Wid's Filmdom (1921)

Sunday, January 1, 1922 Betty Compson Does Splendid Work In Barrie Novel & : Betty Compson in “THE LITTLE MINISTER” Paramount DIRECTOR 7a ee ee Penrhyn Stanlaws AUTHOR |... na. u2 ene, eee eee James M. Barrie SCENARIO BY Edfrid Bingham AS A WHOLE....... Barrie delightfully interpreted by players and in fine atmosphere of production SOUR Y 6 jae The old Scotch romance pleasantly told and artistically presented DIRECTION. =: Retains a good deal of the familiar Barrie charm and injects agreeable humorous touches PHOT OGRABRE Vereen e tan iar ania Very good LIGHTINGS 2h ie bese ocls teeg a oe chee ee Good SLA RA) score A thoroughly pleasine and Ce “Babbie” SUPPORT....George Hackathorne particularly capable and well suited to title role; cast generally good HS TE RIO RS were of een ie acai e Appropriate INTERIORS ee ee ce sere ach et eee ee Good DETAIL“. . 508 oir (heen re eae Se Adequate CHARACTER OF STORY...... A gypsy girl falls in love with the little ministér of the “‘auld kirk” but turns out to be the Lady Barbara LENGTH OF PRODUCTION 6,031 feet And now comes James M. Barrie’s “The Little Minister” from Famous Players studios with Penrhyn Stanlaws responsible for the production and Betty Compson, the star. The artistic hand of the producer is obvious throughout the picture, and the quaint charm of the Barrie novel is delightfully presented in the settings and general atmosphere. “The village of Thrums and the townsfolk retain the Scotch flavor ing pleasantly, and detail is given careful attention. Besides providing a good production, director Stanlaws has injected fine humorous touches that are brought out naturally and without force nor any per ceptible effort. The story is told smoothly, and the climax in which the little minister is confronted b the elders for his behavior with the gypsy girl, and the denouement which discloses that the gypsy is the masquerading Lady Barbara, is splendidly handled. The role of Lady Barbara, or “Babbie,” is probably the best thing that Betty Compson has done since her work in “The Miracle Man.” She is thoroughly enjoyable and her quiet manner and method of winning the heart of the little minister makes up a good share . of the feature’s value as entertainment. And then George Hackathorne in the title role gives a particularly pleasing performance. He understands repression and exercises it to advantage in a part that requires a more than ordinary amount of it. He makes ‘The Little Minister” a real interesting person. The titles are rather. numerous and conversational, but they are well written and the dialect good. The gypsy girl was known to the people of Thrums as Babbie. She was their friend, and warned them against the approach of the troops when the weavers decided to revolt against the low prices paid for their work. Babbie has come to love Mr. Gavin, known to the people as “The Little Minister,’ but she even urged them to insist upon their rights against the wishes of the minister. Against his will Gavin fell in love with Babbie, and once protected her fram capture by permitting her to pose as his wife. The church folks decided to take the matter up with Gavin, and he was threatened with dismissal when Babbie appeared and revealed her true en that of Lady Barbara. Vitagraph is also distributing “The Little Minister.” Should Please Especially If They Like Something Different Box Office Analysis for the Exhibitor You will be showing them something that is quite different from the ordinary run of photoplay entertainment if you give them “The Little Minister.’ Of those who are familiar with the works of the will appreciate it all the more. course, author You can promise a delightful Scotch atmosphere and a charm ing picture and story. Be sure to talk about the performance of Betty Compson and tell them they will like her work in this picture. A proper musical accompaniment will help put the picture over, and an effective prologue with Scotch songs will also be appropriate. I{ you think the title has drawing power, spread it broadcast betore your showing date. | |