The Moving picture world (January 1924-February 1924)

322 MOVING PICTURE WORLD January 26, 1924 Series Completed Universal Finishes Sixth and Last of "Fourth Leather Pushers" Filming of "Big Boy Blue," the sixth and last production of the "Fourth Leather Pushers" series, has just been completed at Universal City. Billy Sullivan is the star, having succeeded Reginald Denny as the lead in these two reelers. The pictures are all adaptations by Scott Darling from the famous magazine stories by H. C. Witwer. They were filmed by Edward Laemmle. Each is a complete story in itself, containing much comedy and a whirlwind scrap. In the last one Sullivan had as his adversary Phil Salvador, one of the Pacific coast's fastest lightweights, who has been constantly with the screen star as his trainer since his advent into the fight pictures. This mill was said by box-fight fans to be good enough to top the card at a professional show. Edward Kennedy and Hayden Stevenson, who were in all of the Denny "Leather Pushers," also played in the Sullivan films. One Episode Finished Mai St. Clair has completed the first episode of the new "Telephone Girl" series for F. B. O. distribution. A big national campaign is being prepared for this new series based on stories by H. C. Witwer, the author of "Fighting Blood," including tie-ups in which the telephone girls of the country will be used. Laurel Comedy Praised Stan Laurel's "Frozen Hearts," a burlesque on "Enemies of Women," received unusual praise and space in the Baltimore Sun, being accorded a full length review. The critic characterized this Pathe release as well worth going out of the way to see. SHORTS" REVIEWED IN THIS ISSUE Butterfly, The (Educational) Canadian Alps, The (Fox) Help One Another (Pathe) Neck and Neck (Educational) Oh, Girls (Educational) One Spooky Night (Pathe) Own a Lot (Universal) Over the World With Roosevelt (Roosevelt Memorial) One of the Family (Pathe) Pathe Review No. 4 (Pathe) Taking a Chance (Pathe) Why Wait (Universal) "Neck and Neck" (Educational — Comedy — Two Reels) A decidedly unique interscholastic rowing race is the outstanding situation in this Mermaid comedy. The highly amusing but altogether impossible stunts pulled by the hero with his boat again illustrates the cleverness of Jack White in devising new materials and will furnish many laughs. It is a comedy that is up to the Mermaid standard and should please patrons who like slapstick. — C. S. S. "Own a Lot" (Universal — Comedy — Two Reels) Another travesty on the bungalow bargain furnishes most of the laughs in this Century comedy. A young couple motors to California where, after the wife has succeeded in distracting her husband's attention from the bathing girls, they invest in a house and lot, but the house proves rather unsubstantial. It is lively and fairly entertaining.— M. K. Sennett Football Film Mack Sennett's newest comedy, scheduled for Pathe release on February 24, is titled "The Half-Back of Notre Dame." It is described as a highly entertaining comedy of the football field with its clash of muscle and brawn. Harry Gribbon has the leading role and is assisted by Jack Cooper, Madeline Hurlock, Louise Carver, Andy Clyde, Vernon Dent and Kewpie Morgan. Del Lord directed. "Oh Girls" (Educational — Comedy — One Reel) The action of this comedy takes place in a boarding school for girls and revolves around the attempts of Sid Smith to elope with one of the girls, Virginia Vance, while Cliff Bowes, as a none too bright guardian seeks to prevent him. There are sojme amusing -situations, but considerable familiar material. It will please those who like rough and tumble comedies. — C. S. S. MERCEDES SING THEM AGAIN HUGH HERBERT CO BOOSTING A SINGLE-REEL SERIES WITH ELECTRICS How the Globe Theatre in Philadelphia, a vaudeville house, played up Educational's "Sing Them Again" series following successful week runs at two other Stanley theatres, the Broadway and Alhambra. "The Butterfly" (Educational — Instructive — One Reel) Louis H. Tolhurst's fourth picture in the series of "Secrets of Life," produced for Principal Pictures Corp. and released by Educational, exceeds even in entertainment and educational value the preceding numbers. The story of the ugly caterpillar which turns into the beautiful butterfly is of absorbing interest. Undoubtedly one of the most wonderful things ever photographed shows the caterpillar actually changing into the chrysalis from which the butterfly will finally emerge. We actually see the manner in which the caterpillar brings about a change in his form until his skin bursts and forms the chrysalis. There are also many other interesting facts about caterpillars and butterflies pictured. It is a reel that should fascinate any audience. — C. S. S. "One Spooky Night" (Pathe — Comedy — Two Reels) Billy Bevan has the leading role in this Mack Sennett comedy distributed by Pathe. He appears as a rube who goes to town, gets in with two "city slickers" who afterwards turn up in his home town and try to victimize his father. The action finally leads to a house where several of the players have taken refuge from a storm and there are many spooky effects caused by the tricks played by the wind and in which birds and animals play a part. Much of this is weird, and there are several amusing situations in the film. There is nothing particularly distinctive or original about this comedy and the action appears somewhat haphazard; however, it will probably prove average entertainment. — C. S. S. "One of the Family" (Pathe— Comedy— One Reel) The second of the Hal Roach series, featuring Charles Chase, is somewhat different jrom the first, but will keep one fairly entertained. In the previous number, the romantic interest was paramount while here there is a trend of rather obvious comedy regarding the fate of a young swain whose sweetheart's family are not all that he could hope for, socially. Parts of it are amusing but most of it is familiar. — M. K. "Help One Another" (Pathe — Comedy — Two Reels) In this number of the "Spat Family" series distributed by Pathe, the discordant trio as usual meets with all sorts of adventure due to their ignorance and thick headedness. This time they try to paint a house, everything of course goes wrong. Several of the situations are bright and ingenious and will prove highly amusing even through the picture as a whole is not quite as hilarious as some of the earlier ones in the series. It should please the majority of spectators. — C. S. S. "Pathe Review No, 4" (One Reel) Picturesque views of the Wisconsin Lake region, a study of young German women in a calisthenic drill, modern butter-churning methods and color scenes of the walled city of Parthenay make up a subject of average interest here. — M. K. Additional Short Subject Reviews Published on Page 320.