New-York tribune., 1921-03-01
On the Screen

This weeks bill at the Rianto is
featured by a Paramount production
of Augustus Thomas's "The Witching
Hour" with Elliott Dexter in the part
made famous on the stage by John
Mason.
Few, perhaps, will find fault with
Julia Crawford Ivers's adaptation for
the screen, which preserves the story
of the original in all its essential fea-
lures and without extensive or unneces-
sary elaboration In fact, just enough
background is introduced to give color
and atm osphere to the story.
The thesis of the play, which hangs
on the subject of mental suggestion,
may seem a bit behind the time, with
ouija still an echo in the public mind
and books on psycho-aA,lysis cluttering
up our reading tables Yet the Thomas
story is still full of interest and gives
the movie fan something to think about
in the matter of will power.
Jack Brooktield, played by Elliott DeX-
ter, though given to gambling, is really
man of moral fibre. There is clash
right from the start between Frank
Hardmuth, who is an assistant district
attorney, and Clay Whipple, a young
architect, for the hand of Brooktield's
niece, Viola Campbell The former is
stung to revenge when he finds Brook
field opposed to his marrying Viola.
Hardmuth finds his opportunity n d
misfortune which befails young Whip
pie. The latter's inherited antipathy to
the cats eye, gem WI ich has become
a hoodoo in the Whipplc family, results
in young Whipple's accidental killing
of gambling acquaintance OF Brook
fields. llarmuth, the assistant dis
trlct attorney, finds it convenient to
apress charge of murder The young
Imam is convicted. In the mean time
Judge Prentice and Brooklied have
formed an acquaintance. The Judge
interests Brookteld in the subject Of
mental suggestion. Brought to bear at
the right time and place, it proves to
be forceful power in the latter's
grasp.
Aardmuth has past. The murder of
an eN-Governor is associated with it..
Brookticld tells the papers Just as the
case of young Whipple, brought to ~e-
trial through the influence of Judge
Prentice former sweetheart of
grandma Whipple, it develops~is going
to the jury. The jury takes the case
Whlpple is ecquitted. But the climax
comes when Hardmuth rushes into
Brookfield's home with intent to kin
Jack brings his mind to bear on the
man; he tells him he hasn't the courage
to shoot; Why, he can't even hold the
gun, he tells him: Unnerved, Hard
muth let's the revolver fall to the floor
1t all ends We'll for Whipplc and
Viola, and Jack finds future happiness
IN being accepted in marriage by young
" nipples mother. former sweetheart.
The character of Brookield is handled
by Mr.. Dexter with an intensity and
reserve that are suggestive of Nr.
Masons portrayal of the part. Mary
Alden as Mrs. Whipple and Ruth Rcnlck
as Viola are also well played.
Mutt and JEFF in 'Dr. Killjoy" is a
day laws. The Rialto Magazine gives
an interesting glimpse Of Samoa, while
Gladys Rice, soprano. and Sascha Fidel-
man, violinist, are other features.
The Rivoli's feature film this week is
William De Miles perturbation of j.
NJ. Barre's what Every Woman
Knows"
When Mr.. De Mile was here short
time ago he promised the picture,
scene by scene. Just as Barrie gave the
ceeded. The story is one that loses
scarcely any of its original wistfulness
by the filming, and Lois Wilson and
Conrad Nagel, who are respectively
Maggie Wyie, Of romantic ideals, but
mo charm" and John Shand, whose de-
sire to reach political heights blinds
him to the fact thaL Maggie is doing
more for him than he could possibly do
for himself, act their parts we'll. The
reviewer relaXes at the end with the
feeling that Shand was hardly worthy y
of the plain Scotch girl that he mar
ried, and then sought to break away
| n pl 70 n,
whose sDle qualification seemed to lie
in her ability to hatter.
A Goldwyn- Bray cartoon comedy
"Out of the lnkwell," is one of the
cleverest screen stunts Mr.. Bray thus
far has attempted