Photoplay (Jul-Dec 1928)

5, , ^/ ^>G f -' ' . ^r/V/ Reviews of *Indicates that photoplay was named as one of the six best upon its month of review Current Pictures ABIE'S IRISH ROSE— Paramount.— The great and original IrishJewish comedv, plaved by a likeable cast headed by Charles Rogers, Nancy Carroll, Bernard Gorcey and Ida Kramer. If this doesn't amuse you, you are in the minority. (April.) ACROSS THE ATLANTIC— Warners.— A war and aeroplane story that furnishes routine entertainment. (February.) ACROSS TO SINGAPORE— Metro-GoldwynMayer. — Villainy on the high seas, complicated by Chinese deviltry. A rousing melodrama, well plaved by Ramon Novarro, Joan Crawford and Ernest Torrence. (June.) *ACTRESS, THE — Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer.— Adapted from "Trelawney of the Wells, " one of the most delightful of stage stories. After a series of pert, modern stories, it is good to see Norma Shearer return to her old-fashioned charm. (June.) ADORABLE CHEAT, THE— Chesterfield.— Nickelodeon fare. Lila Lee looks as pretty as ever and she's the only bright spot in the film. (June.) AFTER THE STORM— Columbia.— Thrilling sea story with good human situations. Hobart Bosworth, Charles Delaney and Eugenie Gilbert head cast. (June.) ALEX THE GREAT— FBO.— The funny adventures of a country boy who comes to New York to "Press his pants with the Flatiron building." With "Skeets" Gallagher. (May.) ALIAS THE LONE WOLF— Columbia.— Bert Lytell returns to the character that made him famous ten years ago. A crook story, well told, agreeably acted and safely presented for the family. (January.) ALMOST HUMAN— Pathe-De Mille.— Original twist in this film. It's a story of human beings, told by three dogs. Entertaining and different. (June.) APACHE RAIDER, THE— Pat he— Leo Maloney gets all hot and bothered about a few stolen cows. (May.) AVENGING SHADOW, THE— Pathe.— Introducing a new dog star, Klondike. Klondike has looks, brains and IT. (June.) BABY MINE— Metro-Goldwvn-Maver. — Karl Dane. George K. Arthur and Charlotte Greenwood in an old farce, dressed up in new gags. (February.) BABY MOTHER, THE— Plaza.— Humorous and appealing child story with Priscilla Moran and her dog, Dinty. (June.) BARE KNEES— Gotham.— Proving that the flappers are not as bad as their big sisters. With Virginia Lee Corbin and Jane Winton. (May.) BATTLE OF THE CENTURY, THE— MetroGoldwyn-Mayer. — More than three thousand pies were used in one sequence of this two reel comedy. A burlesque on the fistic doings in Chicago. (January.) BATTLES OF CORONEL AND FALKLAND ISLANDS, THE — Artlee. — An authentic record of two big naval engagements between Germany and England. The picture tries to be a "Potemkin"— but misses. (May.) *BEAU SABREUR— Paramount.— Not another Beau Geste," but a thrilling and picturesque tale, "<;>,T.rtnelf ss Y°"'H 'ike Evelyn Brent, Gary Cooper, William Powell and Noah Beery. (March.) BECKY — Metro-Goldwyn-Maver. — Again the poor working girl goes on the stage. A light, routine comedy brightened by the antics of two Irishers — Sally O'Neil and Owen Moore. (February.) BEYOND LONDON'S LIGHTS— FBO— The young master gets familiar with the second girl and the result is a battle between the high hats and the lower classes in dear old London. (May.) BIG CITY, THE— Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer.— Lon Chaney and Betty Compson re-united in a crook story in which Lon proves that he needs no trick make-up to make him a fascinating person. (March.) BIG NOISE, THE— First National.— Concerning a city election. And just about as interesting. (May.) e> BLACK FEATHER, THE— Wm. Pizer.— Very odd mystery drama with what is known as a "society background." Some of the characters seem a little demented. (May.) BLONDE FOR A NIGHT, A— Pathe-De Mille.— A light domestic farce made agreeable by the cheering presences of Marie Prevost, Harrison Ford and T. Roy Barnes. (April.) . BODY PUNCH, THE— Universal.— All the makings of a good picture and some ring stuff that will go big with the men. You'll like it. (May.) BOY OF THE STREET, A— Rayart.