THE HOUSE OF SHAME
starring Virginia Brown Faire, Creighton Hale and Lloyd Whitlock
HARRISON'S REPORTS
August 29, 1928
Considering the speed with which Burton King can turn out pictures, the result here may be considered meritorious since it brings a finer product into the states right field than has been available previously. While production costs have been kept down to a predetermined level, the picture has been handled in a manner which betrays no trace of cheapness in scenic effect.
Scenic settings and backgrounds are okay, while the cast is capable for a picture of this type. Florence Dudley shows big league possibilities in a limited but effective characterization.
Direction not any too good. Miss Faire, who photographs well and looks snappy in certain poses, has been subjected to more and longer closeups than suitable. Girl looks good but can't stand a close camera for long, difficult facial contortions.
Story deals with a husband who steals money for fem No. 2. To get out of a jam he gets his wife to plead for him with his employer. The latter agrees to go easy but wants certain things starting with a friendship with the wife which he expects to blossom into something else.
Climax when the husband finds his wife in his employer's apartment at night and agrees to lay off for a certain amount. Affair framed by the employer to show the wife, whom he has begun to love, what kind of a man her husband is. Fairly smooth continuity resulting in a picture which moves along at a good speed. Should go well in the minor stands, split weeks and daily changes. A couple of the sequences with strong sexy twists.
Title should prove a business getter in many localities. The
National Board of Review has placed its okay on the picture without
a cut, while the New York State Censorship Bureau made but one
elimination showing an actual theft of bonds, giving as their
reason for the elimination "Inciting to Crime."
For more information, see "The House of Shame" as our "Feature of the Month"