Variety (July 1923)

PICTURES Wednesday, July 4, 182S MERRY^O-ROUND Universal 8up»r-Jf«vr0l. directed by Ru- Mrt Julian, prcAontad by 0«ri L&enimle, •t «b« Ulvull. N*'W York, woek July 1 A«thoc«hi>p not credited. Running time. 91 mlnutra. 0»unt Frani MajclmUUan von nt^hene^rK. Norman Kerry il«nM UrtMUi Mary PhUbIn 8ylv««ter Urban Cceare Gravina TJmil* Urban PMlth Yorke BartlM>iomevr Oruber. .Geonre Ha^kathnnie fihant Hu»»eT George Soltonann Mariana Hub«r Dale rul!«r Mn. Aurora Roaerelter Mlllan Hylveater iCtnteter of War (GLsolla's f.-ither). Hpottlawoode Aitken Komtesae Glaella von Bteinbrueck, I>orolhy Wallare Nepocnuck NavritaJ Ai Bdmundson RadI (Uaron vun Lelvbtstnn). CAjvf. Albert Contl Nickl (Baron tod Nubenmuth), Ohartea L. King BMel (Prince SMtal Hogeoiut) Kenwlc* Oliver GlMUa'e Kroom Sidney IJrarey X^mperor Krani Joaepb Anton Vavprka Madaaie Klvira Maude n<>ori;e 4«ae Helen Bronpau Marl* Jane tibennan Universal Is releasing this Supor- Jewel direclly to the picture houses without giving: it one of those forced prerelease luna In a leRltlmate the- atre. It Is wise showmanship by Universal in so far as this picture is concerned. It Isn't a picture that could stand for the road showing in legitimate houses In these days, and the exhbltlng world at largo knows the forced runs In legitimate Broad- way thpatres are only for the pur- pose of -tilting the rental price, and in Increased rental the exhibitor haa to stand for what tho producers lose in one of those engagements. But If "Merry-CIo-Round" Is not a road show picture. It certainly is a whale of a picture for the film theatres. That Universal got Into the RivoU with It speaks somewhat for the production. It is real screen entertainment. Incidentally, it is more than that. It Is a star maker, for in Mary Phllbln Universal has uncovered a real camera find through her work in this production. It has added tremendously also to the histrionic laurels of George Sollgman, George Hackathome, Dorothy Wallace, Norman Kerry and Cesare Gravinau This quintet, together with Miss Philbin, dominate the story, and their performances are largely re- sponsible for the gripping interest that the picture contains. Although not credited with hav- ing anything to do with this picture. It Is known the production was started for Universal by Erich von Strohoim. Recently a Universal exooutlve stated that while It was true von Stroheim had started the picture so little remained of what he had done that It wasn't no- ticeable. In observing the picture as screened there are the unmistak- able signs of the von Stroheim handiwork present in a host of scenes. "Merry^o-Round" Is a simple story of a love affair between an aristocrat and a peasant girl, well told amid a setting of Vienna's Coney Island (the Plater), the pal- ace of the Emperor Franz Joseph, the war. and finally back to the Prater aga a. Symbolic In a measure is the title, for the "merry-go-round" of life proceeds no matter come what may. That is the story. In Vienna, prior to the fateful days of 1914. lives Count Franz MaximllUan von Hohenegg (Nor- man Kerry), a captain of the Royal Guards and attached to the em- peror's suite. Like all of the young men of the court, he Is a free and easy living chap, with an eye for a lass and a taste for a glass. His emperor has decreed the young count shall marry the Komtesse Glsella, daughter of the ntlnister of war. She frankly tells her father she desires the young count as he appeals to her physically. In planting the character of Glsella, the direction shows her in one of the earlier scenes returning from her morning ride, and on en- tering the stables draws a groom into a dark corner. letting her af- The Hit of the Year! Read what the critics say of picture which made a smashing success at the big New York Strand! ^ Don't MlM It. It's Grmi!— In our throat rose many a Rulp. Tnto our eyo«i sprang tear*, tears of laughter, tears of sympathy and understanding. Don't miss this picturel It's great!—Daily News. Marveloottly Satisfactory— " 'Penrod and Sam.* whioh is at the Strand this wcok. Is tha first real production of llooth TarkinRton's stories which has ' ever been made on the screen. ConsoQuently It is a marvolously satisfactory picture."—N. Y. Herald. A Picture for Everybody— •' Tcnrod and Sam' Is a picture which everyone will enjoy. The man or woman who views this picture and doesn't got at least one good laugh never was young, or worse, has forgotten al! about youth."—The Evening Mall. Very Moch Worth HhUe— "A very much worth-while picture. An excellent assort- ment of Juvenile porfurmcrs to do full Justice to character* created fur them by Kooth Tarkingtun. It is full of ebullient, riotous youth, mlschi<;r and bumor, and little eye-moistcnlnv bits."