Wid's Filmdom (1921)

THE @ AZ DAILY Sunday, January 1, 1922 Sea Story Offers Pleasing Entertainment Conway Tearle in “SHADOWS OF THE SEA” Selznick-Select DIRECTOR. \. 42.323. see Alan Crosland AUTHOR Frank L. Dazey SCENARIO BYs.) 25a ee Lewis Allen Browne CAMERAMEN... .Jules Cronjager and J. Badaracco AS A WHOLE....Good adventure production with plenty of action and attractive part for star oO Se eRe ae Deals with modern pirates and sea life DIRECTION. 233 Creates sea atmosphere. Keeps things moving and handles players well PHOTOGRAPEN Sap aietirtte 0) none eto knee. ohne LIGHTINGS Too dark STAR... Seer Does good work in action scenes SUPPORT ....Doris Kenyon plays woman role with charm. Cast adequate EXTERIORS: 33s oe on cee, Sed Good INTERIORS: 23 ee ee ee sa ee Suffice DETAIL |. 32. eee ee ee All right CHARACTER OF STORY ....Sea captain wounded in fight is aided by doctor whose young wife has lover. After death of doctor the captain makes them prisoners on ship and tests their love LENGTH OF PRODUCTION...... About 4,800 feet “Shadows of the Sea” has lots of action, some good fights, nice yacht scenes, a well staged mutiny, and a fair amount of love interest. The story is of average interest, and deals with a dramatic incident connected with sea life. It makes little attempt at characterization or plot, but provides for plenty of action and allows the star an attractive role. The director has managed well with the material at hand. The yacht scenes are well staged and the action effectively presented. He has also held his leading actors in check and secured locations that give a fair amount of sea atmosphere to the production. His main handicaps have been the lighting, which in many scenes is too dark, and the lack of sufficient among the crew on the ship. This is par_ ticularly evident in the mutiny scenes where it is difficult to tell, during the fight, who is for the captain and who is against. Suspense, however, has been created and the attention is well held throughout. Conway Tearle gives a satisfactory performance, and has evidently enjoyed his part which allows him much room for all kinds of action punctuated with romance. Doris Kenyon is the only girl in the production, with the exception of several extras who appear at a lawn party. Her work is thoughtful and attractive. Included in the cast are Arthur Housman, Crauford Kent, J. Barney Sherry, Jack Dumier and Harry Lane. The story tells of an idealistic sea captain who, in smuggling arms to a South American republic, is wounded by the revenue officers. He finds medical aid and refuge at the home of a doctor. The doctor’s wife is in love with a young scamp, who in a quarrel, kills the doctor. To avoid the revenue officers the captain takes them both aboard his ship, and they set sail for the Far East. On the yacht the girl discovers that she does not love this man but loves the captain. A mutiny takes place, but the captain retains his ship and wins the girl. Adventure and Star Will Please the Average Audience Box Office Analysis for the Exhibitor “Shadows of the Sea” will entertain and please the average audience. The oftering is full of action and the adventure will attract, but the story is not over convincing and if your people are critical and require a very probable story then you had better see this first. Conway Tearle has quite a few followers, and his name should be used in presenting the picture to your audience. You can also appeal to a certain element by telling them that the story deals with adventure at sea. Sea stories are very popular in magazines and should prove a good drawing card on the screen. If you can run a few trailers of some of the rapid action from this offering it will surely make them curious and get them interested in the production. Talk about the murder of the doctor and the mutiny on board the ship. Tell them how the loyal cook defended himself with a meat cleaver, and of how the captain regained control of the boat.Also tell them that the captain locked the girl in a cabin with the man she hated in order to prove her love. ©