The Moving picture world (May 1922)

196 MOVING PICTURE WORLD May 13, 1922 Newest Reviews and Comments PRIT7. TlDDEl^ , ddiior of 9{evie'i\^s "The Wall Flower" "The Trap" Well Produced Nortlnvoods Melodrama Stars Lon Cluiney — Universal Release. Reviewed by Fritz Tidden. Not only is "The Trap" another personal triumph for Lon Chaney, but it is a swift moving melodrama that holds the interest of the spectator with uncommon strength from the first tree in the Northwoods scenes to the last sunset over the Canadian Rockies. It relates a story somewhat familiar in theme, but in such a way that you do not realize, or much less care, whether it is familiar stuff. It has attributes of melodramatic moving picture entertainment that lift it out of the ordinary, the chief ones being the acting of the star, the gorgeous scenery and the smooth, progressive dramatic development of the plot. The ending has been left logical and proceeding it there are some extremely exciting moments. However, without the masterful performance bv Lon Chaney, "The Trap" would hardly be able to lift itself out of the slough of triteness. He plays a role as familiar as that of the man who is falsely accused of murder, but does it so that you are refreshed in seeing what seems to be an entirely different character. In depicting the man's transition from a peaceful, lovable Northwoods trapper to a relentless nemesis consumed with hate for another man who had done him wrong and then back again to his original characteristics, Chaney runs the gamut of emotions in the raw. To do it he employs at least 667 of his reported 1,000 facial expressions, but he is convincing to say the least. Chaney is supported by an adequate cast, the outstanding member of which seems to be little Stanley Goethals, as the boy. But the star's chief aid is the magnificent natural scenery, which is astoundingly beautiful and is photographed with an eye to artistic composition of scene at all times. Robert Thornby has performed some expert directorial work. The Cast Gaspard Lon Chaney Benson Alan Hale Thalie Dagmar Godowsky The Boy Stanley Goethals The Teacher Irene Rich The Factor Spottiswoode Aitken The Priest Herbert Standing The Police Sergeant Frank Campeau Story and Scenario by George C. Hull. Directed by Robert Thornby. Length, 5,481 Feet. Tbe Story Gaspard. French-Canadian trapper, Is a child of the great outdoors, loving all mankind. Benson, an adventurer, comes into his life, steals his mine and his sweetheart and turns him into a human wolf. Step by step he achieves his revenge. He takes Benson's child under his wing to use in his campaign of torture, but the child wins his heart, and gradually brings him back to manhood, after the powerful climax based on a terrific fight between Gaspard and a halt-starved wolf, his instrument ot revenge. Exploitation Angles: Put most of this on Chaney, linking him up to his other bestknown roles, and telling that he has a new type which gives him almost unlimited opportunity. This will make a stronger appeal than to use the story angle on this familiar type of play. "The Sheik of Araby" There seem to be more sheiks around now than you can shake a stick at. These warm blooded gentlemen are enjoying wide popularity IN THIS ISSUE "Western Speed" (Fox) "Hate" (Metro) "Four Hearts" (Western Pictures) "The King Fisher's Roost" (Pinnacle) "The Trap" (Universal) "Don't Write Letters" (Metro) "Squire Phin" (Producers) "The Wall Flower" (Goldwyn) "The Man From Home" (Paramount) "Watch Him Step" (Goldstone) "The Wife Trap" (Paramount) "Second Hand Rose" ( Unk/ersal) "The Hate Trail" (Clark-Cornelius) "Very Truly Yours" (Fox) in both literature and pictures and the publishers and producers are giving the ultimate consumers a large supply of what they have signified by patronage they want. As a matter of fact, this Arabian type of lover appears to have found unusual favor with picture patrons. .