Variety (February 1922)

Friday, February 10, 1922 PICTURES and Earl Schcnck, gaining the just returns with two straight roles. No great cost was necessary In the malcing. The greater portion of the action takes place in a limited lumber of interiors, none of which .iave necessitated a large financial outlay. ^lodkinson can look for results with this Btate right picture, as it provides the proper comedy punch for neighborhood houses. llart, MAKING THE GRADE Irving Ii. Lesser presents "Mak- ing the Grade," a David 13utler pro- duction based upon the story •'Sophie Semlnoff," by Wallace Irwin, which appeared in the "Sat- urday Evening Post." The picture ia being released through the First National exchanges but does not have the First National stamp. The Irwin story misses in screen form largely due to the slip-shod manner in which the pict ir© has been made. The story is made ;erky and ridiculous at times in the screening. Tlie director has made little attempt to turn out a finished product. The theme deals with a wild young American who goes to Si- beria with tho army. While there he marries a Russian peasant girl. Returning to the States, ho brings her with him. Upon hearing o< the marriage his mother disowns him, with the father sticking, how- ever, forcing tho boy to go out and make his ow^n way. This he dotis as a laborer. David Butler Productions pro- duced the picture with David But- ler as its star and Fred J. Butler as director. Other members in- clude Lillian Lawrence, Will R. Walling, Jack Cosgrove, Helen Ferguson, Alice Wilson, Otto Led- erer and Jack Rollins. Only at a 5-cent a(\|nission charge can this picture give film patrons their money's worth. • Uart. HEADIN' WEST Bill Perkinfl : Hoot Gibson Potato Polly <jfrtrude Short Mark Rivers Charles LeMoyne Re<l Malone Jim Corey Honey Giroux Leo' White •inn Forrest Louise Lorraine B.'irnaby Forrest George A. AVilliaina Stub Allen Frank Whitson Judge Bean Mark Senton A western comedy drama of the regulation Universal type, starring Hoot Gibson. Photographically it is far and away ahead of the usual U photography, and the direction makes for action right from the start. For these two items in the picture Alfred Latham is to be given credit for the former and Wlllla:.! Craft for the latter. The picture made an impression at Loew*8 Circle, New York, where it ser.ed on a double-feature bill with the Fo:: release, "Any Wife," star- ring Pearl White. The story and scenario were the work of Harvey Gates, who struck on a novelty for the opening of his picture. He has Gibson as a hobo stealing a ride on a mail aeroplane and dropping off via the parachute route at the point where he wants to land. This bit and the landing give the picture a thrill at the start and the follow-up Is tho usual ranch stuff with gun-play, bucking horses and a wild ride. The scenes for the greatii'r part are exterior on a ranch, the U back lot being used. Gibson shows up on the ranch where the owner has died but .short time previously. A nephew of the deceased owner is the heir to tho pl^co, btit no one suspects that the airplane tramp Is he. On a neighboring ranch thore is a girl who has just returned from a fashionable school. She is the daughter of tho wealthy cattle baron anil she and tho boy fall in love. Charleg LoMoyne. foreman of the ranch oh which tho boy has landed and where he has be<'n em- ployed as a dishwa her, thinks it would be a great joke to palm him off as the heir on the "stuck-up girl" who has been passing up the rough cowpunchers since her re- turn. But the boy at the last minute turns the tables and proves himself tho real heir and there Is tho usual happy ending. In direction Craft has managed to give the picture numerous touches that lighten It in a comedy way and two of the v.naractors that aid materially in this aro G'ertrude Short and Leo White. LfMoyne makes a good heavy and at one stage of tho plcure puts up a cork- ing flKht with Gibson, but the hook- up between the star and Jim Corey earlier in tho story is tho prize battle of tho film. Louise Loiiaine makes.a pleasing lead for the star and ridis well besides looking pretty. J'lcd. ANY WIFE With Pearl White starring and Herbert Brenon as the director iliis production has at least two features worthy of advertising. But that about lets It out. Miss White does not make an extraordinary impres- sion, and as a matter of fact is be- ginning to appear plightly mature, while Mr. liPcnon's direction is naught that demands extvndod com- ment for its effectiveness. The title of "Any Wife*' i.