The New York herald., 1921-06-13
Ten Dollar Raise
Suggests Mem Rule
for Movie Makers
Picture Play Based on Peter b.
Kyne's Story Is on High
Plane.

"Tha Ten Dollar Raise at the Capitol
actually suggests a new rule to be fol-
lowed in the movles-it the film pundits
still acknowledge that there is anything
new that a mere outsider could think Of
That Is. that a successful system in a
comedy is to take n minor character and
make hun so interesting and varied that
the audience doesn't care what the fatu-
Gus young hero does.
Marshall Neilan has adopted this
method triumphantly in some OF his pro-
ductions, and j. l.. Frothingnam. pro-
Queer. and Edward Sloman. director.
have used It so skilfuly in this adapta-
tion of Peter b. Kyne's story that tne
photoplay Is actually moving picture.
and not as so often happens nowadays.
series of still life studies. The story
revolves at such a satisfying pace that
before the spectator knows it he Is right
on top of the finish, virtually ignorant OF
what has been done with the leading
young man. and glad of II. For that
means one less young man with POM
padour whom the average audience
would like to see put away.
Not even the movies. with their all
too frequent banalities of directing and
sub-titling. can kill a sterling piece OF
chara cterlzl ltion. for only a camera man
can wreck the expressiveness OF the hu-
man countenance when it's owner knows
how to shift his facial gears.
II Is thanks largely to the character
ization of william V. Mong that the pic
ture is keyed up to an unusually high
level-which sounds almost heretical
when II is considered that he plays a
middle aged part.
He IL a bookkeeper who for fifteen
years has not received raise. who is
denied "A ten dollar increase by his hard
headed employer when he finally asks
for IT, and who. out Of his resentment at
that refusal. rises TO the point where
he can buy out his employer. smile when
the latter throws a book at him and tell
him to sit down as might Napoleon. In
between these events he buys a number
OF worthless tidewater lots turns them
into fortune, participates in stirring
raid on a Chinatown gambling den. flees
over the housetops and relishes the taste
OF oil.
The story is based on the best movie
principle--a narrative told in terms OF
action-replete with dark passages, trap
doors. unexpected thrills and sudden
twists OF humor. while the rich human
quality in IT continually rises TO the TOP
like Grade cream. Few things could
DC more WfSttnlfN Nun1OiNur tlistN titt
clerks sweetheart visioning her elderly
hero. who rides u bicycle with something
of the fear OF the hereafter In his soul,
as Ivanhoe clattering on horse In
armor
Helen Jerome Eddy did this part with
keen perception-in fact. credit belongs
to Marguerite de La Motto, Hal Cooley.
Lincoln Plumer and others IN the cast
for we'll organized ensemble, while
Pat O'Malley. who seems fated TO play
second fiddle to young heroes holds him
self bacl; without actually smothering
bis part.
Tho story IS dedicated BY kyne to ur-
der dogs all oveg the world. and when
this dedication wa1 flashed On the ecreen
Yesterday Il drew applause. evidently
from large representation ~ the
species. II deserved the plaudlts for it
can be enjoyed By top dogs and every
variety of dog except the yellow.
A charming prizma study OF Japan
to warm up the atmosphere for selec-
tions from THE Mikado" by orchestra.
ballet corps. mixed quartet and Joseph
Sheehan, tenor: striking scenes OF "Our
Navy In Action" and selections on the
plano by Matilda Locus. fourteen-year-
old prodigy. who appeared with the Ma
tional symphony Orchestra take up
more OF ones time with profit.