The Moving Picture Weekly (1920-1921)

-THE MOVING PICTURE WEEKLY -ii Special Putlicity Stories for ''Desperate Youtk GLADYS WALTON PLAYS KENTUCKY CINDERELLA ii\ KENTUCKY CINDERELLA," F. Hopkinson Smith's classic story of the old South, opened last night at the Theatre as "Desperate Youth," a Universal photodrama with Gladys Walton in the starring role. In putting the famous story on the screen. Universal undertook a big task, for the public is unusually critical when its favorite is transplanted from the printed page to the playground of light and shadow, but the big Universal organization has well fulfilled the trust imposed in it for "Desperate Youth" leaves nothing to be desired. As Rosemary, the Kentucky mountain girl, who goes to the Alabama plantation of her aunt to get insulted, educated and eventually married, Gladys Walton is at her best, and each player depicts his or her role with remarkable fidelity to the spirit of the story. Playing opposite the star is Harold Miller, the smiling big fellow who is as human as Harry Carey and as handsome as Jack Perrin, yet with a vigorous personality all his own. In the character roles are J. Farrell McDonald, who seems to live his parts, and Louis Willoughby who is a splendid type of the old Southern aristocracy. Muriel Godfrey Turner, Lucy Harris, Hazel Howell and James Blackwell fill the remaining roles capably and to the success of the production as a whole. SPIRIT OF SOUTH SHOWN IN FILM QLOTHES that infer, rather than prove feminine loveliness, are to be seen in "Desperate Youth," the Universal photodrama of the old South which is now playing at the Theatre with Gladys Walton in the name role. The period of the story is shortly after the Civil War and the costumes are in keeping with the styles of that day. Miss Walton is particularly fetching in her poke bonnet, a basque that emphasizes the grace of her form and a ruffled hoop-skirt that leaves geometrical details to the imagination. Over her shoulders she wears a sik shawl, a family heirloom which came to her from her grandmother, a stately old lady from Alabama which, by the way, is the locale of the story. Harold Miller, the dashingly handsome young leading man, is typical of the Southern gentleman of the old school. He wears the prescribed stovepipe hat, the silk-faced frock coat, the winged collar and the elaborate waistcoat of the period. Altogether he is one of the finest looking young Southern gentlemen who ever cocked a duelling pistol. "Desperate Youth," considered to be Gladys Walton's greatest screen work, was filmed under the direction of Harry B. Harris at Universal City from "A Kentucky Cinderella," F. Hopkinson Smith's popular story of the South. Glaays Walton ITS Vf^'^ERSAI-, In addition to Miss Walton and Mr. Miller, and all costumed with romantic fidelity to the period, are to be seen such player sas J. Farrell McDonald, Muriel Godfrey Turner, Louis Willoughby, Hazel Howell, Lucy Harris and James Blackwell. CLOTHES OF CIVIL WAR PERIOD WORN IN UNIVERSAL PICTURE ■yHE pictpresque wildness of the Kentucky mountains and a stately old Alabama mansion furnish the romantic background against which the dramatic action of "Desperate Youth" is to be enacted at the Theatre beginning , "Desperate Youth" is Gladys Walton's latest Universal starring vehicle, and according to those who have seen its preview, her most appealing role. The story was originally written as "A Kentucky Cinderella," by F. Hopkinson Smith and is regarded as one of America's colloquial classics. In FAMOUS AMERICAN STORY MADE INTO PHOTOPLAY A CLASSIC of colloquial American literature has been given life on the screen in "Desperate Youth," which will be the principal attraction at the Theatre on with Gladys Walton in the starring role. The story was filmed at Universal City from "A Kentucky Cinderella," by F. Hopkinson Smith. Harry B. Harris directed, using a popular cast in the star's support. Two old prospectors are seen as the story opens, living and having considerable joy in a shack in the Kentucky Mountains. With them is Rosemary Merridew, daughter of one of them. Her father is killed in a gunbattle and she is sent to her aunt in Alabama, an ultra-fastidious old dame with an exaggerated sense of her own aristocracy and a desire to marry her own daughter off to the richest young man in town. Rosemary rather interferes with the schedule for she is naturally beautiful and gracious and Dr. Tom Dovvling, the prospective sonin law, becomes fatuated with her. Old Bill, the partner of Rosemary's father, arrives just in time to buy the girl an outfit for the wedding. With delightful humor, good drama and fidelity to the popular story, "Desperate Youth" will serve Miss Walton as one of her best Universal starring vehicles. filming it, Harry B. Hai-ris adhered closely to the story theme, but also introducing spontaneous humor and speeding up the tempo of the drama. The daughter of a Kentucky mountaineer, the little star is sent to Alabama to be educated. How she outshines her ultrai-aristocratic cousin and wins the love of everyone around her will be a part of the story which will strike a responsive chord in the hearts of those who see the production. Harold Miller is handsome and dashing in the role of a young Alabama doctor; J. Farrell McDonald gives another striking characterization as the girl's mountaineer father, while Louis Willoughby is equally interesting as his partner, Mendocino Bill. Stately Muriel Godfrey Turner, as the aristocratic dowager, and Hazel Howell, as her haughty and beautiful daughter, add to the picture, while Lucy Harris as the old mammy and James Blackwell as Sam, the manof-all-work contribute other wellknown character roles. As for Gladys Walton, the role of the little mountain girl is said to be by far the most appealing screen portrayal of her career.