Wid's Filmdom (1920)

Short “Leap Year Leaps—Marion H. Kohn At the very start of this single reeler in which Smiling Bill Jones is starred, the spectator is kept in suspense. The offering keeps going at a satisfactory rate for some time, but ‘towards the finish slows up somewhat. It concerns a prank played on Jones by the editor of a newspaper. The latter inserts a notice in his sheet to the effect that a wealthy bachelor would welcome a leap year proposal. Jones’ picture is shown above the item and soon he is besieged by a bevy of women of all sorts. He finally weds the maid who has paid no attention to the story and who had previously spurned his offer. “An Artist’s Muddle’—Universal Very little that is meritorious is to be found in this two-reel slapstick comedy, in which the bright spot is the scene wherein a group of scantily clad maids are seen. At the very finish there is some improved footage, but the rest of it consists entirely of commonplace knockabout stunts with which most fans are quite familiar. Technically this does not reach a very high standard either, for in one portion where a picture of a woman suddenly assumes life, they have failed to fade the material properly. Noel Smith directed while Lillian Biron, Dick Dickerson and Harry Man are included in the cast. “Should Waiters Marry’—Universal George Ovey is featured in this Universal two-reeler, but as a matter of fact most of the genuine humor in it is not put over by him, the work assigned him not being especially funny except in one or two cases. A great deal of it takes place in a restaurant and of course the edibles are tossed about, but they have inserted a few funny scenes. The portion in which the stout comedian who plays the life-saver effects a rescue is the best thing in the production, which for the greater part does not rise above the general run of two-reelers. There are about a half-dozen legitimate laughs in the piece and a comedy needs more than that to get over with critical audiences. “My Salomy Lions”—Universal Unlike the scheme followed in most comedies in which trained lions appear, very much of this does not find the felines roaming about a great deal. Towards the finish they do prowl around, but the greater part of this is in the nature of an Oriental burlesque. A farcical harem scene comes at the beginning when three Americans, one a tourist and the others on a honeymoon, arrive. They break into the royal court, are locked in with the lions and engage in various knock-about bits. Staged and photographed nicely, the two reeler holds it own. Fred C. Fishback wrote and directed, while Charles Gay is credited with assisting, having trained the animals. Reels “A Movie Hero”—Universal Dramas of all sorts have been burlesqued frequently in comedies, but Universal has turned out a two-reeler, consisting principally of a farce on a western that is likely to amuse almost any audience. They show another picture within the offering in which the heroic sheriff performs many of the feats usually found in the picture dealing with the wild and woolly region. The orchestra of two, interested audience and introduction of the star at the finish have all been filmed so as to get laughs. From almost the very start this keeps the grins coming and the wind-up is especially good. The cast has done excellent work and the direction has been all that could be desired. “A Broncho Kid’—Universal Although there is nothing really new in the way of thrills to be found in this two-reel western, it is an offering that should please those who. follow this type of film. Hoot Gibson occupies the principal role and when he rescues Yvette Mitchell on a run-away, furnishes some excitement. The scheme is not an original one, but they have screened it splendidly and the offering instead of ending with Hoot kissing the heroine, finds him departing and promising to return, Mack V. Wright directed and Arthur Henry Gooden delivered the manuscript. , “Should Dummies Wed’—Fox Chase stuff, shooting and other riotous events make up the greater part of the Sunshine two-reeler which fails to reveal as many unusual stunts as most of the productions turned out by this organization. It is laid in a pawn shop and draws a laugh at the very start with the trick-bed device. Some of the material centered about the safe is quite funny and the man in the armor also causes hilarity. On the other hand, a great deal of the slapstick material does not mean anything in particular and in places this registers much below the average. Towards the finish, they have handled well the incidents connected with the portable ‘phone booths. A lack of incidental diversity however handicaps it. “A Visit to the Paris Zoo”—Mentor Animals on the screen amuse most audiences and the initial portion of this Mentor reel should please for just that reason, None of the species seen in it is very much out of the ordinary, but the greater part of it has been filmed in excellent style and the result is satisfactory. The Zoo in Paris, as the title indicates, is the scene of action, and birds as well as quadrupeds appear. There is appended to this section some footage shot in the valley of the Versubie. This part is hand colored and only fair, but what precedes it will undoubtedly go well. HOWARD M. MITCHELL DIRECTED “THE SPLENDID SIN” for Fox A proven box-office success Now Completing— “THE LITTLE WANDERER” . Starring SHIRLEY MASON Address: FOX WEST COAST STUDIOS es