Pictures (August 1926)

foie. their personal ratings of pictures they see. Epi TOR’S ‘NOTE: Our reviews are printed of a uniform size so that they may be kept for future reference. They are written by members of our editorial staff, who are skilled critics and whose viewpoints we know to be sane and unbiased. We believe you will find the ratings of special assistance and we invite our readers to send in RATING: Excellent, 95°%; Good, 90%; Fair, 75%; Poor, 60% ALOMA OF THE SOUTH SEAS—s5%, GILDA GREY, exponent of the ‘“shimmie” and other kin dred dances makes her debut in the screen conception of the south seas drama, ‘“‘Aloma Of The South Seas.” The story was selected as a vehicle for Miss Grey mainly because it affords her ample opportunity to demonstrate her terpsichorean talents. ‘There is little to the plot. It is the same old formula used in dozens of these tropical romances. The continuity is rather bad and the picture might have much improved had the cutter been more generous with his shears— it is entirely too long. The scenery is beautiful and the native extras give it the flavor of the real thing. Gilda, for one unaccustomed to the camera, does exceptionally well with her role. We feel certain that if given an opporttnity she will be able to hold her audience even without the aid of dancing, her stock in trade. Warner Baxter, as the heavy, surpasses any of his recent attainments. Perey Marmont in a rather thankless role invests it with much sympathy and understanding. : The cast includes: Gilda Grey, Warner Baxter, Percy Marinont, and others. It was directed by Maurice Tourneur —T,G.B. PARIS AT MIDNIGHT_00% OT until the picture was half over did we recognize this as Balzae’s ‘‘Pere Goriot,” and even then we just couldn’t believe it. Given a cast such as this production boasts, and-a story of such unusual quality, it is disgraceful that no better result should be achieved. Lionel Barrymore, Mary Brian, Jetta Goudal—all acted as if they were playing in different pictures, and even at the very end the various plots were never completely merged and explained. The picture halts and dallies, and still fails to make interesting the incidents which hold it back. It could have been poignant, appealing, even thrilling, yet it succeeds only in being a terrific bore. Still, there is Jetta Goudal, more beautiful than we have ever seen her and giving an excellent characterization as the selfish daughter. And Lionel Barrymore, always a powerful figure, both sinister and kindly. To see this will fill you with regrets that it could not have been better done. The cast includes: Lionel Barrymore, Jetta Goudal, Emile Chau tard, Mary Brian, and Edmund Burns. Tt was directed by E..Mason Hopper, —E.G. VOLCANO—80% r is surprising how Bebe Daniels seems to hold her audience regardless of the merit of her vehicle. The secret is that she neyer fails to take the role given her and invest it with her sincerity. ‘‘Voleano” is adapted from the stage play, ‘“Martinique,” by Lawrence Eyre, The photodrama has lost much of the savor of the original—many of its dramatic Homentss There are some colorful camera shots of Mount Pelee which add much to the scenic beauty of the opus. But most of us feel that we are entitled to more than mere scenery and Bebe’s enthusiasm. Bebe appears as the daughter of a man of aristocratic lineage but questionable reputation, who returns from a French convent to the island of Martinique to learn that she is supposed to be the daughter of a native woman. The story runs quite true to form with little novelty. Miss Daniels is quite attractive in the costumes of bygone years. Ricardo Cortez figures as the handsome hero who marries tv please his mother. The cast includes: Bebe Daniels, Ricardo Cortez, Wellace Beery, and others. Tt was directed by William K. Howard. —T.G.B.