Wid's Filmdom (1921)

Sunday, July 3, 1921 DA 9 ILy Most of the Attention Is Given to Visual Appeal Carmel Myers in “THE KISS” Universal 1) [Reape ec es Se Jack Conway Uli ae cee we wee oe Johnston McCully SCH pelos Y. ter acr....... emer George Piper CAMERAMAN? «: 5:25.:.....00%8 Herbert Glennon AS WHOLE... Good looking sets and rather attractive artistic atmosphere, but little else ST Giese: Tale of old California that is weak in substance and has some action that doesn’t impress DIRECTION, .....2. Apparently gave most of his attention to artistic detail and less to putting over the story PHGPTOGRAPHY. 2.2.0... cece eee eee . Excellent Ts Ome EN Gree cat tee s+ oven t,o ais Good CAMARA WORK... 2.2....mm Nie 23th Good od be Pretty and photographed to advantage; is inclined to pose too much Lee Pete fears ss. einen = Suitable types FOXSMERIORS Ge. so. cee eee eer ties Attractive TNS LO ts oie cutee oe Satisfactory TD) Hey nels ole ss 2 aie ee Adequate CHARACTER OF STORY...... Girl in love with ranch owner’s son fights to save him from a parent-arranged marriage LENGTH OF PRODUCTION 4,488 feet mile e © © @ 6 16 \0 “ei After viewing Carmel Myers’ recent Universal release, you're likely to wonder just why “The Kiss” has been selected as a title. Even though there is an embrace between the lovers it doesn’t seem significant enough to make a title of it. At any rate, it doesn’t matter if folks will be satisfied with a picture that is pretty to look at regardless Ofsuts. story, .2n attractive atmosphere, which apparently consumed most of the director’s time and attention presents a realistic old Southern California during the days of padres. Many splendid sets and general artistic effects help considerably to distract your observance of a none too original nor impressive tale. Folks lative to the period with which the story deals will unfamiliar with customs and phrases rehardly find explanation in the sub-titles, the majority of them containing words that probably won't mean very much to the average audience. Johnston McCully’s story is told against picturesque backgrounds that often hold the interest where the plot fails. Director Conway has gotten in good bits of realism at times that are effective, but he might have spent a little more effort in putting some “punch” into the action. Carmel Myers makes ‘a pretty, temperamental sort She poses too frequently and once or twice overdoes man of heroine, that audiences will probably like. nerisms apparently supposed to be indicative of her nationality. The chosen. The names include George Periolat, Wm. E. cast is sttitable and types well Lawrence, P. J. Lockney and Jean Acker. Erolinda, daughter of Vargas, who is superintendent of a ranch owned by Luis Baldarama, is in love with Andre Baldarama. keep it a secret until Andre’s father tells him of the The lovers plan to marry but marriage he has planned for Andre with Isabella In the love Chavez. Andre admits his love for Erolinda. meantime the girl confesses to her father her for Andre. Later the two decide to elope but are traced by the girl’s father, who shoots Andre, misunderstanding his intentions. Andre’s native followers seek to kill Vargas when they believe he has shot Andre, but the latter is slightly wounded. Explanations follow and the marriage is possible when. Isabella explains that she also loves someone other than Andre. Makes Up In Atmosphere What It Lacks In Action Box Office Analysis for the Exhibitor Attractive atmosphere often goes a long way towards making up for story shortcomings and in “The Kiss” exhibitors will be able to satisfy their patrons with a picture that is good to look at, and contains many picturesque settings and a realistic atmosphere of old California. With regard to the story you might refer to the parent-made marriage theme if you think that will attract and use catchlines to get them interested. In case the star is popular make eood use of her name and show some stills in the lobby. Universal should be able to supply you with a good assortment they will attract the back grounds and assure them that the picture is good to look at. of them and if properly displayed attention. Be sure to mention artistic