Variety (August 1923)

Thursday, August 30. 1929 PICTURES 27 THE SUNSHINE TRAIl^ Thomas H. trto* productloB •tarrlac BowrlM McLean la WlUlam Wallaca Cook'* atorr. aemn-adapted by Bradley KInv and dlracMA \>r Jamra W. Ilorne. iliLB 00 BlnutM, aa halt at a double feature cauplad with a Balialck-I^arma Talmtdce niaau* at LiO«w'* New York, Now York. Prom start to finish the picture satirizes and burlesques the Polly- anna th^e. While at flrat thought one might opine that the travesty could have been meted out In broader doses, Its restraint la com- mendable on reflection. Jimmy McTavish (Douglas Mc- liean) is the central character. His one motto in life is "scatter seeds of kindness," etc., a guidlni; slogan conned from an illustrated post card. And so like all well-meaning humans who plan their kindnesses with purpose aforethought, his good intentions go astray and involve him in several embarrassing com- plications while he is traveling the "sunshine trail." The picture starts with a rough and tumble fight between two burjy westerners, the victor of the flsticuff engagnfAient admonishing hs con- quered, opponent, "that'll teach you not to use my safety razor" and which effectively plants the general Idea of the production. Enters Jimmy McTavish announcing his Intention to return to his home town in the east. % While practising one of his Polly- anna principles at a way station in Blinding a young child, he finds himself with the lad on hi.t hands and 80 must continue his journey With a Juvenile burdem Also, with the best of intention to assist an "eloping" couple who are in re.ality heads of a band of crooks, he effects the criminals" escape at the expense of the arresting officer although later he is solely i^^ponsible in ■ foiling their hold-up on a bank and capturing them single-handed. The girl is June Carpenter (Edith Roberts). She becomes engaged to the son of the richest man in Jimmy's home town against her own inclinations and only to oblige her mother. She has a baslj affec- tion for the "Sonny" McTavish of her childhood years and when the latter makes his identity known to the townsfolk they suspect him an Imposter there to claim a fortune of $50,000 left by an old friend (or relative — distinction not made clecu-). June is the only one to recognize hi..i but when the hero spies her engagement ring he denies his true identity lor jiitruistic reasons. Afnong other things he is Jailed aa a villain a halt hour after having been hailed a hero but the wind-up finds him escorted from the hoosegow with a brass band, once more village idol. Much of the picture is screen persiflage but Is Interesting throug- out for all Us careless fun. Probably ' written to reflect a real situation humorously, the director at times has lapsed into farce and unrealistic hoke. The admixture all told is funny however. Were the story taken seriously for Instance, a flashback at a birth- day party among 12 year olds wouldn't find the stocky McLean In knickers and furbelows doing the "kid" part, personally, instead of a juvenile substitute. In addition to the principals, Muriel Francis Dana as the kiddle deaervea worthy comment. The youngster could stand some atten- tion as a kid star possibility on the order of Baby Peggy. Abel. MINE TO KEEP Ben WllKm production, preaentM br Sam- uel V. Orand and released br tha Orand- Asher Dtatrlbuting Corp. Author not caught from screen and tb« name* of the three assistant directors to whom Ben Wilson acknowledces credit foi* their etforta alw paased up In hasty screening'. Ran an hour at Procter's 5ftth Htrapt theatre. New York, In conJuncUoa with vaudevlUa, Au- trust 20-22. Victor Olnejr Bry^ant Washburn Constance Rlvea Mabel FOrreat Carmen Joy Charlc4te Stevens Mrjr- Rives Kate Lester cunt Morbray ,....Wbeeter Oaknum lira. Joy LAura UaVarney f Peaches Jackson Joy Children { Mickey Moor* I Pat Moor* BLINKY Onlreraal. atarrtne Hoot Qlbaon. Story br Qetia Ma.rkey, adapted and dlr«lrd by Kdward Sedsulck. Shown at L,o<-w'« New Tork, N. Y.. on