Wid's Filmdom (1921)

Sunday, July 10, 1921 ———————— DAILY A Good Title and Rather Interesting Story Gladys Walton in “SHORT SKIRTS” Universal DIR RewO R ya... .. cee Harry B. Harris AUT ye 2 tc emernsta ss... ai Alice L. Tildesley SCHNeseO BY Gee... .... ae Doris Schroeder CAMERAMAN [hae .-.... vce Earl M. Ellis AS AmwiiO LE... Good attraction, not too long, and holds the attention very well throughout STORY. =. Contains a very appropriate role for the star and has a quality of reality DIREABBLON: <...First rate; has provided a novel and thoroughly original introduction that gives it a good start PHOMUIGRAPH Yo vctas .. veeterus se Satisfactory DTG Hs Saeco as sccm enna All right CAME MOAEWORK: 250050... «60 Ripe ee Stel Average STAR. Is pleasing but didn’t fit the clothes the part required SUPBO@RA 2. .: Howard Ralston excellent juvenile; others adequate BE SCM PACU s,s cig ic cyese + + one ORME ogee <>. Few INDE RIORS ss <..°:!: SES 3. once All that is required 1D FOWRA Pisses a oe se. eno. Suffices CHARACTER OF STORY...... School girl playing “srown up” nearly ruins prospects of her mother’s second marriage LENGTH OF PRODUCTION 4,330 feet o © 6: sh @ ame) eves The story selected for Gladys Walton’s latest Universal release wouldn’t have amounted to anything very much except that director Harris has used good judgment in making it, and started it off with a novel’ introduction that is certain to gather the attention {rom the very start. A puppet character appears on a stage and introduces the girls of yesterday, and alter indicating the “passing of time” by a parade of girls with only the lower extremities in view, follows the years from the long skirts, flounced skirts, etc., down to the present “Short Skirts,” and then the story begins. It is surely an original bit. There’s a good deal of reality in the piece, and some clever touches put the piece over in good fashion. The first reels are the best, and show how the modern school girl differs from the school girls of olden times. Director Harris betrays a keen knowledge of the tricks of young girls, but perhaps they were included in the scenario. At any rate there’s “more truth than poetry” in the happenings of “Short Skirts.” Gladys Walton has a role that suits her very well, in fact much better than the clothes the part requires her to wear. She’s just a bit too plump for the short, tight skirts. She’s at her best when flirting, but isn’t convincing when it comes to anything shading on dramatic acting. Howard Ralston, as her tormenting brother, is a splendid juvenile, and others in the cast are suitable. Some political business, a part cf the story, is the only weak spot in the feature. However, the director has managed to keep it fairly well in the background. Natalie Smith’s mother is private secretary to Wallace Brewster, candidate for Incidentally, Mrs. Smith is to marry Brewster after the election. Natalie flirts with Lance Christie, cousin of Woodward Christie, Brewster's opponent. Lance is working to get evidence against Woodward by using Natalie, and finds the opportunity when the young lady tells him she hates Brewster, because he treats her like a child. She steals a paper from Brewster's safe and after giving it to Lance reads in a paper that he is married and being sued for a divorce. Of course, Brewster had the genuine papers in his pocket all the time, and eventually Natalie is forgiven. mayor. Gladys Walton Admirers Will Like Her In This Box Office Analysis for the Exhibitor Universal’s young star has probably a large following, particularly with the younger set, who will be thoroughly well pleased with her latest, “Short Skirts.” And it isn’t likely that with a title like this you'll have much trouble getting your house filled, regardless of whether they know the star or not. Universal picked’ a good one and a particularly timely one. You might play up the story by contrasting olden times with present styles, and if you go in for exploitation stunts, two young ladies dressed like old fashioned and new fashioned girls, respectively, should A prologue idea is itself advertise the feature attractively. suggested in the introduction of the picture and ought to go well if you use prologues,