Moving Picture World (Jan-Feb 1925)

268 MOVING PICTURE WORLD January 17, 1925 suades him to elope with her. Selina learns of this and while beggringp the pair to give up the wild idea Mrs. Storm’s husband enters and threatens to name Dirk as corespondent in a divorce suit. Selina pleads so for Dirk that Storm consents to drop the matter. Thoroughly repentent, Dirk goes with his mother to Dallas. “The No-Qiin Man” Lefty Flynn’s Second for F. B. O. Is Entertaining Outdoor Melodrama with Mystery Element Keviewed by C. S. Sewell ^For his second featured released through F. B. O. Maurice “Lefty” Flynn appears in “The Xo-Gun Man” in which he is cast as a banker who goes to a small town and succeeds in getting evidence to connect a suspicious gang with the robbery of his bank and incidentally finds romance in the person of a girl who runs the village store. .•\s the hero goes to a small town under an assumed name, there is an element of ruystery regarding his real identity which is heightened by the fact that while friendly with the forces of law and order he arouses their suspicion by hobnobbing with the criminals, but the solution is easily guessed by those who have watched the opening titles. Flynn has a breezy and effective screen personality and is well suited to his role in this picture which is of the dashing alert type. The story moves along at a brisk pace with plenty of action and opportunities for snappy fights and rescues and somewhat out of the ordinary situations. The mystery angle heightens the interest and suspense. .Gloria Grey is appealing as a game little girl who has spunk enough to oppose the villain, Raymond Turner is excellent as a colored chauffeur and furnishes several laughs and W. J. Flynn is capable as the villain. “The No-Gun Alan” gets sufficiently away from the average story of this type to furnish an element of novelty but at the same time contains plenty of vigorous action, fights, stunts etc., villainy and heroism to appeal to the dyed-in-the-wool out-door melodrama fans and it should prove a satisfactory program attraction for the majority. Ca.st Robert ti. ^ iiieeiit Lefty Flynn Bill Kilgore \V. J. Quinn Carmen Ilarroway Gloria Grey Obediali Kayiiiond Turner Tom \\ e.st Jame.s G. Ku.s.sell Oklaboma George Bob Keeve.s Snooper Harry McCabe Story and Cciitiiiiiity by Dorothy Arasner and I’aul Gaiigelin. I'liotograiihed by Louis Pliysioc. Directeil by Harry Garson. I.ength, 4,7>‘2‘2 feet. Story Following the robbery of a suburban bank, the small town of Red Rock is terrorized by the appearance of a gang led by Bill Kilgore, who, failing to impress Carmen Harrowa>% who runs a small store, will not allow the townspeople to trade with her. A stranger. Bob Jerome, appears, and wins the friendship of Carmen and shows he does not fear Kilgore. The populace is mystified, however, when he becomes friendly with Kilgore, and even joins his gang. Kilgore finally plans a robbery of a train and goes to kidnap Carmen. Robert saves her, but she does not trust him and makes his task more difficult. The townseople finally rise and defeat Kilgore’s gang, and Robert, who is knocked out and left on the track, saves himself and the train. It develops that he is the president of the bank that was robbed and has secured the necessary evidence against Kilgore. Carmen accepts the invitation to become a banker’s wife. ^^The Narrow Street^^ Unusually Amusing Light Comedy, Fine Characterization and Human Interest in Warner Production Hcvic^^cd by C. S. Scwcll A good story to begin with, plus fine characterizations, aided by excellent direction that brings out the greatest possibilities of both story and players, makes Warner Brothers’ “The Narrow Street” unusually pleasing entertainment. Based on a popular novel by Edwin Bateman Morris, this picture, starring Matt Aloore and Dorothy Devore, directed by William Beaudine, is light farce comedy; there are no heavy absurdities or slapstick that will cause side-splitting laughter, but it is filled with situations and deft touches of characterization that will keep the great majority smiling and chuckling, with an occasional outburst, from the opening scene to the final flash, and we mean this literally, for two of the most amusing bits are the opening and closing. The hero is a hard-working but unsystematic, efficient but absent-minded clerk, the butt of the office jokes, a fellow who is so retiring he feajs almost his own shadow and is intensely afraid of women. When placed in a situation where a peppy and attractive girl seeks shelter in his home and contrives to stay there several days, naturally being mistaken for his wife, the resultant comedy can easily be imagined. Obviously, the “plot” is not to be taken seriously, for the main situation is hardly logical, nor is the hero’s promotion to an executive position, but it all serves to make the story interesting and provides fine