Wid's Filmdom (1921)

err aE i — iw Sunday, November 20, 1921 Harry Carey As Star and Author of First Jewel Western Harry Carey in “(LF KOR! Jewel Prod.—Universal DIRECTOR «wc whocs eee ee Robert Thornby AUDHOR. cies Ae (1b teta e ae Harry Carey SCENARIO BYe5,0.0) oti, eee Lucien Hubbard WE: Siewee PeaIeen William Fildew AS A WHOLE........ Contains plenty of appeal for admirers of westerns and fine desert locations LS) RY i ae Crams all the action into the last three reels leaving the first four to plant the story DIRECTION 2.74 Good for the most part but spends too much time getting into the action PHOTOGRAPH Y ore ey pe tee Hae Very good LIGHTINGS 4. Herel’ aie Ble eee Satisfactory SAR set His customary fine performance in true western fashion SUPPORT Many familiar western characters BATERIORS. os 5h bates pane oe hs eet e ton Good INTERIORS 2. 2tteste eerite nies Suitable DE TAL Rs ao ae ae sey oe eee ‘Given good attention CHARACTER QF STORY =... Federal agent, posing as tramp, rounds up famous desert band of outlaws LENGTHPORSPRO DUCTION = wane 6,941 feet Harry Carey might have called his picture a “superwestern,’ and need not have -had seven reels to do it either. “The Fox” is quite worthy of this veteran portrayer of westerns both for his work as author and star, and the latter reels photographed and played in the great spaces of the Mojave Desert are the best of their kind so far. Nothing just like it has been used, at least to our knowledge. The story is a good one and contains some clever intrigue; its plot is comprehensive though slightly obvious, ‘The early reels are used to establish a definite. premise, and there is a lot of unimportant but worth while incident in’ these reels. It is all good, but seems to retard the development of the plot and delay the action that you know is due to come. Carey’s real identity is not revealed until pretty close to the end in a denouement that is effective. All the best action takes place among the desert cliffs where hero. Harry traps the outlaw band with the U.S. Cavalry coming to his assistance. There are some splendid long shots of the fight between the outlaws and Uncle Sam’s troops. Carey’s work, as usual, is the best and when he puts off the tramp outfit and dons the sombrero he’s ready for action. He is supported by George Nichols, who makes an interesting figure of Sheriff Fraser; Johnny Harron, brother of the late Bobby Harron, as Far well, a bank clerk accused of a theft he did not com-_ mit: little Reaves Eason, Jr., who met an untimely death recently; two troops of the Eleventh U. 5S. Cavalry and others. Santa Fe, a tramp, adopts a little “feller” whom he calls Pard. Santa Fe continually “meets up’ ’ with the sheriff, but wins the latter’s friendship and is appointed his deputy. Sheriff Fraser is after the desperate outlaw band. their hiding place in the desert, and is injured when a sandstorm comes up and-his. horse falls. Santa Fe has also taken up the trail. -He comes upon Fraser — and sends him back, going on alone. He comes upon “the band’s place and rescues Farwell, .a bank clerk held prisoner by the band at the command of a bank president, secretly the head of the band, The president has stolen money but cast the guilt upon Farwell by his disappearance. Santa Fe has sufficient evidence now. He admits to his identity, that of a Federal agent, sends for the Cavalry. and captures the outlaws, incidentally winning the hand of the sheriff's daughter. Will Receive the Praise of Admirers of Westerns Box Office Analysis for the Exhibitor Universal claims the distinction of producing the lirst super-western, and “The Fox” is the first western to come under the Jewel banner. It ought to prove a vinner with all admirers of western drama and Carey has a large enough following to get a good many in} terested, especially since he is both author and star of “The Fox.” You might play up that point and make use of the prominence accorded the picture by the producers in making it a Jewel production. Suggestions for exploiting the picture are so complete in the paper provided by Universal that it would be superfluous to attempt to go into it further. Secure a press sheet and make use of the ideas it offers. Attractive stills are available, and properly displayed in the lobby should interest them, and there are plenty of ad cuts and posters at your disposal, He starts out alone to locate. salle thine