The New York herald., 1922-12-31
The Dying Year.

The Dying Year.
There are no definite seasons in the
movies They go on pretty much the
same from one equinox to another
without paying any attention to the
arbitrary divisions which govern the
conduct of the New York theaters.
The only difference between calendar
easons in the movies is that in sum-
Ter business is apt to be terrible.
Consequently we cannot regulate our
conduct as dramatic critic does. We
can't write a review of the season each
vspring and then fold up our typewriter
until next August-secure in the
knowledge that we are not missing
anything during our sojourn in Ken
nebunkport, Me-, or Paris, France.
IN fact, our only chance for gen.
esGl review comes at this time of the
year, when we can look back over the
preceding twelve good months and
true, and draw our own conclusions
from that which we have seen.
The following pictures, produced in
the United States and released during
the year 1922, deserve to be described
as Outstanding:
Douglas Fairbanks in robin Hood"
Omitted Artists, directed by Allan
Dwan and shown in New York at the
Lyric Theater. This is an obvious Sc
ection, as the popular verdict has
proved. 1t Is the finest thing that
Douglas Fairbanks has done. ins the
course of career that has produced
fol 1fC rlr 0f
Zorro and "The Three Musketeers."
1t represents TO us the ideal photoplay.
Richard Barthelmess in "Tolable
David" (First NationaD, directed by
Henry King. and presented in New
York at the Strand. Based on Herges-
heimer's story of the Virginia noun
tains, "Tol'able DAVID reached a high
altitude of drama, and went about 1t
in the simplest possible manner.
There was no semblance of splurge
about it-no colossal sets, no mob
scenes and no vast expenditure of
money. It proved. beyond all question
of doubt. that a motion picture can
get along without statistics.
Harold Lloyd in "Grandmas Boy"
ASSOCIATED Exhibitors). shown in
New York at the Strand. This picture
established Lloyd as a great comedian
One who could rely on qualities more
enduring than the usual gags, tumbles
and broad buffoonery which have
come to be the accepted symbols of
hufnor on the screen.
"Nanook Of the North" (Pathe),
produced by Robert j. F1aherty and
shown in New York at the Capitol
Although described as a travel film"
this remarkable picture actually con-
taIned more essential drama than 95
; per. cent. of the usual photoplays put
together. Mr.. Flaherty, who was re-
eppnsible for it. knew the Eskimos
among whom he worked, and he also
knew that picture cannot depend
solely on educational value for its ap-
peal "Nanook of the North" is a
masterpiece of intelligent construc-
don.
Jackie Coogan in oliver Twist"
(Ffrst NationaD, directed by Frank
Lloyd. and shown in New York at the
Strand. The marvellous child who
flashed so brilliantly in THE Kid"
has fulfilled his promise in "Olver
Twist" It is a meticulously careful
production, faithful 10 Dickens in
every respect. and skillfully directed
by Frank Lloyd.
Marion Davies in when Knight
hood was in Flower" (Paramount), di-
rected by Robert Vignola and shown
IN New York at the Criterion. This
tremendous spectacle served to lift
Marion Davies from the minus column.
She had come TO be regarded as a joke
by producers, exhibitors and fans
alike; but the deserved success of this
effort has saved her from ignominious
oblivion. The credit for II should go
to Robert Vignola, the director: Joseph
Urban, who designed the gorgeous set
tings. and the anonymous electricians
who constructed the electric sign on
the corner of Broadway and Forty
fourth street
"Orphans Of the storm" (United
Artists, directed by u. w. Grifth
and shown in New York at the Apollo
Having exposed most OF the other
great conflicts Of history Griffith
turned his attention TO the French
Revolution. and his magnifed version
of "The Two Orphans" turned out TO
be the most beautiful spectacle In
many ways that he has yet given us.
Both Of the Gish sisters, Joseph
Schildkraut and Monte Blue appeared
70 great advantage in the cast.
Norma Talmadge In The Eternal
Flame" (First NationaD, directed by
Frank Lloyd and shown in New York
at the Strand Miss Tslmadge found
a. role that was suited to her taste In
Balzacs LA Duchesse de Langeais, Z"
and, aided materially by her director.
Frank Lloyd. she converted IL into a
photoplaS Of rare beauty and genuine