Universal Weekly (1923-26)

Vol. 22, No. 14 Universal Weekly 37 Five Reviews Worth Reading n w California Straight Ahead By ROBERT G. TUCKER SC /CALIFORNIA STRAIGHT li AHEAD," the feature picture at the Colonial theatre this week, is the fastest, funniest comedy Reginald Denny has ever made. This statement covers a lot of territory when some of his recent laughing hits are recalled, but it is amply supported by the picture, which is eight reels in length and without a dry moment in it. Denny is not a comedian, but he is good looking and his authors have provided him with a vehicle in this picture that is screamingly funny without the need of a comedian. Not only is the picture funny but it contains one of the most novel ideas ever introduced on the screen — a huge automobile pullman car equipped with a dance floor, radio, a dining section, and all the other comforts of home. When Denny, in the part of Tom Hayden, is disinherited because of his wild escapades he loads the car with wealthy tourists at so much for each and starts with them for California, his own roadster acting as tow car and his funny, but capable cook, acting as the royal chef. Tom's adventures in the ambulance before he reaches the church where he is to be married are funny enough, but after he has been turned down by both the parents of the girl and his own folks and then overtakes them on their way to the automobile races in California the fun really begins. The entire party is camped in the desert when during a storm the animals from a nearby circus escape. They overrun the tourist camp and provide more fun in a single reel than has ever been packed into an animal comedy before. The use of lions has been so abused in the shorter comedies that it is almost sickening to the constant theatregoer to see one come on the scene, but in this picture the director has taken an entirely new line and has turned what might well have been boresome scenes into some of the fastest and funniest in the picture. Several scenes in which a huge monkey figures leave the audience literally gasping for breath. Then comes the automobile race on the famous Ascot dirt track. Tom is driving for the girl's father and racing against the car owned by his own father. The adventures of a warrant for Tom's arrest cause a deal of hilarity while the race is on. In the very last lap, Tom's car catches fire and is driven around the course in one of "The Storm Breaker" (By George T. Pardy) A WHIRLWIND of human ** emotions and salt sea gales off the rock-bound coast of Nova Scotia, this picture, with its impressively natural settings and fine direction gives House Peters an opportunity to again demonstrate his ability as a delineator of strcng character roles of which he takes full advantage. As the physically powerful and blatantly confident fisher king of a small isle, Mr. Peters scores heavily, and ends up as a very pathetic figure when realization comes that he like other ordinary men, is but the sport of destiny after all. Yet, the finish cannot be listed as unhappy, for it is plainly suggested that the temporarily disappointed man, will later find solace in the affections of Judith Nyte. h's mother's orphan ward. The feature as a whole is entertaining and is a likely box-office asset. — Motion Picture News. (Length: 6093 ft.) the most thrilling scenes of an auto race ever screened. There is a delightful romance running through the picture, with Gertrude Olmstead playing the part of the girl. Tom Wilson, as Sam, the colored chef, is a riot. The rest of the cast is adequate. If you like good, fast, clean comedy, in which one laugh blends into the next with scarcely room to get your breath in between, don't miss this picture. — Indianapolis Star. (Length: 7364 ft.) ff Lorraine of Lions9' By CARL SANDBURG AMONG current gorillas we recommend the one in "Lorraine of the Lions," having its first run at the Randolph Theatre this week. Young ladies who attend this performance will not be likely to take up with a gorilla for a pet. Especially if the gorilla is afraid in stormy weather. Patsy Ruth Miller and Norman Kerry have the leading roles. They are supposed to be the stars. But the gorilla is the chief-shining light of the piece; he is what we remember. ff Peacock Feathers" By GENEVIEVE HARRIS UT)E ACOCK Feathers" depends for its interest upon contrast, the contrast between luxurious but precarious modes of living and difficult but more honest ways. And as the "temper" of steel is obtained by plunging the metal into extremes of heat and cold, so the character of the heroine in this tale is made firm by a dizzy plunge from the hot house atmosphere of wealth — even though a fictitious wealth — to the sordid realm of life on a run-down ranch. Jacqueline Logan has the leading role, Mimi Le Bum, whose mother is trying to arrange for her to marry wealth, when the story opens. A rather pettish "spoiled child" sort of girl she seems to be, and when she refuses one suitor because of his lack of wealth, then changes her mind when he falls heir to what he thinks will be a fortune, seems quite in character. But the "fortune" is a tumbled down farm in the west, and the girl finds herself "up against it." The contrast between the girl's city surroundings and the life in the west is vividly drawn. Cullen Landis has the part of the hero, Jerry Chandler, who quickly decides to make the best of a bad bargain and later persuades his bride to an equally sportsmanlike attitude. Ward Crane is the villain who tries to tempt her back to ease and luxury. A young Russian, Youcca Troubetskoy, whom Universal is said to be training for more important roles, has a conspicuous but not too taxing part. — Chicago Post. (Length: 6,802 feet.) While all the guests were gathered in the spacious dancing room of the host, and as wild and windy rain came up, Bimi got restless as he always did in such weather. Bimi being the powerful and hairy one. He busts loose out of his cage and blunders his way on to where the guests are tripping the light fantastic. He swings down to where he is hanging from the centre chandelier. The guests make a getaway. The action is very lively from then on. Among screen mystery tales this is one of the better. Isadore Bernstein wrote the story and marshals his puppets with a showman's ability. Much credit is due Edward Sedgwick, who directed. — Chicago Daily News. (Length: 6750 ft.)