The Moving picture world (May 1922)

200 MOVING PICTURE WORLD May 13, 1922 Newest Reviews and .Comments "Watch Him Step" A Phil Goldstonc Melodrama With a Cyclone Comedian Who Knows Hoiv to Stir Up Trouble. Reviewed by Roger Ferri. "Watch Him Step" is an appropriate title for most anything that Richard Talniadge does. This hght comedian of the fearlessly reckless knockabout type is due, and don't be a bit surprised if one of these fine evenings you find his name sparkling forth from some electric sign prominently displayed from some rooftop on Broadvi-ay. Richard Talmadge seems to improve with every picture. This reviewer was dazzled with his sensational work in "The Unknown" and held aghast by his remarkably daring accomplishments in his second picture, the title of which can not be recalled at this moment. But in "Watch Him Step," this gingery actor outdoes himself. And his liveliness, recklessness and daring seems to furnish all his pictures, and particularly this one, with an atmosphere that is peculiarly refreshing, for he does give his audience something different. Perhaps, the stories are not new, but the way Dick and his players tell them is different, for injected into them are new and original stunts that appeal to the grownup as well as the youngster. With the latter the Talmadge pictures should prove knockouts. In "Watch Him Step" he is surrounded by a particularly good cast, much better than either of the two preceding pictures. Al Filson as John Travers, Colin Kenny as Jack Allen, Nellie Peck Saunders in a character role, Ethel Shannon, who has the feminine lead, and Hugh Saxon all furnish consistently good support and contribute no small share toward making "Watch Him Step" a lively melodrama. The direction is good. Tbe Cast Dick Underwood Richard Talmadge Dorothy Travers Ethel Shannon John Travers Al w. Filson Mrs. John Travers Nellie Saunders Jack Allen Colin Kenny The Uncle Hugh Saxon Story and Scenario by W. Scott Darling. Directed by Jack Nelson. Photographed by Hal Mohr. Length, 5 Reels. The StoryDick Underwood and Dorothy Travers plan to elope and would have succeeded but for an accident. They are overtaken by Daddy Travers with the result that there is no wedding. Dorothy is admired and sought by Jack Allen, a crooked stock promoter. Dick, however, is determined and manages to extract the promise from Travers that he will allow his marriage to his daughter when he earns $10,000. This Dick sets out to accomplish, but runs into mess after mess. He finally ascertains the truth about Jack, whom he had entrusted with the task of securing a marriage license for him. Allen is arrested. So is Dick. Both are freed, but they meet again and a fistic battle ensues with Allen running second. At the psychological moment it develops that Allen is wanted for misusing the mails. His arrest left the way clear for Dick and Dorothy to marry. Exploitation Angled: Try and put some of the reviewer's jazz into your advertising to give them an idea they should see the play. "The Eternal Triangle" That "All's fair in love and war" is the theme which Cartoonist Paul Terry emipioys in this modernized yEsop's Fable. He does this by selecting a cat and a dog that are in love with an attractive kid. The manner in which the clever cat lures the dog to a dentist, fills him with gas so that he floats through the air and in the meantime marries the kid, is cleverly and humorously shown. — C. S. S. "The Wife Trap" Paramount Presents Mia May in a Story Which Is Weakened by Improbabilitiies. Reviewed by T. S. daPonte. Principal interest in "The Wife Trap" centers in the sets, some of which are above the average. The picture, which was foreign made, gives every evidence of having been cut either for the purpose of shortening it or to eliminate scenes that did not come up to the high moral standard that the industry adheres to in this country. But as it stands now it is not plausible, and the spectator must shut his eyes to a good deal of improbability if he wishes to force upon himself the idea that he has enjoyed the production. Also Mia May in the feature role fails to gain sympathy not entirely through fault of iier own, but because the story often places her in situations that react against the sensibilities of the spectators. Besides in this picture she seems to lack the personal charm of many of our American stars, as is also the case with Dyumar \'an Twist, who plays the part of "Violet," a prominent supporting role. The Cast Lavinia Morland Mia May Banker Morland Albert Steinruck Vicomte Gaston de Cardillac. .Alfred Gerasch Harry Scott Paul Bildt Violet Dyumar Van Twist Brideaux Otto Treptow Length, 5,207 Feet. The Story Lavinia Morland marries a rich banker in order to obtain money to care for a sick artist with whom she is in love. A woman tells the banker of this state of affairs and he hires a disreputable and bogus count to compromise his wife so that he