Wid's Filmdom (1921)

3 | ares qe Pam en ; Sunday, July 10, 1921 id DAILY 3 Gripping Melodrama of Adventure in India “THE BRONZE BELL” Thomas H. Ince Prod.—Paramount DURES... comets as... . omni James W. Horne PU Rs ls ites cs 8. os Louis Joseph Vance SCENARIO BY....Del Andrews and Lewis Stevens CAMERAMAN George Barnes AS A WHOLE...... Interest well sustained in pic turesque melodrama of India, filled with adventure and revolt oi) ROBO Ueeneke © © © 0 suele Glammne So lLORYe ren: Not entirely convincing nor smooth in continuity DIRECRION «2... Quite good in spite of difficulties encountered PHOT@BGRAPHY....... Excellent; double exposure work best yet IG HoMOSa by. ss g-). --. > de Sees oh 2 Good AV Pe NOR eco as... oa ee All right PLAYERS. >... . Courtenay Foote gives splendid per formance in dual role. Doris May has attract ‘ive part. Support good es RE eects = 6 a ajee se Fine for atmosphere BN Tcl @tesueeocr cy. 2.2.5... . ee Suffice VE Mis eee ie sole ese Not much time wasted CHARACTER OF STORY....... Hindu Prince in duces English double to go to India in his place and avoid native revolt LENGTH OF PRODUCTION.....5%..5. 5,507 feet While this tale is filled with adventure, romance and mystery, and has all the other necessary elements that go to make a good production, it slumps badly when the climax is reached. But even here the interest is held in a fascinating manner, though it is difficult to make out what it is all about. The production travels fast and contains many excellent screen values of contrast if not of subtlety. White men and women are planted in India and Hindus are found on Long Island. Added to this, the production contains a mur der or two, a little revolver play, knife throwing, kid napping, an_ ordeal, and scenes of mistaken identity. In fact, nothing excepting perhaps good characteriza tion was omitted. A Hindu prince returns to his native land from England and finds the country brooding a revolt against the British. Fearing the result of such action, he escapes to America and lives in a cabin on Long Island. Here he meets his double, a man who has studied Hindustan and looks just like him. A messenger arrives, demanding the prince’s return. They shoot other. While the Hindu prince is dying, he discovers that his double is in love with the same girl, a daughter of a British officer in India. Fearing for her safety, the dying prince induces his double to return to India and go through the “ordeal” in the temple of thee Bronzer bell With the aid of the dead prince’s signet ring, David Amber arrives at the secret meeting of the rebels and is just about to go through the “ordeal” when with the aid of the British secret service the uprising is checked and the girl who was held in captivity is liberated. It is never explained exactly what the ordeal really is, but it is pictured as something terrible. Perhaps the outstanding feature of this picture is each ' the well registered double exposure work in which Courtenay Foote takes the parts of both the prince and the American. There is just enough difference represented in the make-up and manners to identify ~ each. Courtenay Foote does good work, especially in the early reels of this production. Doris May plays the part of the girl with a good deal of charm, but does not figure very much in the story, which is more in the nature of adventure than of romance. Besides the double exposure tricks the photography is clear and well done. Adventure Will Attract and Satisfy an Uncritical Audience Box Office Analysis for the Exhibitor You can assure them they will be held by this thrilling adventure of two worlds. Lay stress on the subject and the idea of the double to the Hindu prince. Advertise the production as a tale of mystic mystery. Use the stars’ names. Both Doris May and Courtenay Foote have a following among your fans. You might also mention that this contains a visualization of Hindu revolt against the English in India. The Paramount press book will suggest several advertising angles and lobby displays which should all help to attract.