New-York tribune., 1920-02-02
v il! Rogers Entcrtains in
Bibulous Film at the Strand

Why didn't some one think of Will
Rogers scheme before the iehtoenth ~
Amendment was passed? They might
still be serving real "tonic" across The
mahogany instead OF ooh Boy apple
juice and various other delectable. but
mud concoctions if this brilliant per-
son had made his or her appearances.
'M ater, Water Everywhere N
which VIII Rogers, with his attractive
at the Strand, seems inevitable in
Redeye through the efforts Of the
v dow Blttngcr and her female CON
iederatcs. who have vowed to Danish
INK until Win Rogers, Billy Fortune
on the screen, attacks them in vul-
nerab.e spot. First he attempts 10
Woo tho much-marred widow in order
to damDen the ardor OF her campaign
by new attack on her heart. it all
most works until she says. "Billv.
YOU and will fight to make Redeyc
dry and Billy's near romance IS
ended
Billy's brothers in John Barleycorn.
although Billy shows that he can take
it or leave it, convene in the Hell's
sells saloon, the mems club of the
town, to take counsel. He outlines a
plan TO strike at the core of their
ieminlnity and a week later tnc
saloon IS transformed into a soda par
Tor. Instead of bartenders there are
pretty Mattresses from the big town
and husbands who never have crossed
the mems club threshold before are
listed among It's best customers Here
Is the problem for the wives: whether
II is better to make Redeye dry and
lose their men to the "hussies." or
whether 1t is wiser to keep Redeye
wet and to hold their men This is
what Billy predicted and results fol-
low quickly. Soda water is banshed.
the mattresses pack up and leave, and
"She-Bcar' whisky is put back on 4he
shelves
Billy Fortune is no amateur med
dler IN human affairs. He achieves
the regeneration of his best friend,
Ben Morgan, who is going stead y
down Grade, leaving a trail of empty
bottles; he makes him worthy Of Hope
beecher, who loves Morgan. but VIII
not marry him until he has fought of
the drink habit. This does Billy do
despite his great love for Hone him
self But he does it because he holds
his desire for Hopes happiness higher
than his own interests MARTHA
Hopes younger sister, is enneshed by
the advances Of the temperance agi-
tdtor, who receives his dry literature
through the mails in bottles He at
'empts to run off with her She falls
from her horse near the rapids and
Is carried to the rocks by the swift
current, but Billy is close behind and
rescucs her.
As Billy. the self-sacriticing. big
hearted cowboy Will Rogers is not a
matinee idol, but he expresses tense
emotion, not like a Jane Cowl. but n
effective scenes with his favorite
horse. OF course his ability on horse
back is not forgotten and he u given
plenty Of opportunity to exhibit it,
Not once does ne swing the lasso. IL
the supporting cast irene Rich, as Hope
Beechor; Wade Boteler. as Ben
Morgan, and Marguerite Livingston, as
Martha Beecher. were excellent.
Other pictures at the Strand this
week are: "The Call Loan" an O.
Horny story; "Moosing Through Kip
pawa, scenic picture, the Strand
Topical Review and a comedy cartoon
The orchestra plays the .Rienzi' over
ture BY Wagner, the Strand Male Trio
sings Round the Camp Fire" Amanda
Brown. soprano, sings the Mad Scene'
from Lucia" and the organists play
Handcl's Largo"