Photoplay (Jan-Jun 1920)

Pho'JOPi.ay Magazine — Advertising Seqtion 1 1 The Shadow Stage (Concluded) of the piece is well managed indeed; Chaplin himself is the dignified paterfamilias even in his usual make-up, and the exquisite Purviance, plain but neat in a suit that fits none too well, gives a serious face and a heavy hand to the two young hopefuls who occupy the back seat. It is when the family gets on the boat that the pleasureable day drags drearily, and at moments disgustingly, for mal de vier, in its most dismal aspects, is the principal pastime of the excursion. Coming home, and again in the Detroit Pullman, the family has a very funny and well managed scene in traffic at one of Los Angeles' busiest corners — an episode, indeed, which must have taken infinite pains and patience to secure. But apart from its first and last moments, the vehicle is not worth anybody's talents, let alone Charlie Chaplin's. The Ford stuff seems to have been a good idea-^a mere sketch, hastily executed in a happy moment, to which this labored supplement was heavily added long afterward. THE BEACHCOMBERS — Universal This piece, a vivid story of the sea, will probably not be released under this title. Directed by Rex Ingram, it is the story of a sea-captain who takes a cargo of spurious pianos to . South America, and, en route, politely befriends the much-abused wife of the consignor. A request for a song, bringing a piano to the deck, reveals that they are not musical instruments, but gun-cases, and that the cargo is consigned to an incipient revolution. The captain dares not speak for fear of mutiny, and, once in port, he again refuses to speak because of the miscreant's wife. Thrown into the seaside penitentiary, he rather too quickly breaks out, and flees inadvertently to the refuge of a great band of outcasts farther down the sand — the beachcombers. Engaged in combat with the leader of this gang, a giant mulatto, he bests him, and, in command of his tatterdemalion force, upsets the revolution in spite of its good start. The wicked gun-runner is killed, and, as one might not have unreasonably suspected, the worthy captain sails back to the States with his widow. The weakness of the story is most evident at the point in which the seacaptain refuses to tell his own Consul of the impending revolt — all because it would make the lady unhappy. This is stretching things, not only in patriotic probability, but because the very best way to protect the| woman would have been to tell the truth. However, it is an excellently made photoplay. The captain, portrayed by Elmo Lincoln; the villain, by Harry Von Meter; the giant mulatto, bv Noble Johnson, and the wife, by Mabel Ballin, are all excellent and believable likenesses. IN BRIEF — "The Isle of Conquest" (Select) The old island romance, more prudently policed than ever. Here Miss Norma Talmadge promises the gentleman — Mr. Wyndham Standing — that she will permit him to kiss her unless her husband comes at the end of the month. Of course hubby makes his appearance, thus morally safeguarding the play. And afterward, hubby dies — and Wyndham gets his kiss. I have seen nothing drearier or more uninspired in many a month. Natalie Talmadge makes an appearance in the support of her famous sister, and Charles Gerard is an acceptable naughty husband. My sympathies are extended the greatest emotional actress of the screen on her lamentable loio material. A happier and better New Year to you, Mrs. Schneck ! "Sealed Hearts" (Selznick) A tiresome play, of the old-husband-young-wife class. Robert Edeson, cast as Marchbanks, Sr., withers and perishes while his son, performed by Eugene O'Brien, properly chokes back a youthful affection, amid many accusations by his parent. "The Undercurrent" (Select) A story of squelched Bolshevism, with a great deal of action and physical punch. Arthur Guy Empey wrote the story, and acts its principal part. It is red-bloodedly American, and this may commend it where its artistry fails. As artistry it isn't there. "The 'Mind-the-Paint' Girl" (First National) Henry Arthur Jones' story, of very mild appeal here, about a London Gaiety girl. Only I believe they mask the Gaiety as the "Pandora" theatre in this play. David Kirkland, directing, did one of the ablest works of his career in making this piece really hold attention despite an inherent lack of interest. Anita Stewart, Conway Tearle and Victor Steele play the principal parts. "What's Your Husband Doing?" (InceParamount) Douglas McLean and Doris May, the redoubtable "Twenty-Three Hours' Leave" pair, in a picture version of George Hobart's farce. It is entertaining, but far from approaching the standard of their former endeavor. "Wings of the Morning'' (Fox) William Farnum, as the militant Robinson Crusoe of Louis Tracy's novel. He is supported by Louise Lovely. It is entertaining; one of many equally good, well-photographed, unsubtle stories of adventure. "His Divorced Wife" (L^niversal) A poor picture, on a poorly-chosen subject. Too bad for Monroe Salisbury, who, after a long career in mediocre screen contraptions, climbed resolutely back to real vehicles and real acting, a little less than a year ago. "Lasca" (Universal) The best part of this picture lies in its discovery of Edith Roberts as a genuinely interesting screen personality. Miss Roberts has long been with us, but heretofore has done nothing to warrant a second look. Do you remember the old poem of the fiery Mexican girl, who, shielding her lover with her own body in a great cattle stampede, dies trying to save him ? Here it is, done into a wonderfully scenic five-reel story by Percy Heath. And they had courage enough to preserve the logical idinj Gun-Fighting Gentleman" (Univervigorous Western, of usual type. Harry Carey is both author and star. 'Poor Relations" (Robertson-Cole) If King Vidor had depended for his deserved and suddenly won repute on this slight fabric he would still be in the great unknown. However, no marksman can hit the bull's-eye every time. The mild little photoplay's best and only worthy quality is its wistful touch of humanity. Florence \"idor and Zasu Pitts are in the cast. "A Fugitive From Matrimony" (Robertson-Cole) Perhaps you've forgotten that H. B. Warner's best medium was once thought to be light comedy. If so, this piece will remind you, if reminding is necessary, that he is a very finished comedian.. The beautiful Seena Owen assists. "The Illustrious Prince" (Robertson-Cole) Sessue Hayakawa, breaking away from the inevitable American sacrifice, to play a Nipponese avenger of royal blood, plying his vengeance in London society. A well-known E. Phillips Oppenheim story, finely produced. "The Tower of Jewels" (Vitagraph) Corinne Griffith, in ^ woman-crook story of average appeal. Maurice Costello, Vitagraph veteran, is prominent in the personnel. 'Refinement How^ completely it is expressed by well groomed nails! They say hands tell character — but finger nails surely tell whether you take proper pride in your personal appearance. For beauty at their finger tips, prominent women of the social world and the stage use Graf's HYGLO 2Ianicure Preparations A perfect manicure, lasting and waterproof, requires only a few minutes. COMPLETE HYGLO OUTFIT at ^1.50 (pictured below) includes Hyglo Cuticle Remover and nail bleach, Hyglo Nail Polish in cake form, Hyglo Nail Polish Paste (pink), Hyglo Nail White, also flexible nail file, emery board, orange stick and Ptotton. Hvglo manicure preparations can be bought separately at 35c. and 65c. each, at leading drug and department stores. 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