Moving Picture World (Nov-Dec 1924)

360 MOVING PICTURE WORLD November 22, 1924 just fair as the husband. He gives the impression of being hampered by over-direction. Evelyn Brent as the grass widow shows the modern vamping technique — clinging arms and appealing eyes. In a word, “My Husband’s Wives” will satisfy many audiences because it deals with a rather unusual situation in the life of a married couple and there is good comedy but it lacks virility. Cast Vale Harvey Shirley Mason William Harvey Bryant Washliurn Marie Wynn Evelyn Brent Madam Corregio Paulette Duval Story by Barham La Marr. Directed by Maurice Elvey. Photography Xot Credited. Length. 4-109 feet. Story Vale Harvey did not care about knowing her husband's past, so she did not know he had been married before and that Marie Wynn, an old school chum of hers, had been his wife. She invited Marie to visit her and the ex-wife immediately began trying to regain William Harvey's affections. The truth finally dawns on Vale and William evicts Marie, who advises Vale to hereafter listen to her future husbands when they start to disclose their pasts. “The Rip Snorter” Arrow Western Starring Dick Hatton Has Snap and Action and Especially Good BronchoBusting Reviewed By C. S. Sewell As the newest of the series of features starring Dick Hatton, Arrow Film Corporation is offering a Ben Wilson “Great-Western.’’ “The Rip Snorter,” in which the star is supported by Marilyn Mills and her two trained horses, “Star” and “Beverly.” This picture follows the outline of the vast majority of westerns with a hard-riding, hard-fighting hero, with a villainous foreman who is in league with bandits and a heroine who has just returned to the ranch from the East. There is the inevitable conflict between hero and villain, and the kidnapping of the heroine and her rescue by the hero. This familiar material has been handled in a thoroughly acceptable manner and situations have been introduced which add to the interest. Notably, an especially thrilling punch scene in the early part of the film where the star rides a supposedly untamable horse. Hatton certainly gives a fine performance of horsemanship by the way he manages to stay on this animal as it bucks and plunges. He has an easy-going, likeable personality and a naturalness that fits in well with the atmosphere of the story, and he also shows to advantage in the snappy fight scenes. The star’s support is entirely satisfactory. Marilyn Mills is attractive as the girl and Robert Walker is a capable villain. Miss Mills’ two trained horses add to the interest and an especially good, even if somewhat improbable, scene shows one of them coming to her rescue when she is imprisoned and carrying a note to the hero. There is considerable comedy, centering largely around the efforts of a spinster to find romance and the manner in which all of the cowboys fight shy of her. Quite a few of these scenes are amusing, and there is even a touch of slapstick in some, but this angle is kept up until it appears forced and loses some of its humor. Altogether, “The Rip Snorter” has all of the elements which have proven their appeal in this class of productions, plus a comedy element and extra good riding and "bronk” busting and it should prove a pleasing attraction for “western” fans. Story Dick Meadows Dick Hatton Betty Saunders Marilyn Mills Harry Vogelsang. Vrehie Ricks Robert Willis Robert Walker Philip Saunders William Rhino Tom MoiTit Milburn Morante Randall Robert McGowan Aunt Betty Emma Gertes Story and Scenario not credited. V Ben Wilson production. Length, 4.99S feet. Direction by Ward Hayes. Story Willis, the foreman of the Saunders ranch taunts Dick about being a fourflusher and bets him he cannot ride a wild horse, the Killer. Dick succeeds and Saunders starts with him to take money to the bank. Randall a bandit hired by Willis waylays them but Dick routs him and captures Willis but keeps mum. Willis lures Betty Saunders to the bandits home and imprisons her while he goes for a minister. Betty manages to send a message to Dick by her trained horse. Dick comes to the rescue and thrashes Willis after Betty had felled the bandit with a chair. He whispers to the minister that he will probably need him later. “The Silent Accuser” “Peter the Great” Gives Marvelous Performance in This Thrilling MetroGoldwyn Drama Reviewed by Tom Waller Success should be assured for box offices high and low when “The Silent Accuser” is their selling product. This Metro-Goldwyn picture is one of the finest dog starring vehicles that we have ever seen. The one or two violations of reasoning that the plot is allowed to commit would be glaringly obvious were it not that the uncanny acting of that wonderful canine, Peter the Great, furnishes such profound study and absorbing interest. The narrative is centered around the dog and commands attention, with rapidity of movement and abundant thrills, from the very start to the finish. In view of this fact the sacrifice of some plausibilities may have proven necessary. Were it not for Peter and his feats of prowess being consistently featured throughout the entire production we fear the sympathy of the average audience would be greatly lessened at the very opening, resultant in the body of the story weakening as to the interest angle. This is due to the commital for life imprisonment of a man whose innocence could, by circumstances leading up to the murder, have been easily proven. Failure to produce such evidence, however, makes the dog the sole witness of the crime. He aids his innocent master to escape from prison and captures the real criminal. The scenes in the jail where Pete*, .gains the confidence of the warden ancf acquires access to his master’s cell, his delivery of messages between the prisoner and his sweetheart, and his fight with the guards in holding them off while his master makes an escape, are truly remarkable. The canine’s pursuit of the villain, across river and valley; his mighty leaps over canyons and attac c upon the scoundrel are too vivid and absorbing for verbal description. Eleanor Boardman gives a fine portrayal of the role of Barbara Jane, and Raymond McKee makes an excellent hero. As the villain Earl Metcalf encounters real peril. At times it seems that he is being torn to shreds by the teeth of the enraged dog. Cast Barbara Jane Elennor Boardman Raymond McKee Phil Earl Metcalf Stepfather Paul "duel Peter the Great Himself Based on the story by Jack Boyle. Scenario by Chester Franklin and Frank O’Connor. Directed by Chester Franklin. Length, 5.SS3 feet. Story Waiting for Jack, with whom she intends to elope. Barbara is accosted in her bedroom by Phil, a boarder in her home, who is maddened with jealousy. Her screams attract her aged stepfather. She faints and Phil leaves the room in time to be met by the stepfather, whom he kills. Peter, Jack's dog, witnesses the murder through the window. Phil escapes and Jack arrives just in time to be in a compromising position. He is con(Continued on page 362) Scene from the Pathe release, “Every Man for Himself,” a two-reel comedy produced by Hal Roach.