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fibula-rasa · 1 year

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Lost, but Not Forgotten: Racing Hearts (1923)

[alternate title: Have a Heart]

Direction: Paul Powell

Scenario: Will M. Ritchey

Story: Byron Morgan

Camera: Bert Baldridge

Studio: Paramount & Famous-Players Lasky

Performers: Agnes Ayres, Richard Dix, Theodore Roberts, Robert Cain, J. Farrel McDonald, Warren Rogers, Robert Brower, James A. Murphy

Racing Stunts: James A. Murphy, Jerry Wonderlich (or Wunderlich), & Agnes Ayres

Premiere: Opening week: 18 February 1923, Rivoli Theatre, New York, NY

Status: presumed entirely lost

Length: 5,691ft or roughly 60 minutes

Synopsis (synthesized from magazine summaries of the plot):

Does advertising work? Virginia “Ginger” Kent (Ayres) thinks it’s just the ticket to save her family’s failing automobile company. Unfortunately, her cigar-champing father, John Kent (Roberts) abhors advertising.

Ginger takes matters into her own hands and speeds her way through a town where she knows the judge really throws the book at speeding motorists. Her hope is that getting her name and the name of her father’s car, “Granada,” in the papers will drum up interest. However, on that very day, Roddy Smith (Dix) is temporarily filling in for the local traffic cop. Roddy happens to be the son of the manufacturer of a rival car called the “Mono.” Roddy instantly falls in love with Ginger and convinces the judge to let her walk—inadvertently foiling her plan to get the Granada in print.

Later, Ginger’s father takes a business trip to London, leaving Ginger with instructions to fulfill in his absence. Ginger sees an opening and forges instructions for the factory’s foreman to build a racing car according to her specifications.

Meanwhile, an employee of the Kent’s is secretly talking to Smith, Sr. about the Kent’s financial troubles and trying to finagle a buy out. Smith, Sr. directs his son to go undercover and scope out the Granada operations. Roddy ends up hired to work on the racing car.

Ginger plans on entering the car in The Vanderbilt Cup, taking place in Santa Monica. Everything is going smoothly, until just before the race. The factory superintendent (Cain) that Ginger chose to race the car is a turncoat and has taken money from Smith, Sr. to throw the race. Roddy is also revealed to be a Smith in disguise and his father forces him to drive one of his own company’s cars in the race. So, in a momentous turn of events, Ginger has to race the car herself.

In the final stretch of the race, Ginger is in the lead—until she runs out of gas! Roddy sacrifices his chance at winning and uses his car to push Ginger across the finish line, which results in him crashing out. It’s all worth it though, as the Kent company is saved and Roddy and Ginger couple up.

Additional points of interest: In the opening sequence of the film, to illustrate stunt advertising, a car is seen floating above a city attached to a balloon. I couldn’t quite sort how/where this would fit into the plot synopsis, so I stuck it here!

Real-life racer Jimmy Murphy not only does stunt driving for the film, but also has a cameo as an out-of-work racecar driver.

Ayres reportedly did some of her own driving on the racetrack, exceeding 100mph!

Buy me a ☕

Transcribed sources & annotations below:

Paramount Pep, 30 October 1922

Agnes Ayres a Speed Demon

“Racing Hearts” has been chosen as the title of the new Agnes Ayres picture which has just gone into production under the direction of Paul Powell. This story is an original by Byron Morgan, who is well known for his unusual success as a writer of fiction which has automobile racing as a background. Miss Ayres is seen in the production at the wheel driving a racing car at a rate of one hundred miles an hour. She has been practicing for this production on the Los Angeles Speedway during the past two weeks, using a genuine racing car which has been a victor in several big contests. When the big racing scenes of the production are staged Miss Ayres will be supported by a half dozen of the greatest automobile drivers in America, men who have won fame at races at Indianapolis and other speedways throughout the country. The scenario is by Will M. Ritchey. The cast of this picture includes Richard Dix in the male lead, Theodore Roberts, Robert Cain, J. Farrel McDonald and Warren Rogers.

NOTE: One of many mentions of Ayres doing her own driving, and at 100 mph! With a 1922/3 car!

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Paramount Pep, 6 November 1922

In and Around Paramountown

The famous Jerry Wonderlich, victor of many a racing duel, is heading the group of automobile racers appearing in “Racing Hearts,” the latest Agnes Ayres production. Miss Ayres herself drives in race scenes of this picture at a rate in excess of 100 miles an hour. Richard Dix, her leading man, is called upon to meet this speed in another motor car, and likewise to travel at over 60 miles an hour upon a motorcycle.

It is said that the production is entirely different from the usual run of Agnes Ayres’ pictures, and presents her in a virile, out-door type of rôle. “Racing Hearts” was written for Miss Ayres by Byron Morgan, perhaps America’s greatest writer of automobile racing fiction. The story was adapted for the screen by Will M. Ritchey and is being directed by Paul Powell.

NOTE: Jerry Wunderlich/Wonderlich filmed this movie in between his two Indy 500 appearances. Unfortunately, like James Murphy, Racing Hearts appears to be his only feature film work!

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Moving Picture World, 11 November 1922

News from the Producers

Conducted by T.S. da Ponte

Changes Titles of Two

Three new titles have been chosen for as many forthcoming Paramount pictures.

William de Mille’s recently completed production from an original story by Clara Beranger, in which Bebe Daniels, Lewis Stone, Kathlyn Williams and Harrison Ford have the important roles, has been permanently titled, “The World’s Applause.” “Notoriety” was the title originally chosen, but when it was found that another company had a prior claim, it was changed temporarily to “Paths of Glory,” which in turn has now given way to “The World’s Applause.”

Mary Miles Minter’s latest picture, just completed under the direction of Charles Maigne and adapted from Stephen French Whitman’s novel, “Sacrifice,” is to be called “Drums of Destiny.”

“Racing Hearts” is the title chosen for the new picture Agnes Ayres is just starting under the direction of Paul Powell. This is a story by Byron Morgan, author of the Wallace Reid automobile racing pictures, and Miss Ayres has the role of a race driver who goes in and wins a thrilling speed contest when the regular driver fails to show up.

NOTE: Both “Drums of Destiny” (titled “Drums of Fate” on release in 1923) and “The World’s Applause” are also lost films. I covered “The World’s Applause” first in this series.

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Paramount Pep, 13 November 1922

Racing Scenes

Outdoor racing scenes have been completed for “Racing Hearts,” the new Agnes Ayres picture. Paul Powell is now working indoors at a set representing the interior of a racing garage on the eve of a big speed battle in which Miss Ayres drives a car at over 100 miles an hour. The famous Jerry Wonderluch and other nationally known racing drivers take part in this sequence.

