The Moving picture world (May 1922)

May 13, .1922 MOVING PICTURE WORLD 195 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.) ; Exhibitort' Trade Review (T.R.) ; Film Daily (F.D.). The Crimson Challenge {Dorothy Dalton — Paramount — 4,942 feet) M. P. W. — What transpires under the somewhat lurid title is a consistently maintained sequence of melodramatic, exciting events, made more thrilling by the simple expedient of setting the action at a fast tempo. N. — It will surprise a lot of people to see Dorothy Dalton playing the Bill Hart, Tom Mix type of role. T. R. — Offers bully good entertainment. E. H. — An old school western with a kick in it. F. D. — Dorothy Dalton does fine work as cowgirl in latest film. . . . Should go very well wherever they like Westerns. The Infidel {Katherine MacDonaJd — First National — 5,377 feet) M. P. W. — Out-of-the-ordinary type of photoplay. The story is different from the usual run of photoplays and provides the star with an unusual role. E. H. — Not the strongest of Miss MacDonald's recent vehicles. T. R. — The story contains plenty of action and should satisfy any audience whose tendencies lean toward adventure. F. D. — Better see this one first and decide for yourself. N. — A popular, talented star, a famous author and a noted director, have contributed to making "The Infidel" one of the best pictures of recent months. Money to Burn {William Russell— Fox—A.Sm feet) M. P. W. — William Russell aided by Sylvia Breamer in successful light comedy. T. R. — A rather entertaining story that moves along in a fairly smooth way. N.— In fact it presents a series of pleasant incidents, releasing a little romantic adventure and a bit of play with the ticker. F. D. — An entertainment of average quality. . . . Likely to .give adequate satisfaction especially with star's admirers. E. H. — This is a story of the stock market with a dash of humor tliat rounds it out as excellent entertainment. Rainbow (Alier Calhoun — Vitagraph — 5 reels) M. P. W. — Vitagraph uses familiar Pollyanna material. N. — Alice Calhdun has sympathetic role in pleasing little story. E. H. — Is a pleasing little story of a girl, a gold mine, a rich young man. and three funny old miners. Alice Calhoun has had stronger vehicles. Director Edward Jose, however, makes the most of the material at hand. T. R. — Viewed merely as an artistic spectacle it commands admiration. But it must be confessed that the plot is slight. The Woman He Married {Anita Stctvart — First National — 6,562 Feet) M. P. W. — Proves to be somewhat better entertainment than the average. F. D. — Good acting and direction, but story is weak and familiar. T. R. — It is entertaining regardless of the fact that the big punch of the story depends upon the old reliable form of characters. N. — The picture being exceptionally well directed, also furnishes the star and her splendid supporting cast an opportunity to appear to best advantage. E. H. — A splendid production in every particular and one that will be hailed with delight by every Stewart fan. Woman, Wake Up {Florence Vidor — Associated Exhibitors — 6,000 Feet) M. P. W. — Should bring excellent box-office results. N. — A picture revealing a wealth of action, much of which is of the outdoor variety and some of which presents society interiors. E. H. — It is rich and diversified in sets, embodies a humorous vein and has been given numerous refreshing angles. T. R. — Skilful direction and intelligent acting combine to make this an entertaining picture, despite the fact that the central idea of the plot is decidedly ancient. Arabian Love , {Barbara Bedford — Fox — 4,440 feet) M. P. W. — Desert picture full of sheiks and action. T. R. — One of those fantastic pictures that probably will have a successful box-office appeal where the audience delights in Oriental themes and settings. N. — The story is so familiar that one may be excused for guessing the outcome from the start. However, it keeps a fast pace, is evenly developed and glows with vitality. E. H. — Picturesque desert story with atmosphere patterned somewhat along the line of "The Sheik." F. D. — Another "Sheik" story, weak in substance but adequate production. The Man Under Cover {Herbert Rau'linsoii — UniTersal — 4,566 feet) M. P. W. — The picture has been produced without elaborateness, but has been directed with a sincerity that gets very good results. N. — The picture is adequately staged by Tod Browning who has caught the atmosphere of the story so well that the action proceeds like ;lockwork. F. D. — Rawlinson has interesting crook story for latest vehicle. T. R. — A very good picture of its kind. E. H. — An unusually intcrestin.g crook play. The Truthful Liar {IVanda Hawley — Paramount — 5,243 Feet) M. P. W. — Well-constructed mystery story which holds the interest. N. — Quite the best thing Miss Ffawley has done for the screen. . . . Real interesting plot that holds the attention well throughout. F. D. — Unoriginal story keeps "The Truthful Liar" in the average class. E. H. — A comedy star in drama. A Will Payne story juggling familiar incidents and situations into unfamiliar combinations. T. R. — One of the best pictures that Wanda Hawley has been starred in recently. Reckless Youth {Elaine Ha>nmerstein — Sehnick — 5,700 feet) M. P. W. — Cosmo Hamilton's story of youth's reaction to suppression has been picturized so that the appeal is one of theme rather than action. E. H. — A thoroughly delightful little flapper story with Selznick's most popular star as the flapper. N. — The picture offers some zippy incident, moves along with creditable speed and is handsomely staged. F. D. — Moralizing story makes mild offering. T. R. — The production is beautifully photographed, its star highly popular with film devotees and exhibitors will find it worthy of attention. The Sleepwalker {Constance Binney — Realart — 4,530 Feet) M. P. W. — For the most part it pursues a familiar course with now and then a humorous twist, or a melodramatic feat and, once, a real thrill. N. — A production that is well worth while. F. D. — An average picture that holds interest evenly and has nice romance. E. H. — A "spotty" photoplay, good one minute, not so good the next, surprising and disappointing in turn, obvious in development but unusual in story. Without Fear {Pearl White—Fox— 4,406 Feet) M. P. W. — The play calls for elaborate settings, and for considerable display of wardrobe on the part of the star, and both of these features should offer good selling angles. T. R — It furnishes the star with ample opportunities to please her devotees. N. — It is worked out fairly well and develops some interesting moments. F. D. — Very poor story that won't be able to hold them to the close. The Woman's Side {Kathcrine MacDonald — First National — 5.366 Feet) M. P. W.— Thrills aplenty. F. D. — About time they secured worthwhile material for star. Won't do if you cater to patrons who are discriminating. T. R. — While this is a very interesting picture, it is rather doubtful whether it will carry sustained interest throughout, as parts of it — the love scenes — fail to register. N. — Eliminate a few weak scenes from the picture and it would rank as one of Katherine MacDonald's strongest. The Game Chicken (Bebr Daiviels — Realart — 5 Reels) M. P. W. — A dashing story produced artistically. E. H. — The beginning is good and sets a snanr^v pace that is not maintained throughout and the ending comes long after interest has ceased. r — Pleasing entertainment for most any ! ' "1 of patron. T. R. — Snaps along at a speedy gait.