•\nd desert sands never were hotter, in films. Taking this into consideration, "The Sheik of Araby" is a timely revival made by R-C Pictures of a film that had been originally released in 1919 under the title of "The Man Who Turned White." The production stars H. B. Warner, and among the supporting players are Barbara Castleton, Wedgewood Xowell anG Carmen Phillips. It was directed hv Park Frame. "The Man Who Turned White" was reviewed in Moving Picture World in the issue of May 17, 1919. The reviewer stated that the picture had fair entertainment values, mostly accruing from fine photography and unusually good atmosphere. It has been re-edited and re-titled for current consumption. — F. T. "The Garden of Gethsemane" It is seldom that a single reel subject is more impressive than "The Garden of Gethsemane," a biblical scenic produced by the Reverend J. E. Holley. The subject is the first of a series of fifty-two one-reel productions which will be released by the Geographic Film Company, Inc., of Cincinnati, under the general title of "The Voice of the Land." \\Tiile the scenes are in the usual black and white photography the titles are in color, being Prizma reproductions of drawings made by Paleologue. Dr. Holley is to be complimented for his perception in making the scenes in the Garden in the form of a straightaway scenic and not introducing any symbolic, human figures. He injects symbolism in the titles, with the result that the effect is heightened and the interest is not diluted by the moving mummers. He leaves it to the imagination of the spectator to people the Garden scenes with the Apostles Rupert Hughes Picture For Goldwyn Release Is Fine Entertainment. Reviewed by M. A. Malaney. A bright diverting picture is "The Wall Flower," the latest Rupert Hughes story to be released by Goldwyn. It is an uncomplimentary role for Colleen Moore to be sure, but she docs a neat, pretty job of it. She walks away with the sympathy and shows an amazing ability as a comedienne. Miss Moore, as Idalene, is a gawky dumbbell, awkward and mentally clumsy, yet having within herself an undeveloped grace and a clear mind. After we have seen her running the gamut of village jibes the story takes a sudden turn a la Cinderella and is brought to a hurried close which is all the better for it. The picture is well made with deft little touches of directors art. Miss Moore has not had a better story nor has she done better work. The supporting cast, which includes Tom Gallery, is ^very good. The titles are snappy and pointed. Tbe Caat Idalene Nobbin Colleen Moore Walt Breen Richard Dix Pamela Shiel Gertrude Astor Prue Nickerson Laura Laplante Roy Duncan Tom Gallery Phin Larrabee Rush Hughes Allen Lansing Dana Todd Mrs. Nobbin Fanny Stockbrldge Mrs. Nickerson Emily Rait Story, Scenario and Direction by Rupert Hughes. Length, 6,500 Feet. The Story Idalene Nobbin had been so repressed by her mother and her brothers and was dressed so queerly that she seemed to herself and everybody else an ugly duckling. At dances she was left sitting against the wall. She had a false attitude towards life and towards herself. She tried to kill herself, but succeeded only in getting both legs broken. The wealthy girl, to whose home she was taken, and her guest, a Westerner, decided to try letting a little sunshine and sympathy Into Idalene's life and to teach her how to dress and to walk. Idalene. the wall flower, blossomed into a charming and beautiful girl under this treatment and won the love of the doctor. Exploitation Angrles: Play strongly on both the star and the story, linking them both in the general appeal of a charming star in a delightful story. Offer It as a lesson to girls who are different and offer a free admission to wall flowers, then let them prove that they are by sitting against the wall in your lobby for half an hour. If they will do this, it will be worth the free tickets. and the Great Philo.sopher, who spent his last hours in prayer in this beautiful spot. Beside the Garden of Gethsemane the subject includes scenes of the Mount of Olives, of Bethpage, of the Gate to Jerusalem, of Olivet and many others. Everything has been photographed with artistic valuation and. when necessary, with an intent to bring out as much spiritual significance as possible. The titles are brief and written in a reverent manner. .'Vnd another thing for which Dr. Holley is to be commended is the success with which he kept the subject on the safe grounds of nonsectarianism. "The Garden of Gethsemane" forecasts that exhibitors will be able to book an unusually interesting series of scenic subjects that will lend itself especially well to special music by their organists in particular. — F. T.