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Paramount Pep, 27 November 1922

The Nono Doll

Although Paris started the fad of the Nono dolls as mascot, Agnes Ayres soon acquired one as a regular part of fashion.

We understand Miss Ayres will display her little pet in her latest picture, “Racing Hearts.”

NOTE: I have not been able to find anything about Nono Dolls as they relate to Paris in the 1920s, but I’m assuming that they are a brand of boudoir doll, which were popular with flappers at the time.

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Motion Picture News, December 1922

Agnes Ayres Picture Has Thrills Aplenty:

REMEMBER those wonderful automobile pictures—”Too Much Speed,” “The Roaring Road,” “Excuse My Dust,’ “What’s Your Hurry?” Across the Continent,” etc.—that Wally Reid made from the stories of Byron Morgan? Will you ever forget them? Well, in “Racing Hearts” you have Agnes Ayres risking her precious life in just that kind of a picture by the same author. Like the others, it’s a comedy-drama with thrill following thrill upon the automobile racetrack and boulevard. Some famous drivers take part in the race which Agnes wins in a most sensational finish. Yes, Theodore Roberts, with his familiar cigar, is here again as the father, with Richard Dix playing the leading man’s part and Robert Cain doing a lot of dirty work. Paul Powell directed this one—one of those triple-guaranteed speed pictures that can’t go wrong.

There is no present-day fiction writer who possesses more of the human touch than Clarence Budington Kelland, whose stories appear in Red Book. “Contraband,” another production in which Miss Ayres appears for Paramount was published serially, starting in the issue of May, 1922, and is the story of a young girl, charming, attractive, but poor, who suddenly finds herself, through the death of an uncle, owner of a small-town newspaper. She moves in and runs it, and runs it right, without fear or favor, thereby provoking the anger of a wealthy old rascal who holds a mortgage on the paper and is determined by hook or crook to own and control it.

How Miss Ayres, as Carmel Lee, confounds him and sets him where he belongs, makes great screen entertainment. The scenario is by Beulah Marie Dix and Paul Powell is the director.

NOTE: I looked up the other film mentioned here, “Contraband,” but it looks like it wasn’t completed or released. Apparently they began production on it in late January 1923, with Wesley Ruggles in the director’s chair and may have shot for a handful of weeks, but I wasn’t able to find reference to it beyond it being “in production.”

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Paramount Pep, 13 December 1922

Around Paramountown

(Continued from page 12)

Agnes Ayres’ picture, “Racing Hearts,” will progress rapidly to its conclusion. It was necessary that Paul Powell, the director, have a number of racing cars for use in the big race scene of the picture and these were not available until after the annual event. This is a Byron Morgan automobile story adapted by Will M. Ritchey, and Richard Dix plays the male lead with Theodore Roberts, Robert Cain and others in the cast.

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Camera, 16 December 1922

Complete

“Long Skirts,” starring Fatty Karr, directed by Bruce Mitchell for East Coast Productions. Federal.

“The White Flower” starring Betty Compson: written and directed by Julia Crawford Ivers; Paramount.

“Racing Hearts,” starring Agnes Ayres; directed by Paul Powell; Paramount.

NOTE: Couldn’t find much information at all about “Long Skirts” other than its production and completion, but if it was released it was likely in 1923. It’s a two-reeler also starring Joe Murphy, Lilymae Lyle (or Lilymae Wilkinson), Geary O’Dell (or Garry O’Dell), Phillip Dunham. It was written by Ward Hayes and shot by Vernon Walker.

“The White Flower” (premiered March 4, 1923, considered lost)

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Exhibitor’s Herald, 23 December 1922

Baron deForrest on a recent visit to Paramount studios on Coast stated that London had turned down all censorship and blue laws. Cheer-o for London. In the picture are the baron, his son and Theodore Roberts, playing in “Racing Hearts.” Note the manner in which Los Angeles press played up Paramount convention held there.

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Motion Picture News, 27 January 1923

Racing Hearts” Completed by Powell

Paul Powell has completed his Paramount production of ” Racing Hearts,” starring Agnes Ayres, and the film is now in the cutting room at the Lasky studio. Heavy rains delayed the production of this automobile story by Byron Morgan, making it too dangerous to undertake the big road racing scenes.

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Moving Picture World, 27 January 1923

Five New Paramounts Finished on Coast

A perfect picture of industry last week, the Paramount West Coast studio has been comparatively quiet for several days. For the first time in many months, only four companies are at work, where nine units were busy for many weeks before.

The five companies that completed production almost to a day were Joseph Henaberry’s unit producing “The Tiger’s Claw,” starring Jack Holt, with Eva Novak and Eileen Pringle in the leading feminine roles; “Bella Donna,” George Fitzmaurice’s production, which is Pola Negri’s first American starring vehicle; Walter Hiers’ first starring picture for Paramount; “Mr. Billings Spends His Dime,” while the cutting and assembling was completed on “The White Flower,” starring Betty Compson, and “Racing Hearts,” in which Agnes Ayres starred.

The four companies now on production at the studio are the William de Mille unit, producing “Grumpy,” with Theodore Roberts, May McAvoy and Conrad Nagel featured; “The Trail of the Lonesome Pine” unit, in which Mary Miles Minter stars and Antonio Moreno is featured in support; “Prodigal Daughters,” Sam Wood’s production starring Gloria Swanson, and “The Law of the Lawless,” starring Dorothy Dalton, with Theodore Kosloff and Charles de Roche featured in support.

That the studio will soon be once more a hive of industry is indicated by the fact that production will begin within the next few days on “The Rustle of Silk,” starring Betty Compson; “Contraband,” starring Agnes Ayres; “The Cheat,” starring Pola Negri and other pictures.

NOTE: “The Tiger’s Claw” (premiered 18 March 1923, presumed lost),

“Bella Donna” (premiered 1 April 1923, reported to be extant at Gosfilmofond Archive, but not accessible via home video or online. It’s listed in their online catalog but without details about the holding.),

“Mr. Billings Spends His Dime” (premiered 19 March 1923, presumed lost),

“The White Flower” (premiered March 4, 1923, presumed lost)

“Grumpy” (premiered 11 March 1923, reported to be extant at Gosfilmofond Archive, but not accessible via home video or online. It’s listed in their online catalog [under “БРЮЗГА“] but without details about the holding.),

“The Trail of the Lonesome Pine” (premiered 15 March 1923, presumed lost),

“Prodigal Daughters” (premiered 15 April 1923, presumed lost),

“The Law of the Lawless” (premiered 22 July 1923, presumed lost),

“The Rustle of Silk” (premiered 13 May 1923, presumed lost),

“Contraband” seems to have never been completed or released, as described in a note above.

