Screenland (Sept 1922–Feb 1923)

/ittle HINTS for BOOKLOVERS Fiction Reviewed from the Playgoer's Viewpoint "THE BEAUTIFUL AND DAMNED •J Reviewed for Screcnland by Olga Print zlau, who has made the adaptation of this nova] for the "Warner Brothers' Studios." In his novel, "The Beautiful and Damned," the author, F. Scott Fitzgerald, has departed boldly from the prosaic construction of the average novel, in that he has eliminated the proverbial "villain" that generally forms the third point of the usual triangle. And yet. there is a villain that is far more subtle and devastating than any flesh and blood conception of such an entity could ever be. The story deals with two young people of that wealthy floating population which throngs the cafes, cabarets, theatres and hotels of our great cities — people adrift on a sea of luxury, without the anchors of home and the rudders of responsibility. And in this shining sea there is an awful whirlpool that may do worse than kill — it may destroy the soul and leave only the body. It is the whirlpool of hectic extravagance and unanchored motives and affections that forms a menace to the average young couple of today, far more destructive than the prosaic "other-person." In adapting this novel for the screen, I have made a most gratifying discovery— an author whose work may be translated almost literally to the screen. Of course, in adapting this book, much of Fitzgerald's literary charm must be eliminated, because the book fairly sparkles with witticisms ; but Fitzgerald also writes witticisms that will photograph. The secret of his success in this novel, for screen purposes, is that he has portrayed truth so graphically and pictorially, and in terms of physical action, that the literary brilliance of his novel plays secondary part. In the marriage of Anthony Patch and the vivid young beauty, Gloria Gilbert, we have an average situation. Anthony, the heir of a millionaire grandfather, who for many years has leveled a series of uppercuts at vice, literature, Sunday theatres and liquor, is one of those reproachless young men who toil not — neither do they spin. There is something whimsically pathetic and humorous about the little "flapper-wife" whose sentimentality clings fiercely to her own illusions— whose ironic soul whispers to her that "motherhood is also the privilege of the female baboon" and so, her dreams are of ghostly children 52 only — the early, perfect symbols of her early love for her lover. Gloria is a "super-flapper" ! GLORIA'S theory of life and love may be taken from her own illuminating diary. "Beauty is only to be admired, only fv be loved — to be harvested carefully and then flung at a chosen lover — like a gift of roses. It seems to me, so far as I can judge clearly at all, that my beauty should be used like that!" An impractical theory for any young wife to start life and marriage with, lor roses wither, even the fairest of them, and even the memory of the gift may be forgotten — and only the stems with their harsh thorns left to view. Had Anthony Patch and Gloria been more mental, or "deep-thinkers," the psychological actions attendant upon their "thinking" would be less physical, but logically passive, and therefore — unphotographical. The shadow of a great future wealth hanging over him, Anthony finds every ambition to perform any individual labor stifled, and his and Gloria's daily slogan comes to be, "Wait until Grandpa Patch dies!" And so, they drift toward the whirlpool. The inevitable crash comes, when, during a hectic week-end house-party, the aged millionaire decides to pay his grandson a visit. The result is that when, a week later, the old man dies, Anthony and Gloria are disinherited. Dependent upon his provision, they find themselves swept down into the vortex of poverty. Above them, on the glittering surface, their friends and the gilded past float on. Anthony sinks lower and lower — retaining one thing to the last, however, his purity of morals, but even this is shaken and put to a tremendous test, by the entry of a little creature of the halfworld, into his life. This soubrette has found out that he is related to the deceased millionaire, and plays for him accordingly. The menace which so nearly destroyed them, is itself destroyed, and they learn that Love to be understood must be lived. Finally, Anthony and Gloria regain their lost fortune, they found a greater wealth — love they thought had been swept away. In "The Beautiful and Dawned" many will find themselves looking into a mirror, and at the same time, they will discover WHY the reflection sends back such a disillusioning image— and perhaps they will be able to check the ravages of the cause. THE HOUSE OF MOHUN, by George Gibbs. What will become of the modern novelist when the flapper is extinct? It is in this whirlpool of cigarette smoking, rolled stocking, corset-checking flappers that the House of Moulon fell — and from whence it was righted by Cherry, the daughter— effervescent, lovable, rudely frank — herself a twentiethcentury flapper. The most powerful of Gibbs' late works, except "The Flaming Sword." (Appleton.) Dancers int the dark, by Dorothy Speare, is the story of three "modern" girls and their final surrender to love and marriage. Miss Speare is a regular female Fitzgerald in her vivid description of those luscious young creatures whom she aptly calls "excitement eaters." The action is largely psychological, and such episodes as could be screened are all censorious. Read the book — then write a letter to vour local Censor Board. The only part of the story the movies could use would be the title, and even that would have to be illuminated in order to show up on the screen. (Doran.) THE SKY MOVIES, by Gaylord Johnson, is written for children in a charming style and introduces to them scientific astronomical facts in a way they can easily understand. The book is written on the theory that the best way to teach a child anything is by the use of word pictures, drawings and illustrations until he has related ideas concerning a new thought. (Macmillan.) The shadow of the east, by E. M. Hull. While we note considerable improvement in her literarystyle since The Sheik. Mrs. full's latest novel is in all other ways disappointing. It is sure not to attain to anything like the popularity of her former work, and it is very improbable that it will ever find its way to the screen. The scenes arc laid in Japan and England. An Englishman, the hero, after illegally living with a Jaoanesc discovers that she is no other than his own half-sister. He is horrified and the girl, believing his love has turned cold, kills herself. He later falls in love with the daughter of a friend, but the shadow of the East haunts him. Finally, he confesses all that occurred in Japan. (Small, Maynard.)