The Moving picture world (January 1924-February 1924)

Newest Reviews and Com meNTs EDITED BY CHARLES S. SEWELL "Through the Dark" Excellent Crook Drama With Colleen Moore is Goldwyn-Cosmopolitan Release Reviewed by Mary Kelly Crook drama enthusiasts will find this Goldwyn-Cosmopolitan production one of the best of its kind. It is a thrilling presentation of one of Jack Boyle's "Boston Blackie" stories. It has many scenes of flashing action and is especially skillful in atmospheric and lighting effects. This is a prominent feature in adding to the suspense. The dimly but adequately lighted sets keep one constantly aware of exciting things about to happen. George Hill's directing, too, shows a marked ability in presenting this type of entertainment. The scenes of action are swift and vivid and there are no surplus details. An excellent cast featuring Colleen Moore and Forrest Stanley includes a number of splendid performers in George Cooper, Hobart Bosworth and Margaret Seddon. The others are perfect types. The acting is unusually good and the characterizations, particularly that of George Cooper have great vitality. The original story "The Daughter of Mother McGinn" shows Boston Blackie's experiences in falling in love with a girl who finds no other way to cure him of his crooked complex than by becoming one of his own gang. The love interest is an intense motive in the plot. It is developed in an appealing way and Colleen Moore as a combination of sweet girl graduate and gangster gives one of her best performances. "Through the Dark" should be unusually satisfying as a crook melodrama because of its sympathetic strain as well as the abundance of thrills. Cast Mary McGinn Colleen Moore Boston Blno-kie Forrest Stanley Mother McGinn Margaret Seddon Warden Hobart Bosworth Travel George Cooper "The Glad Rags Kid" Eddie Philllpa Detective O'Leary Wade Bateler Sandy Tom Bates Ethel Grayson Carmellta Geraghty Based Upon Story "The Daughter of Mother McGinn," by Jack Boyle. Scenario by Frances Marion. Direction by George Hill. Photography by I.. W. O'Connel and Al Ziegler. Length, 7,900 feet. Story Mother McGinn whose home is a refuge for crooks has kept the truth about herself and her husband who died in prison from her daughter Mary at school. Mary aids a convict, Boston Blackie to escape and is expelled HetJIotJUan $ut timber FEATURES REVIEWED IN THIS ISSUE Black Oxen (First National) Gentle Julia (Fox) Heart Bandit, The (Metro) Hook and Ladder (Universal) Love Master, The (First National) Other Men's Daughters (GrandAsher) Song of Love (First National) Through the Dark (Goldwyn) Whispered Name, The (Universal) from school. Blackie goes back to his crooked ways and Mary decides to let him drag her with him, thinking this will cure him, which it does. He is trying to aid his pals in escaping when he is caught but his fairness in dealing with his captor wins a pardon. "Black Oxen" Exceptional Entertainment in First National Version of Gertrude Atherton Novel on Rejuvenation Reviewed by C. S. Sewell Using as a basis the scientific discoveries of a celebrated European doctor who through gland treatments met with considerable success in restoring vitality to those well along in life, Gertrude Atherton, the celebrated novelist, wrote "Black Oxen," one of the recent best sellers. This story as screened by First National affords absorbing entertainment. With a theme that is decidedly out of the ordinary — rejuvenation — as exemplified in a woman of sixty who has her youtn and beauty restored to such an extent that she could pass as thirty, possessing the charm of youth but retaining the brilliance of mind and wisdom acquired during a generation in a European court, and picturing a romance between her and a man many years bjr junior, "Black Oxen" proves to be one of the most interesting of recent productions. The film version follows the book, but for those unfamiliar with it there is a tinge of mystery regarding the real identity of the heroine and a distinct surprise when her age is revealed. The development of the story has been expertly handled and it holds your interest up to the very end; there is considerable suspense as to the outcome, which is not revealed until the last few feet. The denouement is logical and will satisfy the majority. Excellent comedy relief to the dignified role of the heroine is provided in the role of an ultra-jazzy flapper. The picture is magnificently mounted and in excellent taste, and is beautifully photographed. Corinne Griffith vividly portrays the rejuvenated heroine with beauty, charm and poise, but is not so convincing in the few shots as the aged woman. Conway Tearle is satisfactory as the hero and Clara Bow gives an exceptionally fine performance as a flapper. The others in the cast are thoroughly capable. "Black Oxen" is a picture that will appeal to both men and women and especially interest the latter because of its theme. Even if the basic idea does not convince you it furnishes the basis for an exceedingly interesting and intriguing picture that should please the majority and prove an exceptional box-office attraction. Cast Madame Zatlanny ( Cor,„ne Grlfflti, Man ogden J I,ee Claverlng Conway Tearle Chaalea Dinwiddle Thomas Rlcketta Judge Trent Thomas S. Gulae Janet Oglethorpe Clara Bow Jane Oglethorpe Kate Lester James Oglethorpe Harry Mewtayer kg-nee Trevor Claire MacDoweU Prince Hohcnhauer Alan Hale Gora Dwlght Clarissa Selwynne Based on novel by Gertrude Atherton. Directed by Frank Lloyd. Length, 7,037 feet. Story Everyone admires the beauty of a strange woman. Lee Clavering, a budding playwright, manages to meet her and they soon find themselves deeply in love. All of the older members of the society set are bewildered as no one knows Just who she is but note that she is the image of Mary Ogden, a beauty of 30 years ago. When Claverlns proposes, the woman confesses she Is the Austrian Countess Zatianny, formerly Mary Ogden, and through a gland operation her youth has been restored. A former Austrian admirer appears, tells her that love alone will not satisfy her and reminds her of her love of power. She decides to give Clavering up and returns to Austria. Clavering, when all hope is gone, permits Janet Oglethorpe, a typical flapper, who has previously disgusted him, to place his arm around her. "Hook and Ladder" Hoot Gibson Fans Will Enjoy His Latest Fireman Picture for Universal Reviewed by Mary Kelly Hoot Gibson's latest boob characterization for Universal is a combination of cowboy, fireman and Romeo. As usual his various faltering efforts have a comedy reaction. It is a fairly entertaining subject, and while not the best that the star has had, wiH nevertheless be interesting to his followers. A slight variation at the beginning is the stock yard angle. The cowboy comes to a town with a load of cattle, but suddenly takes up a new profession while escaping from a safe robbery. He jumps into a fireman's coat and his future is sealed. He goes through the various tests such as high jumping and bursting into burning rooms. All this is done with a comedy as well as spectacular appeal as he is never quite sure he has chosen the right profession. He finds the right girl but his suit is not visibly successful. This and his career is happily determined, however, when the girl is endangered by intrigue that eventually traps her in a burning room with locked doors.