opportunities for real legitimate humor and every one has been utilized. Matt Moore’s characterization of the hero is remarkably well done and unusually convincing; his every move is not only amusing but he puts a lot of human interest in the role and you cannot help but like the chap he portrays. In fact, it is one of the best comedy characterizations we have ever seen. Dorothy Devore, vivacious and attractive, an excellent little comedienne, is an effective foil for Moore, and the supporting cast is entirely satisfactory. We recommend “The Narrow Street” to all who enjoy an hour of smiles and chuckles. Cast Doris Dorothy Devore Simon Haldane Matt Moore Ray Wyeth David Butler Garvey Russell Simpson Doctor Willi:im Orlamond Ollice Boy Joe Buttertvorth Aunt Albina Kate Toncray Aunt Agnes Tempe Piggott Based on novel by Fdwin Bateman Morris, Directed by William Beandine. Length, 6.700 feet. Story Simon Haldane, the under dog in the office of the Faulkner Iron Works is efficient but absent-minded, and the jest of the office staff. A girl seeking to escape from detectives hides in Simon’s house and the next morning he is shocked to find her. A sudden chill causes him to call a doctor for her, and the doctor breaks the news that Simon is married and he is all up in the air when the office force call in a body. The girl takes a liking to Simon and so does a breezy salesman, Wyeth. A shake-up results in Simon being made manager. Returning home the maid informs him that the girl left with Wyeth. Later he thoroughly trounces Wyeth and answering a phone call to come to a certain hotel he discovers the girl is the daughter of his employer. Sheepishly he starts to depart but the girl saves the situation. ^Wi/e of the Centaur^^ Entertaining Metro-Goldwyn Production Is Based on Cyril Hume’s Popular Novel of Modern Life Reviewed by C. S. Sewell With John Gilbert, Eleanor Boardman and Aileen Pringle in the leading roles, MetroGoldwyn is offering a picturization of Cyril Hume’s sensational modern novel, “The Wife of the Centaur.” Like the fabled animal referred to in the last word of the title, that was half beast and half man, the hero of this story is an author with a dual nature, who vacillated betw’een the ideal and manly side that found expression in his marriage to a devoted young woman, and the appeal of passion as exemplified in the fascination for a worldly w’oman who sought to win him. W'hile the title would indicate it is a story of the wife of this man, the man himself is the dominant character and the picture depicts the struggle between these two natures, with the better one obviously triumphing in the end. Here is a rather daring theme, with the sex appeal strongly brought out, but it has been expertly handled and there is nothing that can be classed as offensive. Although the character of the hero is not an entirely sympathe‘'ic one, for more footage is devoted to his weakness than his strength, it is a human and interesting type of modern man that is portrayed. John Gilbert is dashing and romantic and his performance should appeal especially to the women. Eleanor Boardman, though she starts out like a flapper, finds a deeper note and is capable as the loving, trusting wife, while Aileen Pringle handles the role of a worldly woman with strong sex appeal unusually well. This picture for considerable of its footage gives the impression that it is going to be another round of jazz and wild parties, but with the hero’s marriage it narrows down to the three characters and the drama is heightened. There is plenty of dash and action and the plot keeps moving forward at a good pace. There is good drama in the climax and a thrilling journey down a snowcovered mountain by the hero just precedes it. Effort to obtain a letter is the reason for this, and the suspense is well worked up. Altogether, “Wife of the Centuar” should provide better than the average entertainment for the majority. Cast Joan Converse Fleanor Boardman Jeffrey Dwyer John Gilbert Inez Martin.. .Aileen Pringle -Mattie Kate Price Harry Toild Philo SIcCullough Based on novel by Cyril Hume. Directed by King Vidor. Length. 6.5S6 feet. Story Jeffrey Dwyer an author and poet has a conflicting nature, at times he has high ideals but he also feels strongly the appeal of the purely sensual. He is attracted to Joan Converse, a sweet little girl who falls in love with him, but neglects her when he meets the flashing, dashing Inez Martin. Inez finally throws him over and marries Todd but the marriage is a failure. Jeffrey, returning to his senses after a period of debauchery marries Joan and they go to a lodge in the mountains and are happy until Inez takes a house nearby. For months he fights the infatuation, but one night writes a note to Joan and goes to Inez. His better nature makes him realize himself as he really is and he returns to Joan who understands and forgives him.