New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1922-07-03
On the Screen
Wallace Reid Seen i'm the Lead
ing Role in ''1'he Dictator"
at the Rivoli
BY Harriet Underhill

he Dictator at the Rivo1i, is an
amusing burlesquc on the Latin melo-
| drama. Wallace Reid is seen in the
leading role Of this Richard Harding
, Davis story and, of course, it is a Wal
lace Reid part-the sort Of thing his
vast numbers Of followers will delight
IN seeing him do. One young woman
! who sat behind us screamed out a wall
Of joy every time Walie grabbed a
greaser by the hat cord, or tripped up
policeman or ripped rivals coat
up the back, and "Thc Dictator" is full
! of such opportunities for the provoca-
tive comedian to display hstron ic
talents.
This last is not written in a spirit
of derision nor bitterness. Wallie Reid
has no more sincere admirer than The
Tribune's film critic. That is one rea-
son we never receive a pay check
without feeling guilty. The thing
which we arc paid for doing is the
thing which we should choose to do
il we had so much money that we
who goes to the pictures gets more
pleasure out OF them than we do. We
thrill with romance over the handsome
heroes and with envy over the lucky
leading women and our clothes arc
copied from the things which our
favorite actresses wear on the screen
And after this confession we shall
proceed.
Wallies Magic Socks
OF course, Wallie Reds clothes are
never anything to brag about, but in
this picture he does something in the
sartorial line that we never saw him do
before. He is hanging around the out
SIDE of house to watch For a pretty
girl whom he has followed home He
has on, among other articles of ap-
parel, pair of white socks. Finally he
opens the door ana walks in the front
room, and here he has on a pair of
black socks with white clocks on them.
After a tussle he Is finally overpowered
and carried into the street, where he
breaks away and starts to run, his
white socks being much in evidence
again.
The story is about the INDECENT son
of banana king, who owns a boat
| line running to some place in South
America. Brook Travers, the son, be-
comes stowaway on one of these
boats owned by his father because he
follows the young woman abroad with
out supplying himself with any money.
He is followed by a taxi driver to
whom he owes $50, who has been
ordered to trail him until he collects
it. Then when they all reach the
South American port there is the usual
uprising, with the relief party led by
the Americana.
Theodore Kosloff is seen as Rivas,
"exiled from San Manana for poltico-
bananico reasons" 1t is he that young
Travcrs reinstates as president. Mr.
Kosloff gives an interesting perform
ance, IS always, though he looks rather
youthful to have a daughter as old as
Juanita. In those countries, however,
they do reach a marriageable age much
younger than they do here, and at
twenty they are old maids. Lila Lee
plays the part Of Juanita. Walter Long
is extremely amusing as the taxi driver
who goes travelling for his $50. Alan
lively Spanish looking as Lobos, the
comedy villain. Wonder how he does
it. Walter Woods made the scenario
and James CruZe directed the picture
We predict right now that "The Die
tator' will stay over for more than 4
week at the Rivol.
There Is an educational comedy called
"Step This Way" and a famous film
drama called "Mountain LAUREL" which
thrilled audiences twenty years ago. 1t
is in one reel and is very amusing, as
it has been fitted with some new and
facetious sub-titles. Somehow it doesn't
| seem quite respectful to make fun of
the poor old thing.
There is also another one of those
beautiful music films done in color
and danced by Martha Graham. 1t is
called Spanish Dance The overture
is Victor Herbert's "American Fan
TASTE" with Susan Clough singing the
national anthem. Melba Aquila and
Giuseppe Interrante sing 90 Sole Mo"
Marjorie Peterson does a charming
minuet to Paderewski's "Minuet."