doubla feature bill Au«. IT, 192S. Runninc tima, 68 minutea. Ooodrer I»llp Hoot 01b«on Mary lou Kllcen Kathar Ralaton Mra. lallp Mathlkde Brundare Cd. "Raw Maat" ailp DeWitt Jennlnga Priscllla Isllp Elinor Field Bertrand Van Duaen Donald HRt.iwell Major Klleen Charlea K. Freni^h Husk Barton John Judd Ueut. Rawklna William E. Lawrence The very first titles start out with a discourse on the marriage theme and the third of the. lengthy leaders concludes with something like this: "Our advice is, etc." This stamps the production right off the bat. al- though It does not become too preachy, which is something to be thankful for, anyway. The premise that a union based on a tissue of falsehoods is In'Secure Is demonstrated with Victor OIney's and Constance Uives' marriage. Ol- ney. Identified as a wealthy club- man, engaged Carmen Joy, "the toast of the Winter Garden." to do her wire dancing specialty at his bachelor dinner. The dancer is smitten with OIney, although the latter knows naught of It, and even the audience is given no intimation of the fact until a title breaks the information on them suddenly. While doing her stuff aloft an en- thusiastic guest proposes a toast to the bride. Carmen becomes dizzy and falls from the wire, resulting in a serious spinal injury. OIney ef- fects a $5,000 settlement with her. The couple are married, and thereafter OIney's peculiar Jealousy causes a rift l)etween the two. Clint Morbray's entrance further compli- cates matters. Clint was a former admirer of Mrs. OIney. Morbray has become reckless In his mad mo- toring and alrplanlng following Constance's marriage and the latter feels somewhat responsible. This adds coal to the fire. The couple separate. Constance has been falsely informed of her husband's alleged "affair" with the Wititcr Garden dancer, and it all becomes straight- ened out when the latter personally admits she has had a childish "crush" on OIney, the latter being to,tally In the dark all the while. Carmen's back has become strong under Constance's care, and it all ends happily. Some of the titles do not ring true and are little less than flowery phraseology thrust In the mouths of the characters to progress the de- bate. Wilson evidently started out making Morbray a sort of sympa- thetic "heavy," but spoiled it by permitting him to do some nasty lying !n true villain fashion. Much of the picture strikes a false note, although Wilson tried hard to dress it up neatly. The night race between auto and train was a minor punch. A nice touch was the danc- ing to radio music. On the other hand, some of the sepia tinting did not Jibe well with Miss Forrest's blonde beauty. Char- lotte Stevens appeared miscast at first In the Indoor shots, due to the bad lighting. In the outdoor scenes she showed oft to better advantage. The casting otherwise was adequate. Bryant Washburn was sincere throughout, and Wheeler Oakman gave a good account of himself. The balance of the support took care of their parts nicely. It's a "society" picture of the sort that usually appeals to the average neighborhood house tan and should make a good buy for the dally change theatres. Abet. out an ounce of originality, but with pounds of humor and ton* of human interest. Norah MacPhersoa is left alone in the world after the death of her parents, who have striven for years to instill into her the qualities of- thelr respective native lands. Thir- ty-five a week in the chorus of the Summer Garden looks good to her and she accepts a Job as a chorine. Along comes Jame9 Patterson III., who "knows every bootlegger and chorus girl on Brbildway* and "whose main ambition is to yawn without stretching." Prom then on it is Nor.tK's task to force this gilded youth to the point where he realizes that it might be a good idea to get out and work for her. She is suc- cessful evcntunlly, but in doing It she gets In and out of all sorts of scrapes herself. The punch comes when she decides to conquef her inherited Scotch thrift and buy her- self some clothes that