The Moving picture world (May 1922)

86 MOVING PICTURE WORLD May 6, 1922 Consensus of Published Reviews Here are extracts from news available at press hour 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.) ; Film Daily (F.D.). The Isle of Zorda {French Prod.—Pathe—9 Reels) M. P. W. — Interesting French-made melodrama based on a Jules Verne novel. F. D. — A very interesting and unusual melodrama, though much too long. N. — Audience will express complete satisfaction over the highly adventurous line of action which marks the subject from beginning to end. E. H. — Interest is kept at a high pitch and the superb acting of the French cast commands attention. Go Get 'Em Hutch {Charles Hutchisan^Pathe — 15 Episodes) M. P. W. — Pathe again has a box-office winner in this George Seitz serial. T. R. — Has the merit of plenty of novelty. N. — Charles Hutchison packs enough sensational thrills and stunts in his newest serial to supply three dozen action photoplays. F. D. — There are more stunts and thrills in Charles Hutchison's latest chapter serial than in any of his former productions. Free Air {Featured Cast — Hodkhison— 5,600 Feet) M. P. W. — Because it is a very good picture, and because it affords exceptional chances for exploitation. "Free Air" offers double security to the buyer. T. R. — Should have a big run during the summer months. F. D. — A thoroughly pleasing and entertaining picture even with slight story. N. — A thoroughly pleasant automobile story is "Free Air," and for genuine light entertainment, it is as good as they come. Kisses {Alice Lake—Metro^,300 Feet) M. P. W. — Alice Lake in an especially appealing story pictured by Metro. The theme has been cleverly handled and promotes more than casual interest. E. H. — Story is well told and continuity unusually good. T. R. — Humor, romance and commercial acuteness are freely combined in this picture, resulting in one of the best comedy-dramas of the season. N. — Carries enough novelty to be called something out of the ordinary. For one thing there is a laugh in most every foot of the action. Sisters {Featured Cast — American Releasing Corp. — 6,785 Feet) M. P. W. — One of the best pictures on the marriage theme that has been available to exhibitors for some time. F. D. — Problem play that has rather powerful message but is too long. E. H. — A refreshing little home drama that will appeal to audiences seeking clean, wholesome entertainment, and those of artistic tastes. T. R. — The story should have a wide appeal. N. — Is unique in that it follows the novel from which it was adapted with unusual accuracy. Kindred of the Dust (Miriam Cooper — First National — 8,500 Feet) M. P. W. — Great audience picture. N. — A rare piece of entertainment. E. H. — Will prove a good attraction. T. R.— R. A. Walsh has evolved a picture of unvarying sympathetic appeal out of a plot of no great originality, but strong in human interest. Gypsy Passion {Featured Cast — Vitagraph~5,60l Feet) M. P. W. — Adaptation of famous gypsy story. The chief interests in the film lie in the presence of a group of notable foreign players. N. — Contains high entertainment values. T. R. — Admirers of straight, unadulterated melodrama with plenty of snappy action and a generous assortment of thrills should find much to please them in this picture. E. H. — Another foreign picture with a fairly original story, some pretty scenic effects and good actine. F. D. — You can bank on it holding their attention throughout. Pay Day {Charles Chaplin — First National — 2 Reels) M. P. W.— Replete with roof lifting laughs from start to finish. E. H. — It is one of the best things he has ever done. N. — "Pay Day" is Chaplin as the Chaplin fans like him best. T. R. — The latest Chaplin film offers twentyfive minutes of rollicking fun and rapid action. F. D. — Excluding "The Kid," here's Chaplin's best since "Shoulder Arms." Bobbed Hair {Wanda Haidey — Paramount— A,Z9S Feet) M. P. W. — Amusing satire on ultra moderns. E. H. — Disappointing as a whole. F. D. — Poor story hampers star and direction. N. — Crammed with delicate humor which borders at times upon burlesque. T. R. — A merry farce comedy which pokes fun in lively fashion at erratic literary and artistic folk. The Red Peacock {Pola Negri — Paramount — 6,735 Feet) M. P. W. — Although Pola Negri is a splendid actress, she does not have much chance to show her splendor in the most recent of her so-called modem dramas. F. D. — Pola Negri's talents one more wasted in poor production and story. N. — Is by no means up to the standard set hy the majority of her previous releases. . . . ."Vlthough Miss Negri is much too vivid and arresting a personality to ever be anything but interesting, this is a story which, even by her art. can be made scarcely appealing. T. R.— Were it not for the charm of Pola Negri. "The Red Peacock" must inevitably have been registered as a weak and not particularly interestinq; imitation of "Camille." E. H. — In interpretation, direction, continuity, photography, and the star's work, one of the best of the foreign-made pictures; the story, however, is one of ancient vintage. The Prophet's Paradise {Eugene O'Brien—Sehnick—A,000 Feet) M. P. W. — The subject offers several good selling points. T. R. — The impression left by this picture is that of a serial compressed into five reels. N. — A good example of adventure story. E. H. — An entertaining picture for those who enjoy tales of adventure. Dailies Enlisted {Continued from page 45) would be solved if we could make certain the establishment of two things : Confidence and Co-operation. We must have Confidence and Co-operation between those in the industry, a Confidence and Co-operation that will bring a mutual appreciation and action together in those things in which we are mutually interested. .'\nd in this I include, of course, the exhibitors as well as the producers and distributors. "With this established, and it is being established, if we can just have the confidence and co-operation of you of the press, as our elder brother, having been through much of the same travail and having come out victorious, then if we can have the deserved confidence and cooperation of the public — our problems will be solved. It is not a one-sided matter. It has been said repeatedly that certain objectionable pictures which have been made are the class of pictures which the public wanted, and that such productions have been a meeting of the demands of the public based on box office receipts. If this is so, then the public has a duty in the situation, and your duty in relation to that phase of the matter is clear. "One of the largest of the producers has told me. however, that in his opinion the outstanding financial successes in the last eighteen months have been clean pictures. I know the American public. I know that its manhood and womanhood is sound and. of course, it will support the cleanest pictures. And the American public is the real censor for us. just as it is for you. "The people of this country are against censorship fundamentally, against censorship of press, of pulpit and of pictures. Just as certainly is thi^ country against wrongdoing and the demand for censorship will fail when the reason for he demand is removed. .\s we move towards the consummation of the objects of this association, just in like degree will recede the demand which seems more or less prevalent for censorship. The problem of censorship with which we are now faced was faced by you and fought out and settled — settled right here in New York by the way, so far as American law is concerned — in one of those prolonged and bitter contests for the unrestricted freedom of intelligence more than two centuries ago. "Those in the industry do not underestimate the responsibility nor would we shirk it. I promise that this agency for the distribution of information and thought, this agency for the amusement of the millions and for the inevitable inculcation of standards of taste in art and conduct — I promise that this agency shall measure up to its opportunity and its responsibility."