Wid's Filmdom (1920)

Short “Under Sentence’’—Universal For plausibility, this western does not rank very high. Not only is the entire affair unreal, but with the scenes at the gallows included, there is a great deal in it that is gruesome. It concerns a young man who is about to be hung for the crime of his partner, who is also in the cell. The latter refuses to confess, stating that he lacks the courage. When the mother of the innocent man appears, believing her son to be the mayor of the town, he is freed and paroled to save his aged parent anguish. She visits the guilty man, causes him to repent and later write a confession. Finally when the guiltless fellow; is about to be returned to the hoosegow, the other is found dead clutching the written confession. Business of cleared man rushing back to his sweetheart and departing mother. “*Neath Purple Skies”—Universal Differing from the usual two-reel western somewhat in con= struction and based on a highly satisfactory theme, this offering is practically certain to please those who follow the pictures laid in the wild section of the land. Alfred Regnier and Magda Lane play the leading roles in the offering, the plot of which centers about some of the provisions in the homestead law. The efforts of some. unscrupulous operators to deprive the hero of his land woven cleverly about a romance make this quite interesting. It has enough action, the necessary love interest and a great deal of shooting which results in nobody being killed. “Off His Trolley”’—Universal Built about the competition between a rural jitney bus and trolley car, this two-reeler has several incidents that are sure to elicit laughter—enough of them to get it over in most houses. J. A. Howe, who wrote and directed it, has furnished an acceptable theme and creditable incidents, many of which are out of the ordinary. At the start, the spectacle of the wealthy conductor and poor railway president, together with the motorman haranguing the other car drivers as to the lack of high wages, will cause hilarity. The business of fighting for the passengers, lifting a stout one onto the car with the aid of a derrick and others keep it going at top speed until the finish. “New Screen Magazine,” No. 69—Universal This issue of Universal’s magazine is likely to meet with approval, principally because of the cartoon at the conclusion. It opens with a pit of footage showing a new device whereby a vehicle may be steered by wireless. part devoted to Frank Hague, Mayor of Jersey City, who is one of the sponsors of the institute for babes in that city. The laughographs are humorous subtitles of the type being turned out by more than one organization, but what is most unusual is the closing cartoon, the direction of which is credited to Leslie Elton. The animation of the caricature is remarkable, numerous little moves that are. not ordinarily recorded being shown as the tramp character runs about what looks like a genuine apartment, After that there is a. 24 Wie DAILY Sunday, June 6, 1920 Reels “The Last Bottle’—Universal Prohibition has been used as a laugh-getter in numerous comedies and in this single-reel Universal in which Lee Kohlmar plays the principal role, they again employ it successfully. It concerns a solitary bottle of wine which remains in the hands of an anti-prohibitionist and the efforts of a party of men and women to partake thereof. His wife going out of town, his room is besieged by those who would imbibe. When she returns and observes the naughty goings-on, he makes his way to a place of loneliness to drink alone. He suddenly dis ‘covers that the bottle contains only tea and decides to absorb some “moonshine.” “Edgar’s Jonah Day”—Goldwyn Following in the wake of the first two of the Booth Tarkington “Edgar” comedies, it is only natural that this should invite comparison. While not quite as funny as the others, it certainly maintains the high standard and is intensely human. Any man who sees it will recall the time when he experienced the incidents depicted in it, from the untimely errand imposed by a hurried mother to the bluff at being asleep, which concludes it. The task of minding the troublesome younger brother is another part of the story that will bring titters as will the escapade with the old iron for which the junk dealer offers the usual ridiculously small price. Edgar’s decision to run away, his return unobserved and the finish where he wins over his mother with his expression of innocence form other links in the chain of incidents, all of which are true to life— the feature of these productions. Johnny Jones as Edgar performs well. The performance of the child who plays Edgar’s little brother is splendid and a credit to E. Mason Hopper’s direction. Barbara Kent is responsible for the scenario. Pathe Review, No. 46. Made up of several unusually interesting parts, this Pathe Review reaches a high standard and ranks with the better issues of the series. Biskra, Algeria, is the scene of the opening colored section which has a few scenes in which the tinting is not especially good, but others that are excellent, one shot being splendid. In the slow motion picture an elephant is seen strolling forward. Despite the fact that one of the sub-titles says that his motions seem rather graceful, there is little in his waddle to justify that claim. What is of unusual merit is the footage devoted to birds. The movements of their wings and manner in which they rise are shown in fine fashion and make the sight one that is entertaining and of educational value. Dr. Ditmars discusses turtles in his usual manner. There is some stuff dealing with silver mining in Mexico, not particularly unusual, and Grace Christie interprets the “Spirit of Belgium” in a symbolic dance to finish it. —-—— “She’s a Vamp”—Reelcraft Humorous stories have frequently been woven about the experiences of young boys with girls of but few years. The rapidly changing fancies and “Puppy Love” most people experience are cleverly dealt with in another two-reeler in which Matty Roubert is starred. This time he is a bootblack, living in a none too comfortable home and densely populated portion of a large city. When a youthful coquette rolls her eyes for his special benefit, Roubert’s affections are transferred, but when the new “Flame” proves faithless, he returns to his old sweetheart, much humbled. The production is rather slow in a few spots, but otherwise holds interest nicely, is human and should secure booking.