The Moving picture world (September 1920-October 1920)

530 "The Husband Hunter*' Five-Reel Fox Production Featurei Eileen Percy in Story of Ultra-Smart Set. Reviewed by Robert C. McElravy. THERE i; So much brilliance of presentation and infectious gpod humor about the first reels of this Fox production, "The Husband Hunter," that it is doubly disappointing when, at a critical moment in the story, it suddenly develops scenes that overshoot the mark and tend to flatten out the good effects previously achieved. A vigorous editing in certain obvious places would do much to tone down the unpleasant features and retain the enjoyable comedy element. It is well worth revising. The story deals with the experiences of a husband-hunting girl who determines to capture the son of an "oil can" millionaire. Her previous flirtations become known to him and he invites her to his home to meet his father and mother. Here he has prepared, with the aid of friends, a reception designed to cure her of a desire to land a wealthy husband. The trick is highly amusing up to a certain point, when it is carried too far to hold the sympathy of the spectator. The delicate touch visible in the direction up to this point gives way to some crudities that are out of harmony with the general conception. As suggested above, careful editing would do much to soften the bitter humor of these situations. Eileen Percy screens excellently and is particularly gcod in the close-ups. Edward McWade does an excellent character bit as the eccentric father. Emery Johnson is satisfactory as the "hunted" man. Caat. Myra Hastings Eileen Percy The Husband Hunter Kent Whitney Emory Johnson The Hunted Man Ulah Elkins Jane Miller Myra's Friend Arthur Elkins Harry Dunklnson Lilah's Husband Bob Harkness Evans Kirk Kent's Bright Friend Charles Mack Edward McWade An Actor Kelly John Stepling Another Actor Story by F. Scott Fitzgerald. Scenario by Joseph F. Poland. Direction by Howard M. Mitchell. Length, Five Reels. The Story. Myra Hastings, in "The Husband Hunter," is a beautiful young society girl who sets her cap for Kent Whitney, son of an "oil can" millionaire. Myra has a recognized gift for summer flirtations and soon has the young man in her train. At this time a rejected suitor warns Kent of her husband-hunting proclivities, and the new victim determines to cure her of the habit. Kent invites Myra to go to his home and meet his rarents, whom he describes as a little eccentric. The girl arrives at the Long Island station in a rainstorm and is met by a broken down automobile. At the Whitney home Kent Introduces her to his father, who develops some decidedly odd traits of character. The mother is upstairs, reclining on a divan, with a dozen or more pet dogs romping about her. That night the alleged neighbors come In and Myra is further dumfounded. When she learns that it is all a trick Myra retaliates by pretending to marry Kent. She deserts him on a train, sending back a note telling him the minister was a fake one. He has by this time learned to really love her, so he pursues her and when he has overtaken her they plan a real marriage. Progrram and Exploitation CatchlineN: Story Depicting the Experiences of a Husband-Hunting Girl. A Comedy-Drama of the Ultra-Smart Set, with Eileen Percy. She Wanted to Capture the Son of a Millionaire for a Husband and She Did It in Her Own Flirtatious Way. Exploitation AnKlem Play chiefly on the title, which can be sold to the best advan THE MOVING PICTURE WORLD tage. Use the players' names, but arouse curiosity as to what a husband-hunter is and then make them?%ome to find out. If you can get a girl with the proper nerve, load her down with obsolete guns and revolvers and send her out with a sign stating that she is a husband hunter and. to be seen at her best at your house. "The Kentucky Colonel" Opie Read Story Produced by National Film Corporation Contains Some Stirring Moments. Reviewed by Margaret I. MacDonald. IN summing up the good qualities of the film version of Opie Read's story, "The Kentucky Colonel," one of the first which has quite a genuine flavor, is atmosphere. The production which is being distributed by W. W. Hodkinson, was made by the National Film Corporation, with Joseph Bowling in the title role, and Elinor Field in the feminine lead. The author has laid a good foundation for the piling up of interesting detail; and while the treatment given it in this instance is of average merit, the picture contains some stirring moments. As is often the case, some of the smaller parts stand out in the matter of skilful interpretation. One of these is the role of Jack Gap, played by Dudley Hendricks. His opportunities cover only a few scenes, but he has made the most of each one. Mary Talbot as Mirandy Gap gets but one chance in the play, and sees to it that she is remembered. Gordon Griffiths and Thelma Salter as the children also score. Joseph Dowling is every inch the southern colonel, but either the scenarist or the director is at fault in failing to give a broader scope to the development of this character. Elinor Field is charming as Luzelle Hineman. In fact the best work evidenced in the production is the selecting of the cast ; for only in spots does the direction of the picture do justice to the simple, old-fashioned