THE FIGHTING COWARD
Starring Cullen Landis, Ernest Torrence, Mary Astor and Noah Beery
PHOTOPLAY
June 1922
James Cruze proves again that he has a wonderful sense of humor. He has taken Booth Tarkington's "Magnolia," that satire of the fire-eating Southerner of the antebellum days, and has injected more satire and more laughs than Mr. Tarkington did. At times the satire verges on burlesque, but that only makes it the funnier. If you appreciate satire, don't miss this.
THE FIGHTING COWARD
Starring Cullen Landis, Ernest Torrence, Mary Astor and Noah Beery
PICTURE PLAY
June 1922
I am almost ashamed to say anything more about the directorial genius of James Cruze. I have praised so many of his pictures that I might be suspected of taking expensive presents to buy up my good will. But, although I never have seen, talked with, or so much as exchanged a picture post card with Mr. Cruze, I am willing to stand by my statement that he is the greatest boon that has struck the movie business since Charles Chaplin jumped to fame.
"The Fighting Coward" is the newest picture, and for an example of Simon-pure American humor, it would be hard to beat. Adapted from Booth Tarkington's play "Magnolia," it satirizes the Southern code of honor as it has been immortalized in romantic fiction and the drama. But, like most of Cruze's pictures, it is something more than comedy; it has moments of drama and an agreeable streak of romance.
Cullen Landis is seen as a dreamy boy who is kicked out of his father's home because he is a coward. Going to Natchez, he learns the technique of the fine art of fighting -- which means that he learns to throw a terrible bluff -- and soon establishes a mighty reputation as a "kil-lah.' Whereupon he returns to the scene of his former humiliation and behaves just like a hero broken loose from the pages of a "befo' the wah" novel.
Unfortunately for Mr. Cruze's satirical sense, there are persons who took "The Fighting Coward" seriously. A woman I know bitterly reretted that he descended to film a conventional story of the old South and criticized him severely for using so much Southern dialect in his subtitles. So be careful whom you take with you when you see "The Fighting Coward." Be sure to tell them beforehand that it is all a joke and just meant in fun.
Cullen Landis is a wonderful "fighting gentleman," while Mary Astor's beauty shines serenely forth as the heroine. Ernest Torrence and Noah Beery are towers of strength in the cast.