Wid's Filmdom (1920)

Saas li aOR Yaa PRE TS ——. on ne Sunday, March 21, 1920 (@ Fi f? DAILY 25 Star Played Up Too Prominently—Story Sadly Neglected Shirley Mason in “MOLLY AND I” Fox ONES OL fod aS ee Howard Mitchell RMN CE ROMs ne a kw. Frank R. Adams PaaS IS Vo Nee ee). Isabel Johnston CAMERAMAN Ons eae eters $e wr eye « George Schneiderman ASIA, WHOLE........ Very slight material catering too strongly to star. Bau) vee.) oS, Obvious plot relying altogether on Star’s comedy and personality. Ure) Ng eRe ci ec. aes os Average ICE Yat a ea ic. eevee ee ee Same CPN Se epee ees ok No unusual stuff Pew RAeW ORK Wan. te... ris: Just straight, shots LA Decides « Is very winsome and appealing but needs more story support than is furnished here. erated Sedat PE eM Si l)oro eso ek es ate ee Good PIS IR AC) Ti) or GORE. (MH Kea oobi’ e eo sce cy Few used eG We Pee isreses ew see oe Suitable BR a er ss ek ces es All right CHARACTER OF STORY...... Girl marries blind man and after his sight is restored starts rom ance with him. LENGTH OF PRODUCTION... .About 5,000 feet “Molly and |” centers all its attention on the star, Shirley Mason, and regards the story only enough to get the premise of the plot established at the start. For the rest of the time those concerned in the production have contented themselves with introducing sequences of the star in winsome and comedy moods, sequences plentifully supplied with closeups of Miss Mason, but which carry little if any story interest. That is the whole trouble with “Molly and I.” They have made it a vehicle for Miss Mason of the most obvious sort by neglecting to give the story at least as much care and development as they gave the star. Vehicles that bring out a player’s personality and mannerisms are perfectly proper providing these attributes of the players are not permitted to dominate over and above all else. If this happens the interest is materially lessened. Miss Mason plays the role of Molly, a romantic girl who is in love with an author, Philip Smith, whose eyes have failed him altogether. Despondent, he is about to take his life when she suggests that he marry her so that she will receive her inheritance of ten thousand dollars. Believing her an old maid, he agrees. In Italy he is cured of his affliction on part of the Here Molly comes to him posing as an Alsatian orphan. money and then returns to his home. They work in a share of good comedy portraying the manner in which Molly practically thrusts herself on the helpless author as his servant but subsequently they play far too much to the star. In the end they work in the “other woman” who, jealous of Molly, sends her away and later, repenting, goes to bring her back. Of course Philip finds out who she really is an there is a nice happy ending. Miss Mason receives her support from three good players, Albert Roscoe, Harry Dunkinson and Lilie Leslie. Popularity of Star May Put This Over in Average Style Box Office Analysis for the Exhibitor Doubtless “Her Elephant Man” established Shirley Mason very favorably with picture fans and the chances are that “Molly and I” will get over without causing much disturbance because of the charming personality of the star. The picture isn’t bad, they merely misjudged it and if another good one comes along next time everything will be all right again. “Molly and I” has several comedy sequences in it which are pleasing and which stand out as really entertaining despite the shortcomings that naturally go with a picture when its story is altogether subordinated to the star. These comedy sequences can be brought out attractively in advertising with such catch lines as “The humorous tale of a young girl’s romance with her husband who didn’t know who she was,” “Though ; eee he had placed a wedding ring on her finger he didn’t Why? That’s a riddle answered in ‘Molly and I,’ a charming com know. his wife when next he met her! edy-drama.” Feature Miss Mason well and recall her performance in “Her Elephant Man.” Albert Roscoe is also well known as a leading man and mention of his pres ence leading the supporting cast would count.