Moving Picture World (Nov-Dec 1923)

838 MOVING PICTURE WORLD December 29, 1923 Shows Chase Comedy “At First Sight,” the first of the new series of single reel comedies produced by Hal Roach and starring Charles Chase is being shown at the Rivoli Theatre, New York, during the current week. This is a pre-release showing and marks the premiere of the picture. It is scheduled for release, through Pathe, on January 6. Lamont With Century Charles Lamont, who recently completed several comedies for Grand-Asher, has been appointed co-director with Noel Smith in filming Century comedies. The first under this arrangement will be “Putting It Over,” in which Pal, the dog, is the star, and Harry Sweet in the leading “human” role. Lamont was formerly an assistant director with Century. Rankin in New Series Arthur Rankin, prominent screen juvenile who had a prominent role in the “Fighting Blood” series, has been signed to appear in the first episode of the new H. C. Witwer “Telephone Girl” series which will be distributed by Film Booking Offices of America. “It’s a Boy” (Pathe — Comedy — One Reel) Snub Pollard depicts the wild plans of a father for his first-born in this single reeler. He plans a brilliant career for him as moving picture director and other sensational triumphs. B the baby, it proves, is not of that sex. It is a fairly amusing, though not exceptional number. — M. K. “A Dutch Treat” (Fox — Instructive — One Reel) Here is one reel of charming entertain't. There is a sociable atmosphere about scenes and people of Holland that the interest a little keener than in average travel picture. Their houseboats, windmills, wooden shoes, industries, cheeses — and last but most attractive, their children, have an interesting appeal. — M. K. “Rough Sailing” (Fox — Comedy — Two Reels) Most of the sailing in this Sunshine comedy is done through the air. The wire effects are very good and transport the char “ Sing Them Again ” Week Exploits Series Still another instance of effective exploitation for short subjects is shown in the inauguration in South Philadelphia, Pa., of a “Sing Them Again” week by two Stanley theatres, the Broadway and the Alhambra, December 9 to 15. The exploitation consisted mainly in publicity stories in the newspapers calculated to arouse interest in old favorite songs and to stimulate community singing. Both houses took advantage of this campaign and presented Educational’s “Close Harmony,” the first of the “Sing Them Again” series, day and date, throughout the entire week. “SHORTS” REVIEWED IN THIS ISSUE Best Man Wins, The (Pathe) Chasing Wealth (Universal) Darkest Hour, The (Pathe) Don’t Hesitate (Educational) Dutch Treat, A (Fox) Five Orphans of the Storm (Pathe) Flying Finance (Educational) Girls and Records (Pathe) Hansel and Gretel (Universal) Inbad, the Sailor (Pathe) It’s a Boy (Pathe) Last Stand of the Red Man, The (Vitagraph) Pathe Review, 51 (Pathe) Pathe Review, 52 (Pathe) Rough Sailing (Fox) Rustlin Buster (Universal) acters out of one danger into another in the home of the Turkish Sultan. The hero’s mission is to rescue a pretty American girl from the harem. It has some fairly original action and should go well in the average house. — M. K. “The Five Orphans of the Storm” (Pathe — Cartoon — One Reel) A fable for the Christmas program has been provided by Paul Terry in this tale of Santa Claus and the little dogs who got left. One of them, however, wins a delicious feast for them all by a brave rescue of a little girl, headed for destruction on an ice floe. The touches of melodrama, human interest and comedy make it exceptionally good. — M. K. “Flying Finance” (Educational — Comedy — Two Reels). This has an abundance of action and funny incident. It is a Mermaid comedy with Neeley Edwards in a peppy role that is constantly entertaining. A variety of accidents and escapes culminates in a cyclone which produces some ludicrous effects on the buildings, persons and animals in a small Western town. A few hilarious moments are outstanding. The comedy is certain to appeal because it has so much life. — M. K. Pathe “Review No. 51” (One Reel) A study of the mother ovenbird, a few pretty country scenes, “In the Shade of the Old Apple Tree,” different views of the Sault Ste. Marie Locks and the ships, concluding with color pictures of the oxen teams used in France and Spain are found in this review.— M. K. “The Last Standi of the Red Man” (Vitagraph — Urban — One Reel) Picturesque in its scenery and Indian types, this Kineto subject should be well received in a majority of theatres. Titles written in the style and meter of Longfellow’s “Hiawatha” add to the atmosphere. Almost anyone is slightly fascinated by studies of Indians and the age which they recall, and this number is an interesting example — M. K. “Hansel and Gretel” (Universal — Comedy — Two Reels) For the Christmas program especially this Baby Peggy comedy will be an excellent attraction. It is the world-famous fairy tale with a few variations. As the story is popular with almost all children, the picture should draw very well. It offered very little chance for comedy in the original, but as produced here has been burlesqued somewhat and greatly elaborated upon. A few may object to having one of their favorite tales so tampered with, but the fantastic touches show a good imagination and are well done, particularly the magic wrought by the old witch. On the whole it is an exceptional Century comedy. — M. K. “Rustlin’ Buster” (Universal — Western — Two Reels) Neither the acting nor the story is quite up to the standard of the usual Universal two-reel Western. Jack Mower is physically equal to the action but seems to lack the spirit that makes such performances entirely satisfying. Lola Todd shows a lack of experience that makes her role unconvincing. The story is the familiar one of an innocent man being accused of cattle rustling, but avenging himself and rescuing the girl involved. — M. K. “Don’t Hesitate” (Educational — Comedy — One Reel) Fast action is plentiful here. A sheriff in a mild Western town decides to stir up a bit of action and glory for himself by staging a hold-up in the saloon. Meanwhile genuine disciples of Jesse James appear and give him real scare. The titles are snappy and the whole comedy amusing. — M. K. “Girls and Records” (Pathe — Sportlight — One Reel) An ever popular contrast — that between the girl of fifty years ago and the modern flapper — is entertainingly shown in this second of the Grantland Rice “Sportlight” series. Grandmother getting her strenuous exercise by watering the rose garden is followed by interesting pictures of women at various sports, such as a tennis match between Miss Wills and Mrs. Clayton. — M. K. “The Darkest Hour” (Pathe — Comedy — Two Reels) Hal Roach’s “Spat Family” confines its wrangles to its own home this time. The manufacture of home brew proceeds with great argument until the police arrive. That danger over, a terrible storm comes up and the report that a maniac with a knife is in the neighborhood. It is amusing and exciting— one of the best of the series. M. K. “Inbad, the Sailor” (Pathe — Comedy — Two Reels) Love-sick sailors and a beautiful vampire cause plenty of commotion in this Mack Sennett comedy featuring Billy Bevan, Harry Gribbon and Madeline Hurlock. The vamp haunts the lighthouse alluringly and the fights between the men and the chief, all in love with her, are many and furious. It is a good slapstick number with an attractive leading lady. — M. K. More reviews on page 836.