—N. Y. Telegraph. Wants More Uke It— "The plcturegoer, after seeing 'Ponrod and Ram' at the Strand, Is more than inclined to believe that there should be • law compelling producers to turn out more like this."—N. T. Evening Journal. A Distinct PleMiir»— "It Is a distinct pleasure to view a production In which nothing has been playf>d up with too much real, which so often tends to destroy the value of the whole Idea. Here you have a simple story of boys with natural characteristics which makes one laugh and cry."—New York Times. A Perfect Picture— "As perfect a picture of childiHh fli-ndishness as one could find. FullowH the story absolutely. It really is remarkably well done."—N. Y. Tribune. Betti Summery Entertainment— "One cannot help roaring during tho unwinding of 'Penrod and Sam.' at the Strand this week. If yuu wish to forget the heat Just go to the Htrand and live through the lives of the wonderful screen chnracterizallons. It's real summery enter- tainment."— Evcuing World. Wholesome Entertainment^ " 'Ponrod and Bam' Is the sort of thing to which one can— and ought to--bring the whole neighixjrhood. It is a moving example of what is meant by that elusive phrase, wholesome entertainment."—American. What's Ulgher Praise, Indeed? "This la as entertaining a photoplay as one could And throughout the length and breadth of Droadway. We recom- mend the picture as a gnod way to spend a hot afternoon or evening. What's higher praise than this, at present T"—N. Y. ' Sun and Globe. J. K. McDonald presents "PENROD and SAM'^ Booth Tarkington's ^ Sequel ta "Penrod!!^_ Scenario by Hope Loring and Lewis Lighten I A First National Picture Directed by William Beaudine • •,••-. f At -. • fectlon* have full reign, but strikes him with her riding crop when he would likewise express his roused passion. Grisella was a great little girt at that, for Immediately there- after she returned to her own chajn- bers aiid, lighting a big black cigar, threw herself on a couch and tele- phoned to her flance. At the flame time on the Prater, there Is the brutal Shanl Huber. who owns the big merry-go-round and likewise the Punch and Judy show. The little organ grinder for the merry-go-round is Agnes Urban (Mary Philbin) whose father is the manipulator of the puppets in the little show for Huber. The next concession is owned by Mrs. Aurora Rossrelter (Lillian Sylvester) who has Bartholomew Grubor, a hunch- back (George Hackathorne) on the front, spieling for her. -^mong her principal attractions of the bally- hoo is a huge monkey. These characters enact '. little tragedy all their own up to the time the Count enters the life of the little organ grinder. The brutal Shani has a lustfH^ de.sire for the girl a. 1 the lIttI/6 hunchback loves her. Shani attacks the youngster at one time in front of tho monkey's cage with Le animal showing he re- sented the blows rained on his friend. Hut the count visits the playground with two women and a couple ef male companions in civilian 'clothes, makes love to the little organ grinder and poses to her as a necktlo salesman. With him it is seemingly passing fancy; with the girl it is an epoch In her life. Then later comes tie chance meeting between the Count and the girl, on the day after her father has been arrested for attack- ing his employer, because the latter was trying to assault his daughter. It is the Count's influence liat has the father released and he and the gjrl start working for the conces- sion next door. The advent of Urban as a clown at the concession adjoining Shanl's attracts all his Juvenile trade. He becomes revenged by dropplni^ a huge flower pot on the old clown's head, but the same night is repaid for his action when the monk escapes his cage and strangles the brute in his room while he sleeps. While the old clown is in the ho.j- pltal nursed by his daughtc-. the Emperor pays a visit to the institu- tion. It is here the girl realizes her necktie salesman is of the nobility. Prior to this she In her '.jellef of his prote.statlons of affections has given her happiness into his hands. When the Komtesse Grisella claims him as her husband it breaks the girl's heart. Then the beginning of the war. This portion is admirably handled with the conflict held entirely secondary to the story Itself, while It would have been all too easy to have let It overshadow the real I .