The New York herald., 1922-07-03
The Dictator in
Films Scores as
Did the Comedy
Wallace Reid Star in Picture
From Richard Harding
Davis's Play.

Wallace Reid Is not so sincere in stok-
ing a steamer as Douglas Fairbanks
He doesn't put his whole soul into shov.
cling coal. nor his shoulders. either. Yet
he has every chance. for there is stoke
hole scene In The Dictator" screened
yesterday at the Rivoii, that recalls an
earlier Fairbanks picture and that can
serve to carry on the glorious tradition
OF The Hairy Ape" for one wees
longer. though the red hot language has
been deieted.
Walter Long. playing the taxi chauf-
feur, who Is a fellow stowaway with
Reid on board the South American
Harding pavis's play. seizes his oppor-
tunity when the two are condemned to
work their passage down among the fur
naces. and seemed determined to out
berspire Louis Welhein. He throws in
coal with what seems a reckless prodi-
gality in these days of the strike.
Reid, on the other hand, In this new Par
amount picture. tosses 1t about with more
care, even juggling few precious black
nuggets in his shovel as one apprecia-
tive of their present worth. His lacka-
dasical air may also have been Inspired
by the consciousness that this is sheol
OF way for matinee idol TO be earn
ing his pay In pictures. Perhaps It's nos
so much the heat as the humiliation.
But who can deny that wallie is a
handsomer coal HEAVIER than Doug. It
is quite understandable that an i'm
pressionable South American senorita,
daughter of a revolutionist returning to
stir up trouble in his own country,
should let him come up from below
decks to the first cabin promenade and
let him make love to her even If his
coat is split up the back and a callous
steward chases him away from the din
ing saloon.
But one must say that Wallie doesn't
appear so flambuoyantly good looking
as he has in some of his earlier autono-
bile comedies, when big smears of grease
could not dim his radiance.
Reid has other opportunities. to emu
late Fairbanks IN this picture of a South
American revolution which he embraces
abruptly because he would like to eni-
brace the revolutionary leaders daugh-
ter. He climbs walls, mixes In fights
and besides rescuing his pal from the
firing squad with pickax. saves the
young woman from villain. incidentally
winning the revolution at the lowest
possible cost through blank cartridges
without the loss of life.
Reid was ideally fitted to lead a flee
ing army and then turn a rout into q
charge. for his long legs were made to
carry him into the van anywhere-he be-
comes commander of brigade in three
strides, by divine right of limb.
The story itself is rapid fire entertain-
nlent that begins to explode with merri-
ment toward its close. volleys of mus
Retry on the screen being echoed by
voleys of laughter. At Sight of the two
armies alternately chasing each other
hardened critics were heard to break
out with outlaws. 1t achieved its ef-
fects best by flashes of suggestion al in
the shadows representing the fight
wherein Reid overcame the villain, no
doubt with a severe look.
The slang of it's sub-titles has an air
Of being five years old-the slang sec
tions of pictures made In Los Angeles
should be made here in New York. Miss
Lila Lee is charming though somewhat
negative as the senorita, and Theodore
Kosloff. Alan Hale and Kalla Pacha
make this highly entertaining picture,
suitable for light summer wear