The Moving picture world (August 1922)

August 19, 1922 MOVING PICTURE WORLD 573 New York Critics Praise "Fools First" "Fools First," the Marshall Neilan production, released through First National, which is being shown at the Strand Theatre this week, re- ceived lavish praise from picture critics of the New York dailies. Following are some of the com- ments that were made: New York Times—"There have been so many crook—as well as crooked—photoplays that one might say offhand that any attempt to do another crime - and - regeneration story in motion pictures was bound to fall into a well-known groove and run its stale course without arousing any particular interest. But Mar- shall Neilan's 'Fools First,' at the Strand Theatre this week, is a crook story that is interesting. It deals in crime and regeneration, but it doesn't run in a groove." New York Tribune — " 'Fools First' is one of the best pictures the Strand has had this season." New York Herald—"Marshall Neilan's litest production, 'Fools First,' is as excellent a crook tale as one could imagine." New York World—"We were thoroughly satisfied with most of the new photoplay. It is distinctly fine so far as its attention to detail is concerned. Mr. Neilan's concep- tion of naturalness in specific char- acters' action is one of the very best things in our pictures today." New York American—"Mystery is ever a fascinating element in drama, and never was there more of it crowded into a single film than in the picture under discussion now." Morning Telegraph — "Marshall Neilan's latest picture is a crook story of the unusual sort, in many ways a screen novelty, and certain to be found decidedly interesting by those fortunate enough to see it." The Daily News—"Besides being a tremendous sociological study, 'Fools First' is exceptional enter- tainment and were we listing our impression of the most significant pictures that have come from American studios, in 1922, Marshall Neilan's latest would be among the leaders, if not the first." New York Evening Journal—"It is a novel variation of the theme of regeneration carried to the utmost degree." New York Evening Telegram— "The action is laid in the under- world, but it resembles in no way the accepted stories of this type. The characters are primarily human and the director has achieved a note- worthy effect by making the players portray them in a reasonably human way." Director James Young (on horseback) and Producer Richard Wal- ton Tully supervising one of the big scenes for Guy Bates Post's second film vehicle, "Omar the Tentmaker,'' a first National Attraction. S. R. Kent Praises Paramount Specials Feature Snapshots in Pathe Releases Pathe Exchange, Inc., announces that the latest issue of the screen "fan" magazine, "Screen Snap- shots," No. 6, 'has been given an important position among the short subject features and the one serial episode scheduled for release the week of August 13. An interesting array of picture stars is seen in the current release, with a million dollar group of them performing at a Legion benefit. Others shown in the issue are Blanche Sweet with her husband, Marshall Neilan; Al St. John in the role of hubby and daddy; William Farnum, surrounded by young ad- mirers ; Ruth Roland in an oddity; Edgar Rice Burroughs, author of "Tarzan," at work; Larry Semon, "stepping;" Pennsylvania College show; actors imitating favorite screen stars, and some of our four- footed celebrities. "Cupid by Proxy" is the latest Pathe Playlet enhanced by the presence of the little star, Baby Marie Osborne. The cast includes Mildred Davis, Sunshine Sammy, Antrim Short, Mary Talbot, John Steppling, Kenneth Nordyke, Minnie Danvers and J. N. McDowell. "The Yukon Trail" is the fifth episode of the new Pathe serial, "The Timber Queen," starring Ruth Roland. "Touch All Bases" is the current Hal Roach comedy, featuring Paul Parrott. Also in the offering are Jobyna Ralston, Eddie Baker and the Hal Roach comedians. "The Dog and the Fish" is the latest animated cartoon of the series of "Aesop's Film Fables," produced by Fables Pictures, Inc., and created by Cartoonist Paul Terry. "Let's Go" is the current re-issued one-reel comedy, starring