^ one *hat may have box-ofilce value, >»ut in the same breath tho implication that the thoughts of any wife run in the direction tho .stury suggefits is a direct insult to the womanhood of our country. Even though the writer, director and producer have employed the time-worn expedient of the "dream" to "take the curse off, • the fact the Buggestlon la there remains. The story Is that of a wife who Is dissatisfied because her husband cannot give her all the attention she craves. The unfoldment of the tale Is handled In such a manner the twist is given to the audience at the last minute. Up to that mo- ment the action carried little but a heavy meller suggestion. A successful business man lives In the suburbs. ]Ie has a wife and child. One morning he receives a wire that it Is necessary to cross the oontlnent to protect his business in- terests. He wishes his wife and son to accompany him. When reaching his ofiice he discovers the plans nec- essary for him to take with him are not completed and so he asks one of his ottlce executives to bring the plans to the house that night. This employe, one of the he-vamp type, takes it upon himself to arrive at the house iirior to the arrival of his chief. While waiting he presents the wife with tickets for the dog show and requests her to permit him to escort her there. After he leaves the house she has not determined whether or not to accompany her husband, and appar- ently decides not to do so. From then on the action indicates her run- ning about with the he-vamp and the final return of the husband, who finds her in the arms of his employe. This leads to a divorce, with the husband taking the boy, a life of degradation with her seducer, al- though she Is married to him, and at the end a leap from a bridge into the river. At that point she awakes from the dream and Immediately starts pack- ing to accompany the husband on the trip. It Is the last few hundred feet with the comedy touch that saves the picture from utter condemnation. Playing on a double feature bill at Loew's Circle, New York, with a Hoot Gibson Universal it failed to stir tho audience until the laughs came during the last couple of minutes. Fred. THE POWER WITHIN •Job Armstrong' William H. Tooker Mr.". Armstrong.. .Nellie Parker Spaulding Hob Armstrong Robert Kenyon Dorothy Armstrong Dc-rothy Allen Count Cyril Bazaioe Robert Bentley Pauline }*auUne (iaroh Little Bobby William Zohlmen "The Power Within" Is an Achievement Film Co. production, written by Robert Norwood, di- rected by Lem Kennedy, distributed by Pathe. It tells the old, old story of a successful business man, satis- fied with himself and regarding himself as sufficient unto himself. This works out all right for years until a series of disasters befalls him, culminating with a breakdown In health. Until that time he finds no lieed for spiritual comfort, but Is finally made to "see the light" through the beauty of soul of a little French peasant girl who comes to him as the widow of his son, bringing with her a grand- child. Having arrived at the psycho- logical moment when ..o old man's cup of bitterness ia full to over- flowing, the daughter-in-law is en- abled to straighten out the prob- lems confronting the unhappy old man—tho whole designed to teach a strong moral lesson. William H. Tooker gives an effec- tive performance of the old man, visualizing his mental transition to a nicety, and Pauline Garcn makes a sweet and wistful French girl. Tho remainder of the cast is rea- sonably competent. Adequately di- rected. A pleasing program feattire. Jolo. THE SCRAPPER Released by Universal, featuring Herbert Rawlinson, with the screen version having been taken from the original story by R. G. Kirk, which appeared In the Saturday Evening Post. Showing at a second run house and splitting top honors for a "double feature day'' the film .satis- field. thouK'h failing to reveal any- thing of moment throughout. For an Irish neighborhood house this picture is about perfect, per- haps constructed for that purpo'c. With the exception of two charac- ters, who aro the files In the oint- ment and get their proverbial Just desserts, the entire membershiib is cast in roles of Irish-Americans, with sub-titles in brogue. Rawlinson as Pat Malloy, a yourig construction engineer who is as- signed to a Job of putting