The Moving picture world (August 1921)

August 20, 1921 MOVING PICTURE WORLD 829 Newest Reviews and .Comments A^A "Greater Than Love" J. Parker Read, Jr., Produces Picture of Excellent Contrasts, with High Moral Message, Featuring Louise Glaum and Released by Asso- ciated Producers Reviewed by Mary Kelly. The lesson of better living in a day of sen- suality is projected by an unusual situation in "Greater Than Love." Five young girls living irresponsibly in a New York apartment, are halted in their round of revelry one evening when one of their number, suffering from an unhappy affair, takes her own life. The effect on the others, for once forced to admit the soberness of life, is strikingly depicted. At this crisis, appears the mother of the dead girl, a woman of the highest type whose obvious good- ness and purity is a contrasting influence in their surroundings. Her visit lasts but a few hours and is followed by another whirl of pleasure. But upon one of the girls at least has the visitor's benign presence left a linger- ing impression, and it is this which saves her later from a dishonest move that would en- danger the happiness of several. The picture is typical of the modern tendency toward the newer religious beliefs which is noticeable even where there is profligacy. At times it is deeply stirring. The lesson has been picturesquely set forth and the characteriza- tions bespeak excellent directing. While the sub-titles may seem a little preachy to some, to many they will be acceptable. The char- acter of the mother is beautifully drawn, but might be made more human, and not the less admirable, if her acceptance of the news of her daughter's death were tinged more noticeably with grief. In this way, her strength, as later revealed would be all the more superb. Miss Gertrude Claire is a perfect type for this role. Louise Glaum has, as usual, a more or less hectic role which she does with earnest re- sponsiveness to her director. Mahlon Hamil- ton is impressive in a retiring part. The photog- raphy and lighting are very good. The Cast Grace Merrill Louise Glaum Elsie Brown Patricia Palmer Maizie Rose Cade Clarice Eve Southern p mkie Willie May Carson Helen Wellington Betty Francisco Bruce Wellington Mahlon Hamilton Elliott Donald MacDonald Frank Norwood Edward Martindel "Mother" Brown Gertrude Claire The Youth Stanhope Wheatcroft Story by G. Gardner Sullivan. Direction by Fred Niblo. Length, Six Reels. The Story Grace Morrill is one of six young girls who are idling their lives away in a New York apartment, devoted largely to the stag- ing of parties of a more or less questionable order. One evening she finds Elsie, the youngest of the "family" in tears. Grace advises her that no one man is worth crying over and leaves her only to discover later at a party that Elsie has taken poison. The doctor is unable to revive her. and all five girls face the first serious experience of their lives. Elsie's mother, a quiet, strong woman, re- ceives the news without wincing. When she notifies Grace that she is coming to visit them, the girls transform the apartment into a modest little nest, and prepare to appear "good." Her beautiful character brings forth genuine admiration from all of them during her short visit. Grace has previously entered into an agree- ment whereby she receives $50,000 for be- guiling Bruce Wellington, so that his wife will seek a divorce. Just before she leaves for home, Elsie's mother meets Wellington and knows intuitively that something Is wrong. Her few words about real happiness remain with Grace long after the visitor has ' 'Strange Ca terp Wars'' It is not generally known that moths are speedy fliers, but Kineto Reviews in its film entitled "Strange Caterpillars," shows what is known as the hawk moth that can work up a speed of fifty miles an hour. There are also some interesting pictures of caterpillars, which are blood relations of moths; their habits, manner of locomotion, the way they act, and their destructive proclivities are all shown. The collecting of butterflies are pictures to attract attention, and everything to do with their collecting from their capture to the time they are displayed dried, and pinned on boards are interesting details. "The Charm of the Unfolding Bloom," pro- duced by speed magnification or stop-motion photography, showing one hour to three days' natural development in ten to thirty seconds is an interesting part of the Review.—T. S. daP. Movie Chats No. 61 Movie Chats No. 61 shows, as usual, enter- taining sights in different parts of the world. The most interesting, perhaps, is the building of concrete ships, every detail, up to the time of launching, being shown. First is illustrated the building of two wooden frame-works, one inside the other. Between these frame-works the cement is poured, and after it hardens the wood-work is knocked off and, presto, you have the hull of a concrete ship. Other views show old Jerusalem with its motley population, and then, whizzing to Java you get "shots" of a typical street scene of that place. The raising of thousands of geese for market is an interesting sight, and the reel winds up with pictures of a gorilla and other anthropoids in the London zoo.