The Moving picture world (April 1921)

April 2, 1921 MOVING PICTURE WORLD 469 Consensus of Published Reviews Here arc extracts from news available at pres» hours from publications of the industry boiled down to a sentence. They present the views of Moving Picture World (M.P.W.); Exhibitors' Herald (E.H.) ; Motion Picture News (N.) ; Exhibitors' Trade Review (T.R.) ; Wid's (W.). The Unknown Wife {Edith Roberts— Universal— -4854 feet) M. P. W— It may be played with good results in the average house. N. — Interesting picture on favorite theme. E. H. — Entertaining, but short on plot material. T. R.— While not a "great" picture, this offering from Universal is a fairly good attraction for box office purposes. W— Pleasing star and direction make good with familiar story. Love, Honor and Behave {Featured Cast — Mack Sennett — 5 reels) M. P. W.— Mack Sennett's latest fulllength comedy is his best up to date. N. — Excellent slap-stick feature with good action and incident. E. H.— Should prove thoroughly satisfactory in entertainment and box office power. W. — Slap-stick comedy of feature length. It can be done. My Lady's Latch Key {Katherine MacDonald — First National — 5,500 feet) M. P. W. — It is fast moving, has a number of surprising twists, but is not very convincing. N. — Mostly good clothes and subtitles with little action or incident. E. H. — Story of a reformed crook. Should please generally. W. — Program picture of average merit. Good direction. The Price of Possession {Ethel Clayton — Paramount — 5 reels) M. P. W. — Has the advantage of careful and correct production. Ethel Clayton is as attractive as ever in the role of the determined widow and acts with her accustomed skill. N. — Ethel Clayton gives clever performance in mild entertainment. E. H. — A love story smoothly and pleasantly told and an artistic picture. W— Thoroughly satisfying offering and star is delightful. The Road of Ambition {Conway Tearle — Selznick — 5,500 feet) M. P. W. — A picture that will please those with whom Tearle is a favorite. E. H. — A high grade picture good in every way. T. R. — Fast action, a strong human appeal and clever acting by principals and supporting cast combine to make this a very interesting melodrama. W. — A good starring vehicle for Conway Tearle. The Plaything of Broadway {Justine Johnstone — Realart — 5,360 feet) M. P. W. — A story that interests even if it does not always convince. N. — Justine Johnstone scores in satisfactory offering. E. H. — Offers a very pretty star in a spiritless and stilted feature. T. R. — Presents a fairly interesting story, enhanced by attractive photography. W. — Nothing entertaining about this one. The Little Fool {Featured Cast — Metro — 6 reels) M. P. W. — An attraction that should have a distinct box office value. One of the outstanding features of the film is the exterior scenery, which has great beauty. N. — Should prove interesting entertainment. E. H. — Is interesting chiefly because of its pretty backgrounds. T. R. — An interesting and diverting screen drama that should prove very welcome to the big majority of fans that see it. W. — Strong cast for an unusual story that entertains. Chickens {Douglas MacLean — Paramount — 4,753 feet) M. P. W. — The comedy elements help to make up for the weak plot, although the comedy itself is not of the scintillating variety. MacLean's wholesome smile and "pep" are, as usual, in evidence all of the time. E. H. — Should be generally liked. T. R. — Both adult and juvenile patrons will appreciate this picture, which offers clean, amusing comedy of decidedly highclass quality, with a well developed love romance and pleasing climax. W. — MacLean in a comedy of rural life this time. The Mistress of Shenstone {Pauline Frederick — R obertson-Co le — ) M. P. W. — Is the unusual story of a woman finding herself in love with the one man she most dreaded to meet. Miss Frederick's acting is intensely gripping. N. — Quiet in action, yet charms with its romance and backgrounds. E. H. — Is Pauline Frederick's latest offering, and one that is exceedingly good. T. R. — It has been so well produced and acted so cleverly that it makes a most satisfactory feature motion picture. W. — Star's work the feature of appealing love story. The Gilded Lily {Mae Murray — Paramount — 6060 feet) M. P. W. — The story never rises to any great dramatic height, but develops naturally, and the subject matter is up-to-date and interesting. Mae Murray does the best screen acting of her career as Lillian Drake and her dances are most skilfully managed. N. — Mae Murray's latest is a winner. T. R. — A masterpiece of film beauty, exhibitors should find it a lucrative attraction. W. — Good production of typical Broadway life story. E. H. — The story makes an excellent vehicle for Mae Murray. For this week's reviews see pages 514, 515, 516, 517 and 518. Extravagance {May Allison — Metro — 6 reels) M. P. W. — The familiar domestic war between woman's wit and man's better judgment has been clearly understood by. the author, and entertainingly transmitted to the screen. N. — Interest dulled by a too lengthy picture. E. H. — An elaborately staged society drama in six reels. Lacks dramatic strength. T. R. — Has very little to recommend it as an attraction. W. — Star's performance is bright spot in offering that drags. Beau Revel {Florence Vidor — Paramount — 5,293 feet) M. P. W. — Is decidedly good entertainment, although its story ends with a tragedy, the suicide of a gay philanderer when he fails to win the heart of his son's sweetheart and incurs his son's hate. N. — Fairly interesting, though would be more convincing if developed humorously. E. H. — The story of a love waster and his retribution with slight tinge of melodrama. A very good feature. T. R. — The plot lacks wholesome appeal and does not carry conviction. W. — Capable handling of story makes it worth while. A Tale of Two Worlds {Featured Cast — Goldwyn — 5,649 feet) M. P. W. — The plot is in no way original but the incidents are neatly dovetailed and the character drawing is skilfully done. ' N. — -Melodrama is obvious, but carries punch and color. T. R. — Unlimited surprises and pungent thrills are offered by this picture, which ranks as excellent melodramatic entertainment. W. — Typical Chinese atmosphere. Good production and well acted. East Lynne {Featured Cast — Hodkinson — 6,634 feet) M. P. W. — As a work of pictorial art the film leaves nothing to be desired, but for straightforward drama it lacks the gusto and authority that should be present. N. — Modernized version of play and book should interest. T. R. — The great love that cannot be quenched and finally leads the wife and mother back to her old home again form a tale of compelling interest. W. — Will be much the better for a careful re-editing. The Magnificent Brute {Frank Mayo — Universal — 4,606 feet) M. P. W. — A good melodrama in snow scenes of extraordinary beauty. N. — A good western with plenty of action. T. R. — In spite of the trite theme, the story will appeal because it has been well done. The production has wonderful locale and one is always under the spell of the aurora borealis. W. — Some beautiful shots of snow country in Mayo's latest.