Wid's Filmdom (1921)

Sunday, July 17, 1921 Fair Northwest Atmosphere But Story Is Weak “MAN TRACKERS” Universal DUPRE G eee eR fam... soe nt Edward Kull AUTHORS -=: = Edward Kull and George Plympton SCHEIN ARR Vie. we ras George Plympton CAVE Aten ee. os ae Jacob Kull ASA WHEE... Ordinary offering that depends almost entirely upon scenic values for favor STORY . ae: Action consists of a lot of knock-’emdead business that never provides a thrill DIRECTING: .-. Ordinary; has failed to present reality with exception of some well chosen locations jes SUGWM OLS... tS Oe eR Oo cs Cee Good USE CRRS Cy OS. Rn Scoot ares All right CAN ET Rem hae... ee Satisfactory PLAY ERKSe3..... Features Josephine Hill and George Larkin; no especially good work PCP Ns ce ee ee eee Pretty TINE ie ee se ee ee ee eee Suffice DE ee Sc ee ee os See Adequate CHARACTER OF STORY...... Officer of Mounted Police eventually gets the man who caused his dishonerable discharge LENGTH OF PRODUCTION .......... 4,329 feet The most remarkable thing about “Man Trackers” is the way the knocked-out victims regain consciousness. Practically all of the action contained in the picture is provided by the fights, of which there are many, and in each case the one who goes down re| mains there only long enough for the smoke of battle to pass away and give the combatants time to make their exit. George Larkin takes some awful punishment, all of which he survives and recovers from in unbelievably short time. This sort of action is uncon vincing and even some rather strenuous fighting fails to furnish a thrill. Larkin’s performance is so obviously “acted” that he doesn’t present a very realistic Mounted Police officer. Director Kull has made a sincere effort to present a Northwest atmosphere, and has secured some effective locations and generally appropriate exterior settings, although there arc one or two that are Pro duction values, otherwise, are quite satisfactory, and noticeably artificial, particularly one of a cabin. the cast satisfactory, even though there is no especially noteworthy individual acting. Edward Kull and George Plympton as co-authors have not been successful in putting the right kind of action into the story. Stories of the Northwest require something more than scenery and gun-play to put them over. Of course there’s a romance woven in which culminates in the happy ending. Molly Killbride, daughter of Inspector Killbride of the Northwest Mounted Police, is in love with Jimmy Hearn, one of her father’s men. Hanley, the leader of an outlaw group, picks a fight with Jimmy which results in a shooting. Hanley had framed the shoot. ing to make it appear that Jimmy did isPitspector Killbride gives Jimmy a dishonorable discharge and a six months’ sentence. Upon his release Jimmy sets out to get the man who caused his discharge and imprisonment. He trails Hanley up North, captures him and returns to the post in time to establish his innocence and expose Morgan, a member of Hanley’s crowd, who is trying to win Molly’s favor. Jules, a hal{f-witted half-breed, bears out Jimmy’s story, and explains that he could have proven the policeman’s innocence before but had been threatened into silence. You Can’t Make Promises But It May Get By Box Office Analysis for the Exhibitor Universal’s schedule of late has been consistently good, so the fact that “Man Trackers” isn’t as good as the others shouldn’t be disturbing. Where folks are not too critical the picture will get over and houses catering to a majority male audience will probably find it favorably received. You can play up the Northwest atmosphere and talk about the Mounted Police and the motto of that organization, playing it up with catchlines. It may be that George Larkin’s name will attract them, in which case give it good prominence. A good advertising stunt would be to dress the lobby up with snow and icicles. The effect should prove inviting and the usual promising signs about it being “100% cooler inside,” etc., Tell them the scenery in “Man Trackers” will cool them off. ought to get them in. Universal will furnish you with other suggestions and exploitation material.