Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-02-05
NERO REVIVAL MUSICAL
MABEL NORMAND IN
"DODGING A MILLTON'
Charming Film Actress Is
\Freed at Last From Slap
stick Environment
A GOLDWYN PRODUCTION

Mabel Norn.and' story by Edgar seIwyn
and a, NJ, Kennedy; Directed bv George
l.oanc Tucker and photographed by Oliver
Marsh, GoldwNn production.
OF the many productions bearing the
trademark of Goldwyn now going the
rounds of the film circuit those with
comedy as their basis have been the
most popular releases Of this company.
II may be due to the experience gained
In the Selwyn stage productions of come
dies, but, whatever the cause, the effect
is gratifying TO the spectators.
After an absence of over year from
the silvcrsheets, charming Mabel Nor
mand returns in "A straight comedy role,
wholly unlike the slapstick parts she
formerly essayed. Miss Normand is n
good actress and her work Is of the
high standard that has been set by the
advisory board of the Goldwyns AL
though this is the second production she
has made under this banner 1t is the
first one TO be released and its excellence
cIn he credited to the trio who particle
pated in its making, Miss Normand and
Mcssrs, Selwyn and Tucker
1t was the achievement of George
I.oane Tucker in this comedy and his
memorable "The Cinderella Man" that
secured for him the position as chief
Of the Goldwyn producing staff
There Is an interesting plot in this
scenario, logical and Clcverly developed
A working girl is the heir to n fortune
and receives check for $500 when she
should have had $4,000 1t is while
spending this first sum that all of the
fun happens. Assisting Miss Normand
are Tom Moore, Bruce Biddlc, j. Her
bert Frank, Armand Cortcz, Norah
Sprague and Shirley Aubert.
MISUNDERSTANDING jealousy" with Paul-
inc FREDERICK. Scenario by Eye tnscll.
rcctcd hy Robert Nignola. Paramount
production.
Pauline Frederick is a leader among
film actresses. She is admirably equipped
histronically and the scenario maker is
lucky to have her as his star.
The remarkable success which has
attended George V. liobart's morality
play, Experience" unquestionably ac-
counts for this new alleEory in celluloid
Miss Frederick represents Jealousy. and
1t is her attempt to stop love affair
between Nalor and Charm, with the as
sistancc of Treachery, Misery, Rumor
and Sorrow, which furnishes the motiva.
ton.
Like most fanciful tales, this one ends
very happily. The incidental episodes
are diversified and entertaining.
An exceptionally i,rge cast is en-.
ployod in this capably directed film play
md Robert Nignola has handled his
people with his usual skill Some of the
shi.f
LoSee, Charles Wellesley, Elsie McCloud
Una Bourke and Isabel O'Madigan, while
others contribute interesting type
studies.
NICTORIA--"Jack Spurloc!<. Prodigal." with
G,e9rsG Walsh: Scenario BY Ralph Spence
tion.
The Saturday Evening Post has been
the nucleus for perhaps more stories for
the photoplay screen than has any other
publication. and now comes one by the
editor of this publication. 1t has been
adapted for screen purposes in excel
lent style and Is made doubly interest
ing by the intelligent Interpretation of
the leading character by George Walsh.
All Of the charm and snap of the
modern j. Rufus Wallingford are em-
phasized To buy a carload of onions
requires no special skill. but to utilize
them in a profitable manner is the prob
lem worked out by the former student,
played by Walsh, who was dismissed
from Harvard University for having a
bear in his dormitory, Much comedy
is provoked by this trained animal.
This is just the sort of picture that fits
the abilities of George Walsh, who eX-
tracts every bit of fun that can be
got out of the situations. Walsh is
to the Fox company what Fairbanks is
to the Aircraft in his exhibitions of
athletic skill
Ruth Taylor makes pleasing
ingenue and screens we'll while Robert
Vivian, as Colonel Jackson, is capable.
Dan Mason is entrusted with the role
of the father Of young Spurlock, and his
character is finely drawn, Many others
assist in the supporting cast.
Some of the best photography seen
upon our local screens in some time was
shown in an extra feature showing the
use of shadows in lighting effects, while
the comedy. Hungry Lions in a Hos
pital," was ludicrous.
REGENT--"A Pettlcoat Pilot" with Vivian
Martin. Scenario by Gardner Hunting,
from story by Joseph G. Lincoln. Dl-
rcted by Roland Sturgeon. Paramount.
Joseph C. Lincoln, the author of
MARY 'Gusta," from which this SCREEN
play was adapted. knows his flsherfolk
and the rugged inhabitants of sea-coast
towns. All of his books bear the marks
of realism and their favorful style has
gained for them thousands of readers.
There are enough characters intro
duced in this perturbation of Lincoln
theme to supply couple of photopays.
The parts are all well enacted. The
story is simply and charmingly un-
folded and the net result of the Offering
Is capital diversion. Some of the scenic
backgrounds are unusually beautiful.
Gifted vivian Martin is the chief
L.