up a building fhat is to be completed ui)on a stated date, falls in love with tho builders daughter. He fuj.ios iiirough the theme, lending to the part a breezy assuraneo and appearance that should meet the ) 1 oe appioval. There's not much else for Rawlinson to do be- sides Will, pering words of love in tho ingenue's ear, all of whieli is flasl.ed in detail on the screen, lie does partake in a fi.st light that clears up tho labor trouble, permit- ting the building to be completed on time. This puts him in strong with the girl's father and he clo.ses out to tho usual clinch. Gertrude Olmstead as the girl is pleaslnff In looks, though so far as work Is concerned has little to do outside of sitting with Rawlinson and then having him chase her around the interior sets. Direction and photography have been averagely taken care of, even if the story does fall to explain how young Malloy, recently graduated from college, is driving a corking raceabout and walks right In to boss the constructing of a steel sky- scraper. That and his overcoming of the Incidental delays In the work by means of the one fight seem to be the deficiencies in the scenario. Appe'allng to purely an Irish clientele, "The Scrapper" should get by if placed in conjunction with another feature to bolster It up. The film can't stand alone In other than the smaller houses. Skig. FRENCH FILM NOTES Paris, Jan. 25. The exhibitors here have a long and varied list of claims, and if certain relief Is not forthcoming they threaten to close. The man- agers* union has accepted an Invita- tion to attend tho three day's con- gress organized by the Alsace- Lorraine of entertainment caterers at Strasbourg, May 25 next, and suggests the following items, among others, for discussion: Equal treat- ment for moving picture halls and theatres; suppression of the special tax on picture entertainments; the adoption of the Bokanowski-Rameil bill; a tax of 10 per cant, on all entertainments and luxuries; revi- sion of the poor rate collected only on entertainments and at present not imposed on other Industries; the suppression of special municipal taxes on entertainment tickets; less fees for official attendants (police, firemen, etc.); suppression of the compulsory attendance of municipal firemen during performances (charged to managers): suppression of local censors and the institution of one board of examiners whose visa shall be final; religious enter- tainments to *be taxAd the same as regular klnemas; relief for exhib- itors In devastated regions, abolish- ing of the abuse of the Dramatic Authors' Society, which claims a certain number of seats for each show (and has them sold to the pub- lic at the door of the theatre): diminution of the royalty claimed from klnemas by the Music Com- posers* Society and suppression of the percentage exacted for the char- ity box of the Authors* Society; revision of the decree of 1921 in- stituting the ad valorem duty on foreign films; abrogation of the de- crees of 1914 relative to the use of non-inflammable films, or fixing at least three years before the adop- tion of the measure to enable rent- ers to dispose of celluloid stocks. NEWS OF THE FILMS Eeriin i-u.ure theatre owners have their backs against the wall duo to the new municipal taxes which threaten to throttle the entire indus- try over there. At a meeting of German eineman owner.s and film dealers It was decided to "use all possible and impossible means" to tight the tax. Will H. Hays plans to V'ave the picture industry $50,000,00t) yearly by establishing branch clearing houses in the prini'li)al cities and doing away with tho present com- peting exclianges maintained by in- dividual producers. The plan calls for the erection of new structures costing between $250,000 and $300,- 000 each, with tho American Rail- way Express Co. to bo appointed the lllm industiys "jrostal service" and di.siributor fcr all producers. What may establish a precedent took i)lace at Utica, N. Y., when the Alhambra Amusement Co. Ine., of that city was awarded a favorable verdict of $17,500 against Associat- ed First National Pictures, Inc., by a jury in the Supreme Court before Justice Louis M. Martin. The Utica theatrical firm brought the action for $40,000 against First National, alleging that the latter concern had repudiated a contract to deliver ex- clusive features and then sold the fi*an:hisc to a competitor. an Increase to 2,2S9 for the men and 1,311 