Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-10-02
1.-THE COMMON LAW"
Is WELL PRODUCED
Chaplin, in "The Pawn Shop"
Gets Laughs With New and
Violent Business"
BY the Photoplay Editor

Philadelphia exhibitors last week got
their first glance at the first production re-
leased by Lewis J. Selznick since he became
a power unto himself IL Is THE Common
Law" adapted from the popular novel by
Robert w. Chambers. and exploiting Clara
kimball Young as the star. In fact, the
brand name for the film Is that OF the Rc-
tress. At the private display the projec-
ton was not OF the best. and. therefore, an
entirely adequate conception Of the feature
was not feasible But certain salient points
could be grasped. one OF them was the dig
nihed, high-class manner In which the story
was directed by Albert Capellani. and an
other the prolixlty OF the plot. OF course,
thls Is only one mans opinion. and the ma
Jority or photoplay-goers may like The
common Law" In its entirety. but seven reels
u slightly too long for story with but one
or two episodes OF pronounced physical ac-
ton and frequent telephoning and letter
writing. The drama on the screen bears the
stamp OF the book-made play 1t is not in
oislve. or rarely 30.
The most sensational thing In the stage
version OF the tale was the nude posing of
valerie, the model. In the cellulold YER
sion this matter has been treated with DELI
cacy and sympathy. There is nothing nasty
IN the whole fabric OF the photoplay, yet the
frankness OF its language is likely to give
the censors some concern. How Il Is TO es-
cape the shears cannot easily be imagined.
The acting OF Miss Young is mildly pleasing
lshe mas little TO do emotionally). and Con-
way Tearlo and Paul Capellani are capital
In the parts OF painter hero and painter
villain, the atmosphere throughout being
that or New York artist life. Scenlcally
tho production is tasteful and opulent The
costuming, too. is beyond reproach.
SO many theaters are showing the latest
to print all their names in boidface would
cut into the critiaue itself The narrative
value OF this most recent emanatlon from
the Lone Star studio Is slight TO the point
OF nothingness. To make up for this lack
the Incidental business OF the comedy is
variegated and violent. Mr.. Chaplin, who
Is the pawnbroker's clerk. washes cups and
plates by passing them through wrnger
totters rythmically on n ladder; wears n
dough-wreath a la Hawaii and bounces
elastic pawnballs on the head of another
man. He indulges in but one bit Of serio-
comedy (which Is too bad, as he does that
sort OF thing so welD, but in physical frenzy
he has never surpassed his current antics
That Is why The Pawnshop" is destined to
popular enthusiasm. And II you must have
good looks with your slapstck. there is the
attractive Edna Purviance. simmer than
| usual.
The Morosco Company wants strong
stories, for which 1t is willing to pay we'll
says an announcement IL offers $500 each
for complete stories adapted to its needs or
upon which n complete photoplay can be
| founded. Such stories may be either in
synopsis form. 500 to 1000 words each. or
| may be In the form of n short story or
| book. Plots suitable for Vivian Martin Dus-
| tin Farnum, Myrtle Stedman, Kathlyn Will
liams and Lenore Ulrich are especially In
| demand.
| Norma Talmadge and Roscoe Arbuckle
are additions to the Seznck forces They
will not play together. however.