Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-02-14
MAE MURRAY HERE
WITH new FILM
Appears In Person at Stanley.
Ethel Clayton and Mary Miles
Minter Star In Other Plays

Stanley--With tho very blonde star
present in person to act as an added at.
Traction, Mae Murray's latest photo.
play Peacock Alley proves nm un.
usual drawing card. It\ is her first
MIN appearance under her own man.
agemcnt, and IL must be said that she
has gained, rather than lost. by the
change in her business arrangements.
Few photoplays have shown more care
ful production. more elaborate or richer
settings. more impressive photography
or more skilfful directing than this one.
It's story is a slight enough thing, very
much along the usual Mac Murray line,
but lt holds interest and, with the de-
pcndable Monte Blue as leading man,
leaves the feminine portion Of tho audi.
ence at least with n very satisfied, even
enthusiastic, after impression.
| Miss Murray, OF course, plays a
dancer. And It ts equally important that
she should be French dancer: other
wise her irresponsible mannerisms, her
shruss and her grimaccs, her pucker and
her pout would have no excuse what.
ever. They have little enough as 1t IL.
But without them she would not be Mae
Murray.
Monte Blue. in the story, is the
die Western town in the United. States.
IIe goes to France TO, get q Govern
mont contract which will keep the works
from shutting down and the town from
ruin. He meets the dancer. falls in love,
of course, marries her and brings her
home AZ the whole town turns out to
screnade him on his triumphant return.
And. of course, the extreme style of the
Paris favoritc, her notoricty and her
continental manners scandnlize the
town. and they are forced to leave. And.
in New York, the young man forges his
unclc's name to get money to give her
beautiful clothes. He Is arrested and
there are complications that separate
them, but all ends we'll.
The photoplay is full Of gorgeous
gowns, fine color photography. and the
usual film misrepresentation Of cafe and
theatrical life.
The bill contains an attractive nov
city in short feature form called
"Smiles." 1t is simply a few humor-.
Gus anecdotes illustrated by real actors
but it is well done and proves welcome
innovation as n laugh gctter. And there
Is another Of those fascinating illus
tratcd songs, in which the organist plays
the music as the words are flashed on
the screen two lines at a time. This is
one of the best features of the present
season. The most hardened old misan-
thrope finds himself singing the song
before It is ended.
Aradia-"Her Own Money" an
other one Of those pictures built around
the half comic, half-tragic adventures
of a young married couple, gives Ethel
Clayton an excellent opportunity to dis
play not only her histriOnic ability, but
her charming personality.
In this particular picture the usual
, screen order of things il reversed and
we find an extravagant husband and an
almost too economical wife. Mark Swan
wrote the play from which the picture Is
oda apted. and he worked out the solu.
tion sanely and entertainingly.
Besides Miss Clayton there is some
excellent work done by Warner Baxter,
recently recruited from the stage. and
by Clarance Burton, that dependable
'!hcayy," who is seen. for a change. in
n light comedy role. Mae Busch Is an.
other who does well.
PaIace-Fannie Hurst is the author Of
lust Around the Corner which is q
kind Of second cousin to "Humor-
csnuc." There is plenty of human in
tcrest. lust about the right amount of
sob material and a sprinkling Of laughs.
IL II is all pretty blunt and lacking in
subtlcty. it Is, on the other hand,
scarcely ever dull.
"Just Around the Corner" concerns
tho fortunes and misfortunes of New
York fnmily which includes a sad faced
mother. fapper and most delightful
Young scamp of about seventeen.
Sigrid Holmquist is attractive as the
tanner. Lewis Sargent is splendid as
thc brother. Margaret Seddon is ap-
healing MS the mother. One of the best
nieces of acting in the picture is con-
trIhuted by Edward Phillips as the
Young 'loungc lizard who courts the
;'Happer." Phillips Is Philadelphian
and a University Of Pennsylvania boy,
whose work in this comparatively small
part has brought him stardom In series
of comedies.
Regent-"rillie," in which Mary
Miles Minter has the leading role, il
good, average photoplay material. 1t
Is only unusual in that never once dur
ing the entire five reels does the young
featured player have a chance to don
finery and "doll up
It is the story of a young girl brought
IN in a strict community, under the
dominance Of cruel and grasping
father, whose only glimpse Of the OUT
side world is provided by young and
handsome stranger.
Noah Beery does remarkable piece
of work as the father. 1t is one OF
the best pieces Of acting Of the year.
The rest of the cast, including Miss
Mintcr, is just about adequate.
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