for the women. Within the same period there has been no marked increase in newspapers, but the list of authors, editors and re- porters has jumpeii from 320 to 695, while tho mark for women in the same line of occupation has soared from 104 to 312. Photographers, nifile and fenmlo, are totaled at 1.14< and chauffeurs at 8,923, which in- cludes three women. Florence Deshon, picture actresSi died In St. Vincent's Hospital, New York, Feb. 4. The medical exam- iner's office report read: "Death from gas poisoning, accidental." Miss Deshon was found unconscious in her apartment at 120 West 11th street, Friday night, with a gas Jet partly turned on. Max Eastman underwent a blood transfusion op- eration in the hope that it would aid Miss Deshon, but she never regained consciousness. "State regulation of motion pic- tures" was tlie subject at the non- partisan discussion in the National Republican Club Saturday after- noon. Those who spoke for censor- ship of the screen were Motion Pic- ture Commissioner Joseph Leven- son, Charles Urban, Mrs. C. B. Smith of the New York State Federation of Women's Clubs and Professor S. B. Heckman of City College. Against the cen.sorship program were arraigned Rupert Hughes, Rufus S. Cole and Mae Murray, who made more or less of a non-com- mittal statement, .saying: "If we are to have censored pictures I think the candidates for tho position of cen- sor, whether men or women, should be examined with as much care as persons serving on a Jury." How the picture industry has af- fected Los Angeles is shown upoi> the analysis of occupation issued by the Federal Census Bureau. The data reveals that in 1910 the city contained 399 actors and 216 ac- tresses, with the year 1920 showing The Injunction suit which James Forbes, playwright, had Instructed Joseph P. Blckerton, Jr., to bring against tho Vitagraph was adjusted last week. Forbes objected to the use of "The Show Shop" title on a Larry Semon comedy, which showed at the Moss Cameo theatre, the film company changing the title to "The Shop.'* A summons and complaint were out, but Vitagraph recognized the author's claim before they wer* served. The Williamson Realty Compa..y of BInghamton; N. Y., which erected the Symphony Theatre, lias passed out of existence, the dissolution of the corporation following the recent sale of the theatre to the Kodeco Company. In the Williamson Realty Company were A. S. Williamson, Harry E. Flory and Milton Flory. They also operate the Flory-Wll« llamson Company of BInghamton. The Hippodrome theatre of Car- thage, N. Y., will be operated for th« next year under lease by Robert Wagn^ and W. H. McGarry, with the former as managing director. The house will be devoted to films. Ralph W. Rhodes of Marion, O., will direct the Mozart theatre or- chestra, Elmlra, N. Y. Rhodes is a graduate of the New England Con- servatory of Music, has directed theatre orchestras in Little Rock, Ark , and Camden, N. J., and for some time was musical director with Lyman Howe's pictures. COAST PICTURE NOTES Los Angeles, Feb. 8. Tod Browning has finished di- recting "Peterman," the first screen story from the pen of Louis Victor Eytinge, American prison-author. Herbert Rawlinson Is the star of this new Universal special. Shooting commenced last week on "Robinson Crusoe," a new Univer- sal serial in which Harry Myers of "Connecticut Yankee" fame plays the title role and Joseph Swickard of the "Four Horsemen" plays an- other Important part. Eighteen episodes of *'RobInson Crusoe'' are to be turned out. The serial will differ from the usual daredevil type Inasmuch as there Is none of this scheduled. Bob Hill Is directing. Mary Miles MInter has finished "The Heart Specialist" under Frank Urson's direction for Famous. "Beyond the Rocks,** with Gloria .Swanson starred, is nearlng com- pletion. Sam Wood is director. The picture is Elinor Glyn's novel adapted by Jack Cunningham. Ru- dolph Valentino plays the male lead. Miss Swanson will next begin work on "The Gilded Cage," also under Mr. Wood's direction. Robert B. Mclntyre, Goldwyn casting director, is en route to New York at the request of Samuel Goldwyn to assist in the search of "new faces" for the screen. Paul Bern, Goldwyn scenario editor. Is due here from New York this week. Thomas Meighan commences this week on "Our Leading Citizen," by George Ade, adapted by Waldemar Young. LoI.