His Picture in the Papers

"His Picture in the Papers" is a good film. However, considering that it's a comedy starring Douglas Fairbanks (who made a bunch of excellent films--including comedies), I really expected more. Is it worth seeing? Sure...but the film SHOULD have been better.

Fairbanks plays Peter Prindle. His family has made their fortune selling vegetarian foods--much like the Kellogg's family. However, Peter thinks it's all nonsense and is seen sneaking off to buy himself a steak! In a similar situation is a girl he wants to marry--as her family is also into the vegetarian lifestyle and works with Peter's dad. However, her father isn't about to let the pair marry because Peter is a ne'er-do-well--and is known for showing up late to work and not taking the business seriously. In order to even consider letting the pair marry, Peter's been told he must get himself into the newspaper--thus drawing attention to the business. However, try as he might, again and again, he cannot get himself in the paper. Several of these attempts are funny--but several SHOULD have been a lot funnier and overall these attempts are pretty uneven. Naturally, however, by the end, Peter proves himself and gets the girl. This portion of the film is by far the best, as Fairbanks is in his element--doing some amazing stunt work.

By the way, at the end, look carefully at the Weazels (a group of extortionists)--one of them is Erich von Stroheim!