The Moving picture world (April 1922)

MOVING FICTt'RE WORLD April JO, 1Q22 Newest Reviews and Comments FRIT7, TIDDEN . ,£Jitcr of ^evict's "Fascination " The Mae Murray-Robert Z. Leonard Ccm^inati^n Excels Itself — Metro Release. Reviewed by Frits Tidden. Everyone will agree that "Fascination" is the best picture Mae Murray has ever made. And in it she does the best work of her c. reer If there are any who do not know what these statements convey in the way of estimating entertainment value, it can be added for the benefit of this small group that "Fascination" is a picture of uncommon quality — with a positive popular appeal of powerful proportions. Not only is the story designed to show Miss Murray to her best advantage, but it is built upon a sound idea, with a slwrply pointed moral which never obtrudes itself to the extent of seeming to preach at the onlooker. With this intelligent, strong background, Robert Z. Leonard, the director, lias fashioned a production for his wife with his customary lavishness in settings, costumes and appointments that is far more than just a fitting vehicle for Miss Murray He was given intelligent material to work with ami he used it intelligently: at the same time making it picturesque in the extreme with a tine perception of artistic values. There are incidents that some persons may consider far fetched, but they are no more far fetched (ban that queer little coincidental incident that affected your whole life from that time on. By changing the title from a noun to an adjective you get an appropriate description of Mae Murray in her role of the incorrigible flapper whose creed is "follow your impulses," which was inherited in the blood of her Spanish father's family. She is called upon to enact an unusually gay young debutante utterly devoid of repose. Those who are even slightly familiar with Miss Murray's work will realise that this sort of role exactly fits the star. And a mere statement that she performs a dance at one period in a costume designed in her justly celebrated style for this sort of thing conveys a book full. To say that she is picturesque and appealing is ultra conservatism. Miss Murray is surrounded by a capable cast that includes some well-known names and fine talent. Helen Ware gives an uncommonly good performance as a passe dancer and Robert W. Fraser plays a Spanish toreador in just the right manner. Vincent Coleman and Creighton Hale have not much to do, but they make their roles stand out. Charles Lane is convincing as the girl's dignified father. "Fascination" is mounted on settings that are as picturesque and artistically designed as anything that has been witnessed in some time. They have been photographed so as to bring out their particular beauty at all times, and the camera has been used to advantage on Miss Murray. The atmosphere is so accurate that the spectator is carried right into the story. "Fascination" was made by Tiffany Productions for Metro release. The Cnst Dolores .to Lisa Mae Murray Carlos de Lisa Creighton Hale Eduardo de Lisa Charles Lane The Maequesa de Lisa Emily Fltiroy Carrita Robert W. Fraier Ralph Kellogg Vincent Coleman The Count de Morera Courtenay Foote Parola Helen Ware Nema Francis Puglla Story and Scenario by Edmund Gouldlng. Directed by Robert Z. Leonard. IX THIS ISSUE "Queen o' the Turf" (R-C) 'The Man from Hell's Riser" (Western Pictures} "The First Woman" (R-C Pictures) "Without Fear" (Fox) "Partners of the Sunset" (Bert Lubin). "Caput's Promt" (Arrow) "Fascination" (Metro) "The Lying Truth" (American Releasing) "Is Matrimony a Failure" (Paramount) "Watch Your Step" (Goldwyn) "No Trespassing" (Hodkinson) "The Infidel" (First National) "Through a Class Window" (Paramount) "A Truthful Liar" {Paramount) Two Mayer Travelaughs People who have traveled in London and Yolendam. Holland, will be especially interested in the two latest onc-reel Hv Mayer Travelaughs. distributed by R-C Pictures Corporation, but everybody ought to be. The two communities differ widely in their mode of life, and so the films will go well on consecutive programs. The drawings again testify to the wealth of skill and imagination of this expert artist. Both subjects are rich in human interest. The points of interest about London are shown in detail in the first, the Houses of Parliament. Piccadilly, beggars and costers. In the second you see the quaint town of Yolendam on the Zuyderzee — the (to us) strange clothes of the Hollander, unique draw bridges between homes, tiny, doll-like structures. The subjects are titled, respectively. "Such Is Life in London's West End" and "Such Is Life in Yolendam." — S. S. Photographed by Oliver T. Marsh. Length. 