Universal Weekly (1922)

18 Universal Weekly August 19, 1922 "Say It With Testimonials" MOTION PICTURE MAGAZINE, one of the most widely read "fan" periodicals, receives many communications adddressed to the "Letters to the Editor" page. Here is a letter, reprinted in part, from one of the hundreds of thousands of motion pkture fans who are enthusiastic about "Foolish Wives," Universal Super-Jewel. The letter is reprinted here as typical of scores received by the Universal Film Manufacturing Company in appreciation of the masterpiece of Erich von Stroheim. The letter reads as follows: De?r Editor: I have read your department with great interest, from the time it started, although I have never written. "One of the Three Best Pictures" The thing that makes me write to you is something which I cannot understand, and which makes me exceedingly tired — it is about "Foolish Wives." With the possible exception of "Broken Blossoms," I don't know when I have ever seen a picture so wonderful, and I cannot understand why it is so criticised. The amount of dirty, unjust criticism I have read about this picture would fill a volume, and yet I rate it as one of the three best pictures I have ever seen, the other two being "Broken Blossoms" and "Humoresque." I cannot see what is wanting in this picture — the acting is splendid; Von Stroheim is altogether the most fascinating, heart-breaking villain on the screen; Mae Busch is delightful; Marguerite Armstrong (why do they call her Miss duPont?) is exceedingly pretty and charming; but to Dale Fuller, as the little maid-servant, go the chief feminine honors. Her portrait of little Maroushka was one of the most pathetic 1 can imagine, and I doubt if there is anyone on the screen who could have done it any better. "The Picture Was Perfect" The Monte Carlo scenes, with the exception of a few trifling mistakes, were correct to the minutest detail. Having lived in Monte Carlo a year, I ought to know it! There was even the street-car, marked in white letters, "Nice-Eze-Monte Carlo," and in a certain scene there was even a poster advertising the "Cote d'Azur." The position of the Hotel de Paris relative to the Casino was perfect. It is such details as these that no one but a person who knew Monte Carlo well would pay attention to, that makes Eric von Stroheim such an artist. The picture was perfect — the acting, the photography, everything. Also, von Stroheim has done something entirely different — he has brok 'Broke My House Record" Mgr. Chas. Triebel, Pastime Theatre, Maysville, Ky., Whose Letter on "Robinson Crusoe" Appears Below "I run almost all the Universal chapter-plays, but never did a serial go over as this one has. 'Winners of the West' broke my house record, but this has the opening of that one beat a block. If any exhibitor complains his house is doing poor business in summer, let him put on 'Robinson Crusoe' and do a little work, and he can be sure of good business. I had the strongest possible opposition, 'The Silent Call,' 'Fools' Paradise' and an amusement park with many free attractions, such as movies, dancing, tennis, swimming, etc., all gratis, but that cut no ice; I had the crowds just the same." "Pleased AH" Baraboo, Wis. Gentlemen: Played your Jewel production, "The Trap." Lon Chaney is at his best. It is a remarkably good story, good characters, good scenery, one of the best we have run in a long time. Pleased all who saw it. Verv truly vours, JAMES BENARDIS, Mgr., Gem Theatre. en through the old traditions, and has come through with one of the most wonderful things ever filmed. He is a great artist. Wishing you and your department all success, and hoping you will publish this lettter, I am, Yours very truly, Marjorie James, 600 St. John Ave., Pasadena, Cal. "A Magnificent Super-Production" Marion, Ind. Universal Film Exchange: We screened "The Storm" last evening and I am afraid I can't find words to correctly express just what I think of this gorgeous production. I believe our organization is composed of the hardest boiled critics that can be found, and I don't believe a single one of them moved and not a word was spoken during the entire screening. The photography is perfect, the direction superb, the work of Peters, Moore and Valli is nothing short of marvelous. If such scenes as the snow storm, shooting the rapids, and the forest fire do not bring them to the edge of their seats, I don't know what in the world would. You have a big box office winner that should go over 100 per cent, every place it plays. I feel honored that our theatre will be the one to present this masterpiece in our city. And in closing let me congratulate you and your associates for creating and distributing such a magnificent superproduction. Yours for some more, BILLY CONNOR, Mgr., Marion Theatre Company. "Many Favorable Comments" Chicago, 111. Universal Film Exchanges, Inc. I know you will be glad to learn of the success we are having with Frank Mayo's latest picture, "Afraid to Fight." We seldom have a picture that brings as many favorable comments from patrons as we have had during the run of this production. In the face of competition of four houses in the same block and with pictures of the Charlie Ray and Tom Mix type competing with us, we succeeded in more than holding our own and, we believe, showed up better than all of our competitive houses in the block. Cordially vours, RALPH W. TIPPETT, Mgr., Casino Theatre. 'The Greatest Two-Reelers" Brockville, Ontario. Gentlemen: I wish to congratulate your firm on "The Leather Pushers,'' without question of a doubt the greatest set of two-reelers that ever came out. I am sorry that they were not longer, and they certainly did help bring the business and my patrons want to know why I don't get more. Yours verv truly, DINNY P. HART, Mgr., The New Theatre.