- terest. Thore are a few shots of feet marching on and on; a few scenes of a Tihattered army returning In defeat, a story all too plain and complete to need anything more than the brief flashes of the prin- cipals who are involved In It. The Count reported dead, little Agnes consents to wed the hunch- back in the spring. Their ceremony is set for the opening day of the season at the Prater, when the Count looms on the scone again. He is a widower and with the monarchy wiped out no longer of the nobility; free to wed as he will. But the girl refuses although her heart would have him; her promise to the hunchback Is first In her mind. In the end, however, the two are In a close up embrace for the hunchback has sent her to the man she loves. It is a tense tale of conflicting emotions that will hold any audience. In producing it Universal spent money rather lavishly. Detail is out.standing and direction carries the story along without a hitch or a break. To the artists must go a full share, especially to Miss Philbin, for that little girl proves herself a wonder of dramatic ability and a remarkable actress. Mr. Kerry as the Count Is a true picture of the .square-head nobility of Central Europe. To Dorothy Wallace as Grisella also a full measure for what she has to do she dues well. In "Morry-Go-Round" the ex- hibitor will And a picture that his audiences will not only enjoy but pral.se .providing he goes out and really makes them believe the pic- ture is as big as it is. Fred. SCHULBEEG'S SCHEDULE The director schedule which has been worked out for the 15 Preferred pictures for the coming season by B P. Schulberg gives Tom Forman the edge with six pictures to handle; Louis Gisnier will direct five, and Victor Schertzinger will wield the mei;aphone over four. The schedule reads as follow.s: Tom Forman, "The Broken Wing." "The Virginian." 'White Man." "April Showers," "The Triflers" a-d "My Ladies' I,ips"; Louis Gasnler, '*Mot:icr5«-in-Law." "Maytlme," "Poi- soned Paradise," "Thi Breath of Scandal' and "When a Woman Keaches Forty"; Victor Schertzlng- er, "The Boomerang," 'The Mansion of AchlnpT Hearts." "The First Year" and "I-'alnt Perfume." HUMAN WRECKAGE F. B. O. (Pnm Booking Offloe) present* Mrs. Wallace Reld (Dorothr Davenport) in "Human Wreckaca" m*. Lyric. New York, opening Jun« 27 as apectel in leffH houM at advanced acale for run, pl^ylnc two cbowa dally. Story by C. Gardner SuUlvan. Names of technical ataff concaraed not oo prograiB but flajthed on *Hd««. Ethel MacPanand Mra. WatUce Raid Alan MacFarland Jamea KIrkwood Mary Flnneflran Beaal* Love Jimmy Biowa Oeorge Hackathome Mrs. Brown....... Claire McL>ow«lJ Dr. inilman Robert McKlm Mrs. Finnegan Viotory Bateman Bteve Stone • Harry Northrupr Dr. make Brio Mayne Harris Otto Hoffman Dunn Philip Sleeman The Bahy Qeorge dark Otnger Smith Lucille RickMn "Human Wreckage" is strictly a commercially-made drug expose film. Like many others preceding it, there ia no merit to any, part, from story to acting. Its drawing powers will depend upon t^pi Mrs. Wallace Held billing and the drug notoriety of late In the dailies. That should compile a draw at the box office, as the sad ending of Wally Reid and the reams devoted to the evils of narcotics should have left a curiously inclined public in all towns and cities who may want ^o see the widow of Wally Reld If not IKirtlcularly desirous of knowing more about drugs. As an educator for the purpose of suppressing the drug habit, "Hu- man Wreckage" Isn't. It is more of an enlightener. The young can see here things the:" ehould not know, for it's naturally a morbid film, since its subject is entirely sodden. In its propensity to expound the effects, there appears to be an error. Morphine Is utilized by a lawyer as a stimulator for a deadened mind. Morphine deadens instead of exhilarating; cocaine Is supposed to be the stimulator. That, however. Is no great Import, since drugs seize as their prey only those who likely would be eeized by something else If drugs didn't get them. The mor- bidity of the film is heightened through a majority of its locales placed among the lower classes. There is little new in the picture, excepting the trend of the story, that has not been exhibited in other film exposes of the past two dec- adoa. None did any material good, since the drug habit Is liot screen welfare work, as it goes directly to the non-users probably much more so than the users. The best impression left by "Hu- man Wreckage" ie that of a ghost- like hyena stalking through every scene where drugs come in to wreak their worst This was frequent. A title said the hyena is the ugliest of a-nlmals, inferring the drug habit Is the ugliest of the diseases. There is another disease in these United States that has spread far more rapidly, that is