may obtain a divorce. She kills her husband when she finds he has trapped her, but her story told in court procures her release. Exploitation Angrleii: — In sections where "Mistress of the World" made good, tell them it is Mia May again. Where this production failed, it will be well to cut her name out. You can get some exploitation angles by hooking home comforts to the title and offering these to bachelors as wife traps. "Light Showers" Although the idea embodied in this single-reel comedy, distributed by Pathe, and featuring Snub Pollard is not new, it has been handled in such a manner as to make it one of the very best of this comedian's recent vehicles, and there are several bits of business that will bring laughs from almost any audience. It all deals with the purchase of a house guaranteed to be on a dry spot, but which proves to be when it rains a real floating home. There are some good effects with the rushing water and everything flooded. "Vengeance Is Mine" How a brave young girl sought unaided to bring to justice a couple of high financiers who she believed to be responsible for her father's failure and suicide, forms the theme of this three-reel Pathe Playlet originally issued in five reels. It is an interesting offering which holds the attention and is interpreted by a capable cast, headed bv Irene Castle. "The King Fisher's Roost" Pinnacle Production Starring Neal Hart Is Vigorous and Entertaining. Reviewed by Mary Kelly. The usual elements that make a Western successful are found in '.'The King Fisher's Roost." The frame-up, the escape across the border, with the rescue of a girl as the final thrill are managed with considerable dramatic effect, with enough riding and shooting to make the picture vigorous and entertaining. Neal Hart's role is one that starts out peacefully, but gathers momentum as the story becomes involved, until, in the final reckoning ir» the cafe, he knocks down staircases and broadshouldered villains with dexterity that will not go unadmired. It is the type of role which calls for that combination of ingenuousness and strength that will be sure to please the Neal Hart fans. The entire cast has responded sincerely to energetic directing. The Coat Barr Messenger Neal Hart Betty Brownlee Tvette Mitchell "Bull" Keeler William Quinn "Red" McGee Ben Corbett Sheriff Breen Chet Ryan Mrs. Brownlee Jane Kosher Dan McFee Floyd Anderson Bill Jackson W. S. Weatherwax Chief of the Rurales John Judd Pete. McGee's aid Earl Simpson Dave Butler, the grocer Earl Dwyer Story, Scenario and Direction by Louis Chaudet and Paul Hurst. Length, Five Reels. The Story Barr Messenger, the victim of a frame-up„ after which he is accused of being a cattlethief, escapes from the ranch and gets across the Mexican border. He had been in love with Betty Brownlee. who had disappeared from town shortly after the sum of )10,00O had been stolen from her firm. She gets a position as waitress in the headquarters of Red McGee, head of the "Kingfisher" gangof outlaws. One night she innocently gives out some information about the gang and Red is ordered to seize her for the Kingfisher. Burr comes into the scene unexpectedly and fights Red as he is trying to kidnap Betty, and succeeds in running down the whole Kingfisher gang and discovering that they were responsible for framing him. at the same time learning that Betty's sister, not Betty, stole the $10,000. ProKTam and Exploitation Catchliae: A Girl and a Man Ousted from Town by Circumstances Strangely Similar — Both of Them Were Innocent — The Story of How They Found Each Other and HowEach Was Cleared Makes a Thrilling Picture. Exploitation Angrles: Pin this to Hart, but make a general appeal to the lovers of the Western drama, playing on the general rush of action and working along the lines of "If you want a quiet, peaceful evening, don't come here." Urban Movie Chats No. 15 How the United States Department of .Agriculture goes about its work and what it accomplishes are some of the interesting films in this review. The way it stamps out forest fires, builds good roads and aids the farmers with their crops and live-stock is shown in 'he picture. "The High Sign" Buster Keaton has made in this productior* for First National a farce comedy film that will bring hearty laughter from any audience. Especially funny are the chase scenes and the mechanical devices which enable Buster to evade his pursuers. The plot, too, is well sustained for this sort of film. Buster is engaged as a body-guard for a rich man whose life is threatened, and the situations are built on the attempts on the rich man's life, and also the gang's efforts to "get" Buster.— T. S. daP. The review also shows some of the doings in other lands, and some of their historic sights. The island of Santo Domingo is selected as an illustration because of its historic interest, and quaint customs. There are alsoother interesting subjects. — T. S. daP.