Wid's Filmdom (1921)

Sunday, July 3, 1921 i aed 2 DAILY 7 Unconvincing and Mild Drama of English Social Life “APPEARANCES” Famous Players-Lasky British Producers, Ltd. Dinter neh... RRS Donald Crisp Pil Te tee eke ed, Edward Knoblock SC TERRCLOWIS Y etic ret. Margaret Turnbull CAMEERNLAIN ocr e. rs... . o UemEee n Hal Young AS A-WHOLE...... Unconvincing drama of social life in England GY 5.5. fees 6 Has good idea but poor continuity LT Ree CEG torres) hes"... . . wae Nothing original PHGBOGR AL TY genes. . ob tee Good but plain TC Gee LN Cepia ao os arsis bos AE ES Uninteresting C Aimee AMY © RIGs Hie ics 5 ota epee tan Cale oon 1s Fair PUBS RSe oe re. 2% Do well in unattractive roles SSS ee re keer emery era sho t:s os eee Als. we eee: Good [DRS MILO SSSS af Ag poe eR 5 ROBT ee Fine I NGRELORS ae ib sels oe PR. «sata Fair DERAIL .-..: Titles too long and too many, retard action CHARACTER OF STORY.....Secretary to knight marries climber who speculates with firm’s money in order to get more income and keep up “appearances LENGTH OF PRODUCTION 5,284 feet It is a long while before this story gets under way. Much of the footage of the first two reels are used up in introducing the actors with long titles and in presenting an English atmosphere filled with doubttul It is not before the production is half This extreme eal «eye « ¢ 40 characters. over that the main theme is attacked. indirectness is furthermore added to some of the titles, which although very good in themselves, appear foreign to American eyes. Both the director and continuity writer, it seems, flirted with the theme of this production and appeared to avoid attacking the real problem. Kitty Mitchell is secretary to Sir William Rutherford and Lady Rutherford is very jealous, but is relieved when she learns that Kitty is engaged to be married. She marries an architect who attempts to put on appearances beyond his income. One title tells us that Kitty would demand luxuries as her natural right, but Kitty is the one to protest and do some extra work when the bills come rolling in. For: this additional work Sir .William sends her a signed blank check, and to prevent her cashing it her husband fills it out for 500 pounds instead of the 25 due. The check falls into the hands of a stock promotor who cashes it when the architect’s stocks fail. The couple meet in the beautiful home of Sir William and are reunited. They promise to live within their incomes and pay back Sir William. The entire production was made in England and marks the first of the Paramount made-in-England series to be given a Broadway showing. The entire cast is English. David Powell does good work in the part of Herbert Seaton, the architect, and Mary Glynne makes a very attractive secretary. There are many beautiful and artistically chosen locations in this production which might well be im proved by cutting and retitling. English Castles and Foreign Production a Talking Point Box Office Analysis for the Exhibitor Tell your folks that this is an American picture made in England with an English company, ‘Talk about the locations and gardens and English atmosphere. You will find many curious to see what can be"done over there. With careful editing and retitling the entertainment values of this production could be much improved. David Powell is known here and his name should at tract those acquainted with the speaking stage. If your audience likes foreign settings they will take to this one, but if they are at all critical they will probably demand something better. It might be well for you to see this first for it may present possibilities and suit the people you cater to. A good talking point might be the living beyond one’s income idea, used in this production. Tell them that the newly married couple keep up “Appearances” by living in a RollsRoyce style on a Ford income. This is certain to strike home.