Wid's Filmdom (1921)

‘ & lb ——<$<—<—$<$_$—$ $$ Sunday, September 11, 1921 (i F df DAILYW 19 Snowy Baker Does Some More Live Work In Second Production Snowy Baker ~in “THE SHADOW OF LIGHTNING RIDGE” Aywon Film Corp.—State Rights Te Cer) De eats + os selene Wilfred Lucas AUTHORS: . 2.4. Wilfred Lucas and Bess Meredyth Be He DEERE YUE tc esis os ae eee Not credited ere err RNB ee es gees x os sc ent oes Not credited AS A WHOLE...... Nicely told outlaw story; has some improbabilities but offers entertainment of average quality SEO) eer Has several especially good moments and live bits; holds the interest DIRECTION=.:. .: Good for the most part; a little too swift with some of the stunt sequences EOL Ore Ore IY ear, 6 ees oe aay e ene ae Satisfactory TO eb Cen IN Cr om ee «locas o's eee ok ote Good SHAR oats Gives a good performance and has a role that keeps him on the jump Sit EER ADs oc... beaten fs Suitable PON eile WC) Lies MME ses 5 e's vs) Fo ae GEG vs Attractive Ebates MIM eeT TS 4 cs wicks So drole oebaa ld ocd eo Few PEA Cee eyes Fie aja 0 sje cleo Qa es s All right CHARACTER OF STORY....... Man becomes an outlaw for the purpose of revenge only to find that the object of his designs is the wrong man PENG OR eRODUCTION......7. About 5,000 feet The secormd of the Snowy Baker series produced in Australia by William N. Selig and released through Aywon, is “The Shadow of Lightning Ridge,” another story by Wilfred Lucas and Bess Meredyth and one which gives the star fully as much to do as that of O’Farrell in “The Lighting Breed,” the first of the series. Besides containing plenty of action, “The Shadow of Lightning Ridge,” like its predecessor, contains a fine pictorial value, in that the backgrounds are almost certain to be recognized as that of another country. There are many attractive shots. Wilfred Lucas’ story isn’t sparkling with originality, but it contains good action and enough of it to hold the interest where the mere plot itself would not. Of course much of the credit for the speed of the piece goes to the star who has a part that keeps him busy from start’to finish. The story takes on a more or less mysterious atmosphere, in that “The Shadow” is a sinister outlaw who robs but one man. The purpose of his plunder is withheld until near the conclusion. A fair suspense is thereby created. More good stunt stuff is introduced in the picture, and there are a few genuine thrills such as a leap from a dashing horse onto a speeding train, a kidnapping and a daring rescue. In connection with some of the stunts performed by Baker it would seem that either the director has been too hasty in an effort to get action or the film has not been carefully cut. At any rate things happen along just a little to quickly to follow comprehensively. This is_ particularly noticeable in the instance where Baker rescues the girl he loves. An outlaw, known as the “Shadow,” robs only Edward Marriott, but is feared by everyone. The “Shadow’s” purpose of plunder is one of revenge for he is under the impression that Marriott is his father, the man who left his mother shortly after her marriage. In a furtherance of his plan to deprive Marriott of every possession that is dear to him, the “Shadow” kidnaps Dorothy Harden who is engaged to marry Marriott, but really is not in love with him. Annie, a bar-maid, in love with the “Shadow,” betrays his hiding place when she learns he has kidnapped Dorothy. Ben, an enemy of the “Shadow,” abducts Dorothy, but the girl is rescued by the “Shadow” who explains the method of his revenge, only to learn that Marriott is not his father but his uncle. Quite Sure To Satisfy Especially ‘Those Who Like Them Swift Box Office Analysis for the Exhibitor Folks who like excitement in their entertainment will enjoy the second Snowy Baker offering, and if you show it you can make promises with regard to the action and it would probably be well to talk about its pictorial appeal, explaining that the picture was filmed in Australia. That should prove an added attraction. In case you showed “The Fighting Breed,” the first of the series made by Wm. N. Selig, yoti would do well to recall it and promise them more thrills in “The Shadow of Lighting Ridge.” be used, such as: “He was known as ‘The Shadow,’ Catchlines can an outlaw, but his operations were confined solely to one man. See this most unusual method of revenge as carried out in the latest Snowy Baker production.” Wilfred Lucas’ name might also be mentioned to advantage.