Variety (June 1924)

Wednesday, June 4. 1984 PICTURES -n»'',*''if ^i.* ;;*■ <.v VARIETT "f^ It la ttila reallzatton ot th* trutb of KlpUng'a Una about "Biddy O'Ondy *nd tlte oolonara l«idy" that bu (Ivan tlie Amcrloaa fifan aucb « big popular pull bara. An Knglisb producer would ba al- moat abocked if aaked to And ro- inanca in tb« lifa of a traotioa en- slne driver or a small buaineas man. Hlfl views are narrow and ba can only And beauty or baroiam In tbe bigbar ranks o( life; to btm, all also Is aqualor and brutality, al- though useful at timea in hia aearch for light and shade. If ba touches the lower strata. It is Invariably to make a burlesque enlivened by an Attempt at heart interest. The picture tells the story of a railway signalman, his wite, little son and a blackguard. The laitter, not the wealthy man from the city who chances to meet tho wife and attempts to lure her away, is an- otner signalman. The production work is very flne throughout. The storm scenes are apparently those of a terrific tor- nado and are most realistic, while the flnal sensation baa rarely, if ever, been equalled. The photogra- phy is of beautiful quciity. Acting honors go to Wallace Beery for a remarkably flne study of Joe Standlsh. He never exag- gerates and his villainy is subtly suggested. When the final scenes come he presents a remarkable study of bestial passion. Rockcllffe Fellows Is by no means as good in portraying Dave Taylor. His per- formance has the appearance of be- ing machine made; his emotion, a thing of glycerin and water. Vir- ginia Valll is excellent as Sally and plays with sincerity. A clever child study comes from Frankle Darro. These four players have the weight on their ehoulders. There can be no doubt but that this picture Is a certain winner. Oore. HOW TO EDUCATE A WIFE Baltlmcrc, June 8. Warner Brotheri^ production. Story by Elinor Olyn. Cast Includlas Ifarl* Prevoat. Mont* Ulue, Claada Ollltnrwater. Vera L,*wla. Betty Franclsoo. Crelshton Hal*. Bdward Earle and Nellie Bly Baker. The Olyn fans are handed a sur- prise In thjs Glyn picture. Its mor- als are decidedly middle class. One of tbe minor women does desert her husband for a home-breaker, but the incident isn't followed up. The nearest approach to naughtiness Is a close-up showing the leading male and female embracing In neglige. But they're married. Hero, in brief. Is a rather divert- ing comedy of suburbia, telling an amusing if not particularly excit- ing story of an ex-manlcurist and a struggling insurance agent who tail to weather the first year of mat- Hmony. Monte Blue, as the husband, Is abort on cash and not especially long on Ideas. A prosperous friend (Creighton Hale) tells him be should Instruct bla wife to attract trade, cites his own wife as an example, and quotes from "Prudence Prue's" newspaper department, "How to Educate a Wife." to back up bis argument. When Marie Prevost, as the wife, tries out tbe thecnry by keeping a luncheon engagement with the very man (Claude Olllingwater), who, incognito, writes the "Prudence Prue" copy, Monte makes the air blue and they separate. After a beries of fairly amusing Incidents a la "The First Tectf," mamma loves papa once more. The characters, somewhat sug- keatlva of a Norria novel, are rather good; but the story la loosely bung together, of varying mood and not wholly originaL Blue, Prevost and ullUngwater are In character. ^. The film may have an asset In the tlUe, which, coupled with Olyn's name, should jyrove a draw. The followers of the sexy scenario, bow- fver, will not find what they are looking for. Ha wakaa to think thara la another war on. His daughter, a eborua girl. Is married to a nobleman who aannot pay his servants and who la In gen- eral financial dlfflculties. To cover these he insures his life heavily and a bogus doctor is employed to find a patient who will die quickly. This man engages a terrible nurse Who has a gag line, "when I was in the trenches." to look after the pseudo count who la, of courae. the alcoholic Plcard, They remove Picard to the count'a country villa and proceed to fill him up with liquor of every sort. Instead of •tying he only gets stronger. In the end the count is shot by the drunken nurse, the chorus girl gets the insurance money, and Plc- ard returns to his old haunts with enough money to remain drunk un- til the end. The whole thing is rubbish and utterly devoid of humor. It might with great luck, suit a penny show No producer Is named and nt actor beyond Picard who, to give him his due, might, with a proper story and direction, become a pas- iMible comedian. Gore. AN ALCOHOLIDAY London, May 29. Probably In the prehistoric days '' Of kinematography someone may bare made a worse picture. Also some genius for vulgarity may have dug deeper into the world's sew- age, but it is doubtful. This remarkable product. "An Alcohollday: The Story of a Thirst," featuring Picard, the "Gentleman Tramp," is of doubtful origin. Con- tinental it certainly Is, and it Is IH-obably French; in fact, it is fairly certain that It is. The firm who, from some mistaken idea of what the public wants, is handling It here, is Olobe Films, a firm who apparently buy tho cheap- est Junk they can find in the fond hope of finding some gutter market tor it. As the title hints, it deals with drink, drink, and nothing but drink. —There is no humor, although It Was doubtless made under the impres- sion the spectacle of unclean men foully intoxicated and generally bestial and enormously breasted women, also drunk, would prove a spectacle of international Joy. What story there is in this five reels of putrefying tripe tells how one Picard. in a moment of greater than usual alcoholic excess, col- lapses and is taken into a hospital. LOS ANGH^ FHH HZ (Continued from page 20) able notices began what looked like four-week run. $21,000. Metropolitan—"Miami" (Hodkin- son). (3,700; 26-65). Though usual Saturday and Sunday turnaway for opening, after notices in dailies not flattering, business fell oft materially during balance week. Bathing Re- vtie prolog feature also not treated kindly. $27,000. Rialto—"Daddies" (Warner Bros.). '800; 35-86). Warner Brothers forte for showing their wares and "Dad- dies" started oft at fair pace Tues- day night, running to average house business. $3,800. Egyptian—"Ten Commandments" (Paramount). (1,800; $1.65). Town veteran hit 850th performance and Indications point it will reach SOOtb. $17,800. Mission—"Shooting of Dan Mc- Grew" (Metro.). (900; 60-$1.10). Reached top pace last week, so with business beginning to decline this, its third week, with withdrawn. $6,000. State—" Cytherea" (First Na- tional). (2,400:35-65). This George Fltsmaurice production though, got good send oft in papers did Just average week's business getting $17,900. Criterion—"Girl Shy" (Pathe). (1,600; 55-85). Though in fourth week manages to hold own and do- ing much better than was expected for this period of run. $10,000. Millar'*—"The King of Wild Horses" (Pathe). (900; J5-75). Looks as though this animal feature which received big tribute from dailies will be sure-fire money get- ter for some time. Got off to big start and kept good pace dtirine first week. $8,800. Forum—"America" (D. W. Grif- fith). (1,800; $1-$1.60). Though world of publicity obtained and house commended this neighborhood theatre doea not aeem to get any- where near play expected. Busi- ness Inconsistent and shows evi- dence ot dropping below atop olauae. $10,000. WARNER'S LEGIT TWO Will Screen "Liohtnin'" and "Seventh Haavan." IiOB Angeles. June t. Announcement waa made at tbe convention of the Warner Bros., francbdae holdera convention, here, that the Warners have dosed a deal with John Golden, whereby "Light- nln'" and "Seventh Heaven" will be ■creened. No prices were Auoted. FAMOUS HOVma EASTT Jesae L. Lasky baa let it become known he will devote the greater part ot his time to production In Famous' Long Island City studios. This la viewed, in some quarters, as an Indication that, with the ex- ception of the Cecil B. DeMiUe pro- ducing unit, Famous will gradually bring aB of its productions to east- ern atudloa CEirSOBS' TAa AT FINISH Kansas City, June 8. No more will tbe censorship tag of the Kansas censor appear at the start of tbe film, according to a ruling Just made by the State Board of Picture Review. It hereafter will appear at the end of the picture. Mra. Lochar with Pen Women Washington, June 8. Mre. Harriet Hawley Locher, in charge ot the visual education de- partment conducted by the Crandall picture houses here, In conjunction with the Board of Education, has been re-elected president of tbe Dis- trict branch of the American Pen Women. BOSTON COHVENTION (Continued from page 11) graved resolution, later to be en- graved on solid gold. Cohen, In accepting this tribute, broke down completely and cried when It was banded over to blm. Earlier in tbe afternoon, while tbe Board of Directors were in meeting, tbe chair waa taken over by Hy GUilnsboro ot New York while the various resolutions presented to the convention were passed. They also went through as though greased, but it waa noticeable the resolution that was presented regarding the Loew-Metro-Goldwyn combine and its activities had all of its teeth ex- tracted before coming up for adop- tion. Loew Resolution The new resolution