Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-08-07
C& Daily Movie Magazine

the average fan would not catch the
beauty Of the scene as done by Barry
more? Suppose they thought 1t should
represent q very powerful desire to
reach the Duchess in her trouble, but
It just about spoiled the picture for me.
The beauty. the dignity and exquis-
iteness of the stage death was the per-
feet ending to perfect characteriza-
ton.
"Tcll that 'Tessie' girl (?) to come
back again with her tales Of Persian
says Clever? II l could write like
that I'd take over your whole colyum
and bluepencil even your stars like
Peter Pan, Pcriwinkle. Kitty Glover
ct al. And let's have some more Kitty
things has gotten sleepy since the hot
weather and she certainly can stir up
the fans"
(Whatever "blue. .pencilcd" of your
letter was certainly not because it
wasn't interesting. 1t was all that,
but in line with long established rule
Of this department l had to cut out
your theatre references. will say.
however, that I'm heartily In accord
with your views on the subject, and
I'll admit I'm a little bit doubtful as
to the future. There are some very
remarkable and admirable pictures
coming soon; we can only live in hope
ul1.or; In regard 18th, to the I, Questions in your
scenario of THE Dictator" SO I
shared by him and Davis. Yes, that
woman Thou Gavest Me" is the same
picture you saw here number Of years
! ago--a reissue. I don't think there is
a thing to that rumor you mention,
though I've heard it myself. And, as
for the young lady--well, oil we can
say is that he would be showing good
taste. wouldn't he?
I'm sorry. but I haven't been able to
learn anything about the young indy
who played in that Health Service
Picture. The character of the release
probably explains why it was not in
Guided in my filing system.
And now to the two subjects of your
letter which interested me most Of all
First, "The Dictator I don't bciev,
YOU can appreciate what lifc-save
that was. TO the fans. who can picl
and choose, there is not the danger o.
surfcit. but with inc. five or six week
three -fourths Of them atrociOus, th'
other fourth only scattered with reall,
good things. why. it becomes a night
mare, especially in the hot summer day,
when most of the companies releas,
their Junk"
"Thc Dictator" was an oasis in
desert of perfectly harmless but ex
Quisitely boring pictures. and it Ger
tainly "hit the spot" In fact, ever,
one I've talked to agreed with me tha
1t is one of the best comedies the film
have had for several years, with onl
that rare Oddity, "One Glorious Day
TO compare with It. Incidentally bot
. were made by the same director, Jane
Cruzc, and ever since he made that
,, Henry story with Wally n number @
years ago. THE Halberdier of tn
Little Reinchloss," I've had him dow
as one of the most brilliant makers {
comedies the screen possesses.
And that brings me to the subjec
: of the relative merits and dficultie
, Of screen comedy and drama. Frol
, what I've observed a really good five
reel screen comedy is n greater rarit
than q similar length drama. and tina
,, leads me to the belief that the coined
is the harder to produce. l wonder
SlapstiCk, yes; short comedies. yes. bu
extended comedies Of the sO-calle
j "parlOr variety are mighty few an
e far between. l don't know what til
n fans think, but that's the way l figur
e it out.
"And as for Reid-while I don
, think he was ut his best in that par
ticular comedy, | do think he
one of the best exponents Of high com
. edy, the better class of farcing. thn
the films possess. And l do think h
resembles. and tries to initiate Barry
more especially the old "Jack' Barry
mOre) in great many cases. l.ik
, you. I'm doubtful whether he has tn
: desire to do what barrymore did, b'
7 he certainly has the mentality. Ant
I from what I hear, even Jacks bcs
| friends were amazed when he jumpe