“The Cheat” (premiered 27 August 1923, presumed lost)

Welllll, that’s a depressing list.

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Paramount Pep, 21 February 1923

Our New Leading Man

One of the latest to sign up as a leading man is Richard Dix, shown here in the Mono-flyer that he drove in the big race playing opposite Agnes Ayres in “Racing Hearts.”

As stated in a previous issue of PEP, Mr. Dix has signed a contract for five years.

Congratulations and a hearty welcome to our big family.

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Camera, 24 February 1923

THE SILENT TREND

Frankly, it has been difficult for the average picture-goer to understand why Agnes Ayres is a star! And, it must be confessed that she has disappointed in several of her screen characterizations. But, she seems to have found her plane to some extent in “Racing Hearts,” her latest picture for Paramount. In this photodrama of geared-up action, she does the best work of her career—not truly stellar performing of artistic finesse, but satisfactory interpreting of a role for which she is suited. Here is an automobile story quite unusual in that it has provided opportunity for just about the most exciting auto races ever filmed. During some of the more exciting race moments, it is impossible to restrain yourself from getting up on your feet and letting out an obstreperous whoop. Near the finish there is a mishap in the form of a “spill” and this all but makes one swoon. To attain such heights of arousing excitement is an achievement for which Paul Powell deserves credit. One of the unusually interesting features of “Racing Hearts” is, Jimmy Murphy, the real thing in the automobile-racing world, who appears briefly in the role of a driver out of a job. Richard Dix is in the cast contributing those ingratiating qualities of his, and Theodore Roberts is also among them in his usual flawless acting form.

NOTE: A recurring comment about this film is that Agnes Ayres found her footing as a star in this film, even though she had been in prominent roles for years by this point. (I’m assuming here that this was a commonly held opinion—though we can’t really know since so many of her films are lost.) Prior to this film Byron Morgan had provided stories for a handful of racing vehicles (pun intended) for Wallace Reid, one of which featured Ayres as the romantic interest: “Too Much Speed” (1921, presumed lost). It’s kind of sweet that taking the same type of story but remixing it so Ayres would be both the lead and the racer fit her so well.

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Exhibitor’s Herald, 24 February 1923

REVIEWS

AGNES AYRES IN

RACING HEARTS

(PARAMOUNT)

Here’s a capital automobile story, chock full of action and one of the best staged and most exciting automobile races ever screened. It fairly raises you out of your seat. Many opportunities for exploitation in this one. Directed by Paul Powell. Seven reels.

We feel sure you’ll like this latest Paramount picture, which is all about a pretty girl, a good looking hero, a stubborn father and rival automobile manufacturers. Agnes Ayres does some of the best work of her entire career. And you’ll like Richard Dix, a natural and thorough actor, with a winning smile and a wonderful personality. Add to this Theodore Roberts, with a pocketful of cigars, stubborn owner of a manufacturing plant; Robert Cain, as Claxton, in his employ, and tricky; Warren Rogers, as Jimmy Britt and J. Farrell MacDonald, as Silas Martin, a banker. A flash is given also of Jimmy Murphy, who poses briefly as a driver of high-speed cars, out of a job.

The story is quite ordinary, based on the old, old theme of rivalry between two automobile families, and yet by careful handling and an especially well handled automobile race, is made to live and become acutely interesting, as well as very human and real.

There is a “spill” near the finish of the race that’s a real thriller and the blase film fan that doesn’t get a “kick” out of that race is dead from the neck up.

The story runs thus: Virginia Kent. known as “Ginger,” Kent forges a letter of instructions to the foreman of her father’s plant, which permits her to hire outside help and build a racing machine, while her father is in Europe on a business trip. Roddy Smith, son of a rival manufacturer, is hired as an expert mechanic by Virginia. The machine is finished and he has tentatively agreed to drive it in the Vanderbilt race, when his father exposes him to Virginia. She hires an unscrupulous superintendent in the factory to drive the car, but he plans to lose the race, and thus ruin her father. At the last moment he is exposed. and Virginia drives the car. On the home stretch of the last lap of the race her gas gives out, and Kent who is driving his father’s car, pushes her over the tape, but wrecks his own car. Of course the romance started in the factory is continued and it all ends happily.

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Moving Picture World, 24 February 1923

“Racing Hearts”

Agnes Ayres Makes Good in Her Dramatic Picture for Paramount.

Reviewed by Joseph Ester

Speed fans will get their fill when they see “Racing Hearts,” Agnes Ayres’ latest Paramount production. Automobiles play a big part throughout the film and the stunt of sending a motor car aloft as ballast for a balloon right at the beginning to attract attention of people of the city marks it as a novel picture.

Plenty of action is the big theme and there is always something doing when Agnes Ayres as Ginger, the daughter of John Kent, automobile manufacturer, capably played by Theodore Roberts, is on the scene. ‘Racing Hearts” serves to bring out Miss Ayres in a new characterization, and Richard Dix as Roddy Smith has to step some to keep up with her, but makes the grade and helps to turn out an interesting picture.

The big race scene when Miss Ayres takes the seat of the driver who turns yellow at the last minute and refuses to drive and the smashup of Roddy Smith to allow her to win the race are realistic and keep the audience interested to the end of the film. There are flashes of real comedy in this picture that help to relieve the excitement of the racing sets, and, under the direction of Paul Powell, the picture is handled in a capable manner.

Any person with red blood in their veins will like ‘Racing Hearts,” and you can use plenty of publicity in playing up this picture, as it is worth it.

Cast

Virginia Kent…Agnes Ayres

John Kent…Theodore Roberts

Roddy Smith..Richard Dix

Fred Claxton…Robert Cain

Jimmy Britt…Warren Rogers

Silas Martin…J Farrell MacDonald

Based upon story by Byron Morgan.

Scenario by Will M. Ritchey.

Photography by Bert Baldridge.

Direction Paul Powell.

Length, 5,600 feet.

Story

Virginia Kent, speeding in her father’s car, is arrested by Roddy Smith, not a real cop but substituting on that particular day. Mr. Kent’s motor car business Is in bad shape and his manager tries to get Roddy’s father, a competitor, to buy up the Kent business. Affairs lead to a race in which Virginia begs Roddy to drive her father’s car, but, as he is pledged to drive his own father’s, she is forced to enter the race herself. She wins and Roddy wins her.

