Moving Picture World (May-Jun 1925)

Newest Reviews and Comments EDITED BY CHARLES S. SEWELL “ Stop Flirting ” Christie’s Latest Through Producers Distributing Corporation is an Amusing Light Comedy Reviewed by C. S. Sewell A London musical comedy success furnishes the outline for “Stop Flirting” the newest feature comedy which A1 and Charles' Christie are offering through Producers Distributing Corporation. As the story has reached the screen it is a farce comedy built around the idea of a young wife flirting with all her male acquaintances to get even with her husband who she believes has been flirting with a number of girls. To teach her a lesson, hubby is persuaded to pretend to take an aero trip. By accident he really does and has an exciting time. His death is reported, and returning home he has to hide and has a time getting food. Finally there is a riot of excitement, for hearing that an eccentric maniac is loose hubby, his friend and a Count all disguise as the maniac. The scheme finally brings about a reconciliation. There is plenty of action and Director Scott Sydney has kept things moving at a good pace. The opening scenes are bright and snappy, but as is frequently the case with an adaptation of a musical show, the plot is slight and in building it up it looses some of its pep. The different situations are amusing, but in several instances they are held too long and the ideas rather overworked and various theatric devices are employed to keep up the action which* while amusing will be recognized as familiar. The fact that the wife is on to the scheme and helps to work it up is a good touch that adds to the merriments. John T. Murray and Wanda Hawley have the leading roles with Hallam Cooley, Jimmie Adams and Jack Duffy scarcely less prominjent and all give satisfactory performances. Director Scott Sidney has made the most of the material at his command, in fact he has overworked his situations at times to make up for the slight plot that is hardly sufficient for the footage. There are however a number of laughs and with the fast action “Stop Flirting” will probably prove amusing light entertainment for the majority of audiences. Cast Perry Reynolds John T. Murray Vivian Reynolds Wanda Hawley Geoffrey /Hallam Cooley Suzanne Vera Steadman Marjorie Ethel Shannon Count Jimmie Adams Rutler Jack Duffy Teddy. Jimmie Harrison Based on musical comedy by Fred Jackson Directed by Scott Sidney Length, 5,1<!X feet. Story The Reynolds, very much in love with each other, are on their honeymoon. Perry strolls on the beach and Vivian sees a girl in his arms. He explains that she slipped and Vivian is satisfied. The next time, when a girl falls on his lap she is not so easily appeased and when apparently kissing a girl, he says he was getting a cinder out of her eye, Vivian decides to cure him by flirting Features Reviewed In This Issue Don Q, Son of Zorro (United Artists) Faint Perfume (Schulberg) Man Without a Conscience (Warner) Manicure Girl, The (Paramount) Peak of Fate (F. B. Rogers) Steele of the Royal Mounted (Vitagraph) Stop Flirting (Prod Dist. Corp.) Verdict, The (Truart) White Outlaw, The (Universal) and invites all the men she knows. Perry’s friend, Geoffrey, comes to the rescue and schemes to have Perry pretend that he is going with another chap on a flight to Hawaii. Perry fails to get out of the machine and Geoffrey follows in a speed boat and Perry has to drop out of the machine at sea. Returning home he hides in a boat house. Vivian gets on to the scheme and keeps flirting. A policeman reports that a maniac who imagines himself the Hunchback of Notre Dame is at large. Perry, Geoffrey and a Count all disguise and the house is in an uproar. Vivian finally captures one who proves to be Perry and all ends happily. “The Man Without a Conscience” Warner Brothers Offer Willard Louis and Irene Rich in Story of Ruthless Search for Wealth Reviewed by C. S. Sewell As indicated by the title, Warner Brothers’ “The Man Without a Conscience” has for its leading character a type totally different from the usual screen hero. It is the story of a ruthless and unprincipled man who in his search for wealth did not scruple to ruin or use for his own advantage everyone with whom he came in contact. Willard Louis has the personality for this role and gives a thoroughly satisfactory performance. Irene Rich, who is featured with him, portrays a high-bred sensitive woman who marries him to save her family from bankruptcy, and learning what a blackguard Mr. Exhibitor: Ask at the Film Exchanges for the It’s little to ask for, but it’s the only reliable aid you can give your musicians to help put the picture over. he is, turns against him. As usual, Miss Rich gives an excellent performance, but she has not any great opportunities here. Obviously with a story of this kind sympathy for the leading character is lacking. This is in a measure offset by the force of the story in the earlier reels, showing his rise to wealth. These scenes have been interestingly and consistently developed. The latter reels, however, seem forced and artificial and there are several inconsistencies. It would hardly seem probable, for instance, that the hero’s business would have suspended without his knowing it, and the scene where a woman invaded a man’s apartment and enters into a prolonged argument (which conveniently is heard by the heroine over the phone), ending in a hand-to-hand encounter, seems very much overdrawn. There are situations developed, especially one where the husband discovers his wife’s interest in a former sweetheart, that are worked up and then not carried through to a conclusion. And, in seeking to bring about a happy ending, the story is given a twist that is only not convincing but weakens the drama and force of the earlier reels. After it has been definitely established that the wife does not love him, and the hero is sent to jail for his crimes, he is shown after his release coming back repentant with his wife patiently waiting for him. This is, of course, possible, but is not the logical outcome of the earlier reels. There is a capable supporting cast and because of the forceful story and good acting it will, despite its weaknesses, probably prove average entertainment for a great many patrons. Cast Amos (Richard) Mason ..Willard Louis Shirley Graves Irene Rich Ann Sherman June Marlowe Douglas White John Patrick James Warren Robert Agnew Mrs. Graves Helen Dunbar Mrs. McBride Kate Price Story by Max Kretzer. Directed by Hoxre Loring and Louis D. Lighton. Directed by James Flood. Length, 7,1 St! feet. Story Ruthlessl-y determined to win success at all costs, Amos Mason comes to New York with his fiance, Ann. By unscrupulous dealings and use of Ann’s savings he meets with considerable success and casts Anil aside. She gets a position as maid in the Graves household and Amos, now calling himself Richard, courts Shirley Graves, who really loves White, who is penniless. Mason causes the dismissal of Ann and through the influence of Mrs. Graves Shirley is persuaded to marry him. Mason starts a big real estate scheme and by the time his baby is born, the plan is working well. He gets Warren, ■*#i architect, to build him a mansion and it d*velops that Warren’s wife is Ann. Shirley learns the truth from Ann about their affair and turns to White, but becomes disgusted when she believes he is having another affair. Trouble develops with the water system in the new city and soon the whole scheme falls flat and the police are after Mason for swindling. He turns to Ann and begs her to take care of his boy and then gives himself up to the police. In prison he repents and Shirley’s attitude toward him softens and when he is freed they become reconciled.