Moving Picture World (Nov-Dec 1923)

164 MOVING PICTURE WORLD November 3, 1923 New Burr Comedy "Fearless Flanagan,” the C. C. Burr two-reel comedy released October 7, features Charles Murray, Kathlyn Martin and Raymond McKee. It was directed by Gregory LaCava, and is being distributed by Hodkinson. SHORT SUBJECTS REVIEWED IN THIS ISSUE Pal Film Retitled The title of the newest Century comedy, starring Pal the dog, has again been changed and it will be known as “Down to the Ship to See,” which it is announced was suggested by a Long Island exhibitor. Barnyard Rodeo, A (Pathe) Be My Guest (Universal) Code of the Mounted (Universal Discontent (Educational) Fashion Follies (Universal) One Cylinder Love (Pathe) Pathe Review 44 (Pathe) Roughing It (Pathe) Taming of the Shrewd (F. B. O.) Three Cheers (Educational) Wages of Cinema, The (F. B. O.) Whole Truth, The (Pathe) “Three Cheers” (Educational — Comedy — Two Reels) An abundance of amusing stunts makes this second number of Jack White’s Juvenile Comedy series a good program subject. It has less plot than the first one of the series and is more like an unrelated arrangement of childish pranks, but goes over nevertheless and in places is very funny. The children are all interesting types and anyone should enjoy their performance. — M. K. “The Code of the Mounted” Universal — Western — Two Reels) This is so evidently a reissue of something produced some time ago that it is doubtful whether it will be a success on the average program now. The clothes, photography and general style of acting dates back to early days in picture-making. It relates’ the story of a Mounted Police officer who has to make the familiar choice between love and duty. — M. K. story is sympathetic and there is a simplicity and humanness about the types. The husband who finds complete happiness in his work in the open and the wife who longs for the city and ultimately deserts her husband are the figures in an emotional conflict against pictorial backgrounds.— M. K. “Fighting Blood” (F . B. O. — Drama — Two Reels) Round Five of this series, ‘‘The Taming of the Shrewd,” and Round Six, “The Wages of Cinema,’’ compare favorably with the earlier numbers, and maintain the high standard of entertainment and boxoffice value. Each one contains strong human interest, good comedy and a peppy fight in the ring. George O’Hara is excellent in the leading role, and is ably assisted by Mary Beth Milford and Louise Lorraine, as well as the old favorites, Kit Guard and A1 Cooke. n 1) Fashion Follies (Universal — Comedy — Two Reels) New ideas are not plentiful in this Century comedy but most of it is the type of amusement that goes very well anyway. The bathing girls will appeal and the fashion show gives a chance for the familiar but laughable stunts of confusing the live models with the dolls. It has an abundance of action and should entertain, generally. Henry Murdock is featured.— M. K. “A Barnyard Romeo” (Pathe — Cartoon — One Reel) Paul Terry’s clever touches enliven the well-known Western stunts of lassooing, steer taming and rough riding here. The humor is delightful as usual and the subject itself is more widely appealing than some of the other Aesop Fables. A well worth-while number.—M. K. “Be My Guest” (Universal — Comedy — One Reel) A situation that will be rather generally appreciated is the basis for action in this Neely Edwards number. A man who prefers starvation to restaurant fare accepts dinner invitations from three friends but finds the resulting disaster far worse than dinner at a hot-dog lunch counter. This will amuse the average patron. — M. K. “The Taming of the Shrewd” There is a lot of good comedy in this number, which first shows Gale frying to take care of a waif that is wished on him. Later he jumps into the water, thinking to rescue his friend Rosemary, who is working in a picture, but finds he has saved a property boy, who doubled for her and jumped off the cliff. He succeeds in winning a fight in the ring against “The Shrewd.” “Discontent” (Educational — Scenic — One Reel) Considerably more emphasis is placed upon the dramatic note this time than in the usual Bruce Wilderness Tale. While there is no real attempt at acting, the “The Whole Truth” (Pathe — Comedy — One Reel) Revealing to what interesting heights man’s imagination will soar when accounting for his absences to his wife, this Stan Laurel number has good comedy value. In spite of sampling the serum that forces a man to tell the truth, the hero thinks up a good story to tell in court. It is lively and entertaining. — M. K. “The Wages of Cinema” This is a clever number, containing a lot of good audience material. Gale, unable to get Kilpatrick to sign up for a fight with him, gets a job in the movies; and, disguised as an actor, with the assistance of the director and two girls, Kilpatrick is persuaded to don the gloves. Gale licks him, reveals his identity, and is promised a real fight in the ring for the championship with Kilpatrick.