip Morton Constable Pat Hennessey Powell’s mother. Mary Stafford I By Tom Berrien. The Cast . . George Larkin William Gould . • Wilson Hummel Harry Northrup Monti Collins Andrew Arbuckle Minna Redman Jacqueline Logan Directed by Win. Craft. Produced by Russell Productions. The Story — Retired doctor seeks monopoly of shipping enterprises and discharges his honest foreman for interference with his plans. The youth had merely attempted to save his employer from being mulcted by a crooked schemer. When doctor is kidnapped by enemies, the youth is locked up because he made a threat against him. He gets a two-hour reprieve to hunt down the crooks and saves his erstwhile employer by means of radio. Classification — Melodrama based upon virtue versus villainy, with hero emerging triumphant after overcoming several obstacles. Physical action introduced and incident relating to radio activities. Production Highlights — Scene when hero climbs down rope over cliff. The radio scenes. The pursuit of the villains escaping in fast launch. The hydroplane scene. The dive of Larkin off the cliff. Exploitation Angles — This one carries immense exploitation possibilities by means of the radio. The radio stores of your town may be linked up. And if your theatre is equipped with one, by all means use it. Bill it as a fast and exciting melodrama. Drawing Power — Should draw in all neighborhood houses and especially among followers |of the radio. Fans who like them packed with stunts will eat it up. From “ Night Life in Hollywood, ” an Arrow picture. Top "0 the Morning ” Universal — 4627 Feet (Reviewed by Lillian Gale) 'T'HIS is built along tried and true lines, works toward a perfectly obvious ending, the culmination of the romance between the rich young American and the Irish colleen who is sort of a princess in disguise and never develops any great amount of suspense but it is the kind of a picture that most of the fans have always voted first class entertainment, so the matter of appraising it is largely one of comparison with what has gone before. The role of the Irish lass who emigrates to America where her pater has acquired some money and an upstage second wife who doesn’t like the stepdaughter, gives Gladys Walton an opportunity for her particular style of portrayal and in it she is winsome, nice looking and vivacious. Harry Meyers as the hero is seen in a less favorable light, since his part gives him little to do. Harry Carter, appearing in the role of the heavy, is somewhat mis-cast. The production is very well done all the way through. The scenes laid in Ireland are realistic and artistic. The sets for the interiors are all up to standard and the acting of capable cast is excellent. Several storm sequences are more than good. All in all, this picture ought to get by as light entertainment, suitable for the average fan who likes his pictures clean, wholesome and not too complicated as to story. The Cast “Jerry” O’Donnell John Garland Dot Garland Jerry’s Aunt Dermott O'Donnell. Mulrooney Father Quinn Mrs. O’Donnell. . . . Eugene O'Donnell.. Katherine Vincent.. Blakely Stone Thomas Wilson Katie McDougal. . . . Miss Murdock .... Gladys Walton ...... Harry Myers . . . .Doreen Turner ...Florence D. Lee . . . .William Welsh Don Bailey . . .Duck Cummings Margaret Campbell .Ralph McCullough Ethel Shannon Harry Carter . . . .William Moran Sally Russell ....Martha Mattox Directed by Edward Laemlle. Story by Anne Caldwell. Scenario by George Randolph Chester and Wallace Clifton. Photographed by Charles Stumar. Produced by Universal. The Story — Irish colleen comes to America, where her father is successful, but finding the surroundings of her new home distasteful, runs away. She finds a position with a young widower, whom she has previously met in Ireland, falls in love with him and when the matter of stealing of some bonds of which her brother has been unjustly accused is cleared up, and in which she inadvertently becomes implicated is cleared up, finds that the widower is also in love with her. Classification — Romantic drama, with a counter plot having to do with the theft of some bonds and an innocent person suspected of stealing them. Exploitation Possibilities — The Irish atmosphere of the story. The leading characters in the picture, Miss Walton, Harry Myers and Harry Carter. The stage play from which the feature was adapted. Chance for atmospheric prologue and lobby display. Drawing Power — Recommended for family and fan trade. “ The Valley of Silent Men” ( Cosmopolitan-Paramount — Six Reels) (Reviewed by Laurence Reid) TT ERE’S James Oliver Curwood for you! A glance at the title is sufficient to inform you that you are in for one of his Northwest Mounted formulas. If you have become surfeited with the theme of “ get your man ” at least the picture offers ample compensation in the most marvelous collection of scenes ever found in a snow feature. Frank Borzage, undoubtedly said to himself “ Let’s see, this is an ancient idea, why not concentrate entirely upon background?” And he took his company to the Canadian Rockies— up to the country around Banff, and allowed them to work out the faithful pattern against its majestic mountains and glaciers. The pictorial appeal of “The Valley of Silent Men ” is everything here. It actually dwarfs the story which concerns a couple of Mounties chasing a Mountie and the girl of his choice. Borzage has hidden the rusty machinery of the plot fairly well. He starts you off tingling with suspense because of the man hunt. _ The heroic corporal has been wounded by his “man ” and thinking his rescuer is guilty of murder assumes the guilt when he believes his end is near. He miraculously recovers and with his recovery the heroine is introduced. She effects his escape. Since his superior officer is a deadly enemy the latter sends two Mounties in pursuit. And here comes the pictorial appeal. The rugged mountains, the vast expanse of snow, the treacherous glaciers remarkably beautiful in their ice formations — these fascinate the spectator. The fugitives are lost and nearly succumb but eventually reach a cabin. The Mounties are about to take them back to camp when the girl’s father makes a dying confession that he committed the triple crime out of revenge for his wife’s death. This touch is arbitrary and wholly convenient.. Curwood seldom varies in his plots. Consequently the steady follower of his stories can anticipate the end far in advance. But hats off to Borzage and his settings. And Alma Rubens makes an attractive heroine. Lew Cody is the hero and you’d never know that once he scoffed at true love when portraying male vamp parts, so easily and naturally does he play his role here. With Hearst newspaper publicity, a popular author, a fine cast and a tried and true theme what more can the exhibitor ask for? The Cast Marette Radison, a Canadian girl Alma Rubens Corporal James Kent of the R. N. W. M. P. . .Lew Cody "Buck” O’Connor.... Joseph King Pierre Radison, the father Mario Majeroni Inspector Kedsty, of the Mounted George Nash Jacques Radison, the brother J. W. Johnston By Tames Oliver Curwood. Scenario by John Lynch. Directed by Frank Borzage. Photographed by Chester Lyons. Produced by Cosmopolitan. Distributed by Paramont. The Story — Corporal of the Mounted is suspected^ of _ murder. While convalescing in friend’s ca-bin, he thinking death is near, assumes the guilt. The Inspector arrests him later, but a girl rescues him and together they escape. A short time after the Inspector is mysteriously murdered. The Mounted pursue the fugitives and capture them. Their freedom is assured when the real assassin confesses to the triple murder. Classification — Northwest Mounted formula based upon the pursuit of innocent parties. Typically Curwood. Production Highlights — The majestic scenery caught by Borzage in Canadian Rockies. Truly awe-inspiring. The good work of cast. Scene when fugitives escape over glacier. Exploitation Angles — Curwood has his followers. So use his name in all billing. Concentrate upon most marvelous scenery ever presented in snow picture. Use title, use ballyhoo and atmosphere. Drawing Power — Good for all downtown houses and neighborhood houses. Scenery will be advertised by word of viouth.