The Moving picture world (January 1924-February 1924)

January 26, 1924 MOVING PICTURE WORLD 319 SCENES FROM "STAY SINGLE," AN EDUCATIONAL-CHRISTIE COMEDY. THE PRODUCTION WAS DIRECTED BY SCOTT SIDNEY men have gone over to South Carolina after a Tory band that is killing all who will not swear allegiance to the British king. There is strong drama in the scene where the patriot Sevier is shot down in front of his family and there is unusual pathos in the sequence where, returning home victorious, the hero is killed by Indians in ambush just before he reaches his wife and children, and nobility in the wife's heroism under these trying circumstances. As with the others in this series, the stamp of realism and truth, of historical fact, makes the drama doubly effective. It is a picture that should be welcomed by the majority of patrons. "The Man from Wyoming" Jack Hoxie Presented in Universal Drama of Cattle Feuds and Frame-ups Reviewed by Mary Kelly Where a maze of action and gun-play counts as satisfactory entertainment, this Universal Western will be an attraction. As drama, it is not sufficiently well constructed to appeal in first-class houses. The star, Jack Hoxie, is a horseman rather than an actor and except where he is so popular that any of his pictures succeed, this one will probably not create a great sensation. It has a rather generous amount of riding and action, surrounding a conflict between sheep herders and cattle raisers. The love interest, too, follows well-known channels. An affair between the despised sheep herder and a girl who falls heir to the cattle ranch proceeds in spite of a certain amount of intrigue. The girl saves the man, who has been framed, by calling out the militia. This climax, like the story, does not seem convincing because it is greatly exaggerated melodrama, but it may be impressive and even exciting to some because a rather large cast is used and there is considerable quick action. Lillian Rich's performance is rather sophisticated for this type of drama. She would be more appealing in a less rugged subject, as she seems hardly to appreciate the rather tense situations here. The rest of the cast includes some of the reliable Western types such as William Welsh and Claude Payton. The picture will appeal to staunch advocates of Westerns, but hardly to a sophisticated audience. Cast N«-d Bannister Jack Hoxie Helen Messiter Lillian Rich David Messiter William Welsh Jack Halloway Claude Payton Red Ben Corbett Jim McWllliams I. on Poff Sing Le Wah George Knwa <; over nor of Wyoming. ..... .James Corrigan Based upon novel, "Wyoming," by William MeLeod Ralne. Scenario by Isadore Bernstein. Direction by Robert North Bradbury. Photography by Merritt Gerstad. Length, 4,717 feet. Story Jack Halloway wants David Messiter's land, but Messiter won't sell. Ned Bannister breaks jail and falls into the hands of Halloway. He tells Bannister that he won't give him away if he'll herd sheep on government land bordering Messiter's ranch. Bannister consents. He is ordered by Messiter to make himself scarce. He declines. Messiter is shot and Helen Messiter, niece of the dead man, comes to the ranch. She meets a lone man ambushed by many, saves him and finds out later that he is suspected of killing her uncle. From then on the desires of Halloway are now directed toward the woman of the ranch as well as the ranch, leading up to a climax where the girl and Bannister save each other. "Hoodman Blind" Splendid Old-Fashioned Melodrama Produced by Fox from Stage Play Reviewed by Mary Kelly While this is heavy melodrama, distinctly of the old school, it is splendidly handled and assures an hour of thrilling entertainment. It has some of the best storm scenes ever pictured. Where patrons cling to the old standards of sensational drama, the Fox production of "Hoodman Blind" will be a tremendous box-office success. Extremely melodramatic situations, highly colored characterizations and tempestuous action are consistent factors. The directing by John Ford is excellent. The fight between David Butler and Eddie Gribbon on the surf should satisfy all those who like intense physical action. But the most vivid and exciting of all are the storm scenes. The rescue boats which are sent out to recover the crew of the Sea Gull, a ship which has just been launched, are tossed about like teacups in an earthquake. The effect of danger is spectacular and terrific. Anyone will be impressed by this climax and the unusual touches such as the rescue expeditions of the "breeches buoy." Frank Campeau's characterization is really the backbone of the drama. He plays a hypocritical old lawyer who is responsible for tragic misunderstandings between husband and wife and between father and daughter, managing everything so as to reap a great financial harvest for himself. It is a detestable role that will arouse fury in anyone. But this effect no doubt is intensified by Campeau's fine performance, which is a masterpiece of its kind. The atmosphere and types of the fishing village are convincingly drawn. Gladys Hulette plays a dual role, and while she seems a bit lacking in the hardness that one of these requires, she does very well, nevertheless, and effects a picturesque contrast. David Butler, Marc McDermott and the others are excellent. The title, "Hoodman Blind," refers to the game of blind man's buff, in which one man is the dupe of another. Cast Jack Yeulette David Butler Nance Yeulette Gladys Hulette Jessie Walton Gladys Hulette Jessie Walton, the first .... Regina Connelly Mark Lezzard Prank Campeau John Linden Marc McDermott Mrs. John Linden Trilby Clark Bull Veaman Jack Walters Battling Brown Eddie Gribbon Based upon stage play by Henry Arthur Jones and Wilson Barrett. Scenario by Charles Kenyon. Direction by John Ford. Length, 5,434 feet. Story John Linden deserts his wife, who kills herself, and marries another woman, whom he also deserts. He sends money to provide for the daughter of the first marriage but it never reaches her owing to the dishonesty of the trustee, Mark Lezzard. John returns years later, but Mark lies to him, making him believe that his daughter Is a woman of the streets. Meanwhile there la some confusion between his daughter and another woman who is her double and who proves to be the daughter of the second wife. After a melodramatic climax, the truth la revealed, Mark is punished and John la united to his daughters. "Let Not Man Put Asunder" Blackton's Newest Vitagraph Picture Is Adaptation of Basil King's Story Dealing with Divorce Reviewed by C. S. Sewell J. Stuart Blackton selected for his newest Vitagraph production the title "Let Not Man Put Asunder," which vividly epitomizes the central idea of the picture. Adapted from a story by the well-known novelist, Basil King, it is an argument against divorce, em "%tt Mot Jfflan $ut : Jteunber" PAULINE FREDERICK LOU TELLEGEN /. STUART BLACKTON PRODUCTION