Exhibitors Herald (Jun-Dec 1917)

30 EXHIBITORS HERALD Shirley Mason in "THE LADY OF THE PHOTOGRAPH" Edison — K-E-S-E drama; five parts; published August 27 As a whole Average Story Fair Star Petite Support Sufficient Settings ^..In keeping Photography . Splendid In the first place "The Lady of the Photograph" as the title of a production handicaps the picture. In the second place, the story, though interesting, is padded to such an extent that continuity of action is lost. However, with these odds against it Shirley Mason's winning personality should prove strong enough to counterbalance the weak parts. As usual, the splendid Edison photography stands out significantly. The settings are in keeping with the story's action. Raymond McKee, Royal Byron, 'William Calhoun, Jane Harvey, Dudley Hill and Gerald Pring are in the supporting cast. The story: John Brown is anxious to enter society and, although he has plenty of money, all the mamas with eligible daughters manage to keep them away from John. John meets Ferdinand Latimer, an English nobleman, who contemplates suicide because he cannot pay his bills. John promises him a large sum of money if he will coach him in etiquette and help him win Marjorie Van Dam. Unfortunately, Ferdinand, too, loves Marjorie. Although he does all in his power to make Marjorie appreciate John, Ferdinand loses out. John, disheartened, proposes to his stenographer, who secretly loves him, and they are married. With John out of the way, Ferdinand proposes to Marjorie, and is accepted. Marian Swayne in "THE LITTLE SAMARITAN" Erbograph-Art Dramas drama; six parts; published August 24 As a whole Intolerable Story Drivelling Star Mediocre Support Just Fair Settings Poor Photography In keeping with the story In the story of "The Little Samaritan," the author, Rev. Clarence J. Harris, has, according to the advertising, constructed a story of "simple charm and delightful appeal." This should read: "simple charm for simple people." In fact, the story is very slight and poor. It concerns a $300-a-year clergyman, who in a silk hat and Prince Albert coat comes to a sassafras town to hold services. He locks himself in the belfry and otherwise makes an ass of himself, and gets away with it among his simple parishioners. It is evident that Rev. Harris knows country parishes better than city audiences and exhibitors. On the speaking stage nothing but an egg and vegetable net would have enabled this troupe to depart in peace, and then it would have been in pieces. It is like trying to hang a calico portiere on a chintz public — it cannot be done. Perhaps it is not up to the Rev. Harris, for maybe an inmate wrote the titles. Nevertheless, one is enough to illustrate. Imagine anything but a bush leaguer uttering anything like this, supposed to come from the lips of the doughty preacher: "It lays between you and I." It seems too bad to inflict such poor grammar upon the young persons, who are the only ones who can be induced to buy tickets for this picture. There were others, but this one was the worst of the lot. The story concerns a small town, peopled by bigoted, narrow-minded, selfish individuals, who pretend to be Christians. Here lives Lindy Gray, a girl of good impulses. She is disliked by the girls because she is an orphan, and gossips surround her with calumny. The new minister, however, befriends her and helps her. He sees through the masks worn by his congregation. The collection money is stolen, an old negro is accused, and Lindy, rather than see him go to jail, confesses to having stolen the money herself. The minister uses the incident as his text and a love romance follows, in which Lindy and the minister play important parts. OLIVE THOMAS STARTS A NEW FILM "BROADWAY ARIZONA" FOR TRIANGLE June Caprice in "EVERY GIRL'S DREAM" William Fox comedy-drama; six parts; published August 27 As a whole Entertaining Story Whimsical tale Star Well cast Support Excellent Settings Elaborate Photography Good Holland and its dikes and windmills has been used as the back ground for this conventional story, which makes an acceptable starring vehicle for pretty June Caprice. The subtitles are all in verse. Unique settings have been provided and the atmosphere of the land of wooden shoes is well carried out. June Caprice is the Gretchen of the piece; Harry Hilliard is Carl, in love with Gretchen; Margaret Fielding, a jealous minx, in love with Carl; while Marcia Harris is a domineering foster-mother to Gretchen and Dan Mason a funny Herr Haas, the rich old man, who would marry Gretchen. A very precocious dog, "Queenie," plays an important part, well. The story was written by Adrian Johnson and ably directed by Harry Millarde. The story: Gretchen lives with her foster-mother, Mrs. Van Lorn. She is the town pet and in love with Carl, a wood chopper, also a foster child. Herr Haas, the town capitalist, despite his fifty-nine years, wishes Gretchen to marry him, promising Mrs. Van Lorn he will lift the mortgage on her home. She bids Gretchen "forget the love tales of Carl. He has nothing else to give. Marry Herr Haas and in comfort live." After many vicissitudes, in which Gretchen is accused of stealing Herr Haas' mortgage, also a bracelet belonging to Hulda, which Hulda placed in Gretchen's pocket. She is about to be placed in the stocks, but the constable is ordered by the prince, who is none other than Carl, to place the villainous Haas therein instead, and it all comes to a pleasing end when Gretchen marries the prince. Bessie Love in "WEE LADY BETTY" Triangle comedy-drama; five parts; published August 26 As a whole Delightful Story Entertaining Star Fascinating Support Excellent Settings Carefully selected Photography Clear "Wee Lady Betty" is a story of Ireland, full of Irish folk lore and lads with shillalahs, ready to fight at the drop of the hat. There are castles and ghosts, a couple of good fights, and the ever-winsome wee Bessie Love to top it off. This is a very good story, with strong subtitles and excellent direction and photography. Bessie Love is the "Wee Lady Betty" of the story, beloved by the fishermen, who resent the intrusion of a New Yorker who has come to claim his castle, held in trust by Lady Betty's father. She flits through the story and looks and acts every inch the little mavoureen she is supposed to be. A capable cast is in support. The story: Wee Lady Betty and her book-worm father live in the O'Reilly castle, overlooking the little Irish settlement. A change in their lives comes when the new landlord arrives from America, and Lady Betty locks her father in an isolated part of the building and becomes one of the servants to the new tenants. She frightens intruders away by hiding behind an old armor and rattling its metal arms. The villagers pick a quarrel with the newcomer and she exacts a promise from them to be law-abiding or they will be jailed. The young O'Reilly investigates the ghost of the castle and finds Lady Betty, her father and faithful dog, and in a fierce battle with the natives is saved by Betty quelling the mob. Of course, the fine looking young man falls in love with Betty and it all ends happily. THREE NEW PRODUCTIONS FEATURING ETHEL CLAYTON ARE NAMED BY WORLD Olive Thomas, who has just completed her latest Triangle picture, "Broadway, Arizona," for publication the latter part of September, will start work next week on a new play, which she has selected. New World-Pictures Brady-Made, in which Ethel Clayton assumes the star roles, are "The Woman Beneath," "The Dormant Power" and "Easy Money," all of which will be published between the present time and the opening week of December. Miss Clayton's popularity with World fans has gone forward with such momentum that she is obliged to employ two secretaries to help handle her correspondence.