Wid's Filmdom (1921)

awe See 9 $< $< <$<$<$<$ rrr q é of: DAILW Sunday, September 11, 1921 East and West Tied with Love and Adventure “THE CUP Ore UIrE Ince Prod.—Associated Producers Rowland V. Lee OR |... .5 2525 ee eee Carey Wilson 10 BY (ya eee Joseph Franklin Poland AMAN. «3 3c As) Soe eee, cer. J. O. Taylor AS A WHOLE...... Good production. Far above the average offering dealing with the Far East STORY 22 Very dramatic. Has a wonderful start but attempts too much at the finish. Many complications interesting though not all con vincing DIRECTION...... Very high average. Excellent in parts PHOTOGRAPHY... Very good. Some splendid sea shots LIGHTINGS? e 2 Fine. Light and shade well balanced PLAYERS...... Well suited to the parts. Cast _in cludes Hobart Bosworth, Madge Bellamy, Tully Marshall and Niles Welch EXTERIORS 33 eee ne ee Fine INTERIO RS re ae tae Beautiful DETAIL | 235 ae Sufficient though not all accurate LENGTH OF BREODUCTION@.3).>: ..am 4,932 feet The “Cup of Life” is one long drink of adventure and devotion. The adventure deals with the life of a pearl smuggler in the harbor of Singapore, and the devotion is that of a father for his son. The combination is a good one and the drama is tense and real. No time is wasted in getting under way. The pearl diving is introduced at the start, and the attention is riveted immediately and from that moment held throughout the entire production. The fight with the shark is realistic and very well done. It serves two purposes, for it is not only thrilling, but explains the character of the captain as no other scene could do. The plot developed in the first two reels is unfortunately unnecessarily complicated in the latter reels, and many of these latter scenes are made to appear a bit unreal and fail to convince. The circum stances that build up to the fight between the father and son without each knowing the identity of the other are a little too flimsy to support so powerful and dramatic a scene. A good deal of color and contrast has been obtained between the conflicting elements and characters in this tale of adventure. The photography, lighting and tinting are all excellent. Some splendid sets have been executed in an artistic fashion. The Chinese atmosphere is well represented even though one or two details have been overlooked, as for instance, the dragon dance is not performed at Chinese weddings and the Yen is not the common currency in use in Singapore. Bully Brand is the picturesque figure in this drama of adventure and romance. He secures a most wonder-. ful pearl. Brand’s son, who has always believed that his father was dead, arrives from America and falls in love with an American girl who was an orphan brought up by a rich and crafty Chinese merchant. The merchant was anxious to secure the pearl and when he finds his ward in possession of this gem he accuses Brand of ill will. The girl lies to save her lover and the crafty Chinaman arranges to have both men fight for the honor of the girl. The types in this production were very well contrasted. Dramatic Adventure and Settings Will Attract Box Office Analysis for the Exhibitor i-xhibitors can always find enough patrons who like |-blooded and double-fisted adventure pictures. iS picture contains just enough sex and woman’s interest to appeal to that section of your vill find many of your people are interested in Orient and this angle of exploitation should not we neglected if you decide to run this one. Tell them Evita romance of two worlds dealing with the | smugglers of the Far East. Arrange a tie-up with the soda fountains in your town to sell “Cup of Life” drinks. Also play up the oriental idea by having oriental wares displayed in shop windows. A lot of colored lanterns strung into the street in front of your house will lend atmosphere and is certain to attract. There are some colored posters and stills that can be secured from the distributor and the press book will give you a few publicity angles.