7,9t0 Feet. The Slory Dolores de Lisa, born of a Spanish father and an American mother, is a problem to her family because of her penchant for constant and gay activity. It is decided that she be taken to Spain by her aunt, who believes she can calm down Dolores If given full charge of her in that country. While in Spain the Incorrigible girl Indulges In what she thinks will be an Innocent little escapade but which turns out to have serious results. She Is rescued from her predicament by her fiancee in the nick of time and she thereupon decides to marry him and settle down, changing her theory of life from that of following impulses to a leavening mixture of seriousness with her gaiety. Kxplollntton Antilem Most photoplay goers are content merely to see Miss Murray dance. Tell them that this has both a dance and a story, and sell the high light of the story — the Spanish-American girl who Is taken to Spain to learn to subdue her spirits. Hark back to "Peacock Alley" for a parallel and then tell them that this Is a very much better story. "The Lying Truth" American Releasing Corporation Picture Has 1 1 , vi/ Cast and Moments of Real I'nterlainmcnt. Reviewed by alary Kelly. "The Lving Truth" is an ambitious subject, not lacking in entettainmcnt value, but somewhat lacking in finesse. The fault lies mainly in its conception, which shows a loose continuation of romance, comedy and sensationalism, the greatest stress tying laid upon the last. Romance is not essential to the progress of the stoiv and the comedy lias the effect of having been inserted rather than developed nalitiallv At times, however, the picture, which is at all tunes siuccio is completely satisfy ing and the faults seem unimportant. The theme oilers good possibilities for drama and shows considerable originality. _A dying newspaper's struggle for existence involves a certain amount of sentiment and suspense and associating the hero with this t>pe of environment is sine to make bun an interesting character. A few details have been observed in the scene of turning out the murder edition that caused interested comment and amusement where the picture was first shown. This same regard for details has a less attractive expression at another point in the story in referring to the unlovely manner in which the fake murder was staged. The cast is one of the best selling points, as it includes Mariorie Daw. Pat O'Malley, Noah Beery and Tully Marshall, besides other competent plavcis Pat O'Nl.iHev beat s the brunt of the performance and plays with a directness that makes his work enjoyable. The OWN l.avvroiiee IV Mulddo Noah Beery Sue IV Mulddo Marjorle Daw Horace Todd Tully Marshall Bill o tiara Pat O'Malley Sum Clalrborne. Sr Charles Mailed Mrs Sam Clalrborne Claire McDonald Ellle Clalrborne Adele Watson Sam Clalrborne. Jr George Dromgold Mose Robert Brauer Bill O'llnra. Sr Wade Boteler Story. Scenario and Direction by Marlon Fairfax. Length. 5,838 Feet. The Story BUI O'Hara, foster son of Sam Clalrborne, Sr., falls heir to the estate when Clalrborne died, because the real son. Sam Clalrborne, Jr. has proven that he Is a dope-fiend and unworthy. Bill Is In love with Sue De Mulddo, daughter of the political boss of the community, whom Bill exposes In the town garotte, because ho rents out his property to dope-smugglers. News is scarce iind the paper Is about to go to ruin so Bill fakes a murder Just to start some excitement. It proves to be disastrous to his reputation, as the lH>,i of a dead man Is found on the river bank shortly afterward, and De Mulddo. eager to believe the worst of Bill, Influences the town to believe that he Is guilty nnd they proceed to hang him. The news that the dead man committed suicide Is brought In time to save him. PtigMi n»d Kxplollnllon ("atehllneai Circumstantial Evidence, "The Lying Truth." That Misleads Even the Wisest — the Story of an Energetic Young Man Who Wanted to Earn the Reputation of a Successful Reporter and Became Known as a Successful Murderer Instead. Exploitation Anitleai Sell the cast for the chief appeal, but work to get Interest In the title. This should bring results If you drive on It.