New-York tribune., 1919-09-16
On the Screen
Constance Talmadge Proves
Pretty and Capable in an
tnconvincing Film

"a Tempcramental Wife" used to be
Information, Please" but John Emer-
son and Anita Loos have adapted it
, to the screen and given it the new
name for Constance Talmadge 1t is
the feature picture at the Strand this
week and is true TO life, save for the
fact that there never Was g wife like
ABillie Billings, nor n husband like Sena-
tor Newton, secretary like Smith, nor
count like de Zoolak--or was it de
kumyss? AS for the rest, it is most
convincing. We are sure that if Billie
or anyone else eloped with the count.
their course OF conduct would be exe1n
plary, as was hers, and any nice, re-
spectacle hotel clerk would act as this
hotel clerk acted.
There is nothing TO be said for the
story for there isn't any When
George Jean. Nathan reviewed the
stage version, he told of his receiving
the solid silver invitation, Of his dinner
at Delmonlcos, Of his trip to the
theatre and finally that the play was
called Information. Please" That was
all
We cannot speak Of any Of these
things, because none of them preceded
our visit TO the Strand, so we shall
speak Of the cast, the direction and
the titles.
If one had nothing to write about
but Constance Talmadge, one could
hrd plenty to say. As soon as sba
flashed on the screen there we're whis
pers all over the tfeatre-'Norma's :
sister. Isn't she beautifully" (which
one DO you like better" and SO on.
She is Norma's sister and she j.
beautiful, and it is difficult to saw
which you like better, for what Cor
stance lacks in technique she makes
Np IN charm and vivacity.
In this new picture she makes
spollcd, petulant. impossible creature.
.9Yao,e Il inconsistent young bride.
We hadn't recovered ron SEEING.
"yndnam Standing il The Witness
-oF me Defence When We oncoas.t.rod
hiin as the absen--mindeG misooyrist
VINO tell a victim 10 tie wies Of "a
temperamental wife" in which role
he IS most effective. Ben keo5ylrts
realizes all % the possibilities OF the
role OF Dr. Wise, and Armand Kalicz
is dellghtfully foolish as the Count. AS
tor the titles and the direction thew
are by John Emerson and Anita Loos-.
nu1f said.
There is an Outing Chester scenic
Time to Retire" ard Harold Lloyd
comedy Count Your Votes"
The overture is Poet and Peasant.o
with Carl Edouarde directing. Dor
othy South, soprano with DELIGHT
iui voice, sings "Spring's a Levable
Lodge" Carlo Ferretti and Walter
lontlus give the duet la Farza del
Des cino."
At the Central Theatre William rar~
num- ls being presented by William
Lox IN a screen adaptation OF Zane
Grey's The Last of the Duancs.v
This story proves that you cannot.
Texas and in self-defence
Buck Duane did it-he shot Cal Balm
after being fired on tirst-and he was
hunted for seven years through seven
reels
The first shooting took place deliber-
ately with no particular enthusiasm
displayed on either side, and it was
some time before the story gained
momentum; but then--well. Farnum
fans have chance to see their hero
do all of the things they love to see
him do. 1t thrilled even US. who are
devoted to stories of the effete East and
of the viclssitudes of people who buy
their clothes on Fifth Avenue and own
town cars.
There is a wonderful chase across the
mountains and the foothills and an
escape via a waterfall that looks to US
as high as Niagara. But he does escape
and after being hunted for a long time
is pardoned, and, as the final title says
succlntly, This is the end. He re-
covered. They were married and lived
happily ever after and raised a large
family of children" We liked that
title. Most directors do it by showing
the orange blossoms and the baby's
cap and their little Cedric playing with
collie at the age of three. But J
Gordon Edwards directed it, That is
the answer-or perhaps the credit
should go to the title writer.
In the cast are Louise Lovely as
the girl; frankie Raymond as the
mother, and Ora Gardner as the