will make Jimmy proud. He misunderstands and it takes a long time before h* is convinced that some other man is not "daddying" her. ' Next to Miss Dam's acting, the subtitles are the best. Written by Clyde A. Bruckman. The direction is also splendid and the camera work above criticism. The opening night at the Summer Garden i's done without all the arti- ficiality usually attending such scenes in the films. Some-^lelight- ful touches are woven, as when the two old bucks in the baldhead row look around cautiously and whisper, "I hope there's no"body here from Utica." The dressing room scenes are intimate and spicy, but need not fear any censors. Some good double exposure shots are used to show the Scotch ond Irish spirits advising the heroine at various times. Miss Dana is pretty, as usual, but she looks thinner than ever and un- necessarily stresses the title of the film by having her lips too heavily coated. Tom Moore has never done better work than as the lovable loafer of a hero. No villain is in- troduced, to Miss Weiman's credit, but Arline Pretty plays a rltiy show girl with a nasty disposition and does it well. FOREIGN FILM REVIEWS HUTCH STIRS 'EM UP Liondon, Aug. 10. BVank H. Crane and the Ideal Company have reputations for good work which they fail to quite live up to in this their latest shown pic- ture. It is melodramatlo hotch- potch in which Charles Hutchison, specially brought over, attempts to ij- Fairly Interesting comedy ro- mance, in which Hoot Gibson Is given a role of a type somewhat different from those he has had, and In It he makes a- decided impression. The story is of Washington society and the Mexican border. There are htany possibilities for lauKh mate- rial, and they are made the most of In the direction of the screen ver- sion. It look.i Iliie a picture that cxhlt»- Itors in almcst any class of theatre, except possibly the big pre-release houses, can run and rest assured that their audiences will be enter- tained. There Isn't much to the fea- ture that will pull to the box office unless Gibson has a following In the neighborhood. Gibson has the role of a rather namby-pamby son of a retired army colonel. The mother want.s the boy to have a oommissibn. Dad Uxes it for him, but Instead of gettiiiB liim * awivel chair Job dad frames for th« boy to bo sent to his old outfit on the Mexican border. Ilore thc-y eventually make a real man of the boy and he wins the daughter of lils commanding oITIcor after lescuinB her from the clutches of bootlegtiPra. ll.tther l{al.<:ton, DeWItt Joiuiing.'i and Charles K. French acquit them- selvea etJin^nblSM . The larmr P'»«t riding stuff is particularly well done in direct;'**. Fre4. ROUGED LIPS Motro picture atarrlns Viola Dana rrom the story "Up8ta.te," by Rita Wolman. Adaptatioa and C'>ntlnultjr by Thorns.? ,T. Ifopklna. Directed by Harold Shaw. Photosraphed br John Amnld. 8ublitlea br Clyde A. Uruckman. At (he State, Aur 1*0-22. Running time. 02 mlnutoa. Norah M.icPheraon Viola Dana James l^tteraon HI Tom Moor* Mamie Du^an Nola I.uiford Jumes Patterson If Sidney de Gray Marletto Arline Preity Mr. MaoPheraon' Francis Powera Mrs. MacPherson Oe >r»le Woodt horpa Billy Ducan Burwell llamrlck THE UNTAMABLE Universal picture starring 0-ladya l^ealie. Directed by Herbeit Blacha.. Story by Gil- lette Burgess. Phulograpbed by Ben Kline. At the Circle Aug. 21 aa halt of a double bill wltl^ "Hhattered Reputations." Kun- nlng time. 55 mlna. Joy Fielding Gladys Leslie Chester Arnold Malcolm McGregor Dr. Frederick Copln John Salnpolls Ah Moy Etta Lee The thousands of Viola Dana fins will see in this film something of the Viola Dana of a few years back the elfish, wistful flapper of "A Chorus Girl's Romance," "Head and Shoulders," "The Off Shore Pirate," and others of the Scott Fitzgerald type at which she excels. In her more recent pictures Miss Dana has tackled other sorts of roles and con- sequently has lacked her customary piquancy and appeal. Here she has a p.'irt that fits her like a one-piece bathing suit—a firry, re.sourooful dauKlitcr of a Scotch father anil an Irish mother. The picture I.h a .slight little tiling. attractive, and a welcome relief from the heavy divorce and iiitrisue atutt corin-iiiii; the screen of lato. It is one more eloquent plea against the de.