Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-05-03

Mason, John Bowers and Alec b.
Francis.
Arcadia--"The Home Stretch" is u
racing story with Il rapid opening reol
and then a slowing up until the lac.
stretch of film is reached. when tue play
moves forward with more rapidity.
Douglas MacIean in this picture seems
70 be taking on some of the Dep and
speed of another Douglas. Jack Nelson
directed the piece. which Charles Bel
mont Davis wrote.
A big race on one Of he California
tracks is shown with honest to goodness
horses and all the equipment that goes
with big meet. A child gets in the
way of n horse and the rider saves it
from harm. The daddy nf the child
then takes the hero TO his country place
md there begins a romance 7hat has its
elimination when the hero jumps from
n boat and swims back to stri'ghten out
misunderstanding. In one of the
scenes there is touch of THE County
Fair where the horse wins the race
and of course, money for its owner.
Reatrice Burnham is the country girl.
while Charles Males and Molly McCon-
nell have equally important roles The
story has been given q good setting and
the race scenes are we'll developed.
Victoria -''Outside the Law is an
other ,Of those interesting pictures
which the reformers like to dote upon
for II shows how denizens Of the un-
dCrworld remakc their ways and go
straight. Tod Browning has the dual
role Of author and director. which per-
mts him TO do about as he pleases
with his players. who are headed by
Priscilla Dean. 1t will be recalled that
Miss Dean was the star of THE Virgin
Of Stamboui." "
The maternal instinct softens mauV
q soul hardened by environment and
the heroine of this story is brought to
the realization that being straight Is
far better than being crook and so
she reforms not only herself, but Is
q bcttering influence on others.
Priscilla Dean is one Of the screen <
few actresses who can play part that
makes the spectator believe she is not
just painted autom0ton. There are
action and life in her every move Lon
Chuney needs no further word. for his
work is always fine. while Wheeler
Oaklnan and Ralph Lewis are stand
ard players. f.. A. Warren and Mel
bourne Mcdowell offer good character
t. pes.
Capitol-'"rhc OGshore Pirate is "a
light comedy picture in which Viola
Dana IL given plenty of time for the
unfolding of her cute bag OF tricks.
This star has personality that makes
itself felt in every picture. and she mas
consistently held up her pictures when
they seemed to lack the proper story.
In this piece harmonious spirit pre-.
walls between Director Dallas NJ. FitZ-
gerald and F. Scott Fitzgerald. the
author. The settings add further TO the
good qualities of the picture.
Regent Extravagance' Is another
story by Ben Ames Williams. whose
pictured story is at the Palace. This
one is known ms More Stately Man.
siOns. which Philip +. Rosen directs,
with May Allison in the leading role.
The star makes pleasing appeal in
her role, and II will not be surprising
if she does not form her own company
at the conclusion of her present con-
tract, which Is expiring.
How true this story is can only be
Judged by those who Will see it, Its
title is an excellent one and its mean
ing can best be worked out by persons
who are willing 10 forgo some little
things that they think they need but do
not. A wife worries her husband by
bcr continual extravaganza and through.
out the story she Is shown in q squan
derlng mood The climax is the
stronges, part of the picture. for it
shows how the husband. desperate from
his wife's unheeding spending Of money
becomes a forger.