much more deadly and dangerous and under less con- trol than the dope habit, since the war ceased. The government and pictures could better concentrate upon the Isolation and suppression of that vicious but slow killer which attacks both sexee than for picture makers to splurge for commercial- ism upon drug films that at the most only inform the unknowing. "Human Wreckage" as a picture is a self-player, ae all drug pictures have been; it's perfunctory and futile, written no better nor worse than the others, and hardly could have been written in any other way. played about tSie eame and with tl« same result—nothing. No reference is made In the pl«« tare or in the pre-announcementv by Mr«. Reid to her husband, hU fate or the cauee. The picture at the Lyric Is glve« in the usual picture show etyieL some short reels running ahead of the feature, that takes up but llttl« over an hour and that caused through heavy padding, which dra«« the picture badly. Simf, THE CHASE IVAN THE GREAT The Capitol. New York, a Gold- wyn-booked house, featured the two above named pictures thta week ia lieu of a regular running releassk Both of the pictures are of short length, with "The Chase" the longer and both should properly be classed as travelogs. Last week the Capitol played a re- turn of "Passion," with Negri, with- out gratifying results. It may have been the heat gamble and the Fourth for this week which induced Roth- apfel to take no chance on his cur- rent program for expense. The entire Capitol bill this week could be looked over by those who believe a cut-up show of short films and turns might be the^olutlon in- stead of the extra drawing card (If there Is an extra drawing card any- where for a picture house outside of pictures). The bill of 10 numbers Is not overlnviting. particularly as there Is no especial life to the named specials. "Ivan the Great" seems to be a cutdown travelog of the Far North (Alaska), with too much atten- tion given to the bear species of that country. The bears look like grizzlies. There was too much titling and too little action, with as much more footage wasted in a "love scene" of possibly reindeer or moose, perhaps musk-ox Or maybe antelope, what- ever they were, with the feminine end of the triangle. It was exactly what the caption mentioned—a "love scene," not worth the celluloid given to it, as the three animals in a single flash would have suflf)ced. New Yorkers are not that sentimental. Harold McCracken's Alaskan adven- ture picture is a sub-title for it "The Chase" is of skiing, present- ed by Jacob Fabian, and announced aa the first American showing. "Eu- rope's most amazing cinema nov- elty: a tale of Alpine thrills," says the program. The program says too much. Five minutes of this film would have been enough. The re- mainder of the 26 or 30 minutes Is a succession of skiing repetition. Very pretty, graceful and attractive Is this skiing over the untracked vastnesses of snow, but twice would have been as good as 50. The skis kept right on. making their plunges, walking, skidding, sliding or Jump- ing. A story linked the picture, but there's nothing in the story other than the excuse to pad it out. Not big enough to stand by itself or aa one-half of any bill. Another of the short reels was "The Cuckoo's Secret." a Bray na- ture, and scientifically excellent no doubt. It is the first screen record of a cuckoo's life, also her program, and as far aa the screen Is concerned on Broadway It could have remained a secret there, too. A couple of other bits were diver- tissements, nicely enough staged, but not enlivening. Sime, The Grand, Jonesboro, Ark., has closed. ■ — A REAL INNOVATION! This announcement ap- peared as a news item in the daily papers last week. That it was welcome was proven by the crowds who stormed the Rivoli doors on Sunday. (Our apologies to those who could not get seats) ROUNDS of APPLAUSE from PUBLIC and PRESS proved the quality of this super production now showing at regular prices Universal Super-Jewel Produred by CARL laemmle: nirectftd by KUPRRT JULIAN pOR the first time in film history a special or super production was given its initial presentation in a motion picture theatre. Heretofore such impoKant openings have taken place in Broadway legiti- mate theatres—at regular Broadway theatre prices. Determined that lovers of fine pictures should be given an unusual oppor- tunity, regardless of this custom, CARL LAEMMLE, president of Uni- versal Pictures Corporation, and Hugo Riesenfeld arranged for the world's premiere of the much-talked-about picture**— • > AT THE RIVOLI-NOW SPECIAL PRESENTATION RIVOLI CONCERT ORCHESTRA