Critical Moments

Leslie Howard, one of the better English actors, whose commanding stage presence has caused a general increase of bile trouble among American actors, returns to the screen in a slight comedy called “The Lady Is Willing,” which bears the imprint of Columbia Pictures. My research bureau reports that this picture was made in England about two years ago under the direction of Gilbert Miller, the theatrical producer. It may not be classed as a major achievement of either Mr. Miller or Mr. Howard.

When last seen Leslie Howard played opposite Ann Harding in a screen version of the play “The Animal Kingdom,” which was one of the truly great pictures of the year. Such a vehicle as “The Lady Is Willing” is somewhat of an anti-climax but even at that the current offering at the Palace is better than the average film. The cause for regret lies in Mr. Miller’s inability to get the most out of the possibilities offered by the story.

The plot “The Lady Is Willing” concerns a private detective, Albert Latour, played suavely by Mr. Howard. It seems that Gustav Dupont (Cedric Hardwick), a French swindler, has been, up-to-date, unusually successful in separating respectable people from their money. Three of the dupes who fail to see any humor in being robbed hire Latour to trap Dupont. Our detective, it seems, has also been taken in by Dupont’s financial manipulations and is willing to undertake the task. He finds that Dupont, who is not beyond a bit of marital philandering, is very eager to have his wife (Binnie Barns) sign her name to a deed. Latour decides to kidnap Mme. Dupont and hold the lady for ransom for a sum sufficient to reimburse both Latour’s clients and himself. He is successful in capturing the lady but makes the cinematic mistake of falling in love with her. Before he can collect the ransom the lady escapes but Guy Bolton, who wrote the story, does not let you down so easily. There is a divorce and Mme. Dupont becomes Mme, Latour and Dupont for various reasons pays back his defrauded clients.

With Mr. Howard in the cast the acting is lively and amusing. The supporting roles are handled easily and skillfully. All the ingredients for a really fine comedy are on hand but the director and scenario writer have failed to mould them into a lifelike shape.

“The Lady Is Willing” is a picture of missed possibilities.

HOUSE OF GREED

Down at the Acme on Fourteenth street—certainly the house showing the most unusual pictures in the city—the attraction this week is another Russian importation, entitled “The House of Greed.” It is an Amkino production and coming from the land of the Soviets it of course has within it the customary amount of propaganda.

Although the acting of V. R. Gardin in the leading role is excellent and although the photography of settings are superior to our domestic brand, the story itself is woefully weak and unconvincing. “House of Greed” sets out to be a slam at the cruelty of the rich landowners who were powerful in Russia in the middle of last century. It shows how one of them, played by Gardin, sends his sons to Siberia, ruins his nieces, cheats his peasants and acts generally as an evil influence until he is finally overcome by the sincere protestations of his sweet niece. The final scene pictures him galloping off into the night, a broken man.

All of which is possible, but the motivation for the break-down of the old rich landowner, who seems to have everything his own way, is not clear. Why the lamentations of the girl should suddenly awaken him to his villainy will remain one of the season’s cinema mysteries.