as presented read: "Whereas, The present activities of Loew, Inc., lit attempting to monopolize all branches of the mo- tion picture industry is fast becom- ing a menace to. the best interests of all concerned. "Resolved. That the Board of Di- rectors Inquire, and carefully ex- amine recent moves made by Loew, Inc., and other allied production companies and take such action In the premises as in their Judgment will properly safeguard exhibitor interests and prevent such injury as may follow this or any othe:- combination of producers." Lee Ochs, after whose fiery speech Wednesday the orig^inal resolution was presented for consideration, did not like the manner In which mat- ters had progressed in this particu- lar and stated after the meeting that the matter would come up for future action in New York. Just what he meant is a question, for as far as the national organization Is concerned the matter looks settled with the passing ot the toothless resolve. „, , There waa a miniature battle staged on the floor Immediately af- ter the new president was inducted into ofllce. The next convention city came up, and it was moved the matter be left to the discretion of the Board of Directors, but the Loa Angeles delegates objected and de- manded it be settled on the floor by the delegates. There were but two nominatlona— Loa Angeles and Milwaukee. In the midst ot the fight delegates from Canada placed Montreal In the ranks amid the laughter of the dele- gates, who were immediately think- ing of a general good time to be had at a wet convention. When It came to a vote and on the first ballot Milwaukee received 89 votes, Mon- treal withdrew, followed by Loa An- geles. Financing Plan The plan tor financing waa the last order of business and was ap- proached by Harry Davis ot Pitts- burgh, who Introduced Mr. Brylaw- skl of Washington, who presented tbe^lan. It la aimple and does not make tor too great a drain on thi resources ot the exhibitor. It pro- vides for the weekly payment of dues In accordance with the seat- ing capacity of the house. Houses seating 600 or less will pay $1 weekly; seating between 600 and 1,000, $2, and more than 1,000, $3. In localities where there Is a population ot less than 6,000, even though the seating capacity ot the theatre la over 600, the minimum acale of dues will prevail. At the aame time Brylawakl Is- sued an invitation to all independent motion picture exhibitors ot the country irrespective ot any present aflnUatlon to come Into the national organization, stating that the books will be open to every one and they will all be welcome. He stated that at present there were about 8,000 theatres represented in the organi- zation, so that it can be seen that the organization will have an in- come of about $10,000 weekly, or approximately $600,000 a year as a fund with which to take aggressive action ag.nlnnt the producer-dls- trlbutor-exblbltor combinations that are ranged against tbe independent exhibitors. The necessity on tbe part ot the independent exhibitor to support the independent producer was also stressed In the talk of both the speakers ot the finance plan. O'TooIe. after being given the gavel and the chair, stated that he was honored, and that he wanted them all to feel that he was at all times ready to do their bidding and that the national organization was theirs to command at all times. The convention closed shortly after 2 o'clock after having been In session from Tuesday morning until Thursday. The final session lasted about an hour and a halt. OBITUARY FRANK F. MOORE Frank F. Moora, 48 (brother ot Florence Moore), suffering from a nervous breakdown tor soma time, died In Loa Angelea, May 28. He became a prominent factor In ahow business about SO yeara ago, when, with bia wife, Grace, and hie sister, Florence, the trio were known as the Three Moerea. Mar- riages dissolved the Three Moores and the Morton and Moore com- bination, successful from the start, also became popular. When the team separated by mu- tual arrangement, Morton formed the act he Is still doing with his wife, laiter adding his two children, while Frank went along in vaude- ville with other' partners, but even- prostrated at the loss ot "Hanny,^ who had bean a pal Indeed tor ■• long. Tbe remains were taken to bar home in Highland. N. T.. for burial j. In the family plot beside her mother. . Ttaia will take place at 1 p. m., Jons ' 4 (today). IN MBMOBIAM LEAHUHANDEL May h*r loal r*at la p«ao* MB. and MBS. JACK STBOUSE tually left the stagi to devote him- self to the screen, in which occu- pation he was successful until Ill- ness overtook him. Not strong physically, complications set in which