Star Tribune from Minneapolis, Minnesota • Page 52

THE MINNEAPOLIS SUNDAY TRIBUNE; JULY 1 1023 15) 'fix. f- -vVf LOIS WILSON AND MAY McAVOY STARRED IN kONLY 38' AT STATE r.v.r i. 'A tttiWCfW. (Catherine MacDonald Shares Week With Gladys Walton in Offerings at New Lyric Leah Baird Appears at Strand Theater in Photoplay "Is Divorce a Within the Law" Returns for Engagement at New Aster. Revolutionary Simplicity of William DeMille's New Film Staggers Fans Imagination 'Only 3S Current Attractio at the State Theater, Contrives to Be Intensely Interesting Without Least Suggestion of Usual Hokum.

By Bradley L. Morison. NO DIRECTOR lacking courage or firm artistic convictions would ever have dared to put his hand to the task of producing a picture so simply conceived and so devoid of frills as is William De Mille's "Only 38," the photoplay offering at (he State this week. In its lack of pretentiousness, it is stupendous. In its dearth of action, it is revolutionary.

In the theme it treats of, it is certainly unusual enough to set it apart from the hackneyed photoplots grown frayed and ragged in the telling 38," photoplay ttarring Lois WZot and May McAvoy which is appearing at the State this week, is reviewed elsewhere on this page.) A HOST of well known screen celebrities headed by beautiful Katherine lacDonald are featured in "Money, Money, Money" the picture at the New Lyric theater for the first half of the week. The picture teHs of Trlscilla Hobb (Miss MacDonald) a daughte of a small manufacturer who cares more for the love of his family, than for any success he could attain in the business world. When the Hobb family learn that a large fortune is left to them they, borrow money from the local banker and Priscilla makes her debut into society. When the will is probated the Hobbs learn that their fortune consists of sixty dollars. The banker demands hit money or he will foreclose on the Hobb home.

The details that follow bring the story to a highly dramatic close. V. VXi JF VK. r- On the Horizon "CIRCUS DAYS" Press agent-ed as Jackie Coogan's "greatest." Adapted from "Toby Tyler." This picture will be released early in the fall. "THE MEANEST MAN IN THE WORLD" Thw photoplay will be released by Principal Pictures corporation early in September.

The east includes Bert Ly-tell, Blanche Sweet and Bryant Washburn. "SCARAMOUCHE" This is a Rex Ingram production adapted from Rafael Sa bating novel of the French Revolution. Its principals include Alice Terry, Ramon Navarro, and Lewis Stone. "CAPTAIN APPLEJACK" A Fred Niblo production adapted from the stags success. Enid Bennett, Matt Moort and Barbara La Marr are east in the leading roles.

-'X I LUIS WILSON IN "ONLY 3H." STATE PICTURE. Loin Wilson has one of the, best roles of her career in "Only 38," feature picture at the State theater this week. May McAvoy, Elliot Dexter and George Fuwcelt are also included in the cast. on the Current Films and re-telling. "Only 38" is not no remarkable as It is unusual.

Conceive a photoplay without a sinr'j big without gunplay, without an elaborate costume, without, floods, storms, log Jams or fires, without a cabaret scene, without iny ot the ordinary thrill paraphernalia scattered so promiscuously through the majority of films. That Is difficult enough, but wheii one attempts to conceive a photoplsy which is intensely Interesting besides, the Imagination of the motion picture fan falters. It is at that state of effort that we commend you to "Only 3S," splendidly acted by a eat which includes Lois Wilson, May McAvoy, El-liot Dexter and George Fawcett. Story of Flapiier Reversed. IN "ONLY 38," the story of the dance-mad twentieth century Mapper whose tight-rope antics over the gulf of unconventionally sends her nineteenth century parents to an early grnve is quite reversed.

Here we have the widow of a minister, who, freed at the age of 38 from the marriage bonds which have crushed youth and the' natural Joy of living, set out to make up for lost years. In her efforts islic runs afoul of the disapproval of a isoii aud daughter, who, cramped and narrowed by long years ot puritanical tyranny, cling unreasonlngly to the father's memory and ways. Both resent it when the mother attempts to unburden the household of a ton of theological literature by a gift to the public library; they raise pious protest at tho attention paid their mother by a young professor at the college which they attend. And there is a veritable clamor when she oversteps the bounds ot propriety to the extent of attending a dance at the college gymnasium. Ot course the romance culminates happily it is the kind of a romance that couldn't do otherwise but not before the mother decides to return to her eld mode of living.