— C. S. S. L» Hal Roach Companies Busy Making Comedies for Pathe Production activities at the Hal Roach Studios, Culver City, Calif., are moving along at a fast clip. The new Stan Laurel vehicle is a story of the “after the war” type with the comedy theme of “I got my captain working for me now!” In the cast appear Jimmy Finlayson, Ena Gregory, Mae Laurel, Eddie Baker, and William Gillespie. George Jeske is handling the megaphone. The comedy just started by Will Rogers is a typical Rogers cow Christie’s Four Stars Will Each Be Seen in Five Films Christie forces are now busily engaged in producing what is described as a “rip-snorting western comedy” which would seem to be a burlesque on ordinary “westerns.” Bobby Vernon appears as Cactus Kelly. Then, too, there is Lopez the Lizard as the villain and Charlotte Stevens as the heroine. This is but one of the twenty comedies scheduled by Christie for the coming season, five for each of their comedians, Bobby Vernon, Neal Burns, Jimmie Adams and Dorothy Devore. The first five to be released on tb ' Everything,” with Bobby Vernon; “Done in Oil,” with Jimmie Adams ; “Fool Proof,” with Neal Burns, and “A Perfect 36,” with Bobby Vernon. The supporting staff for the stellar comedians includes Jimmie Harrison, Vera Steadman. Charlotte Merriam, Babe London, Natalie Joyce, Tom Murray, Ward Caulfield, George French, Bob North, George Burton, Felix Valle, Bud Fine and Roy Weston. Charles Christie has just returned from Europe, bringing with him John H. Taylor, managing director of Christie Film Sales Co., Ltd., of London, and John Maxwell, owner of a chain boy story written for the star by Hal Conklin. Jay Howe is directing the production. Marie Mosquini appears opposite Rogers. Hal Roach’s aggregation of animal players in the latest “Dippy Doo Dad,” directed by Len Powers, are enacting a crook story. The company of players engaged for “The Spat Family” has been augmented by the addition of Philip Miller, a well-known child actor. new schedule are “Navy Blu/ starring Dorothy Devore; “™s fcof theatres in Scotland. the ha. “Snub” at Rivoli The first of the new series of single reel Pathe comedies starring Snub Pollard titled “It’s a Gift” was the comedy attraction at the Rivoli, New York, and it is announced that it enjoyed the distinction of being the only comedy attraction at any of the big houses on Broadway. Other comedies in this series already announced are “Dear 01’ Pal” for November 11, and “Join the Circus” December 2. “It’s a Gift” was released October 14. “Roughing It’ (Pathe — Comedy — Two Reels) W estern life disagrees painfully wtih the Spat Familv in this third picture of the series. Their quarrels are staged on the desert where everything from toads disturbing midnight slumbers to a hairbreadth escape from “bandits” who prove to be only prospective buyers, offerings vast fortune for the Spat Family s property, keep them excited. It has a good many laughs and should go well.— M. K. Pathe Review No. 44 (Pathe — Magazine — One Reel) Greater emphasis is placed upon the pictorial value in this review which has many pleasing scenes. An illustration of Richard Henry Dana’s pcem, “The Pleasure Boat.” views of Durango. Mexico, called the “City of Sorrow.” and a color presentation of Dutch village scenes are included. Facts about coloring wall paper supply the technical interest. — M. K. “One Cylinder Love” (Pathe — Comedy — Two Reels) This is a mixture of entertainment that lacks unity somewhat, but amuses in an irregular way, with a few outstanding incidents that will probably meet with a hilarious reception. Bathing girls, amateur aeroplaning. and a trained bear furnish some lively action. It has an unusual amount of action and should be a satisfactory number for the average program. A Mack Sennett production. — M. K.