Harold Lloyd. The comedian is assisted by Bebe Daniels, "Snub" Pollard and others. Pathe Review, No. 168. features "The Marvel of the Egg," in which the microscopic camera re- veals amazingly a chick in the proc- ess of creation. " 'Manslaughter,' 'Blood and Sand, 'The Old Homestead' and 'Burning Sands' are four of the biggest pic- tures we have ever put out." This statement was embodied in a tele- gram Adolph Zukor received last week from Sidney R. Kent, who has been at the Lasky studio for nearly two weeks conferring with the Para- mount production executives on re- leasing plans for the coming season's product. After seeing Fred Niblo's produc- tion, which June Mathis adapted from Vicente Blasco Ibanez's novel, "Blood and Sand," starring Rodolph Valentino, screened, he sent the fol- lowing wire to Mr. Zukor : " 'Blood and Sand' a positive knock-out. In my opinion it will take in more money for exhibitors than any other picture we have ever released. Niblo's direction marvelous, and work of Valentino, Lila Lee and Nita Naldi cannot be surpassed." After seeing Cecil B. DeMille's production, " Manslaughter," he again wired Mr. Zukor: "Screened 'Manslaughter' last night. By far DeMille's greatest production. Meighan's performance will stand as one of the greatest ever given on the screen. Work of Leatrice Joy close second." Then came the screening of "The Old Homestead," featuring Theo- dore Roberts and an all-star cast, which was directed by James Cruze. "Screened 'Old Homestead' today," Mr. Kent telegraphed. "We laughed, we cried and we cheered, but it seemed that nothing we could say could give adequate vent to our feelings." Concerning George Mel ford's pro- duction, "Burning Sands," from the novel by Arthur Weigall and featur-* ing Wanda Hawley and Milton Sills, Mr. Kent wired: " 'Burning Sands' is a desert knock-out, five times the picture that 'The Sheik' was." In the light of Mr. Kent's well- known reputation among his asso- ciates for conservatism in the judg- ing of pictures, the Paramount ex- ecutives feel strengthened in their faith in these four productions. Big Universal Films Now Being Edited Chicago to See Metro Specials Unquestionable promise that the approaching season will be the great- est in the history of Metro Pictures Corporation is seen by S. A. Shir- ley, district manager for the dis- tributing company in Chicago, who already has arranged for indefinitely extended runs of two of Metro's big new pictures in his territory. The Rex Ingram production of "The Prisoner of Zenda" will be exhibited in the Roosevelt Theatre, Chicago, beginning late in August. In the Chicago Theatre, Viola Dana's initial appearance of the new season will take place early in Sep- tember. Irvin S. Cobb's story, "The Five Dollar Baby," is Miss Dana's vehicle. Two Universal-Jewel productions of superior calibre have just gone into the editor's hands at Universal City, "The Flirt" and "The Ken- tucky Derby." "The Flirt" was directed by Hobart Henley, with an all-star cast, including Helen Jerome Eddy, Eileen Percy, Edward Hearn, Bert Roach, Harold Goodwin, Lloyd Whitlock, .William Welsh, Lydia Knott, Nell Craig, Buddy Mes- senger, Tom Kennedy. George Nichols and others. The Booth Tarkington novel, a classic of Middle Western American life, was adapted by A. P. Younger. "The Kentucky Derby" was directed by King Baggot, and carries in its cast the names of Lillian Rich, Reginald Denny, Lionel Bel- more, Kingsley Benedict, Gertrude Astor and Walter McGrail. It is an adaptation of Charles Dazey's success of the stage, "The Suburban." "The Galloping Kid." a Hoot Gibson vehicle from the pen of Ralph Cummins, and directed by Nat Ross, also has just gone into editorial hands. Edna Murphy plays the leading feminine role. Gladys Walton's vehicle, "The Girl Who Ran Wild," which is being filmed from Bret Harte's story, "M'Liss," under the direction of Rupert Julian, is in the final stages of production and will enter the editorial stage within a week. Herbert Rawlinson's newest vehicle, "Confidence," from a story by Bernard Hyman, has just been com- pleted by Harry A. Pollard; Harriet Hammond, famous bathing beauty, is the leading woman.