Our credulity was overtaxed but twice: once when the daughter, drenched hen the cuuoe of her male companion springs a leak, unhesitatingly accomH panies him to his room In the men's dormitory to dry her clothes; again when the mother, desiring to work against the protest of her children, obtains a position In the college library and serenely hopes to hoodwink her offspring thereby. Even twentieth century college students sometimes enter a library, though It Is reported with increasing Infrequency. Lois Wilson, as the minister' widow, does a remarkable piece of work in a role which is hardly suited to her youthful beauty, while May McAvoy, as the daughter, show a complete understanding cf and sympathy with the part. Elliot Dexter'e professor did not strike ui so favorably, possibly because we have yet to see a professor of the Dexter type; but at leant he stayed an admirable distance away from the general screen conception of university pedagogues. Again the Questionnaire.

AGAIN the movie questionnaire! Harmless enough, we think, though yielding prolific press agent, material; and mildly stimulating at times, when throwing some light on the trend of public likes and dislikes. The ftialto, Klvoll and Criterion moving picture theaters of New York are the most recent perpetrators of the questionnaire, having conducted a survey of patrons in connection with the International Congress on Motion Picture Arts held early this month. The results of tho questionnaire ere Inasmuch as they serve to that the great majority of picture-locrs at possessed of a sane and healthy spin-tit" for the better variety of cinema fare. They "pass the buck" squarely to those producers of celluloid atroci ties who believe they are catering to "mob" tastes lty their vapid mixtures of threadbare hokum and cheap sensation. allsm.

If questionnaires those of Will Haya Included will serve to convince certain producers that the motion pic lure public Is, In reality, a dlserlmlnat ing hn.ty, possessing some Idiosyncrasies of taste, yet sound and sensible at heart, they will not have been In vain. A si a tint lea I summary of the an swers submit tei in the New York oues tiontiHires reveals, emolig other things. 'that lb story was deemed more Impor 'ant tne star or the direction a pic ure by a three to-one vote, that two r2 1- i-ri hi, i -r-77r mm I SW to of be to to In of -1 drawing what I believed be, a fair salary in vaudeville and I was working steadily. The very thought of entering pictures thrilled me, but at the same time, the fear that I might not prove successful awed me. However, Mr.

Christie's axsuranee that-1 would make good won me over and I gave my two weeks' notice to the vaudeville booking agency and prepared to enter the mysterious world of motion pictures. My climb to success has not been meteoric. It has been steady and consistent and I honestly believe I have earned my way to my present plane of stardom." NO IMH ULKS FOB MIX. Tom Mix, who is doing more thrilling stunts than ever before In his latest picture, "Catch My Smoke," at the Hennepln-Orpheum this week, has made himself a sensation of the screen because of his dare deviltry. His desire amuse, to make people forget their worries Hful troubles, has probably caused him to take more chances agHinst deajh or Injury than any other prominent figure In pictures today, While everyone is amazed that he does these things and contemplates doing others equally dangerous, Mix does not believe they are dangerous that Is, dangerous for him.

He realizes that others might get hurt In attempting them, but not Tom Mix. That Is the reason he refuses to have a "double" do some of his thrillers. They might not do them right; they might Injure themselves. Mix flgures the' thing out like a mathematician. Ife knows Just how to flr ths ctuhte before the camera begins clicking.

He'd get nervous watching someone pise do them. In his present picture, he not only gives many thrills, but many hearty laughs In addition. ft Ms im.moss r. -r--k ei i Gladys Walton appears for the last half of the week Iji her latest screen release, "(Sawdust," which tells an absorbing tale of circus life. Herbert Standing, Mattie Pierce.

Edith York and Mies AVelsch are In support of Miss Walton. Strand. A SPECTACULAR drama, "Is divorce a Failure?" is the feature photoplay this week at the Strand theater, Leah Baird, who wrote the scenario, is the star. Rh Is supported by Richard Tucker, Walter McOrall, Tom Bantchl and Alec Francia. Many thrilling scenes, including a shark fight, a typhoon, a shipwreck and an active volcano, are featured in the production.

As Carol LockwooJ, a divorced woman. Miss Baird Is cast on a volcanic Island by a shipwreck. Her former husband, her lover, and the ship's steward have also beeti washed ashore. The husband still loves the woman, the lover pleads with her to marry him, while the steward. In spite of the social barrier, covets her.

The lover is taken sick with fever. The men go to a nearby island in the lifeboat for herbs. While there the steward determines to leave the hushand and overpower the woman. In spite of the shark Infested water, the husband swims to the rescue of his former wife. The details which follow bring the story to an unusual finish.

Xew Aider. A SCREEN version of the powerful drama, "Within the Law," comes to the New Aster theater this week for a return engagement. Norma Talmadge and a highly capable cast Including Jack Mulhall, Lew Cody, Lincoln riummer, Catherine Murphy and Arthur S. Hull enact the picture. The production exhibits scenes from ft Tombs, Auburn prison, the New York underworld and fashionable centers of Florida.