— Wherein a little brother reforms a crook. Young Mickev Bennett makes the sentimental yarn agreeable. (January.) Pictures You Should Not Miss "The Big Parade" "The King of Kings" "Sorrell and Son" "The Circus" "The Patriot" "Love" "Abie's Irish Rose" "The Trail of '98" "The Patent Leather Kid" "The Noose" "Speedy" As a service to its readers, Photoplay Magazine presents brief critical comments on all photoplays of the preceding six months. By consulting this valuable guide, you can determine at a glance whether or not your promised evening's entertainment is worth while. Photoplay's reviews have always been the most authoritative published. And its tabloid reviews show you accurately and concisely how to save your motion picture time and money. The month at the end of each review indicates the issue of Photoplay in which the original review appeared. BRANDED SOMBRERO, THE— Fox.— Buck Jones plays Buck Jones in a conventional picture that is only enlivened by a good fight. (March.) BRASS KNUCKLES— Warners.— More crooks reform, thanks to the sweet presence of Betty Bronson. With Monte Blue and Bill Russell. And rather good, at that. (January.) BRIDE OF THE COLORADO, THE— PatheDe Mille. — Starring the Grand Canyon of Colorado. And what a great, big canvon it has grown to bel Nice scenery, but the picture offers little story interest. (May.) BRINGING UP FATHER— Metro-GoldwynMayer.— Rolling-pin humor built around the characters of the comic strip. Polly Moran and Marie Dressier are funny. (April.) BRONCO STOMPER, THE— Pathe— It is Don Coleman's turn to outwit the villains in this Western Some good pictures of a rodeo. (May.) BUCK PRIVATES— Universal.— Laughing off the War. Malcolm McGregor, Eddie Gribbon, Lya de Putti and ZaSu Pitts are the members of an excellent cast. (January.) BURNING DAYLIGHT— First National. — An exciting tale of gold rush days that makes splendid entertainment. You'll like Milton Sills and Doris kenyon. (April.) BURNING UP BROADWAY— Sterling.— The doings of bootleggers and such, made very dull Not worth the talents of Helene Costello and Sam Hardy. (June.) BY WHOSE HAND?— Columbia.— Those doggone jewels are missing again. The result is the usual ga-ga crook stuff. (March.) CAME THE DAWN— Hal Roach-M.-G.-M.— Max Davidson and Polly Moran have some bad moments in a haunted house. A short comedy but funny. (May.) CANYON OF ADVENTURE, THE— First National.— Ken Maynard sets the western scenery afire again. A good one. (June.) CASEY JONES— Rayart.— "Come all you rounders if you want to hear." ISimple melodrama with Ralph Lewis as the brave engineer. (February.) CHASER, THE— First National.— Harry Langdon and a lot of gags — some of them too rough to be in good taste. Don't cry if you miss it. (April.) CHEATING CHEATERS — Universal. — Fun among a lot of unusually agreeable crooks. With Betty Compson and Kenneth Harlan. (February.) CHEER LEADER, THE— Gotham.— This time the cheer leader rushes in and wins the game for dear old Alma Mater. All right, if you still have a taste for college pictures. (March.) ♦CHICAGO — Pathe-De Mille.— A shrewd satire on the lady murderess, beloved of the newspapers. And Phyllis Haver. Grown-up entertainment. See it. (February.) CHICAGO AFTER MIDNIGHT— * BO.— Ralph Ince in a vigorous melodrama built around the sufferings of another one of those innocent crooks. (March.) CHINATOWN CHARLIE— First National.— Johnny Hines cuts down on the gags and builds up the plot, and the result is one of his best pictures. (May.) CHINESE PARROT, THE— Universal.— Who swiped the pearl necklace? The mystery is well sustained and the Oriental backgrounds are interesting. And Sojin does a real Lon Chaney. (January.) CHORUS KID, THE— Gotham.— Goofy but amusing story of chorus girl, played by Virginia Browne Faire. (June.) CIRCUS ROOKIES— Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. — Reviewed under the title of "Monkey Business." With Karl Dane, George K. Arthur, and a comedy gorilla. Good slapstick. (March.) ♦CIRCUS, THE— United Artists.— The triumphant return of Charles Chaplin. Must we waste space advising you to see it? (January.) COHENS AND KELLYS IN PARIS, THE— Universal. — It was funny the first time, but not so good in repetition. Time to call a halt. (April.) COME TO MY HOUSE— Fox.— Olive Borden and Antonio Moreno flounder around in a lot of insipid doings. (February.) COMRADES — First Division. — Again comes the World War! The story of a brave boy who takes the place of a cowardly one. With Helene Costello, Gareth Hughes and Donald Keith. (March.) f CONTINUED ON PAGE 14 ]