Moving Picture World (Nov-Dec 1927)

©through the 5ox-Office cMndow < Reviewers' Views On ^feature tyilm “Dress Parade” Audience Applauds Patriotic Comedy-Drama Selected from Pathe Product for “Strand” DeMille Pictures Corp. Presents William Boyd in “Dress Parade” With Bessie Love Story by Maj. Alexander Chilton and Maj. Robert Blassburn Directed by Donald Crisp Distributed by Pathe CAST: Vic Donovan William Boyd Janet Cleghorne Bessie Love Stuart Haldane Hugh Alien Dusty Dawson Walter Tennyson Mealy Snodgrass Maurice Ryan Patsy Dugan Louis Natlieaux Commandant Clarence Geldert Length — 6,599 Feet Vic Donovan, champion prize fighter, qualifies and enters West Point, but is “set down” by Janet, the commandant’s daughter, and “bawled out” by Haldane, who also loves the girl. In a sham battle, Donovan saves Haldane from death in an accident due to Donovan’s carelessness, and after admitting his responsibility and taking the full blame, the commandant gives him another chance, with 60-hours extra duty — and Vic wins the girl. SOMETIMES verging on the slapstick, “The Girl in the Pullman” is mostly light comedy of the type that is laughed at and forgotten, but which gives pleasant entertainment to the average moviegoer. It has been well put together and well acted by a decidedly good cast headed by Marie Prevost and Harrison Ford. You can laugh at it without feeling ashamed afterward, for the situations are ingeniously handled. Marie Prevost, as the divorced wife of the nerve specialist, plays with a sureness not spoiled by overemphasis. Harrison Ford and Franklin Pangborne share the honors on the \T OU can’t go wrong when you wave the A flag. George Cohan proved that. And when the flag is the one at West Point and is surrounded by squads and companies of these fine upstanding national defenders, the appeal is doubled by the presence of each cadet. Add to the authentic background, the liberal interspersing of West Pointers on parade, and the historic interest in the ancient battlements overlooking the Hudson, a good wise-cracking comedy, a gentle love tale, the pathos essential to all real comedy, and the thrill of lives endangered, and it isn’t remarkable that the audience cheered. William Boyd, handsome as ever and with that infectious grin of his working wonders, has most to do, and manages nicely with a character transition from a wisenheimer boxer and small town smart aleck to a “one hundred per cent. West Pointer.” The remainder of the cast is convincing in men’* side of the cast and Ethel Wales and Kathryn McGuire also contribute imnortantly, while Harry Myers and an unprogramed player who contributes a clever “souse” bit, round out the supporters. The work toward an ensemble effect that makes for smoothness and speed, and the comedy tears alonsr almost as rapidly as the runaway car in which the final action takes place. Ford has married before his divorce becomes effective and has started for California on his honeymoon. Miss Prevost carries her lawyer to the train to warn Ford that until midnight he is a bigamist, and also on the train is the neurotic whose life has been wrecked because Miss McGuire threw him over for Ford. Put these components in adjoining apart ments, stir them up well and you have the ingredients of this little farce, which should get the laughs anywhere. The railroad locale offers an excellent exploitation angle. “The Girl in the Pullman” Should Enjoy a Smooth Journey, the extreme, none of the players striking a false note. The note of patriotism is predominant throughout the production, which, incidentally was made possible only through a “tie-up” with the United States Government and the authorities at the Military Academy. And this is the cue when you play the picture. At the Strand, several hundred West Point cadets marched in to see it. Similar arrangements with local military bodies will prove effective. The schools may be enlisted to support this one. Historical essay contests are distinctly in order. The title will help with window display tieups. Rely on the flag to get them in. The picture will send ’em out happy. It is good and will please them all. “Dress Parade” is a Sure-Fire as the Stars And Stripes And a Military Band. DeMille Pictures Corp. presents Marie Prevost in “The Girl in the Pullman” From “The Girl ;n the Upper C,” by Willson Collison An Earle C. Kenton Production Distributed by Pathe CAST: Hazel Burton Marie Prevost Dr. Donald Burton Harrison Ford Heetor Brooks Franklin Pang-born Dollie Jones Kathryn McGuire Mrs. Jones Ethel Wales Jerry Mason Harry Myers Length — 5,867 Feet Dr. Burton, on the point of being divorced from Hazel and marrying Dollie, encounters Hazel just prior to his remarriage, and complications ensue. Hector Brooks, a patient of Dr. Burton, is a nervous wreck, “given the air” by Dollie. The latter and the doctor marry in haste, but the law nullifies their marriage. Everybody in thrown together in the Pullman car, and further complications are in order. “The Girl in the Pullman” Smooth Box-Office Journey Predicted For Pathe Offering at Big “Hippodrome” Week’s Programs Nicely Balanced Between Drama and Comedy