Exhibitors Herald (Jun-Dec 1917)

24 EXHIBITORS HERALD Christine Mayo in "WHO'S YOUR NEIGHBOR?" Master Drama Features, Inc., drama; seven parts; state rights As a whole Illuminating Story — Dynamic Cast Splendid Settings ....Lavish Photography Excellent Wiilard Mack's story, directed and adapted by S. Rankin Drew, forming the production entitled "Who's Your Neighbor?" is a direct plea for districted vice to protect public morals. This is a tense, impassioned story in which a splendidly logical sequence of dramatic circumstances hypnotically sifts from all directions the few people who are obliged to face facts and pay the penalty for ill-advised reform. The subtitles are superlatively characteristic. The cast deserves great credit for the interpretation of the story. Christine Mayo as the scarlet woman is clever and convincing. Anders Randolf as Harding gives a magnificent performance. William Sherwood as the son gives to the part a buoyant and youthful viewpoint and a direct method that gains sympathy. Evelyn Brent as Betty is direct, girlish and sincere. This capable cast also includes Frank Morgan, Gladys Fairbanks, Mabel Wright and Franklyn Hanna. The picture is bound to have great success. It throws a bright light on a dark subject. The story: Mrs. Bowers, a woman who insists upon looking at life only as she sees it, succeeds in getting a law passed which breaks up the tenderloin district. The. women are scattered throughout the city, taking up quarters in first-class hotels and apaitment houses. Hattie Fenshaw establishes herself as the mistress of Bryant Harding. Their apartment is next door to Mrs. Bowers'. Mrs. Bowers admires the soulful eyes of her neighbor and makes friends with her. Hattie has already caused the breaking of the engagement of Harding's daughter, who uses her divorced mother's maiden name. Dudley Carleton, the fiance, has a strong revulsion of feeling and escapes further entanglement until the influence of drink breaks down his resolution never to see Hattie again. Harding's young college son, with a wild desire to see life in the city, is introduced to Hattie during Harding's absence from the city. Hattie telephones for Betty (Harding's daughter) to come to sew for her. Mrs. Bowers has been responsible for the introduction. Betty hurries over, anxious to make a little money. She is introduced to her own brother under an assumed name and is still in the apartment when Harding returns unexpectedly. In a fury he nearly kills Carleton and shoots Betty after knocking Hattie into unconsciousness. Mrs. Bowers, with a party of tourists out to inspect conditions, hears the shot and rushes in to see the havoc her reform movement has wrought in the lives of her neighbors. SELIG WORLD LIBRARY The days of George Washington and other historical events are recorded in the current issue of the Selig World Library and exhibitors should find it a pleasing as well as entertaining edition to any program. Items of interest recorded are the historical hotel and the Carlyle house in Virginia at which Washington spent considerable time. An interesting feature is the human chess board. A large board is shown on which the figures are human. "Where Uncle Sam Makes His Money" and "The Home of the Seal" are two other interesting topics. Mabel Trunnelle in "THE GHOST OF OLD MORRO" Edison-K-E-S-E drama; five parts; published June 25 As a whole Well done Story _ _ Unusual Star „ _ Good Support _ .... Ample Settings In keeping Photography _ Splendid "The Ghost of Old Morro" is a well done production. The photography and tinting are excellent. The acting has been well taken care of. Helen Strickland's work stands out especially and her interpretation of Old Morro has left little to criticise. The story is not of the most cheerful nature since the three characters whom every one would like to see live happily ever after are killed. But the story is exciting and because of its unusualness and different ending it should win favor. Helen Strickland, Mabel Trunnelle and Robert Conness do good work in important roles. The story: Old Morro makes her livelihood by extorting large sums from men for whom she does small favors. She has a daughter living at a convent, but this daughter knows nothing of the world and very little concerning her mother's life. One night the gates of the convent are left open and the girl goes to her mother's home. Here she meets an officer and when Old Morro sees that both are infatuated she pays to have the officer slain. However, the slayer kills the daughter. When Old Morro learns that her daughter has been killed she sets out to kill the officer. On the top of huge rocks the two struggle and finally roll off into the sea. And each night thereafter the ghost of Old Morro keeps solemn watch over the sea. Harold Lockwood in "THE HAUNTED PAJAMAS" Yorke-Metro comedy-drama; five parts; published June 11 As a whole Mediocre ; Story -...Imprcjirajsfe Star „:_"... Fair Support _ Incapable Settings Appropriate Photography _ Clear Harold Lockwood does only fair work in this story, which is poorly handled and which is utterly improbable and impossible. If the spectators can forget that they are human and that the events as vizualized are not ridiculous, then they will find the subject an entertaining one. It is doubtful if many audiences will enjoy "The Haunted Pajamas." Carmel Meyers is given a role in which she might win for herself great credit, but her handling of it is so weak that it sags. Harold Lockwood is fair and without him the production would have no appeal at all. Others in the cast are Ed Sedgwick, Lester Cuneo, Paul Willis, Harry De Roy, Helen Ware, William DeVaull and Goro Kino. The play is adapted from the novel by Francis Perry Elliott and directed by Fred J. Balshofer. The story: Richard Hudson receives a pair of haunted pajamas, and when Francis Billings comes to stay all night at Richard's house he is given the pajamas. As soon as Francis is attired in the pajamas he is transformed into the person of Frances Kirkland. Richard falls in love with Frances, and Billings, not knowing that he (Billings) has assumed the appearance of a girl, cannot account for Richard Hudson's strange actions. Later Richard meets the real Frances and, after an embarrassing and exciting courtship, finally wins her as his wife. It is then that he learns that the pajamas are haunted and that the Francis he had met in silk pajamas was not the Frances he had married.