Variety (November 1924)

Jf-'*^-' ■■1*.^^ .!!:.• ■»*«.inFTr--c- VABIPTY PICTURE V^yT^ iK.T*!"^T«fi. i=".-««er'!yfyflr»-«rrT^^. GAIIDEN OF WEEDS Parunount picture, ^Jamts Critu produc- UcnC euntnr BHiw Comp^o, A««»t*d frMn the stat^ pUr of the MOM n«me br Waited WoM* aMl Anthoar toUtwrny. Di- npaAT, BBowitqf BC mvoir, new Tork* w^vs oC M«T. 1. JRii^Jm tta*. «T jnlns, XHwOttjr .........:...TTT;...B*ny CompKn wanMr Baxter Kins Zany boiutjai Crawioid. Pauiint ..A... Jack Lane... AitMe .l^.-fV OldLMakL.. ThMktM aui Nl*. Haiet Nat. Bartow. nafef i I .W1 A neat bit of dmma with a sex «nffl« which James Cruse has h»ld toK«ther for Interest unti) the cli- max. The picture should both draw and hold the Compson following, while others outside that contingent will be aatisfled with it as a whole. It pleased a sabbath matinee gath- ering at the RlvoU. The story is not too plausible and a certain stretching of the Imagina- tion Is essential. The somewhat far- fetched characterlittcs in the com- position may he quallfled as "the- atrical license," and under that clr- ■umstance sympathetic disciples of Miss Compson will undoubtedly okeh the script. Disinterested individ- uals wlU probably scoff, but there can be no denying the picture has been well made. The film carries a distinct resem- blance to former vehicles of the star In that the opening "shot" of Mlsa Compson has nothing between her and the lense except a bathtub and a cloud.of soapsuds. Despite that she ha* been probably on the screen asked out of more boarding houses than any other dim lumlnarr, Miaa Compson is again a Tlctim o>( similar circumstances with the coaftnulty ultimately revealing her as a ruined theatrical under- study registering a complete come- back under the guidance of a hus- band who's mind is broad as the Famous Players' lot. That the wealthy -bridegroom knows the complete story' of his wife's degradation and feigns sleep at the time she acquires enough courage to tell him is ultimately unfolded. The thrMitening situations > the bride has to face upon the re- turn from the honeymoon are also pictured, as is the final struggle be- tween the btisband and the oppress- ing former provider. It may read as a stereotyped theme, especially in connection with THE ONLY WOMAN a N4rma TalfKMlaa ■n>4w>|li>a prMtnted by Joaephlf. SehM>X l>IMrlb«ted by Firet NaUanal.' ««a«r, Sr C. OM«Mr IU>U»««>-* direoted by Btdner Oloott. Sboxrn at the CapltM. New tilK ««** M«v. t.' Sutaior tlq.*. ^mlnul^^, , ,.„..^ ,„ ., Helen Brlnaiey '. Harma TaUraas* Rn ■ MerrtastoB .. ■'. .»il»»Be O'Urlaa "WfbUns iVrjT' Herrinston, B»x • father '.....'...'........■...■■•Mws'r* Da»l» wiiHM Bru««:ar,.. ♦• ^^ wSlCiS ImJ Rodney BUk* •;..,; v...;■...».■. H- C»»^'* Tacht C«i*a|a , t. • • •, •U'UiaeU HaoQuafrJe rtral Omc«t .i-..r..^ i^*^ B««.«dl« ; Cfcarlee Steward OUalley Miss Compson. and such being the case the mor* credit Is due Cruse for handling it In suolv a manner as to make the silent version ot the pUy stand up. The director has obtained an assembled total tnat runs Itself off without a tremor, and It Is principally because of his con- ception. wt>rkM out by a compotent cast, that the picttu-e surmounts the handicap ot similarity regarding the star. . However, the story does call for indulgence from those who rig- idly take their stage or screen writ- ing seriously: ' This latest CortipSon edition Is an evening dress affair, balanced by the boardlrig house opening with Al St. John doing a vaudeville per- former "making a play" for the girl and responsible for her ejection through forcing his way Into her room. Later' the action switches to an estate where Flagg (Rockllffe Fellowes) keeps his outfit of "steer- ers," of both sexes, whom he uses to trim his selected "money men." It's this "confldence" gang and Fla|!g that Dorothy (Miss Compson) Joine when she is in the dregs and later breaks -away from to marry Craw- ford (Warner Baxter), a prospec- tive victim. Mr. Fellowes makes a convlnclnfr obstacle to the happy ending and runs a close second to the feminine lead for honora Mr. Baxter seibures hl>'majority of footage towarjf the latter reels, and although eqtlallng demands they are not such as to rail, for exceptional playing. Charlert Ogle does little more t^*^" » ^It, aKL,^., an*»ripo*es tl»atftha mtfcm belt included In the underUne hfHhOr li,,rry MTson. mak* a m»n*^thm? along with Fellowes and BaxMr a» features of the/cast. Miss Compson gives a creditable performance while flashing a few prowns that should bring attention from the women. Roles of this type have about become second nature to tlUs girl. While her successive char- acterizations may vary as to tnerlt.' it Is interesting'to note the treat- ment a^co^ded under the (lUterent direotora Settings, interiors and exteriors. Inclusive of'a'swimming pool pas- sage, are eye 'ftlllng and displayed by excellent photography. Skxf. T.AT:infT.n SPEHDIHO MOVET Los Angeles, Nov. t. Carl Laemmle* arrived here Sun- day for an indefinite stay. He announced $5,000,004 is to be spent by Univeval on production during 1»ZS. otliera ot tbe oast with tl^ axcep- tlOn of Winter 'ibll. do -hot matter miiolii Vher flU 4be pictara and that ieis.tlM«i out. <-:\- V. ,»>n'. nrHiti WORUitV GOODS PtaaeotaS by Ad*l»b lobac ian4 Jnm X. Laaky. atarrins Asnea Ayrea. Adsptc4,iroin tb« Sophie Korr novel by A. P. Tooaser. .ss?Mr*Si!'wfi3rw<.v.^rTft4."KiS^ ,nUk< ^m* SI bamtttea. ' > 'Biaanor t««Spa Tred Roppor..',.......'.,.; PatoSSAley CMArtf 'EuaMir..-....<iV>v..VloH>r Vbr6onl ^•'^JSrSteSKS TMffMt^ftt. tne pieiac* wni g^ amnc go aloRs; #{tb lilctttres of tbts sort If it wasn't for "Norma TAlmadge being the star of tbU production and if it hardn't been directed by Sidney Olcott, "The Only Woman" would be a typkMiI small Umer. The story by C. Gardner Sullivan Is one espfclally written for the screen. It is an old told tsM. ott.toM in the movies and minus a «n(Clti new kn- jffle. waep U starts. «B»Jttoow» ika* mediatekr Ot* ftalsh. :W)tb.KoH» %l^)iuM|gi the MStoM^ wili got Bome -^^. ^ —^ . -» .» i^ sort and hold her'^lace. The ptoi concenu the dausdnter of a nan whs bas utHised a trsBA.CUtid tor.his per«wiatspeci(^^loiisfja«kt)M son of a-waaltbr bAiiliar wCp-te a •tew. T«iis>ankar Is^ awarjl-^«f the speculatroiMi of Q<r ttther ■ <g^Tt|g marry tdi son, maka a ttai •r h« wUI'axpose the bf*iu»nirt4f Ast. The girl to save her tathar, ioonsents to the arrancetaMit. and after * thne succeeds in n^Uciaga'iiMub ot tb« boy falling in love wltbhlnri during the process of his r^cvoiratlon. The picture must bavo cost some- thing fader to make bocausa ot the sea stuft It carries. Olaott ba« han- dled his khare of thaironc trbnder- tnlly