ended fatally. Good-natured and gentlemanly, Frank Moore had a boat of frienda, on and off the stage. His sister Is heart-broken at the death of her only brother. The funeral servicea were at Los Angeles Sunday. TEX ELLIS Tex Ellis, 80, a vaudeville single act. was found dead In bis room at the Union Hotel, Chicago, May 28. Death was caused by an overdose of morphine and poisonous liquor, a quantity of It being found In his room when the door waa broken FRANK FARRINQTON Frank Farrlngton (60), tor many yeara In the companiea <^ the Klaw A Srlanger and Frohman oflleaa^ f, but tor the paat three yeara dolus ^' character work In pictures at Holly- '; wood, died In the Arrowhead Hoa« ' pltal, Loa Angelea, May 27. He bad given a performanoa for the benefit ot the local diaablad vaterana, when be waa aelsed with a choking apell, and waa remove^ to the boapltal tor attention, but failed to respond to treatment. Ha is survived by a widow and two daughtera The former waa with blm at tbe end. The family wara highly respected among their eoa- freres In the screen world. Banr« Icea were held Saturday. HARRY e. WELLS Harry B. Wella. an oM-ttno vaudeville anA circua perftvmer, and tor the past five yeara stag* door attendant at tbe Auditorium, IK unvma Mamota of mjr d*Tot*d mad leysl heabaad GUS PDOJEY I>l*d JOM Id. lilt MABT MALATESTA FIHET Chicago, died April IS at the Ohl- ' cago General Hoapltal. The Actora" Fund and the Lojal Order of Mooae. Chleago lodgo Ntfl S, took care ot the remains. Tho deceased waa (0 yeara old. and la Mrs. Teddy Morse (DOROTHY TERRISS) Wishes to thank Ted's many friends and associates ht their wonderful expressions of Jove and sympathy. I down. The deceased waa a native ot Texarkana, Tex. The taking of bia lite raoalla Tex'a aad experience with the abow buaineas, and tbe young aouthem- ar'a deaira to make a big success. Tex was a nice looking boy but a victim ot circumstances, work- ing now and then and spending the money taster than It came In. He was anxious to make good but somehow tbe fates handed him so many disappointments he tell back upon a crony—strong drink—which finally brought him to suicide. His stay In New York wasn't long and he drifted back west where he had been in a measure more suc- cessful In obtaining stage employ- ment than anywhere else. He waa called "Tex" because ot bis pronounced southern drawl and "you all" speech. HENRIETTA BYRON (Mra. Barney F'«a«n) Henrietta Byron (Mrs. Barney Fagan) died of cancer June 1 at the National Stomach Hospital. Phila- delphia, after an illness of several months. Fagan and Byron were a standard vaudeville act for nearly 26 years. IN MBMOHIAM JOHN C. RICE In Cherished Memory of a devoted Iluntiand and I.ovlns Father. May HI* Dear Bout Re*t in Peace. June Ith, Itll. SALLY COHEN-RICE GLADYS RICE Miss Byron played the last two sea- sons in "B.ally, Irene and Mary." It was while on the road with that show she was attacked by the viru- lent disease which finally proved fatal. Those who knew of It marveled at the tortltude and gamenors with which aba bore her painful afflic- tion. Her sister, Helen, and Barney Fagan were at the bedside when the hour arrived, the latter completely aurvlvad by a aoa, who oould sot ba located. CLARA SIDNIY ''■* Clara Sidney, BngUsh anti aaa, died auddanly at lOlS Madtoon mn- nue laat week. Mlaa Sldnoy^i laat appearance waa la "Marton oC tho Movlea." A aiatar, Mra V4ra Onnn, survives. Funeral aervioea ware held firom CampbeU'a Funeral ^ Church. > IRENB LYOON Irene Lydon, aged M, daughter a< jj Patrick F. Lydon, owner of the Im< ? perlal. South Boston, Masa.. wao rtriokan auddenly while auftotnohlla riding with a friend la Wobura. May 2S. and died ahortly afterward. Mlaa Lydon bad complained of feel- ing IM and her companion atopped hla machine and a phyalolan wao s\m>moned. Attar he gave her aomo medicine, the Journey waa oontln* V ued. Shortly after aba waa atrlokaa t* again and died before a doctor ar« i rived i^r>. BEN B. LEWIS Ben B. I«wla, theatre man, died ' at Bl Paso. Tex., May 12, after aD • extended illneaa. Ha leavea a wlfa^ three brothera and two slstera SMALLPOX 8GABE Detroit, June I. •^; Tbe black smallpox epidemic hi. Detroit bus affected box offloa ro- celpU at the piotun. theatres. Practically every peraon in DetroM wao ordered to be vacclMtted. Now, that the acare Is over, exhIbHora look for big Improvement 1^.. buslnosa. ,-^','. ■ EOUSMAH'S 'TOUHS OT Arthur Housman has everything ready for tbe screen presentation ot his new comedy, "Found Out" Thia Is a two-reeler which Houaman dl- rected in addition to doing the lead. The cast inciudea Christine Wln- throp, Lou Ooray and Pierre Coli«|^.