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The Film Daily, 25 February 1923

Pleasing Romance And Good Auto Race Chief Points of Appeal

Agnes Ayres in

“RACING HEARTS”

Paramount

DIRECTOR…Paul Powell

AUTHOR…Byron Morgan

SCENARIO…Will M. Ritchey

CAMERAMAN…Bert Baldridge

AS A WHOLE…Slight but agreeable feature that contains fair excitement in racing sequence

STORY…Satisfying romance with rather familiar situations although they are nicely handled

DIRECTION…All right ; racing sequence effectively done and furnishes some thrills.

PHOTOGRAPHY…First rate

LIGHTINGS…Good

STAR…Pleasing and usually convincing

SUPPORT…Very good ; Richard Dix, good lead and Theodore Roberts splendid, as usual

EXTERIORS…Appropriate

INTERIORS…Not many

DETAIL…Ample

CHARACTER OF STORY…Daughter of automobile manufacturer, in latter’s absence, has racer built that wins and makes the car famous

LENGTH OF PRODUCTION…5,691 feet

Agnes Ayres has a story somewhat different from her recent vehicles in Byron Morgan’s “Racing Hearts,” an automobile story that furnishes a satisfying entertainment, of rather light weight but containing sufficient good incident, pleasing romantic situations and a cast that gets it over. The theme doesn’t vary greatly from some of those that served Wallace Reid so capably in several of his pictures that proved thoroughly popular, so “Racing Hearts,” will undoubtedly be well received by a majority.

Richard Dix, who is rapidly coming to the fore as a leading man, plays the role that Reid did so well—the good looking young racer who mixes love with his favorite sport. Dix handles the role very well and, while he isn’t quite as convincingly romantic as Wallie, he will please them and he makes a satisfying opposite for the star. Agnes Ayres makes the most of the role of the automobile manufacturer’s daughter who hits upon a scheme to make her father’s product sell by stunt advertising, an idea abhored by the old gentleman—Theodore Roberts contributing the humorous touches as the contrary parent.

In spite of the very slight material at hand, Director Paul Powell has succeeded very well in maintaining an even interest throughout and where it was necessary to do some padding, he has done so without lessening the speed. Toward the end he supplies some first rate thrills in the racing sequence and the cameraman is also to be credited with good work in shooting these scenes.

Of course there is never any doubt as to what the outcome will be but this won’t spoil the picture for those who like stories of a highly romantic flavoring such as this. There is a wicked villain who plots with the owner of one of the competing cars to prevent the other winning but it is all very mild plotting and never threatens to cause any serious damage to the love affair of the daughter and son, respectively, of the contesting owners. The only standard make of car that gets any prominence in the film is the Durant, the others are all made up names.

Story : Virginia Kent’s father refuses to go in for “stunt” advertising so his make of automobile, the Granada, is not nearly as popular as that of his enemy, the Mono, made by Smith whose son, Roddy, is in love with Virginia. How Virginia, in her father’s absence, has a racer built and entered in the road race, and drives it to victory herself when she learns the driver has been bought by Smith, is coupled with the reunion of Virginia and Roddy who drove his father’s car off the track to allow Virginia to win.

Star’s Admirers Will Like It And Racing Sequence Will Interest

Box Office Analysis for the Exhibitor

Admirers of automobile racing stories will be well pleased with this latest Agnes Ayres picture, “Racing Hearts,” and there are enough good talking points in it for you to get them interested without a great deal of trouble. A trailer of the racing sequence will make them want to come back to see the entire picture, especially if you show a shot of the final spill.

The star’s admirers will like her work in this and you can promise them a story a little different from those she has had recently. Talk about the good supporting cast using the names of Richard Dix, Theodore Roberts. Stunt advertising and exploitation will also do very well to arouse their curiosity.

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Educational Screen, March 1923

THE THEATRICAL FIELD

RACING HEARTS (Paramount)

This is one of Byron Morgan’s stories the “roaring road,” the sort of thing that Wallace Reid used to romp through so debonairly. Theodore Roberts is familiar as the fierce, cigar-chewing old manufacturer of automobiles, l who doesn’t believe it pays to advertise. Agnes Ayres plays his headstrong daughter who takes advantage of his absence to have a racing car built in the hope of winning the Vanderbilt cup, and recouping the fortunes of the factory. Richard Dix is pleasant as the rival manufacturer’s son who loses the race and wins the girl. The famous racing driver, “Jimmy” Murphy is played by a modest and camera-shy young man by the name of James A. Murphy, greatly to the delight of race enthusiasts who recognize him. Some very good race scenes, including one or two narrow escapes and one honest-to-goodness spill, furnish the excitement. (Community.)

NOTE: Tragically, Jimmy Murphy died in a race in September of 1924. While there is some extant footage of him racing, Racing Hearts is his only known feature film appearance!

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Screen Opinions, 1 March 1923

“RACING HEARTS”—Class A

(Adapted from story of same name)

Story:—Daughter Overrules Father’s Aversion to Advertising; Wins Road Race

VALUE

Photography—Very good—Bert Baldridge.

TYPE OF PICTURE—Sporting—Fascinating.

Moral Standard—Average.

Story—Very good—Comedy-drama—Family.

Star—Very good—Agnes Ayres.

Author—Very good—Byron Morgan.

Direction—Very good—-Paul Powell.

Adaptation—Very good—Will M. Ritchey.

Technique—Good.

Spiritual Influence—Neutral.

Producer—Paramount

CAST

Virginia Kent…Agnes Ayres

Roddy Smith…Richard Dix

John Kent…Theodore Roberts

Fred Claxton…Robert Cain

Jimmy Britt…Warren Rogers

Silas Martin…J. Farrell MacDonald

March 1 to 15, 1923.

Footage—5,000 ft.

Distributor—Famous Players

Our Opinion

MORAL O’THE PLAY—It Pays to Advertise.

