Tullar's Weekly (May 1924)

Archie Mayo Turns Out Another Good Christie Comedy “RENO OR BUST” Christie-Educational 2 reels DIRECTOR Archie Mayo STORY Conklin CAMERAMEN Nagy and Phillips CARTOONS, McLeod CAST. . Bobby Vernon, Duane Thompson Lile Leslie, Victor Rodman, Billy Bletcher and Budd Fine DIRECTION Good PHOTOGRAPHY First Class CHARACTERIZATIONS Good Never before had Billy and Betty set out to elope that Mother wasn’t just a little too quick for them. This time they had just enough head start to be pro- nounced man and wife, but that was all. Before Billy could even pay the minister, Mother brought Rich- ard, her choice as a son-in-law, and her warlike but- ler to get back her unwilling daughter. When she learned that she had been too late this time, she fainted just long enough for effect, then set about packing for a trip to Reno to sever Billy from the family tree. Learning from the maid Betty’s destination and Mother’s purpose, Billy pursued them in his car. Mother forestalled any action on Billy’s part by rush- ing the divorce through in record time and inform- ing the police that Billy must be kept away from her daughter. With half the police force of Reno on the lookout for him, Billy saw need of strategy. Mother’s chauf- feur changed clothes with him under pressure and Billy got away with Betty—as far as the front door. The cops “rescued” Betty and as soon as they were able to lay hands on Billy, threw him into the police patrol and took him across the state line. At this small town, where the train was wont to stop for water, Richard got off to take the air and inquire, for Mother’s promised telegram. Peeking over Richard’s shoulder, Billy learned by the wire that. Mother had the divorce decree and a minister waiting to marry Betty to his rival. Billy attacked him and a couple of constables pulled him off. The triumphant Richard had him arrested and caught the train that was taking him to Betty. Love laughs at locksmiths, and Billy not only escaped from jail, but “borrowed” the constable’s car as well, to take him back to Reno. Half way there, just as he was passing the returning cops with a derisive laugh, his car fell apart and he again out- witted the police to gain possession of the police patrol, and resumed his journey, leaving them afoot in the desert. . He loaded up with guns and got back , to Reno just in time to interrupt the second cere- mony. He put them all into the patrol wagon and drove them to the middle of the desert, where he threat- ened to leave them to the mercy of wild animals un- less he got Betty. Betty and her weddings had been a lot of trouble, anyway, and they admired Billy’s pluck and persistence, so they all agreed, except Richard, but he didn’t have enough courage or re- sourcefulness to get her away from Billy, so the young people were married once more that day, and even Mother was content to respect the “till death do us part” clause this time. Archie Mayo, in his initial work as a Christie director, has produced another farce comedy of merit. ,‘Reno or Bust” is a catchy title, the action is fast all the way,, some novel stunts are introduced, such as the slow-motion footage of the cops in the desert, and, taken as a whole, the picture is 0. K. Bobbie Vernon is satisfactory. Duane Thompson is very easy to look at, and makes a fine bride. To her goes considerable credit for the picture’s success. A good mother-in-law is to be found in Lila Leslie. Victor Rodman has splendid screening qualities, and acts well, but it’s a handicap to any man to lose a girl like Duane. Billy Fletcher steps right out and grabs himself some credit as the chauffeur, while Budd Fine plays the butler in good shape. Norman McLeod’s cartoons are good for some mirth. This comedy is good for laughs. Two Thousand Feet With About Two Laughs “UNCLE SAM” Jack White—Educational DIRECTOR Fred Fishback CAST Lee Moran, George Ovey, Hank Mann, Ruth Hiatt, Sunshine Hart and Others CHARACTERIZATIONS Just Fair DIRECTION Ditt0 Uncle Sam lets on he’s dead and watches his heirs scramble for the money. The idea, while old, is not a bad one for comedy. It’s better than a lot of dis- connected gags. The biggest boner is playing Ruth Hiatt as a rube girl. She’s pretty and should be played straight. Lee Moran tries hard, but is not very funny here. Sunshine Hart good. George Ovey doesn’t get over anything to laugh at. Hank Mann has little to do except eating the onion stunt. Fishback, who made “My Friend,” slips in some places. He plays Miss Hiatt all wrong. He doesn’t get enuf mental comedy from the people. Too much over-acting. Stunt of stepping on dog’s tail poorly done. Dog chews up the uncle after leaving him. Sub-titles don’t get over. About the only funny stuff is done by the colored servants and the dog, Brownie. I would not show this picture if I were an ex- hibitor. Cast Put Over Fairly Good Comedy in Spite of Gross Directorial Oversights “HEAVY SEAS” Roach-Pathe DIRECTORS Fred Guiol and J. Howe CAST. The Spat Family DIRECTION Tolerable story Fair CHARACTERIZATIONS Not Bad Mr. Spat is at the beach acting as a delivery truck for his wife, who draws a yatch from a concession-