The Moving picture world (January 1922)

January 21, 1922 MOVING PICTURE WORLD 285 'Without Benefit of Clergy'' Praised by the Toronto Globe Rudyard Kipling's "Without Beni- fit of Clergy," released by Pathe, is registering a big success in Can- ada, according to all reports coming from the Dominion. This story of India had its premier recently in Toronto, and the motion picture critic of the Toronto World says in part: "Two weeks ago, the opin- ion was expressed in this column that the present season had, so far, brought us only two pictures of the first rank, 'The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse' and 'The Old Nest.' "Things are beginning to improve, for we can now add a third one, 'Without Benefit of Clergy.' "I am quite aware that an enthus- iastic reference to this picture may raise again the old discussion as to whether movies of quality are cal- culated to win popularity. I am not going to claim that 'Without Benefit of Clergy' will prove a big drawing card as a picture. But I do say that it ought to be. "The beauty of 'Without Benefit of Clergy' is that the producer did not start out to show that fellow Kipling how his story could be improved. A very earnest effort has been made to put this lovely idyl on the screen so that it would ring true and be appealing. "The sincerity of the production is what makes it stand out among the pictures that I have seen this season. It has a great deal of atmosphere. It gives you somewhat the same feeling to watch that you get when you read Kipling's story, and that is more than can be said of the majority of picturized tales or novels. "Now it so happens that I have more faith in movie fans than the majority of people. I am convinced that a great many of them do not lock their intelligence in the bureau drawer when they go to the picture theatre. That is why I feel convinced that 'Without Benefit of Clergy' is going to be liked and remembered by more people than the majority of silent dramas. ton, Ohio; Overland, Liberty and Strand, Toledo; Orpheum, Youngs- town ; Penn, Philadelphia; Central, Atlantic City; Brooklyn, Kansas City, Mo.; Star and Model, Sioux City, Iowa; Dreamland, Saginaw, Mich.; Crystal, Milwaukee; Casino, Spokane; Circle, Portland, Ore.; Isis, San Francisco; Hipodrome, Sacramento. Board of Review Honors Fox Films Five Fox productions are in the list of forty-seven motion pictures which the National Committee of the National Board of Review considers, from the viewpoint of entertain- ment, to be the "finest year's group since photodrama was created." The Fox pictures are "Over the Hill" and "A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court," "Sky High," starring Tom Mix; and to be released in January; "Jackie," with Shirley Mason, and "Trailin,' " Tom Mix's current release. "Over the Hill" Breaks Gross Revenue Record "Over the Hill," which ran a year on Broadway, has created an- other record. According to the Fox Film Corporation, the picture's rev- enue has totalled more than $2,- 500,000 since its release to first-run houses in the key cities of the United States alone. These statistics for period prior to December 15, are said to show the greatest returns ever achieved by a single production where the expense of producing was so com- paratively small. This amount in- cludes only the actual receipts, and not estimated returns from small cities and towns. Its fame has spread throughout the globe and demands for prints are being received from the Orient. In response, William Fox is arrang- ing for a broader system of distrib- ution in the Far East. Playgoers Statement Shows It Has Films in Many Theatres ''Sailor-Made Man' Wins Praise from the New York Newspapers In announcing the continuation of its policy to release features on the basis of thirty-six a year, Playgoers Pictures has issued a statement call- ing attention to progress made dur- ing 1921, which shows that more than 500 theatres have contracted for its product on that basis. A complete list is not included in this statement, but it is evident that exhibitors in every section of the country have taken up the Play- goers proposition and are showing its features at regular intervals. The system was inaugurated last Septem- ber. The Playgoers statement shows that up to the present time the Play- goers program has been marked by a high percentage of excellent fea- tures. In concluding the statement. Play- goers lists the following theatres which are using their features, and says that, while not numerically rep- resentative, for such a list would be too lengthy, the line-up affords a good idea of the manner in which the plan is taking hold from a national point of view: Strand, Key West, Fla.; Grand, Chattanooga, Tenn.; Gem, Knoxville, Tenn.; Dixie, Galveston, Texas; Majestic, Bowie, Texas; King, Forest Park, 111.; Strand, Morris, Minn.; Isis, Fargo, N. D.; Booth, Arcade, New 125th St., West End, Yorkville Casino, New York City. Belvedere, Brooklyn; Olympia, Bangor, Maine; Orpheum, Dover, N. H.; Elen, Portland, Maine; Rich- mond, North Adams, Mass.; Hippo- drome, Oswego, N. Y.; Delniont. Oakmont, Pa.; National and Queen Anne, Cincinnati, Ohio; Grand, Day- In commenting upon the. Christ- mas week program of the Capitol Theatre, Associated Exhibitors, says New York newspapers lay particu- lar emphasis upon the Harold Lloyd feature, "A Sailor-Made Man." The Evening Globe said: "Most of the freaky speed films are as un- interesting as an automobile race, but Lloyd speeds along so nonchalantly and has such fun himself (appar- ently) that you laugh and do not even wonder how he manages to keep his shell rimmed glasses on." The Evening Mail said: "Harold Lloyd seems to take new strides in his progress as a screen comedian witli every new production in which he appears." Harriet Underbill, in the Morning Tribune, remarks that " W Sailor-Made Man' is quite as amusing as Harold Lloyd's comedies have been in the past, which is the highest form of praise." The Evening Sun says: "Harold Lloyd is the hero of the bill at the Capitol, in his latest comedy, 'A Sailor-Made Man,' in which he dives into a sea of trouble." The New York World says: "The young man, Harold Lloyd, who is at this time our most prolific comedy star, appears here in his latest photoplay, 'A Sailor-Made Man,' and it is enormously funny," Seena Owen Star in ''Back Pay" The Cosmopolitan production, "Back Pay," by Fannie Hurst, author of "Humoresque," is the feature scheduled for release by Paramount January 8. Frances Marion wrote the scenario and Frank Borzage directed. Chester Lyons was responsible for the photo- graphy. Seena Owen has the leading role.playing opposite her is Matt Moore. SCENES FROM "FIVE DAYS TO LIVE," STARRING SESSUE HAYAKAWA AND TSURA AOKI. RELEASED BY R-C PICTURES