Spirited Comedy-Drama Presents Agnes Ayres in Peppy Role

“Racing Hearts” brings memories of that splendid series of automobile stories in which Wallace Reid appeared not so very long ago. And the fact that Theodore Roberts is cast as before in the role of an automobile manufacturer and father to an irrepressible young person serves to intensify the impression that the late actor should have his place in the cast. However, Agnes Ayres gives such a spirited performance, looking as pert and winsome as any flapper, that we are amply satisfied, and Richard Dix, as the regretful son of the opposing party, who has fallen before the smiles of the fascinating Virginia Kent, is quite as we would picture the romantic son of a sport king. Theodore Roberts is as always master of the situation, and Robert Cain is excellent as the heavy. The cast is good throughout, with Robert Brower, Warren Rogers and J. Farrell MacDonald getting in fine work. The racing scenes are well photographed, and one or two real thrills are staged in which accidents which seem to be very real occur. You can bank on this picture. Book it on the reputation of former auto racing pictures.

STORY OF THE PLAY

Virginia Kent, daughter of John Kent, manufacturer of the Grenada automobile; is so impressed with the idea that her father is losing. out to his chief competitor, Smith, of the Mono machine, that she decides to try a little advertising of her own. Her first venture is in speeding at sixty miles an hour, which, however, fails to get her into jail, and thereby into the newspapers, because Roddy Smith, who is substituting for the cop, falls in love with her at first sight. Later, when Dad is over in London, she has a racing car built for Granada, and because the driver is being bribed by Smith, Sr., she drives it to victory herself. The story ends with Dad’s fortunes taking a turn for the better, and Virginia and the son of the enemy betrothed.

PROGRAM COPY—”Racing Hearts”—Featuring Agnes Ayres

If you are longing to see another of those peppy Paramount automobile pictures with hairbreadth escapes on a dusty track, don’t miss “Racing Hearts,” with Agnes Ayres, Theodore Roberts and Richard Dix. It’s a pippin’!

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Exhibitor’s Trade Review, 3 March 1923

RIVOLI

1. Overture—Rienzi (Richard Wagner)

2. Risenfeld’s Classical Jazz

3. Rivoli Pictorial

4. Message of Emile Coue

5. Gavotte Louis XIII

a) Miriam Lax, Soprano

b) Inga Wank, mezzo soprano

c) Jean Booth, contralto

d) The Serova Dancers

6. Feature—Agnes Ayres in Racing Hearts

7. Mighty Lak’ a Rose Marcel Atwell, soprano (Ethelbert Nevin)

8. Casey Jones, Jr.

Press Comments

World—Is quite a snappy little film comedy. Tribune—The story is simple, but amusing. A picture called “The Message of Emile Coue” is very well done. American—I think it was the longest race I have ever seen screened. In its way it was palpitant and vibratory, and those who thrill at races will thrill at this. Globe—It is a very much patched-up affair with a plot that is too complicated. Be it said, however, that the automobile race is the best that we have ever witnessed. Journal—”Racing Hearts” contains something more than a speed contest and a love story. Mail—If you like thrills furnished by spills of racing cars you will like this picture. Telegram—An exciting automobile romance in which Miss Ayres is the first woman of the screen to pilot a racing car in an actual contest. Eve. World—It’s a good picture and well worth an afternoon or evening’s time. Sun—After seeing this picture you decide that woman’s place, in the case of Miss Ayres, is behind the steering wheel.

NOTE: The Message of Émile Coué (1923) is a short film of Coué’s lecture on “autosuggestion.” I wasn’t able to find if the short is extant.

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Exhibitor’s Trade Review, 3 March 1923

Racing Hearts

Released by Paramount. Story by Byron Morgan. Scenario by Will M. Ritchey. Cameraman Bert Baldridge. Directed by Paul Powell. Running time approximately one hour.

CAST AND SYNOPSIS

Virginia Kent, Agnes Ayres; Roddy Smith, Richard Dix, John Kent, Theodore Roberts; Fred Claxton, Robert Cain ; Jimmy Brit, Warren Rogers ; Silas Martin, J. Farrell MacDonald.

Virginia Kent, the daughter of an automobile manufacturer believes in advertising and speeds her car through the city streets in hopes of being arrested and getting publicity for the “Grenada.” She is arrested by Roddy Smith a temporary motor cop but in reality the son of her father’s competitor. The case is dismissed in court. Upon learning that her father is going away for a short while she has him sign a letter which gives her the authority to have a racing car built according to her own specifications. Roddy Smith gets a job as mechanic in the Grenada factory and builds the car for her. She enters it in the races and at the last moment learns that her driver has been bought. She determines to drive herself. Roddy Smith is compelled to drive his father’s car against her. During the race she has been ahead but on the last lap runs out of gas. Roddy runs into her machine and pushes it over the line. He is injured in the accident but Virginia comes to him and then everything is all right.

“Racing Hearts” is a good automobile romance and should easily satisfy the lovers of action. It is a lively combination of comedy and society drama and affords pleasant diversion all the way through. Although the material is typically that which is spoken of as being “good movie stuff” it serves its purpose and carries its thrills.

Points of Appeal.—The auto race is exciting from start to finish. Also the romance through the story is enjoyable and there are numerous comedy situations that bring the laughs. It should prove to be a good box office attraction in practically any house. The picture has been done with some good interiors and realistic outdoor shots. There are also some changes of costumes by the star that will interest the ladies.

Cast.—Agnes Ayres as Virginia Kent is attractive in the role. She possesses a great amount of personality that radiates on the screen. Richard Dix is also good as Roddy Smith and is of the agreeable hero type. Theodore Roberts, as John Kent is included in the cast with his ever present cigar. Others in the story give satisfactory portrayals. Photography, Lighting, Direction.—The photography and lighting throughout the picture is excellent. There are some unusually fine shots made at the race track and the interiors are always good. Direction has been well handled.

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Motion Picture News, 17 March 1923

“Adam and Eva” and “Racing Hearts” Due 11th

On March 11 Paramount will release the Cosmopolitan production, “Adam and Eva,” starring Marion Davies, and Agnes Ayres in “Racing Hearts,” both comedy-dramas, though widely different in theme and treatment.

Guy Bolton and George Middleton’s stage play, “Adam and Eva,” was adapted for the screen by Luther Reed and directed by Robert G. Vignola. Joseph Urban designed the settings. T. Roy Barnes has the leading male role, with Tom Lewis, William Norris, Percy Ames, William Davidson, Bradley Barker and John Powers most prominent in the support.

“Racing Hearts” is an automobile race story by Byron Morgan. Will M. Ritchey wrote the scenario and Paul Powell directed. A race scene was staged at the Santa Monica course near Los Angeles for this picture. Playing opposite Miss Ayres is Richard Dix. Theodore Roberts, J. Farrell MacDonald and Robert Cain are in the cast.

NOTE: Adam and Eva (premiered 11 February 1923) exists only in fragments but I’ve seen a couple minutes of it and read the plot description and it is exceedingly cute. Here’s hoping the rest of the film turns up somewhere soon!

