The Times (18/Aug/1924) - The Film World
(c) The Times (18/Aug/1924)
- keywords: Clive Brook, Gaumont British Picture Corporation Limited, Graham Cutts, The Passionate Adventure (1924), Woman to Woman (1923)
THE FILM WORLD.
"THE PASSIONATE ADVENTURE."
The Passionate Adventure, the new British film which was shown at the Shepherd's Bush Pavilion on Thursday night at a special performance given to mark the first anniversary of this picture theatre, is an interesting production, but rather spoiled by a poor plot. Mr. Graham Cutts, the producer, whose work on, an earlier film, Woman to Woman, was of a high standard, again proves his ability, but the story he has to tell is so unconvincing that his task is much harder. He has not succeeded in making a great film, but he has managed to make the production more interesting than might have been thought possible.
The Passionate Adventure has a "plot" which is intended to point the moral that childless marriages are likely to be unhappy; but the author of the story is also determined that at all costs the wealthy husband and wife shall be left happy at the end, and to bring about this he plunges two other and worthier characters into obvious unhappiness. The rich husband -- after the manner of wealthy aristocrats on the films -- disguises himself, goes down to the East End, where he meets and attracts a girl who is unaware that he is married.
The film contains pleasant and exciting moments, and much of the acting is unusually good. The fight, which leads up to the final climax, is excellently contrived and some of the East End scenes are well done, while the brief glimpse of the war is extremely good. Of the artists, Mr. Clive Brook, as the rich husband with a predilection for a double life, is convincing in a difficult part. Miss Marjorie Daw makes a charming heroine and Mr. John Hamilton clever little thumbnail sketch of an "East Ender." The film was made by the firm of Gaumont.