well, carrying the atoi^ along In great shape and not pannlttlng It to lag at any staga He ml^fht have done a whole lot wars* -with the material in -hand. _^ 4. ■;; ;, Kugene O'Brien plays Oia leMLoik- poslto the star aiid deea talrljr w«U in tbe rale ot tha rich mate's sodden son. Edward Iim)rta plays the banker and looks tha rola tropi the ground up. A heavy bit is contributed by Mathew Bets, who looks good for a No. 2 Wolhelm in a second company ot "What Price aUmr."Vi*Mi»;^i^ i in what he does in ptls ptoipra. Vti* They are holding this over everywhere! Mra. Lawsaa Mr. Lawaoa...., Lflltla Calkbua. Vivian Steal.... Sot Sahlplk mwwKm wovnv Caaila Bvaaa •Otto Laderar A rather entertabilag story that makes vert neat program material. The picture UA t one that is going to get any Iftreat big box-btRce re- turn, but It will get by with the majority of tana. There is one thing about the tale—althougjt Ag- nes Ajrres is starred, it was the male part. IhiMkiitg the adaptation thu role should have bean played up sttron^fer. It i^ in a sense one of .those "show off" proiWiltlons and It eould have been worked up into sdmething worth while. "Worldly aoo<jis" is a story of tha four-flushing type ot young smart aleok who is going to set the world afira. He marnlea a girl who is em- ployed as the secretary to t^ie head ot a b^g deiMirtment stdre, takes her/out o< her Job and then during the 41rjf year ot their lUe, le^adu her •a.miserable existeitce. tie is cen- tring hts way through life by running UP bills, banding out checks that he knows are Fothle^s, but won't -look for a Job as b* U too filled with big ideas and an exaggerated seose of bis own Importahce. He does not come to a reajlsatton of what Is what until his wife, who has taken a Jolb in a soMirt modiste shop, decides that she will leave ;^ (Continued on page 32) V^' -7- ii A Box Office Attraction* Money Mafiane Possibilities 'Wiat danitot ie Denied—'' — -Say* lioaMa »tk€ iVciit' Tcrk Amtrican of IN u .4 '*THE WEEiCS BEST PICTURE.**—Chveland Plain DeaUr ;^'LocaI critics called this the week's best picture. Excellent comedy. One 'oC the best ev«iy produced. W^t over sa big that we. held it a second week."—Cleveland Repoi^ in M. P. News. if-- NATURALLYt * Like Every Other City, Cleveldnd^ LIVED! LOVED! x£i^ <i^i^4C-?Cl(j^ WITH ^*a;-v ») Mac Lean ONLY WOMAN » " Presented by Joseph M. 3ckeiick \ By C. Gardner Stilliiriba ; Directed by Sidney Olcott NOlW IPtAYINQ AT THB ' CAPITOL THEATRE N«i0 Yorh. City, to hugm crowds of Norma Talmadgm fan» -'V m ^ )> MASS.t There is a chuckle in •vry move of this screen comedian." —Boston Advertiser. «£. OHIO! They might show Mac- Lean only from his necktie up and get six reels of comedy." ' —Toledo News Bee. ■ki ■<*■ cAUrJ "Tickled last night's crowd into lytcontrolla- ble laughter." —Stockton Record. CONN.I "A gals of sparkling laughter breexed into the Palaoe last night." —Norwich Bulletin. VARIETY says: "MacLcan on the strength'of it ('Never Say Die") takes . his place side by side with Lloyd."—See Sept. 24th issue. .-j-..- * ... ' -;«>;••?;■ ■■ ? ' ■.. .■- : i'^ ^■^"'^ A ASSOCIATED EXHlBrrO)^, Inc. ;• aIrTHURI^-. 'K!.*i?^E, Ifrtfsidcnt, ■^:. Pa the Exchange, Inc Physical Distri Sidhey Garrett reigft Rej>r«senttttlve 'USSSSSSSSSSS Season 1924-1925—Thirty First-Run Pictures ^ifi.. ■4' '^ ♦at- • * 1 •vS