The Vanderbilt Cup was a real road race, though it wasn’t run in the 1920s, however the last competition was run at a course in Santa Monica in 1916.

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Moving Picture World, 17 March 1923

Eight Productions Scheduled by Paramount for Release in March

During the month of March Paramount will release eight productions, included among the high lights being Cecil B. DeMille’s production, “Adam’s Rib”; two Cosmopolitan productions, “Adam and Eva” and “The Nth Commandment”; Allan Dwan’s “The Glimpses of the Moon,” his first under his new contract with Paramount, and the initial starring picture of Walter Hiers, “Mr. Billings Spends His Dime.”

First on the schedule is Betty Compson in “The White Flower,” which is listed for release the 4th. Julia Crawford Ivers wrote the story and scenario and directed the picture. The story is laid in Hawaii, and it was there that Mrs. Ivers took the company for the filming of the exterior scenes. Edmund Lowe is Miss Compson’s leading man.

Cosmopolitan’s “Adam and Eva,” starring Marion Davies, is scheduled for the 11th. Robert G. Vignola, who produced “Knighthood,” also directed this picture, which is an adaptation by Luther Reed of the stage comedy-drama success by Guy Bolton and George Middleton. The settings were designed by Joseph Urban, who was the art director of “Knighthood.”

Agnes Ayres in “Racing Hearts” is also scheduled for the 11th. This is an automobile race picture from the pen of Byron Morgan, who wrote “The Roaring Road,” “Too Much Speed,” “Across the Continent” and other automobile stories in which Wallace Reid starred. Will M. Ritchey adapted “Racing Hearts” and Paul Powell directed. Miss Ayres’ leading man is Richard Dix.

On March 18 Walter Hiers, long a popular leading player under the Paramount banner, is formally introduced as a star in “Mr. Billings Spends His Dime,” a comedy by Dana Burnet. Wesley Ruggles directed from a scenario by Albert Shelby LeVino. Featured as Hiers’ leading woman is Jacqueline Logan.

On the same date comes “The Nth Commandment,” from the Cosmopolitan studios. This drama was written by Fannie Hurst, scenarized by Frances Marion and directed by Frank Borzage—the same trio that was responsible for “Humoresque.” Coleen Moore, James Morrison and Eddie Phillips are featured, with other prominent roles in the hands of Charlotte Merrian and George Cooper.

Allan Dwan’s production, “The Glimpses of the Moon,” with Bebe Daniels and Nita Naldi, is announced for release March 25. This is a picturization of Edith Wharton’s novel, treating the subject of trial marriage. E. Lloyd Sheldon wrote the scenario for the production.

Alice Brady in “The Leopardess” is the other release for the 25th. This is an adaptation by J. Clarkson Miller of the novel by Katharine Newlin Burt. Edward Langford and Montagu Love have the two chief supporting roles.

NOTE: “Adam’s Rib” (premiered 4 March 1923, extant—copy held at George Eastman House),

“Adam and Eva” (mentioned above),

“The Nth Commandment” (premiered 18 March 1923, only incomplete copy known to survive),

“The Glimpses of the Moon” (premiered 25 March 1923, presumed lost),

“Mr. Billings Spends His Dime” (mentioned above),

“The White Flower” (mentioned above),

“When Knighthood was in Flower (premiered 21 September 1922, extant AND fully restored! Available on DVD + Blu via Undercrank Productions!),

“The Roaring Road” (premiered , extant—copy held at UCLA Film & TV Archive),

“Too Much Speed” (mentioned above),

“Across the Continent” (premiered 4 June 1922, presumed lost),

“The Leopardess” (premiered 23 March 1923, presumed lost)

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Moving Picture World, 17 March 1923

Abandoned a Stunt for Racing Hearts

Once more the man who says that exploitation does not pay has been proven a liar. This time it happened in Faribault, Minn.

The Grand Theatre did not expect to make as much money with Racing Hearts as with Bella Donna, but Hearts was a corking good picture and they decided to give it every chance.

A Buick dealer was persuaded to put a car in his window with a sign to the effect that this particular car would sail over the city attached to a balloon, as in the opening scenes of Racing Hearts.

At once Pro Bono Publico and Constant Reader dashed off notes to the newspapers casting gloomy forebodings as to what would happen if a rope broke and the falling car mashed a few of the citizens. The fact that Pro and Con seemed to use the same typewriter did not bother the editor. He knew the press agent brought both letters in, but it made good reading.

It served to set off the real letter writers and the paper was flooded with protests, so the Grand very gracefully announced that it had no desire to endanger life with its stunts and it had countermanded the order for a balloon. It’s the Blood and Sand Bullfight in a new guise, but it worked even better, because it was more plausible.

Then M.J. Glazer arranged with Paramounteer Jack Hellman to send up a student barber from Minneapolis and announced him as the same man who bobbed Agnes Ayres’ hair. He would operate in the Grand foyer free of charge. Sixteen girls climbed into the chair the opening night and the rest of the town was there to look on. Simple, inexpensive and most profitable. Better yet, let him make a small charge for a local charity. It beat Bella to the money.

NOTE: The chance that somebody out there’s grandmother got their hair bobbed in a movie theater lobby in Faribault, Minnesota is delightful to me.

One of the newly bobbed customers, from Exhibitor’s Trade Review, 26 May 1923

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Screenland, April 1923

Little Hints for PLAYGOERS

“RACING HEARTS”

Paramount

A crack-a-jack racing picture, with Agnes Ayres and Richard Dix enveloped in a cloud of dust from start to finish. The up-to-date daughter of a conservative automobile manufacturer sets out to prove to her sire that it pays to advertise. She wins her point, the Vanderbilt Cup race and a brand new, grade-A husband. Agnes is pretty and more capable than usual, while Richard Dix fits into the semi-comedy role very pleasingly indeed. Theodore Roberts and cigar are very much present and Robert Cain makes a nice hissable villain. It’s a good picture.

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Motion Picture News, 14 April 1923

Three Newspaper Features Are Planted on “Racing Hearts”

Rockford, Ill. — In exploiting ” Racing Hearts” at the Palm theatre, Bill Danziger, Paramount exploiteer, put over three different newspaper features, giving the papers the “low-down” in each instance.

Danziger framed an interview with Agnes Ayres in which the Paramount star was quoted as remarking that women would never make as good automobile drivers as men. The newspaper followed this up by sending a reporter to interview women known to drive cars. They protested in vigorous terms, and the copy was worked into a two-column front-page spread.

