Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1920-12-28
ROMANCE AND COMEDY
LIvEN WEEKS MOVIES
Fairbanks and Hart in Excep-
tionai offerings--Misses Fred
erick and Cish Other Stars

St0ntOn-'The Mark OF IOrrO sthI "
rather slowly, but before Douglas Fair
banks is on the scene very long the
story "peps" up TO n high temperature
which proves that this cinema-histrion
knows what his followers want and gives
It to them. Fred Niblo Is director this
time and his work Is commendablc.
This IL the best thing that Douglas
Fairbanks has done, though IL Is IN
somewhat different field for him and
he should keep to this type of story.
rohnEtou McCullny's tale supplied ths
scenario, which has been finely staged
with Southern California OF q century
ago as the locale. 1t In gorgeous pro.
duction and the costumes are In Keeping
with the period.
The star plays two roles. seem
ingly hare-brained chap and daring
masked swordsman and rider, who de-
fcnds the politically and socially OPP
pressed or course the ending shows
that the two are really the same per-
SON. But there is plenty OF romance 10
while Noah Beery IL effective, as, usual
Marguerite De La Motto Is the leadlng
woman. with Robert Mckim and others
IN support
Paiace--"The Testing Block" brings
William s. Hart back in n role that nc
likes not 40 much because he wrote we
part in his own story. but because ms
audiences like that sort OF material
Lambert Hillyer directed the author
star and his understanding of the work
makes for a good vehicle.
The audience Is in hearty sympathy
with the star because II is one Of ms
best roles. There are hne Photographic
cffccts. especially so In the night scenes.
This work is by Joe August. .ormcr
outlaw has reformed for sake OF his
child. His wife was violinist win Il
. lit al trio onl hnp A whD
once fought for the wife of the former
outlaw Is the serpent in their paradise.
He controls q Mexican girl who tells the
husband that his wife Is about to leave
him Then the villain goes to tho home
and tolls the wife that the husband Is
not true to her. A general m!x-up does
not prevent everything turning out hap
PLY.
Gordon Russell is the bandit. His ac-
| complice is Florence Carpenter and
Richard Headrlcls is the child.
Arcndia,-"To Please One Woman
has been tho ambition OF many men
but It remained for n woman. Lois
stories, to try to bring the process
out in cellulod. It has been produced.
| written and directed by one of the new
voters, but the story Is not quite up to
| Miss Weber's previous standards.
one little boy is sick and then dies. But
during this struggle there Is a lot OF
action on the part OF vampire, who
beguiles the physician of a small town
! into paying attention to her Another
piece OF action is where a young man
| robs a cash drawer and fears what Will
| happen TO him. all because his relatives
| do not treat him as they should.
Some years ago the painting, Mona
Lisa was stolen from the Louvre In
Paris. but It was recovered. In this tale
| there ts girl who seems to have adopt
ed that name. and she is the life of the
| story. Gordon Griffith Is the boy and is
| really the best actor In the piece, Others
are l.. c. Shumway. formerly of Lubins
and Claire Windsor:
| Victoria--"A Slave Of Vanity is Sir
Arthur Wing Pinero's STORY, Irls"' It Is
n lavish production which in n measure
seems to make up for tho poorness o
| the direction or the lack of material
in the story. In the spoken version II
was done much better. Henry Otto Is
responsible for the megaphone work. but
II was not his best effort. It is the
titles which help with this picture.
| Nigel Barrie is coming TO the fore
with rapid stride and 1t may not be lone
| before he is heraidcd as n star. Miss
Pauline Frederick looks very good. but
does not do very good work in this role
| However she makes the most of thc
part. The story tells Of Iris. an aris'
| lOClat VI EshslISl III lONt
| with poor man. She also has another
suitor who desires to trap her through
the others assistance, but in the enc
| she realizes the love of the poorer man
Is best. However. 1t IL all n dream
and with u dream 1t ls possible to dc
anything.
Reeont-"F1ying Pat" is the name
given to the character that Dorothy
Gish interprets and no doubt she tool
II from the psendonym that fell to the
| late Patrick O'Brien. the aviator. How
| ever. this story Is a comedy Of MARTA
life and Is attributed to a magazine
story BY Virginia Philley Whitley I
| had the capable direction OF F. Richard
Jones. noted Cor his cnmadv PRODUCTIONS
Tho idea Is simple. It tells of g!r
who marries and nnds that hur hus
band wants her to have career in.
stead of staying at home among the
domestic things Of the average domicile
| In search OF her career she takes VI
aviation. and then her hubby begins &C
see how he had been In the wrong an(
puts up good argument In objection
to her plans. OF course the end Is q
happy one.
James Rennie, soon to be husband
TO Lillian Gish. is the leading man. and
| he Is fine In the role. while Dorothy
! Gish is her usual comedy self The
| play has had fine mounting.
/