In ''Within the Law," Miss Talmadge takes the part ot Mary Turner, a. shop girl who is convicted and sentenced for a theft of which she la not guilty. Because of her record and police persecution she is unable to find respectable employment on her release, and It Is this circumstance which sends her Into a band ot blackmailers and brings about a surprisingly Interesting finish. Ilonnepln-Orplieuin. ATCII MY SMOKE," the latest Fox production featuring Tom Mix, will be the photoplay fea ture at the Hennepln-Orpheum for the week beginning with the matinee today.

Under the direction of William Bcau-dlne. who directs Mix for the first time, this photoplsy is said to be replete with action. Ably assisted by an excellent cast Including "Tony," the marvelous horse, "Catch My Smoke" tells the story of an effort made by Tom's enemies to defraud him out of hla property upon hi return from France and of the dynamic Westerner's triumph over thetn. Not only does he thrill by the display of horsemanship but In his dare-devil work he succeeds In eluding- his pursuer. The agile Mix climbs, lights, rides, runs, struggles and digs with a sincerity urn a-m mmwt ry i r- i i which wins for him the deserving tlUa of "the most daring man" of the silver sheu I'anlages.

A WOMAN," Betty jr Compson's second starring picture, will shown at rantagea theater during the week, featuring the cinema portion of the combination me-tlon picture and vaudeville program. The story is by I'erley Poor Sheehaa and the picture wss directed by Arthur Rosson. la "Always a Woman," Miss Compson has the role of Ceee.fi a Thaxter, a slangy New York girl, who has beea trained in the hard School ot cheat; vaudeville, and ho is en route to the Orient with a troupe of vaudeville performers, she inspires the unholy lov of Kellrri Pasha, an eminent F-gyptUu statesman, who cannot make open advances to her. Kellm directs Ms Jackal, Reginald Btanhore, to court Cecelia tor him. Cecelia becomes interested in a former American soldier, Boone, wh is suffering from shell shock, and Who Is being taken to the Orient because hi faithless wife Is secretly enamored of Kellm Pasha.

On the same ship is Mnhmud, an Egyptian mystic who insists that Cecelia was the fiuee of Neco-Tokrle In a former Incarnation. He also tells her of priceless treasures hidden In an Egyptian tomb. Kellm organise party to search for the treasures but In the search, he Mis to his death and the wounded soldier's wife, ei.deavortng to rescue him. also meets death. Cecelia and Iioone become fast friend and Inter sweethearts.

In addition to the feature plQlUr. Round II of "Fighting Blood" will be shown. New Palace. Charlie Chaplin will hold the prominent place on the New Palace theater picture proR.em this week with his second million dollar production, "Shoulder Arms." Madge Kennedy will be featured In the photoplay, "Mary, Re Careful." while the Palae News Weekly will complete the bill. Itijou.

Sunday, Richard Dix snd Helena Chad-wick in "The 8ln Flood." Monday, LHistln Farnum In "The Tuesday, Pauline Stark In "The Kingdom Wednesday, Colleen Moore la "Broken Thursday, Alio Brady In "Missing Friday, Irene Castle In "No Saturday, Kenneth Harlan in "Toll of the rtea." Kirtllo. "Bella Donna" Hundivy, Monday and Tuesday; "Jfiitzmnnla" Wednesday, Thursday; "Peg o' My Heart" Friday, Saturday. Lagoon. "Safety Iist" Slisdsy. Monday, Tuesday; "The Famous Mrs, Fair" Wednesday, Thursday; "Blander th Woman" Friday, Saturday.

"Glimpses of the Moon" Saturday, Sunday; "Seeing Is Believing" Monday; "Human Hearts" Tuesday, Wednesday! "The Flame of Life" Thursday, Frl-day, IOiiiig. "Safety Last" Sunday, Monday, TueV day, "The Famous Mr. Fair" Wednesday, Thursday; "What a Wife Learned" Friday, Saturday. mm c.v tr-r-k A one preferred seeing literary masterpieces on the screen to stories written directly for the screen; four to one would rather see simple, true-to-life storiee than spectacular and fantast'C ones and pictures that Instruct and provoke thought rather than pictures whose sole purpose is amusement." Among the suggestions offered toward making better pictures were: "More natural stories less "elimination of star "too many cooks spoiling the "omit the false impression ot "lest concentration on wealthy class and their artistically spectacular life, with simplef storles of actual people, intelligently directed." IUr1i Words From a. Briton.

HERE'S nothing like getting the other felloW's point of view. Frank A. Tlliey. editor of the Klhematograph Weekly, a leading English film trade magazine, Is In America with some very emphatic opinions as to the low caliber of this country's moving picture output. "During the war about 90 per cent the world's picture supply was the product of American studios," he said recently in Chicago.