^tnlc'.ivuMO.^» of that itisin- mountahle "no loss tliin an Iiour running timi;" l.iw Wore it t) la.st 4r. minutea it would bo .in iJc-al prn- gr;un a,tlraction, but Ihtit extra (quarter of an lu<wr oau.io* it to flrag iinmeicifullv low.iid llie finish Ilila Wciman has wnttcn a story with- A preposterous little affair but one that will not harm nor bore. Gladys Leslie has appeared in ridiculous pictures before, but never in one with as moonstruck a plot as this holds. It lives up to its evident purpose—to amuse and to provide a few little spine ticklers. An in- expensive film Jp produce, it will doubtless prove a good, stable mo..eymaker for the Universal. The central theme Is hypnotism, which causes the heroine to be a sort of Dr. Jekyll and Miss Hyde. A sweet, demure girl when not nw- iested, she becomes awfully naughty when under the spell of the wicked physician, who hopes to get both her and lier money by aubjugatlng her to his psychic power*. The worst part is that when under his spell she not only turns into a veritable fury but abandons all modesty and maidenly reserve. So she runs around very much in dishabille, petting aH the men, tear- ing her gown from her shoulder and even coaxing the virtuous hero into the sanctityt of her boudoir. She marries the villainou* doctor one day, and the next, when tree front his hypnotic trance, weds the rising young architect. Complica- tions follow like machine-gun bul- lets, but at last the doctor Is torn to pieces by the fierce dogs he has mistreated in the evening, the girl Is free from his machinations, and the final clinch comes with a rush. All this action transpires In an exotic looking mansion scented by oriental incense. The story is more weird and impossible than is ap- parent on paper. Direction and photography stress the imaginative side and add to the general atmos- phere of make-belleye. A heavy burden rests upon Miss Leslie and site does surprl.slngly well. In her sane scenes she ex- hibits a reserve and Kirllshness that are most appealing. But when sup- posedly hypnotized she misses by being too much the impish giimin of her earlier pictures rather than the victim of a subconscious force. John Salnpolls as the .physician adds anoilier nntahlo performance to his long list. Malcolm McCJregoi is a handsome, virile hero, and ICtta Lee outstanding- In a Chinese maid bit. being out of the ordinary, yet. In the final analysis, it is an ordinary piece of work,' being without novelty in theme or development and acted out by a fair to roiddlin' cast which makes no special claim to distinc- tion, the Press Sheet to the, con- trary. It is a pleasant warm weather tale of a newspaper and of Its owner-editor, played by Jaires Cor- rlgan, and of the usual brilliant you.ig reporter (Edward Ilorton), who, in the course of the five reels, meets the boss' daughter, takes time out for a cotiple of reels to pick up lunch at Chllds' and then goes out and pulls the big scoop of the year, arriving back in Dad's house in time to propose to the beautiful daughter and work thlngp Around to the place where that old Latin word (Finis) of infinite com- fort can be flashed. In the course of all this, Mr. Hor- ton displays a good sense of comedy and quiet humor much like that of Johnny Hlnes, he of "Torchy" fame, and also permits the public to gaze at one of the most remarkable flivvers which ever walked ' i way across the silver sheet, A local crltlo remarked that It did everything but stand on Its hind legs and bark. The film is good for the neighbor- hood houses and is pleasant enter- tainment for the undlscerning, but for a dyed-ln-the-wool movie fan, this film Isn't going to ring the bell. Its Just that sort of a picture. Looking at It .'rom another angle. It is merely another film In that long succession of films which have tried to give newspaper work some degree of truthful presentation be- fore the people — but like Itt predecessors. It has failed miserabi.'