—T. S. daP. "Nothing Like It" A number of good laughs are due for the audience which sits through "Nothing Like It," a two-reel Christie comedy, which Educational has for distribution. The plot develops in a theatre where some amateur actors are putting on a would-be-dramatic rendition of "Cleo- patra." What befalls the actors by reason o-f one of their number, who is jealous of the success of the show, doing his best to "queer" it, is quite enough to make the audience, which is also pic- tured, go through paroxysms of laughter. And it will have no less an effect on those who come in past the box-office.—T. S. daP. left, and she tells Wellington the whole plot, admitting that she is unable to carry out her part. She perceives the emptiness and uselessness of her life as it has been and in the determination to make something better of it, goes to Elsie's mother who offers her a home—the first real home she has known. Program and Exploitation Catehllnes: Six Irresponsible Girls Leading a Bohemian Life in the Big City—With Never a Moment For Anything But Pleasure— A Suicide Right Under Their Own Roof Brings Them Face to Face With Facts— The Result Is Unusual. Grace Morrill Had Never Met Anyone With a Soul, Until Elsie's Mother Came to Visit. At First She Resented This New Influence For Good—But a Time Came When She Needed It and Then— Exploitation Angles: Play up the two sides of life which the picture lays stress upon. Use for lobby display a gay scene from the dance and the quiet scene of the mother before- the cottage door. Exploit the title by—"Love has always been acknowl- edged to be the greatest thing in the world." Is there anything more sublime? See this picture and be convinced. "Big Game" Wildly Improbable Canadian Northwest Story Produced by Metro Gives May Allison Little to Do Reviewed by Edward Weitzel. "Big Game" has a weak and wildly improba- ble plot, and is a long time getting to any real situation. The wife of Larry Winthrop, of Boston, discovers that her husband is a physi- cal coward, and is told that the only way to cure him is to force him into a fight in her be- half. She gets him to go to the Canadian Northwest in the dead of winter with her, hires an impressionable French guide to make love to her, finds that the man is determined to have her, and stands watching while her husband beats the guide up and then kicks him out of the room. Whereupon the Winthrops return to Boston, and the proud and happy wife tells his family what a hero Larry has proved himself. This story is very well acted, but gives May Allison little to do. Too much time is spent in preparing for the only real scene—the fight. There is a fairly well simulated blizzard and the dashes with dog teams over the snow are inspiring, but the human animals are not, and you commence to wonder who is going to put a little common sense into the wife's head, when you learn that she has brought four large trunks of wardrobe with her. The Cast Eleanor Winthrop May Allison Larry Winthrop Forrest Stanley Jean St. Jean Edward Cecil Aunt Sarah Winthrop Zeffie Tillbury "Spike" McGafney William Elmer Henri Baptiste Sidney D'Albrook Stage play by Willard Robertson and Kilbourne Gordon. Scenario by Edward T. Lowe. Jr. Directed by Dallas Fitzgerald. Cameraman, Jackson Rose. Length, Six Reels. The Story Eleanor Winthrop finds that marrying into a wealthy and aristocratic Boston family ha s it drawbacks. Her husband has been mothered to death by Aunt Sarah Winthrop, and brought up to use real Boston language. Eleanor likes to pep up her conversation with the latest colloquialisms. She also likes to believe that her husband has plenty of nerve and is handy with his fists. When she discovers that he is a physical coward and that his boxing lessons are only for effect, she consults a specialist and is told that her Larry can be made to fight if he thinks that he is defending her. A day or so later Larry is advised by his lawyer to go out to the Canadian Northwest and attend to some property. Young Mr. Winthrop doesn't want to go but his wife insists and announces that she will go with him. Once at Ban- quette Eleanor looks about for some means to put her plan into execution. Chance favors her. A French-Canadian guide is smitten with her, and Eleanor hires him to make love to her. The guide does it in such a realistic manner that Eleanor finds that she is in danger of being abducted by Jean St. Jean. The three are storm-bound in a lonely cabin, and Eleanor has only her hus- band to protect her. Jean defies Larry and seizes Eleanor. This awakens Larry's fight- ing blood. When the Boston society pet is through with the Canadian caveman, he sub- mits to being kicked- out of the room. The Winthrops go back to Boston, and Eleanor is so proud and happy that she thinks of using a pair of boxing gloves as a family crest. Program ami Exploitation Oatehllnea: In "Big Game" the Wife of a Boston Society Man Takes Him to the Canadian Northwest to Make a Hero Out of Him. and Succeeds Better Than She Had Hoped. Alay Allison Plays the Wife. Exploitation Angles: Hang it on Miss Allison and use the big idea of the story to get interest, without telling too much. Use such lines as "Would you fight for your wife?" and similar teasers.