"The United States still retains a full 86 per cent but not because of quality. If quality were the determining factor It would a waste of transportation to send most American pictures to foreign markets. "America's monopoly Is due to economical reasons The United States domestic market Is so tremendous that an American producer can sink (500,000 into a picture, sell it only theaters at home, and still make money, where an English producer can't spend more than $20,000 and hope to make a profit from home consumption. British director's limit la actually $20,000 for actors, sets, story and everything while some American directors do not feel that they have made a good start until they have sunk $160,000 Into a production. "From the artlstlo standpoint Sweden leads the world today.

Hut given the same amount of production money cither Italy or Germany could put out pictures artistically far superior the present American product. rom all of which, we gather that Mr, Tilley does not wholly approve of films with the "Made In America" stamp on them. There Is evidently some truth his further statement that "the rest the World Is Wearying of Its monotonous diet of predigested American photo- plays and unless Uncle Ram begins serv ing up red meat another chef will get the business." Yes, we admit, the diet does grow wearisome. Rut still, alt things consideredwe'll slick to the American Plan for a while longer. We still have fnlth In our Yankee chefs, for all their bungling.

And at the Same time, We remark, It might not be such a bad hUa to take a leaf from England's cinema rook book. There's plenty to learn on both sides of the Water. Charles J. lirabin'i "Driven" Is coming soon to rhtaRMv It Is said to be one of the liest Aims' the present year has produced. iMMSKfekllMMMiaMMsI nmi M.

Sidelights IF YOU feel 38 years old, you will -look and act 38 years old. This bit of logic is credited to Lois Wilson who plays the feature role in "Only 38" at the State theater this week. Miss Wilson has to appear 38 years old. For the purpose she makes use of a remarkable make-up of sunken cheeks, grnv hair, hopeless eyes and drooping shoulders with such additional touches that mark a woman of nearly 40 years who has lost all hope of youth and romance. "I have to play a lot on the set between euenes to keep myself young," declares Miss Wilson.

"Otherwise I fear I woud grow years older during the production of "Only 38." Elliott Dexter plays the role of a college professor who finds Miss Wilson young despite her 38 years. DIVOKCKK IS Koine women, when they marry, think it is the end of romance; others think It Is going to be the beffinnlhg. In "Is Divorce n. Failure?" by and with Leah lialrd, which ehows nt the Htrantl theater this week, there Is told the etiH-y of a girl who thought romance should never die. When she found she loved another man more than her husband, she underwent the notoriety of a Heno divorce so that she could keep romance ever fresh In her life.

It Is the love story of a divorcee, who. by her Whims of fate, Is again courted by her husband and by the man she divorced him for. SCRKKN CIIMtf Willi KK. Brenda Fowler, who plays one of the Important parts in "Money Motwy Money," formerly played "heavies" in stage melodrama. That was when stage melodrAma.

Was a decidedly popular form of entertainment and en-gaged the services of some of the best known actors. She said goodbye to 05 L-J T- J. i sss set the footlight realm five years ago in favor of a literary career. An even score of one act plays, all of which haV'e been presented on the "big time" vaudeville circuits came from her typewriter and then she turned her attention to screen acting Miss Fowler found this work so eminently successful that she laid away all of her Incipient stage plots, covered up her type'-w-riter, and gave her most serious consideration to motion plctum work "Money Money Money" has Kather-ine MacDonald in the stellur role and will be seen for the first half of, the week at the New Lyric, theater BETTY'S CLIMB TO FAME, rietty CompHon, the clever motion picture actress Who has become star In her own niitue, formerly was a vaudeville performer. As a child, Mms Compaon studied the Violin ami almost as long as nlie can remember, he appeared publicly, in amateur entertainments, an semi -professional performer.

As a mere child, she was compelled to go upon the stage, at a salary of $15 a week, to aid her parents, who were unable to keep up tho large family. As a vaudeville, performer, Miss C'ompson was rated only fair, although her beauty attracted much attention. Al Christie, who, for years has made comedy pictures, saw Miss Compson ill vaudeville and' her beauty and wist-fulness appealed to him. Accordingly, he Bppronched her with a proposal that she quit the stage and go into pic. tures.

"That reposition of Mr Chrstl's was the most gigantic business deal Into which I had delved up to that time, said Miss Compson, whose latest feature picture, "Always the Worn on," is to be shown at I'nntages the ater during the July 1 week. "I was 8iiaB It, Wert KiTUCPlMC Vtcrvkt VMpv 1 1 11 IUM KiX ItTj 10 iSzlc TJSf. syof wrvoce fmlube rWrAGiS.