The next gag was a Saturday matinee for the blind. The management invited every sightless person in town to “see” “Racing Hearts.” They got about forty responses and so Danziger invited forty school teachers to attend and act as the “eyes” of the victims. During the progress of the picture, the teachers leaned over and whispered the entire story. This made an interesting experiment and the newspapers took it up for a three-column spread under a big head.

The third stunt was a faked interview with ” Jimmy Murphy” who, Danziger said, was one of the greatest racing drivers in the country. Murphy spoke on the line that gasoline as a fuel was nearly exhausted and the only thing that would save the industry wou(l)d be a new alcoholic substance made from potatoes.

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Moving Picture World, 14 April 1923

Tied Film Fashions to Racing Hearts

Because the stage of the Palace Theatre, Fort Smith, Ark., is too small to permit the use of models in a fashion show, Hugo Plath put it on a film and ran that off, giving about as much satisfaction. It was a special for Racing Hearts, but only one angle of the campaign.

An auto agency sent several new model cars around town for an entire week before the opening as well as during the engagement, and bannered these for the attraction. The week of the showing a car was displayed in the lobby. This had the wheels jacked up and these were given motion by a small electric motor. The car could have been worked under its own power, but the resultant gases would have been the reverse of an attractor, so the silent and odorless motor was used. Mr. Plath can trace a number of direct ticket sales to this feature.

He made a miniature road race in the windows of the automobile company, to hook in and to announce that Jim Murphy, the champion race driver, would be seen in the film.

For the lobby display he used two-foot hearts, one to each letter of the title. This and the automobile was sufficient to get attention.

As the merchants who were represented on the film paid the cost of making it, Mr. Plath’s expense was around five dollars for a decided increase in business, and he shipped the display on to the Palace Theatre, Muskogee, further cutting the cost.

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Exhibitor’s Trade Review, 21 April 1923

“RACING HEARTS”

(Paramount)

MARK STRAND, ALBANY. — 30-60. Three days. Considering the season, this picture played to very satisfactory business.

Exploitation.—Strand type.

Short Subjects.—”Torchy Steps Out;” Topical News.

Press Comments.—Altogether a bright, clean, enjoyable picture.—News. Acted at just the right speed.—Times-Union. Next to going to the races, the best thing is “Racing Hearts.”—Knickerbocker Press. Gives you your money’s worth and a little more.—Journal.

BUTTERFLY, MILWAUKEE.— 40-50. Business not as good during second week of showing, but held up reasonably well.

Short Subjects.—Christie comedy; Selznick news; prologue.

NEW, BALTIMORE.—25. 25-50. Big business.

Exploitation.—Newspaper advertising on large scale; lobby displays, posters, cards, etc.

Short Subjects.—News; “Five Fifteen;” Vocal Solo.

Press Comment.— “Racing Hearts” has about the best auto race that we have ever seen filmed. It’s a peach.—Evening Sun. “Racing Hearts” is fast-flying entertainment and the cast is excellent.—News.

NEWMAN THEATRE, KANSAS CITY, MO.—15-25-35-50-75. Theodore Roberts usually draws well here. Good week’s attendance.

Exploitation.—A cut of Theodore Roberts, inside a heart, was featured in Sunday newspaper space. Also billboard and lobby display.

Short Subjects.—”A Tough Winter;” “Newman News and Views.”

Press Comments.—One of Byron Morgan’s best racing stories and travels along the screen in an entertaining manner.—Star-Times. One like Wally Reid used to race through and win the girl as the roadster came tearing across the continent.—Journal Post.

NOTE: “Torchy Steps Out” (25 June 1922, status unknown) a two-reel comedy starring Johnny Hines for Educational Pictures,

“Five Fifteen” (21 January 1923, status unknown) a two-reel comedy starring Slim Summerville for Fox,”A Tough Winter” (4 February 1923, extant as of 2022!) The first reel was long lost, but found in Gosfilmofond’s Archive and is now available on their youtube channel. I really enjoy the first reel of this, tho it kind of falls apart with the time-jump/scene change for the second reel.

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Motion Picture News, 28 April 1923

“Racing Hearts” lobby display at the Olympic Theatre, Pittsburg, of which Tom Schrader is manager

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Photoplay, May 1923

RACING HEARTS—Paramount

ANOTHER Byron Morgan automobile tale of a road race like those of the series made popular by poor Wallie Reid. This one has Richard Dix in the Reid rôle of the motor daredevil, with Agnes Ayres as the heroine who isn’t afraid to step on the gas. This may entertain you—unless the auto stuff has been worn threadbare. To us the motor seems to miss.

NOTE: A lot of the snippets about the film bring up Wallace Reid, who starred in a number of racing movies (and even took up racing himself). Unfortunately, Reid passed away in January of 1923 while attempting to recover from a morphine addiction.

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Motion Picture News, June 1923

Balloon Ascension Hoax Pulled to Exploit “Racing Hearts”

Kankakee, Ill.—Manager William Cadoret, of the Majestic theatre, and Bill Danziger, Paramount exploiteer, gained publicity for “Racing Hearts” in the Daily Republican through a hoax which they framed up.

They tied up with the Buick agency in connection with “Racing Hearts” and for two days previous to the exhibition of the picture ads were run in the paper announcing that a Buick car, attached to a gas balloon would be lifted eight miles above the head of the shortest citizen of Kankakee. This created considerable comment and was given much free space under the “amusement” and “theatrical” columns.

On the day the picture would be shown another ad appeared stating that because of innumerable protests from the public, the Buick car would not go up, as previously stated, as it would mean too great a risk and would endanger too many lives.

In addition, a general merchants’ tieup campaign was waged in which the music store tied up for harmonicas, the United Cigar Stores for cigars, thereby exploiting Theodore Roberts; the town’s largest auto supply company tied up for accessories, throwing in the automobile angle, and nine confectionery stores had a “Racing Hearts” sundae.

NOTE: The amount of tie-in exploitations of this movie is outrageous, no wonder exhibitors seem so eager to run it, despite a noted lack of faith in Agnes Ayres as a star at the time.

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Moving Picture World, 7 July 1923

RACING HEARTS. (5,600 feet). Star, Agnes Ayres. Theodore Roberts saved this picture as usual when he takes a character part. On the strength of Roberts the picture took well here. Agnes Ayres also pleased, however, with her nerve in the races. Exciting throughout. Used panels, newspaper. Had good attendance. Draw mixed class in town of 5,000. Admission. 10-25, war tax included. L. Laws, T. & D. Theatre (1,072 seats), Watsonville, California.