. The fault with most of them Is that they mtist introduce a love Interest, the boss' daughter and one of these screen variety of brilliant cubs to make the film stand up. They omit much of the real ex- citement and lose all the real at- mosphere of the offices who-e copy paper ofttimes gets ankle deep around the city editor's desk and where the old. copy readers still maintain their Individual spittoons. Sisfc. get over some of the stunts and rough stuff which have made him a popular serial "star." The somewhat weak story, adapted from a novel, "The Hawke of Rede," Is packed with fights, fires, villainy of a very desperate sort, gliders, patrol boats and all the things which go to make a serial, but here we have the whole collection In five reels. Only in the beautiful setting a,nC. locations Is Crane's art appar- ent. Hutch, after IS years as a cowboy, returns to his native village and promptly falls foul of the insane and tyrannical squire. This worthy loves to live in the days of feudal glory and seeks to bend the vil- lagers to his will. He desires to pos- sess Joan Armstrong, who fears and resists him. Saved by Hutch fron) his embraces, she falls in love with her rescuer. The Squire, madder than ever after several accidents to hl.^ plans, at last captured the dar- ing Hutch and then trapped Joan. Full of mediaeval cruelty, the Squire had Hutch tortured in the girl's presence In order to make her yield. She consented to become his, but was again rescued after a terrific fight. They escaped by means of a tunnel to the open. "Putting Joan in a place of safety, as he thought. Hutch returned to settle things with his enemy, who, however, once more kidnapped the girl and put out to sea with her. Hutch pursued on a glider and arrived In time. The Squire met the reward of villainy and hero and heroine found that of virtue. The picture was made down amid the beautiful scenery of Devon and many of the shots are of great beauty. Charles Hutchison gives an excellent performance as himself, and rides, fights, makes love, falls Into traps, flies, swims and does all the things which have made' him famous. Gibson Gowland Is respon- sible for an excellent performance as the maniacal Squire. Malcolm Tod Is easy In a "walking Juvenile" part. Joan Barry Is out of thf pic- ture as the girl and seems rather bewildered by the rush of events. She does this / without conveying for a moment that she Is terrified. Sunday Willshin has little to do but look pretty, which she does to every- one's satisfaction. She Is quite one of the prettiest women in the Brit- ish screen world and deserves hot- ter parts. Many small parts are well played. Hutchison's name wUl get this feature over, and there is no doubt its "thrill a minute" business will make It popular with many au- diences. Oore. THE MIRACLE BABY n-C production, starring Ifarry Carey, niatrlbuled by Film Booking OITlte. Adap- tation by Bernsteln-Jaccard from story by Frank Pierce. Directed by Val Paul. Will- lam Thornley, photogra(><iar. At IiOaw'a New York, Aug. 9. Nail Allison Harry Carey Judy Stanton Margaret l«ndla "Iloperut" Mason Charles J. I,. Mayn* Hal Norton Kdward Heam Violet Hedda Maya Dr. Amos atanton Alfred AHen Sam Bradford Bert Sprotta A FRONT PAGE STORY Vli igrapli spoci.il pres'-nted by Albert B, Snillli Made ffim the story by Arthur Goodrich, directed by Jens Robins and a Jess Rubins production. Seen at Ijoews llippudronie. lUltluiora, IM'liicy Mtrvin M'lyfir fJorhain . . . Milt lUyw.iril. . .. Virj[ini.a Haywaid. iKin Clllr..! . Ttiinniv Mr;* ' •')' ham .*>iiK.iti:ia tlerham... Jd ;k I'oclor .. R'lw.lri rrortiin ...l/l'tyi Ingrslistn ... .Jpmcs ' 'cirilg»n ,. .. K''. 1.1 U.>l.<rl» .. . VV K Mwr'.-nco fill t.'lv M.'