Life, 1926-06-03 · page 28 of 44
Life — June 3, 1926 — page 28: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page reviews three silent films for modern audiences unfamiliar with early cinema: **"Aloma of the South Seas"** stars Gilda Gray in a tropical adventure story. The reviewer critiques the film's visual appeal while warning that the plot lacks substance—advising viewers to enjoy the cinematography without thinking too hard about the narrative. **"The Wilderness Woman"** features comedian Chester Conklin in a story about an Alaskan prospector who strikes it rich. The review notes the film includes a Will Fields quote ("never give a sucker an even break"), marking the film as part of early slapstick comedy tradition. **"Money Talks"** is criticized as relying on crude humor: a drunken comedian, sick people for laughs, and cross-dressing comedy. The reviewer found it offensive enough to leave before the ending. These reviews reflect 1920s film criticism's concern with balancing visual spectacle against substance, and early cinema's heavy reliance on physical comedy and vulgarity.
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“Aloma of the South Seas” N any highly afted from the stage t be y the hack asant reverherations of and and cock their < thud which always tacular oy Tis iray—the mi theatrical landing: limply « a bell t no uncertain manner sound of ay is unquesti she isn’t now a I m star of her place electric and of the $ then [am Francis X nal dfather (the derived his looks) ILDA GRAY'S first. picture is allied “Aloma of the Sor as the most of hokum that “Way Down East.” ith Seas” has been It possesses 1 alii with heauty in its backs uphy and, above everything » Miss Gray, There is one particular, in) which she clouded be classified as thrilling sta tropical sky lavie blondness is ired behind an excellent tan make impeccable dorm is seen to all, by ntaneity vantage that isn’t any means, She possesses sj . restraint and, surprisingly ity. On the screen she remarkable Starke, but her hears resemblance to Pauline method is dis- tinetly her Gray, and. the Fishheck, is shop. from Gilda hy Harry South Seas” Maurice 7 . displays his usual eye for little else. The Marmont. neur, who porting who are washed up on tl nf the Se Warner I nice Samoan; Julanne William P. Harry in the that he played “Where the Pavement Ends.” “Aloma of the ef those unshaven white men dumb society girl an opulent cad, and ame rol If you see as"—and you should—tlon’t let y farther than your optic nerve to that point it's marvelous; but if you let it seep through to your intelligence, you'll find that there’s nothing there either “The Wilderness Woman” |* “The Wilderness Woma isan expert performance by — Chester Conklin; also New York (interesting, that is, to the t's no reflecti« you, me interesting views of who would be interested in vi New York) lothes, mechanical gags and legs It is the story of an Alaskan. pros- pector, suddenly of on million dollars, who takes his daughter trick Manhattan It is meant hilariously so far as Mr hii One of the subtitles quotes Cwithout Will Fields’ rive a sucker an even break”. hear tov funny; is con- ts object indicating pot unknoy “Money Talks” I' ot oiten that one that possesses all the kr that the old army game is nin the movies, wn forms of offensive vulgarity, Money Talks” comes close to that enviable achievement Tt includes (a) a drunken comedian remark who punctuates every with a hice » Cb) sev realistic views of sickness handed aged invalids, and (d) (c) a great deal of heavy fun-making at the expense some female impersonation by the hero, with some deliciously subtle humor based on his difficulties in getting into a pair of I could probably add to this if I had seen the rest of the picture: but the Money Talks night. 1 corset scene ii drove me out into the should like to te lut they, happily ene at the Let it) be some of the subtitles also— gh, are forgotten moment of going to pre that “Money discreditahle movic recorded Talks” is a che Jentally, by the same pre ine compar that sponsored Parade.” comicbooks.c