Wid's Filmdom (1920)

ev aonanc cs aT fe oe, Mn SF Sunday, June 20. 1920 if DAILY 13 May Allison Very Much At Home In Satisfactory Offering May Allison in othe CHEATER” Screen Classics-Metro Re COL CT mer A eee cee Pe. ae Henry Otto Ser (2) eens eat 3 5, Henry Arthur Jones CSN ATA CEBDS.Y Sages oe Lois Zellner ea TG KAMAN epee yk... . W. M. Edmond ieee VVC) Big eo Satisfying offering that holds the attention fairly well; not unusual but will please “fan” audiences especially. pa) ER Vee en ss Not unlike “The Miracle Man” in theme; improbable, perhaps, screen ingredients. iki LiO NY ee Has handled material very well Very good Clear Dee cyan tata cea 3 5e c Good S tA RS. Convincing in the role of “The Cheater’; some pretty close-ups of her. SUPPORT en. Very much subordinated to allow the star every opportunity. 1810 C8 BS 0) Sa 0 FAY ee Many beautiful scenes DINERO) RS meet t,o. Look like the real thing EUAN Ua ee eis de oi 5 cess 3 Nothing very wrong CHARACTER OF STORY... ... Professional fakers at work with the regeneration of one. LENGTH OF PRODUCTION..... About 5,500 feet Except that’s in this case it’s a “miracle girl,” there but contains CMPMSUel 66 (6.68 O10 wie « wie 6,6. 616 aie OE ORO Ie (Cle TOS) 66) oe, 10 Gee) @ 0 0 0 6 & 6 tele aw © ee isn't a great deal of difference in the themes of “The Cheater” and “The Miracle Man.” Henry Arthur Jones has developed the same idea, that of faith as a power to heal, bringing it about through the medium Olea faker later regenerated through the love of the one she is deceiving. Despite the similarity there is enough distinction about “The Cheater” to get it by on its own merit. The story is interesting in its way and it has been given a thoroughly adequate production. The director has maintained an even interest throughout and professional who is displayed considerable ingenuity in several instances. “The Cheater’ does not contain the pathos of “The Miracle Man” eiaitieas a healer™ nor is the biggest play made upon the idea. On the contrary, they have elaborated on the trickcry of the “work dodgers” and delved into the workings of their trade. Much amusemcnt is afforded in the various disclosures of these frauds. One women pay enormous fees for a peep into the future, scene particularly showing how wealthy has been well done. The lady is requested to place her handbag on the chair beside her and while the medium gazes into the cr,stal his accomplices tale the bag, note its contents on a blackboard, replace the bag and then place the board in a position to be seen by the medium but not by the lady in search of her future. In this way he tells her various marvelous things about herself. Of course there will be those for whom this will have little appeal because of its improbabilities, but for the average photoplay audience it will in all likeThe iact that the girl reforms and marries the man she has been deceiving lihood be favorably received. is not a probable ending, but it is the ending that will meet with the public’s approval, which is all that is necessary aiter all. Aiter fleecing the guests at a fashionble health resort, Lily Meany (May Allison) and her father set up a new project. Lily becomes Vashti, the healer, an1 professes that by her purity and fasting she has the power to cure the ills of the wealthy. Upon the recommendation of Mrs. Prall, who claims Vashti cured her, the girl goes to the home of Lord Asgarby to cure his invalid little sister. The child begins to improve, but Vashti’s fraud is who watches her the family doctor, closely. Finally, when she finds herself in love with Lord Asgarby, Vashti confesses but is forgiven. The child is miraculously cured and Vashti and the Lord suspected by are married. Has A Variety Of Appeal. Should Be A Good Box Office Attraction Box Office Analysis for the Exhibitor Despite its similarity to the well known “Miracle Man,” Metro’s adaptation of Henry Arthur Jones’ “Judah,” should have no difficulty in going over satisfactorily on its own merits. It has been given a splendid and careful production, is well directed and the cast is a good one. The star is well suited to the part, although she may furnish a shock or two by the manner in which she gets away with many cigarettes and a few poses showing her much at ease with her feet There will also be those who up on a table. won't obect to this. If you care to make a point of the power of faith to heal, this should attract a certain crowd. Again you can appeal to still another class by sticking to “The Ask them if they know the inside Cheater” idea. workings of professional fakers. Promise them some startling disclosures of their tricks. It should get them. Or say, “She cheated the man she loved. Did he forgive her? See for yourself in ‘The Cheater’ at the———theater.”’