.i*' nncf MaUillde l!iunan«e I,IU. I/S»llo Turn Mc'siulre This nim makes pret"n'.iIons oT Program picture of average merit, with the sort of stuff they like In the pop price houses. Considerable action in the five and half reels. In- cluding a murder with the hero be- lieving he committed It until the heavy is disclosed the culprit: a hand-to-hand scrap between hero and heavy; chase over the enow- carpeted mountains which winds up with the heavy going over the cliff to his death In good old melodra- matic style,, and the rescue of a baby from a burning cabin. The heart Interest Is provided for, and there is comedy relief here and there. There Isn't a great deal of suspense as most of the Incidents comprising the plot are over fa- miliar through frequent usage. But th% big scenes have been compactly put together and where punches are supposed to t>e—they're there, with a certain element of speed charac- terizing the more Important dra- matic scenes. A mining camp atmosphere with realized opporlunitli-a for some first rate mountain exteriors forms the scenic background for most of the happenings. . No great artistry In the directing or acting U discern- ible nor expected In this grade of picture, but the direction is satis- factory, and th^ acting qualifies to the extent that the dramatics are made convincing and the story In- toillgible. Harry Carey !n this Is Ju.it Harry Carey, a lyplc.a! hliip-«hirt lead as he his been In Innumerable other pictures in which he has starred, lid ward Ilearn makes .a good heavy and Margaret iMniiin. nUliotigh h»v- ln(^ little as the heroine, does that lltll,' acceptably H»'Ma Nova Is r nnviri.'ing a« the villa'ne.i.s. and Clias J I» Miyne an a character rr.l.< Int 'reslUij;. In (jeneral the oast Hl.T.ild ho ere'li'e<| for not over-aol- \nr,. I'ictiir(>a tike rhiH n"ver '■aii.se my f'.rnat c.immotion. but they're •lere-fijry to fill n deMnite denilnd f.ir the sf'cofi'l and third run hnu.los Th'.A one c\maif» Ail gooit tor !ts' iVpe flr'l PEACE AND QUIET London, Aug. 7 Produced at the comedy last night by Benrlmo, "Peace and Quiet" proved very light fare, a comedy tinged with conventional and unoriginal melodrama, which could not b« taken very seriously. All that mattered really was that the author, Horace Hodges, had written himself aa eccentric char- acter part something after the style of "Grumpy," which be played admirably. Uoifges was co-uuthor of "Grumpy." A middle-aged hypochondriac in search of a rest-cure prescribed by his doctor for an attack of nerves/ finds himself la, the midst of deep dyed villiany at a farmhouse recom- mended to him by his cousin Grant. Through the clumsy overturning of a flowerpot in the dead of night, the honorable, if unromantic, hero discovers Grant has clotied with the farmer's daughter, a sweet young thing who Is the village belle, and knowing his cousin to be something of a scoundrel, he sets out to over- take the runaways. He tracks them down at an empty house Just as a mock marralge ceremony has been concluded, and exposing the trickery compels the couple to return. Need- less to say he finally wins the girl for himself and speedily forgets his fancied aliments. With the exception of Tom Reynolds as the father of the elop- ing girl, the cast Is worse than mediocre. The average school of acting in America could have re- cruited a much superior aggrega- tion. Joto. LOVE-nrrBIOUE-FASSION London, Aug. S. If super pictures were Judged by their inordinate length and gorgeous setting this feature would be a super. Unfortunately, something more than these things are required, and this requirement puts "Love- Intrlfftic-Parslon" among the "also ran.t." Of Teutonic origin. It Is a flrst- elass i)ractical Joke,.the Joke being cinpliasizeil by tlie ino.-^l clumsty .sul)- titie probably ever Keen. It in melo- Irama of the prohlepj type, enlivened liy HU'h li'erarv Rems as ".Shows a ni.in in se'irch of Ills noiil" and "When ]Ji«tinv oinnot get a man It Ken'l.i awAKtan to get him.'' i-Kor iKimo hnur* It'gsve thel lided -film p t (• , • I f t „ t, ^ 1 r f' • -> J* ' i >■.'-, 1 f I ■<