Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-07-22

T. r. writes "Once in a while I
70 to the movies and once in while
read your peculiarly constructed de-
partment in the EVENING PUBLIC
LEDGER, wherein you combine advice
to the lovclorn with n sincere attempt
to take the movies seriously.
"The impression left by your treat
ment and comments on the type of com.
munications referred TO is that some OF
them are little bit too hot for you
to handle, although with your COM
bined knowledge Of the stage and
SCREEN l prefer to believe that your
handling of them is an adroit one. be-
cause of the effect that an academic
discussion must have on the followers
Of popular department such as you
are conducting.
''No one can deny the place of the
movies in popular fancy, and no one
can deny the pleasure, amusement ana
real instruction they bring to that
great class of people whom, for want
Of better description, we will call the
backbone Of this or any other country.
what | want to know is-where
do the movies rank?
II can understand the rawlings OF
some love- struck young damsels just
emerging from short dresses to shorter
ones They are getting genuine thrill
In watching some Adonis- like youngster
\ make GOO goo eyes at the latest Offer
Njng of Los Angeles to the movie queen
vt What matters If he has an extra
they can find out what particular brand
Urn IN hn Ia 10, hni W
ever they do get for the two bits you
are always telling them to send, their
lfe has not been lived in vain.
II can understand the twang of the
heart strings of the hard working
mothers when they see some pre- or
post tas you wish) Volstcad youth
taken in hand by the rich banker and
afterward lifting the mortgage on the old
home.
What ! cant understand is why,
when serious attempt to put forth IL
production is made, it always leaves
you with the feeling that there is still
something to be desired.
The other evening l saw Miss Tai.
madgc in 'Smiln' Through because
! had the impression you had ranked
Mas meritorious Offering, and | be-
ieve that 1t is generally being classed
as production of the better sort.
MY reactions to the picture were OF
decidedly pleasant nature up to a
certain point. but in the end it left me
cold and with the same old feeling of
something lacking.
l., Miss Talmadge's acting was GER.
talhly commendable, the role being one
mat her ability enabled her to en-
vonnpass without too much effort. Her
support was certainly not weak enough
mar picture that was otherwise
satisfactory, and the settings and ar
'angement were pleasing to a detail.
WIN all these advantages, plus q
pleasing story, why then do they ruin
tne whole thing by incOngruity ant
.snine situations? To illustrate; when
!ae heroine is shot, friend doctor, with
.he mere pressing Of his ear against
ner % %noson. registers hopclessness.
49,, Ihe lady has lost consciousness
S Smu The 'closc-ups' of the guests are
surely meant to mean death and the
fualehce, at least on the night wher
a was present, SO Interpreted it. Il
s ~as noted, however, to digress for {
1' 1.uohd' That the gentlemen of the party
pursued the villain in hot haste-as fal
the garden gate-and then returned
mouiaht 1t have been natural for on,
Two OF them to have given chase
~ return to the main scene, however
. lew moments the lady opens hel
Hea soes ana begins to discourse, actual!
s stes through a wedding ceremony an,
rnoS aa 10 several other matters Of {
se"ernl ss nature, before she dies
SiS .Ioha and final time. My point is
wb;ott tne doctor, by his examination
da,vn lasted perhaps two seconds
SSr,ermlne S1. that she was not really dead
ou',, ouI mat it was question of minute
Say before she would die? How coulc
iu IN, as'ermine anything by merely press
Ing MS ear against her? ! got thu
,"rn ,pfeSSion of weak spot in the pic
s sure 'hen and there. but more was t,
ANY, ANY, when she did revive, not on
a"r' was made to give her relief o
k,hd--nOt even the smelling salt
srea among all that hoop -skirte,
Asr'ns' Doctor friend just dropped