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Motion Picture News, 23 October 1923

RACING HEARTS. Produced by Famous Players. Distributed by Paramount. Released March 11, 1923. Star, Agnes Ayres. Director, Paul Powell. Length, 5,691 feet.

Synopsis: Automobile romance that winds up with a race through some beautiful California country. Based on rivalry between automobile families. Auto manufacturer’s daughter has racing car made without his consent in effort to gain publicity. Enters in the race, wins and the make of car becomes famous.

References: Reviewed issue Feb. 24, 1923, page 941.

First Run Showings: Pages 817, Feb 17; 929, Feb. 24; 1038, 1040, Mar. 3; 1165; Mar. 10; 1392-3. Mar. 24; 1556, Mar. 31; 1674-5, Apr. 7; 1785-7, April 14; 1896, Apr. 21; 2381, May 19; 2866, June 16, 1923

Advertising: Two page insert, Dec. 23, 1922; 240-41, Jan 20, 1923.

Lobby Displays: Pages 2058, Apr. 28; 2171, May 5; 2385, May 19; 288, July 21; 744, Aug. 18, 1923.

Exploitation: Pages 1790, 1794, 1797, Apr. 14; 2392, May 19; 2766, June 9, 1923.

Newspaper Displays: Page 1272, Mar. 17, 1923.

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Exhibitor’s Trade Review, 12 January 1924

`Racing Hearts’

Auto Picture Released by Paramount

BRIEF: Virginia Kent believes that her father’s automobile concern needs publicity to save it from ruin. She tricks him into consenting to have a special car built and when Claxton, the traitor manager of the concern who has been bribed by a rival concern to throw the grand prize race, tries to quit just before the event, Virginia takes his place and drives the car to victory. A love affair between Virginia and Roddy, son of the rival concern’s owner, who drives one of his father’s cars in the race is cleverly woven in.

SPEED is the keynote of this entire picture and speed is what they love! It’s a comedy of Cupid and cars. A good story seasoned with love and last lap thrills.

Since Henry F. made the auto as customary as the bath tub this type of picture is sure to go well any place from Broadway to the tiniest village. The record of this picture verifies the nationwide interest in autos and speed. It rode over to success on the gasolinemania wave. And it’s the kind of picture they’ll come to see again because they can get the same thrill and satisfaction out of it.

Plenty of tie-ups and exploitation stunts are possible. Dress up a racing car with the legend, “This is the car that won the Grand Prize Race. See it at the … Theatre in ‘Racing Hearts.'” A Cadillac car is also used in the picture. Tie-up with Cadillac dealers. Try to get hold of photographs of famous races for a good lobby display. Your local newspaper or automobile agencies may have them.

For novel advertising, a motor car corporation in the picture hitches one of its machines to a large balloon and sails it over the city, attracting the attention of thousands. This suggests the idea of having a balloon ascension of your own. Secure a good sized balloon and on it arrange a trapeze-like apparatus. On this can be hung a large banner that can be read for miles around. The wording should be to the effect that this is a miniature of the balloon used in the Paramount picture “Racing Hearts’ starring Agnes Ayres and showing at the Blank Theatre next Monday.

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Moving Picture World, 26 January 1924

RACING HEARTS. (5,600 feet). Star, Agnes Ayres. It is a pleasure to look at Miss Ayres and a blessing to the box office and one’s list of satisfied patrons to show such a picture as “Racing Hearts.” There is comedy, romance and an auto race that even kept the hardboiled ones interested. Theodore Roberts has no equal and Richard Dix is fine. Wish there were more like this one. Better than the average program picture. Had good attendance. Used slide, photos, boards. A suitable picture for Sunday. Guy C. Sawyer, Town Hall Theatre, Chester, Vermont.

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Variety, 22 February 1923

RACING HEARTS

Famous Players production starring Agnes Ayres, with Theodore Roberts and Richard Dix featured.

Adapted from Byron Morgan’s story by Will M. Ritchey. Directed by Paul Powell. Shown at the Rivoli, week February 18, 1923.

Virginia Kent…Agnes Ayres

Roddy Smith…Richard Dix

John Kent…Theodore Roberts

Fred Claxton…Robert Cain

Jimmy Britt…Warren Rogers

Silas Martin…J. Farrell MacDonald

A rather light little comedy drama of the automobile world. It carries as its big punch an automobile road race which should be satisfying enough for the most blase seeker of thrills. Its cast it is fairly strong on names, having both Theodore Roberts and Richard Dix as featured members under the name of the star. There is nothing, however, about the picture that is going to cause any unusual jam at the box office, although as entertainment it is fairly satisfying.

Richard Dix has the role of the son of the owner of one auto manufacturing plant. He is a go-getter type of youth who believes in advertising stunts and his father sanctions his wild splurges for publicity. A rival company is headed by Theodore Roberts and the star appears as his daughter. She is also a believer in advertising, but her father is a conservative and won’t go in for racing or any of the unusual stunts that are utilized to popularize a car.

In an effort to obtain publicity for her father’s machine the girl drives it at 45 miles an hour through a town where the magistrate is noted for sending speeders to jail in the hope that is sent to the hoosegow she will get that name and that of the car in print. It is in this town that the rival auto shops are located and the son of the owner is acting as a motor cop temporarily, he persuading the judge to discharge the girl because it would appear as though his father’s firm was behind the pinch as a sort of spite rivalry.

The next day the boy gets an assignment from his father to obtain a position in the rival plant to make a survey of conditions there, as it is known that they are pinched for money and it is possible that the plant will shortly be on the market. Once on the job he is given the task of designing a racing car under the direction of the girl. Her father in the meantime having left for London to close a foreign deal for his cars. The girl has written into the set of instructions that her father left a command that a racing car be built.

Then comes the day of the big road race, with the usual crooked driver stuff and the girl jumping in at the last minute and winning the race, although she manages to cross the line with the assistance of a bump from the rival company’s car, which was driven by the son of the owner. Of course prior to this the girl has discovered his identity and accused him of spying, but the finish of the race finds them clinched in each other’s arms.

There are some fairly good comedy moments in the picture but it is the race that will get to the fans. That feature was well handled in direction.

#Agnes Ayres #Richard Dix #1920s #1923 #Lost but not forgotten #lost film #silent era #silent movies #silent film #racing #film history #american film #byron morgan #Theodore Roberts #Jimmy Murphy #Jerry Wunderlich #classic movies #classic film

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