Evening star., 1923-10-14

, novel has been made into a superb
nine-reel feature under Mr.. Henley's
handling, and though the leading part
is splendidly handled by Virginia
Valli, with Earle Fox as the heavy
also making a remarkable stride, the
production is really a directors
triumph.
I have seen "A Lady of Quality in
the projection room in eleven-reel
form. After talking over the new
titles and the contemplated cutting
of the f1lm with Mr.. Henley, / have no
hesitation in saying that this photo
Paris" Rex Ingram's "Scaramouche"
and Mary Pickford's "Rosita," lead
the field in excellence in the big
coming releases which 1 have so far
! previewed.
"The Hunchback of Notre Dame"
which was full of grave faults when
| | saw it, and which dragged terribly.
was cut and retitled in New York,
am told. Even allowing for the new
excellences of that gigantic Univar-
! sal production. l maintain that "A
Lady of Quality" will prove to be the
greater film artistically. and I'd rath-
er own it, numerically considered
than to own The Hunchback." The
film is remarkable not only for what
it shows, but what Mr.. Henley has
eliminated. There is no excess foot
age, and obvious connecting scenes
play no part in the run. The result
is a smooth moving drama well cut,
well titled and splendidly acted
'TurmOil" His Latest Film.
Mr.. Henley is now directing THE
Turmoil" which will be the last pic
ture he makes at Universal under his
present contract. | am told II he
would just make one Romeo
and Juliet" with Mary Philbin as Ju-
liet-the world of film fans would be
startled. True, Norma Talmadge and
Mary Pickford are each going TO make
Romeo and Juliet" this coming win
ter. and on the face of it some peo-
pie might consider a third version
sure money-losing proposition. 1t is
my bellef, however, that q third ver-
sion would merely stimulate discus
sion and comparisons and would re-
suit in larger business for each pro-
duction. The mere daring of launch
ing eighteen-year-ol Mary Philbin
into the lists against Miss Talmadge
and Miss Pickford would create stir.
This is not meant as an intimation
that Miss Philbin would be greater
than the two queens of FINLAND, nor
as great. But Juliet. as Shakespeare
conceived her, is girl of fourteen.
Only once in Il generation does an ac-
tress develop artistically in her teens
to the point where she could give
even a fairly good Interpretation of
the character. Miss Philbin is only
eighteen and looks sixteen. She is
Juliet to the life--girlish and tender.
And no matter what the merits of her
performance as compared with the
finished versions which Miss Tai
madge and Miss Pickford will give to
the world. Mary Philbin's would GER
tainly be remarkable and worth see
ing.
Movie Actors Roasted.
Tamar Lane, studio writer and for
mer publicity man for Selznick, has
just issued a book entitled whats
Wrong With the Movies?" in which
neither producers. directors, stars, eX-
spared. And Mr.. Lane calls the peo-
pie by name, too. Even blighting
"reminiscences are not anonymous
The book deals not at all with
scandals. In fact. the author says it
is none of the public's business what
tive artists should be judged solely
by their work. But he does fay near
ly everybody in Hollywood because of
their banality and the triteness of
most motion picture plays.
First the producers are blamed; then
under the chapter heading, The Lost
Leaders" the stars are rsked over
the Goals. Still later, stars and eX-
hibitors come in for their share of
censure-but in the end Mr. Lane
tacks the responsibility upon the put
lie by saying that until there is a
chain of high-class theaters across
the country catering to the iatelli-
gentia there is no hope of motion
pictures getting away from hokum
and unSound drama.
In the face of this the season is
seeing more good photoplays released
than ever were made in any two years
before.