Life — June 28, 1928 — page 25: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

LIFE THE SILENT DRAMA N Ture is, or was, somewhere in the back- ground of the picture curiously named “Fazil,” a pretty good idea; to wit, that however torrid and passionate an Arabian sheik may be as a lover—when cast in the more prosaic réle of husband, he is not so hot. Treated in a mildly jocose spirit, this notion might have produced a few laughs. Treated as it has been treated by the minions of William Fox, it produces a large number of laughs, but they're of the insulting kind. “Fazil” starts out as a regulation sheik romance, with soft music and moonlight kisses. Then it develops into a treatise on miscegenation and the perils thereof. It ends as a beautiful, ennobling tragedy, with the dusky hero poisoning his blonde wife in front of a back-drop on which is painted the entire Sahara Desert. Poor Charles Farrell, who had so much bad luck in “Street Angel,” is almost equally unfortunate in “Fazil.” At times, his natural, honest, forthright ability as- serts itself, and he appears to advantage; but throughout most of this queer offer- ing he is sadly ill at ease. Greta Nissen, the heroine, is very ornamental, as are several young ladies who appear in a highly improbable harem scene. “Fools for Luck” Ir is announced that W. C, Fields is to return to the speaking stage next season, and his admirers will be glad to welcome him home. This great and gorgeous comedian has not enjoyed the best of the breaks in Hollywood; naturally gifted with a peculiar pantomimic skill, he has been relegated to cheap, humorless com- edies in which his talent has been ef- fectually obscured. “Fools for Luck” is the title of the latest, with Mr. Fields co- starring with Chester Conklin. The bi: scene is one wherein the two funny feb lows go to bed together, and Conklin makes the laughable mistake of assuming that Fields is his wife. The Movietone Wmun a surprisingly short time, the silent drama will be a thing of the past, and all photoplays will be augmented (or otherwise, as the case may be) by spoken dialogue. Incidentally, this development fulfils a prophecy uttered in this depart ment five years ago, and laughed at as though it were just another of Lire’s little jokes. The major problem that confronts the producers of talking pictures is this: how long should a comedian wait for his laughs? I have studied the screen work of Rob- ert Benchley, who is now being hailed as the pioneer clown, or John Bunny, of the talkies. In delivering “The Treasurer's Report’ on the Fox Movietone, Mr. Benchley never once pauses; he goes right on talking, and the audience goes on Jaughing—with the result that about half his speech is entirely lost. I understand that Mr. Benchley is to make further appearances, and I suppose that in future releases he will wait for his laughs. Wouldn't it be embarrassing if he didn’t get them? R. E. Sherwood. The Confidential Guide to current movies will be found on the next page. Reviseo Provers: Many hands are looking for light work. A Courte or Movie Directors Conversinc The Great Lover On, some like Charlie Chaplin And some like Harold Lloyd And some there are who think no star Shines bright as William Boyd. But the best of ‘em all's John Gilbert. Say, isn’t he a darbo With his nose fast grown to her collar bone, Inhaling Greta Garbo?! Baron Ireland. First Wire: My husband just can’t do enough for me. Seconp Wire: Isn’t it the truth! onl erat itwodyT A Buonve Corona “And what sort of a typewriter do you require, sir?” “I'd like one to match my stenographer here.” comicbooks.com