romance of the story. Cast. Colonel Remington Osbury . Joseph J. Dowling General Huck Hineman ... Frederick Vroom Luzelle Hineman Elinor Field Philip Burwood Francis McDonald Mrs. Hineman Cora Drew Boyd Havely Lloyd Bacon Ella Mayhew Jill Woodward Jim Britsides Fred Kohler Sam Britsides Gordon Griffiths Jack Gap Dudley Hendricks Mirandy Gap Mary Talbot Liza Ann Gap Thelma Salter Reverend Gardner Boyle Ed. Brady Adapted from the story by Opie Read. Direction by William A. Seiter. Length, 6,800 Feet. The Story. The story of "The Kentucky Colonel" concerns a romance of an unusual type. Two young southerners. Buck Hineman and Remington Osbury, who have been pals, love the same girl. When the war breaks out. she has not yet made up her mind as to which one she prefers, but gives her promise that she will marry the one who returns. Remington is wounded on the battlefield and left for dead by Buck, who returns and marries the girl. Shortly afterward Remington Osbury returns and, finding the pair wed, contents himself with remaining the good friend of both, and becoming one of the Hineman family. Running parallel with the love story of the old Kentuckians, is another love story of a later date. The daughter of one of the Hlnemans, Luzelle, is wooed by two young men, whose families had been enemies for years. In the complications which occur, the Hineman bank Is robbed, a strong box containing papers of Mrs. Hineman's Is opened, and a letter written to her years before by Colonel Buck Osbury, congratulating her on the birth of her daughter, is tampered with. The letter, sent to General Buck Hineman at the hour of his daughter's marriage, gives the impression, by the obliteration of one word, that Osbury Is the father of Luzelle. The wedding Is suddenly halted, and a duel September 25, 1920 between the two old men is arranged. Bach shoots Into the air, and with the discovery that neither really wants to kill the other, explanations are made and a happy situation is brought about. Proeram and Exploitation CatcbUnea I A Stirring Romance of the South. Adaptation of Opie Read Story. Story of Two Southerners Who Love the Same Girl — She Knows Not the One She Loves Best, But Says She Will Wed the One That Returns. Exploitation .4ni;les: Offer this as a real southern story by a real southerner. Opie Reid is not of this generation of best sellers, but he is remembered and loved by a host of old timers who will be your best press agents if you play his name strongly. Offer it as "a different" story of the South and make it plain that it is not a rehash of timetried material. Make your drive on the better class of patrons, to whom this would appeal most strongly. "Honest Hutch" Goldwyn Presents Will Rogers in An Exceptionally Fine Comedy of Realism. Reviewed by Louis Reeves Harrison IN the Goldwyn release, "Honest Hutch," Will Rogers has excelled any previous performance. This is due partly to the well-worked-out story and the opportunity it affords him quite as much as to his ability to make bright and interesting use of that opportunity. His hearty liking for the unconventional life of social outcasts has carried him nearer and nearer to the path of delightful realism blazed long years ago by James A. Herne. He has about struck the trail in "Honest Hutch," though not through imitation. The story does not present conventional stage situations, but, like Heme's plays, it abounds in scenes close to the heart of common life, its humor of the very kindest and most human quality. Though the chief delight in "Honest Hutch" lies in character delineation, there is a vast amount of skill shown in an artistic representation of the story's truthfulness. There is present everywhere that satisfying technic of showing men and women as they are in their daily pursuits, in dress, setting and action. Notable scenario construction and direction have brought about this pleasing result, one bound to afford the spectator a deep sense of gratification. There is no unnaturalness to jar common sense, nothing forced to blur enjoyment of the happily-devised situa-. tions. Added pleasure is the "meat" served in spicy subtitles, something delectable to "set your teeth in." In the large summing-up of values, account must be taken of a well-typed cast, and of the strong character interpretations of Mary Alden, TuUy Marshall and Nick Cogley, a grand total rarely seen in .one production. Judging from the delight with which "Honest Hutch" was received at the Capitol Theatre, it is headed for a long period of prosperity, possibly to become a classic of its kind. Ca.t. Honest Hutch Will Rogers Mrs. Hutchins Mary Alden Ellen Priscllla Bonner Thomas Gunnison Tully Marshall Hiram Joy Nick Cogley Three Children Trebaol (Eddie, Jeannette, Yves) Thomas Gunison, Jr Byron Munson Gabriel Smith, Author. Clarence Badger, Director. Length, Five Reels. The Stopy. "Honest Hutch" is a shiftless small farmer, who is really supported by his wife, while he dozes at fishing or loafs in the town, his excuse a strained back received years gone by by falling off a scaffold. General sentiment is that he never had energy enough to climb a scaffold. While languidly digging for fishing worms he comes upon a cash box containing fifty new thousand dollar bills. He is shrewd enough to realize that he can