Wid's Filmdom (1921)

Sere aa a Sunday, July 10, 1921 é of DAILY ~ Shirley Mason Charming As Ever In French Peasant Girl Role Shirley Mason in “LOVETIME” Fox DITO ete. Howard M. Mitchell PUTT cee... s,s rene Hubert LaDue mC iiveelO BYetge....... eee Dorothy Yost CAMBEAMAN Weir... 2208 Glen MacWilliams AS A WHOLE...... A pretty picture with a love story nicely told amid attractive surroundings STORYRan.. . Not unusual or particularly original though French atmosphere and scenic effects have charm DIREG ELON .«......; Has given consideration to production values that make up for familiarity of theme PH OFgpaaa SAD ELY sa. 3... 2. seated = see ‘Excellent TEL PEC es caret. « «slater » « Good GA MippesevVLORK. : eo... . . eceltsteemmanels Also good LA Riles: 03. Vivacious and pleasing as ever SUPPO Iles. 4° Raymond McKee a good looking lover; Edwin B. Tilton and Wilson Hummell do good work He Eee oe Several pretty shots TN Gee, Re ee SS ae... eo Satisfactory DS LIers. oss... 5, cages Adequate CHaRAGCGeRT OF STORY....% French peasant girl falls in love with artist who is of the nobility LENGTH OF PRODUCTION..... About 5,000 feet Those who remember Shirley Mason in “The Flame of Youth” and liked it will be pleased with “Tovetime,” which is rather similar. Hubert LaDue’s story lacks originality and has a theme that is quite familiar, but the shortcomings are rather neatly overcome by an attractive atmosphere, well chosen locations, the performance of the star and a good character bit that is contributed by Wilson Hummell. The story is laid in a peasant village of France. Several very pretty backgrounds and an altogether realistic air of France help to put the picture over. The Fox ingenue can usually be relied upon for clean, wholesome offerings, and again in “Lovetime” her vivacity and ability to live the part she plays is a feature of the film. The unpleasant infatuation of the roue, who annoys the heroine, is not exaggerated or liable to strike anyone as objectionable. Director Mitchell has handled this situation in good taste. The star plays a young peasant girl and makes you feel that she enjoys it. Her work is always sincere and her efforts productive of results. She has been splendidly photographed in this particular picture; in fact, the photography throughout is excellent, Raymond McKee plays a straight part, and gives a good performance, although those who have watched his work will probably agree that he is better suited to character parts. Harold Goodwin, recently starred in one or two Fox productions, has a small part in “TLovetime.” Marie Gautier is sent to Paris to escape the attentions of Count De Baudine. Pierre, her cousin, is sent along to protect her. Marie’s artist lover follows, as does Baudine who finds the lovers together and recognizes the artist as his nephew, the Marquis of Marie does not know her sweetheart is a nobleman. The jealous Baudine reports the fact to the Marquis’ mother, and she immediately announces her son’s engagement to a girl of his own standing. When the news reaches Marie, her sorrow is so great Savoy. that it affects her ,mind, and Pierre takes her home. Her parents receive her, although they had come to believe the scandal rumored connecting the names of Marie and the Marquis. Later, of course, the lovers are married. Star’s Popularity and Pleasing Production Can Be Relied Upon Box Office Analysis for the Exhibitor Shirley Mason will please her admirers in her most recent production, ““Lovetime,’ not so much perhaps because of the story, but because it is pleasingly told and attractively presented. The production has pictorial merit and you can promise them a picture good to look at, and a star that always pleases, no matter what part she is given to play. The press sheet prepared by the Fox publicity department contains paragraphs for your program and exploitation suggestions which can be used to ad vantage. Perhaps you might recall “The Flame of Youth” in case you played it, and tell them they'll like “Lovetime” equally well. The title is attractive and can be used with catchlines such as: “Her artist lover proved to be a Marquis. The difference in social position threatened to be a barrier, but was it? Not in ‘Lovetime’ ” Others along that order should prove equally attractive. Stills of the star in her peasant costume can be used in the lobby.