Wid's Filmdom (1921)

“TRADITION” Sonora Pictures—State Rights DIRECTOR Paul Otto AM HORS Ese... Paul Otto and George Jacoby SGENARTO BY-:.... Paul Otto and George Jacoby Cpe, A VLA Neen... . . «bonnes Hans Kampfe AS AWHOLE...... European production that offers some fair spectacle effects but is far behind its predecessors DBL eligiee @F >. © 6 © 6 6. 80 oer MPESGuD) M466. 6 ¢ 0 S Lee... Costume play with tragic ending; never . becomes impressive DIRECTION....Mediocre; players not well handled and general technique is clumsy Prt EL Yooew: .. ... a eseacreneretiegas « Satisfactory Ly eee Gross cee. . = < Seeeuea a rere Good and bad CAnpor Aa WORK: 05; .... Bites. cee No variation PUAMERS?..... Undramatic performances and weak characterizations with exception of Paul Otto’s TH MEMEC LOSES «5. operate a's «oo « atetaiehetprelienet~ i Adequate IN@eEELORS... 6.8... . Sets usually over decorated iL) METIS hehehe. «os onekete RRMeene Sah eas Fair GHARAGTER OF STORY.<:22 Legendary tradi tion of the Far East that includes romance, intrigue and tragedy PENGEHOr PRODUCTION .©22: About 6,000 feet In conjunction with the showing of “The Twice Born Woman,” which is having an extended run at the Hippodrome, comes another foreign made production called “Tradition,” probably a German film, judging from the names of some ol the players, and the fact that the story has been adapted from or based on “Der Tod und die Liebe.” The name of Paul Otto Sunday, July 10, 1921 hid: DAILY 13 Another Foreign Made Production. Has Oriental Story co-author, director and one of the principal players. But it would that Mr. Otto found the three-fold too much for him, because “Tradition” does not reach the standard of photoplays of the day, and if it is of is conspicuously prominent, since he is seem task German origin, certainly cannot compete with those already popular successes from that country. The general construction of the film is clumsy. The rules of continuity are fairly well observed, but lack the finishing touches which round out a story and compel a continued interest. The spectator doesn’t know until very close to the end just why it is called “Tradition.” Some sort of prologue, making definite the legend of the Far Eastern people with whom it deals, would have made matters definitely clear, and provided some sort of sustaining interest. The production is rather of a spectacular nature, but there are no impressive sets or scenes, except perhaps the last one, in which the Oriental takes his own life at the altar of Buddha. Cooper, an engineer, working in the Far East, incurs the wrath of the native ruler because it is believed that Cooper murdered the ruler’s daughter. Tantara, brother of the murdered girl, journeys to England to avenge his sister’s death by taking the life of Cooper’s sweetheart. Instead, Tantara falls in love with her, and takes her back to his native land. Cooper follows and from an old servant learns that Wun-si, a Chinese, killed the princess. Tantara frees Cooper’s sweetheart when he learns the truth, and because he thereby loses the woman he loves, kills himself, according to “Tradition.” Jar CORRECTION Wid’s Review of last week gave the footage of ‘Salvation Nell’? as 7681 feet. The actual footage of this subject as it will be released and as it was successfully exhibited at the Strand Theatre 1s 638+ feet. WHITMAN BENNETT