«« Wilson has the femi- nine lead m this picture, which will bo directed by Alfred Green. Meighan Just finished "The Proxy Daddy" for Paramount. A new comedy, "The Bottle Baby," under making at U, will have most of Its location scenes through the courtesy of William Wrigley, Jr., famous gum king and owner of Catalina island, who do- nated his yacht and Island to Craig Hutchinson, the director. Neely Edwards has Just signed n contract to appear In Universal comedies. GU Pratt, formerly Har- old Lloyd's director, will supervise Edwards' pictures. J. Allan Eocne, director of pub- licity for Roljerl son-Cole, was robbed of $40 and severely beaten by a pair of bandits who Jumped on the running bonr<l of his auto- mobile late one night last week. Ambassador Hotel for a limited en- gagement, to teach several hundred extras how to waltz in tlie manner lltting the picture. Elaborate balU room sets have been built. Gladys Walton has departed for a personal appearance tour In the northwest. .She will visit her home in Portland and then return here for a new picture, probably "Top o' the Mornin'," for Universal. Robbers broke Into the home of little Lucille Ricksen, Goldwyn's 12- year-old leading "lady," at Culver City laFt week and succeeded in taking jewelry and other valuables totaling ficveral hundred dollars. Louis Joseph Vance's novel, "The Black Dog," will be Herbert Raw- linson's next story. Frank Mayo will commence soon on "Out of tho Silent North.' "Sherlock Holmes, Jr.," is tho title of a new Monty Banks comedy being made at Warner Bros.' stu- dios. Banks Just finished "Sinkers." Wallace Reld starts this week in "The Dictator" for Paramount. Llla Lee win have the supporting lead. Tho picture will be directed by James Cruze. Johnston McCulley, who has been here writing a sequel to "The Mark of Zorro" for Douglas Fairbanks, plans to go to Colorado Springs this week. He will return to make hli permanent residence here. Mervyn LeRoy, formerly in vau- deville as LeRoy and Cooper, Is back at the Lasky studios. He plays the tough New York kid In "Bought and Paid For," William De Mlllc's latest for Paramount. John Gilbert commences "The Land of Beginning Again" for Fox this week. Jerome Storm directs. Barbara Bedford plays the lending support. William Russell Is soon to start in "Lucky Gharrity." Scott Dunlap will direct this picture for Fox. Grace Darmond, film star. Is back on the Warner lots today after two weeks in bed, the result of being thrown from an elephant while working on the eighth episode of ".Shadows of the Jungle." a serial in which Miss Darmond is featured. Sho sustained a severely bruised arm an<l .«-everal torn ligaments In the fall. This ninkeg Ulna Dar- mond's fifth .«;erloug accident since leaving vaudeville a few years ago. A double has been engas^d to aid In the closing chapters of tho serial. Frank L)oy<l, who In directing Norma Talmauge In the "Duchess of Lor.goals" at the T'nitrd .Studio?*, entablished a preredent la^t' week when he 'ngnged ManrlM*, famous dancer, wlio is appearing a: thi Luis Ross, picture Idol of Mexico, Is studying American motion pict- ure making at Goldwyn's studio. A series of birthdays has been celebrated by several prominent members of the film colony during tho past seven days. Today i« King Vidor's birthday. J. L. Froth- Ingham celebrated his Monday. Feb. 4 was an anniversary of Neal Burn.V birth. Christie studio had a party. Maurice Tourneur had his last week, as did Frank Lloyd, who is directing Norma Talmadge. Director George Melford has re- turned from Burlingame. Cal., where ho had been making exteriors for "Tho Cat That Walked Alone." Dorothy Dalton's latest for Para- mount. Milton Sills and Wanda Hawley have roles. Norma Talmadge's productino of the "Duchess de Langeais" will probably be finished at the United studios this week. Dorothy Phillips Is on location in Ran Diego for "The Soul Seeker," which Allan Holubar is directing. Gus Peterson, chief cameraman for Benjamin B. Hampton, is now a director on Hampton's staff. Peterson was elevated to the posi- tion last week, replacir Eliot Howe, who died recently. Peter- son Is the fourth cinematographer to becomo a director. Constance Talmadge starts work on a now picluro next week. "Trouble" Is the tlt> chosen for Jackie Coogan's production Just completed at United. Thoma«? IT. Tnce's "The Brother- hood of Hate" company returned this week from Sonoma. Lambert Hiliyer Is dlreetlng this feature, ^hii'h has I ?oyd Hughes and Mar- guerite de la Moite. I