Exhibitors Herald (Jun-Dec 1917)

^I_JE_X H I B I "THE ZEPPELIN'S LAST RAID" Thos. H. Ince-U. S. Exhibitors' feature; seven parts; published state rights As a whole Impressive Story Holds Jrast. Satisfactory Settings .. Excellent Photography Sharp and clear "The Zeppelin's Last Raid," as an artistic offering, reflects unlimited credit on Thos. H. Ince and his photographer. Steel engravings show no more careful etchings nor excellent choice of subjects than does this picture. The cutting of the film clearly shows the master mind that we wish might edit all pictures. "The Last Raid" is not only entertaining, thrilling and gripping, but is instructive as well, for it shows the Zeppelin in action during a raid. The scenes are well chosen and the direction is superb. Howard Hickman and Enid Markey are both excellent, and the supporting cast is good and the work impressive throughout. The story: The scene of the play is laid in the town of Brushaven, where Louise Bracher deplores the loss of lives for a cause she cannot uphold. Her fiance. Alfred Brandt, is in command of the L-Z. 7 and has been most successful in the raids against the shipping centers of the enemy. Alfred is a fine man who has no thought beyond his emperor's orders. Louise joins the secret society of the Liberty Cross and pledges herself to help end the war. When Brandt comes home on furlough she takes him to a meeting of the society and converts him to the cause. He promises to work for liberty, and at the hour appointed instead of attacking another town he destroys the Zeppelin and sacrifices his own life to the cause of humanity. Mary McAlister in "THE KILLJOY'1 Essanay-Perfection comedy drama; five parts; published November 19 As a whole Enjoyable \ Story Pathetic and humorous Star Excellent Support Types well selected Settings Faithful Photography Good There is every reason to believe that "The Kill-Joy" will be enjoyed by motion picture spectators. It has a brilliant and charming star in the lead, is an enjoyable story and has been worked up in an appealing manner with its little touches of pathos and humor that make such pictures worth while. An excellent cast of players, including Granville Bates, James Fulton, James West. William F. Clifton. U. K. Houpt, Chris Pino and Patrick Calhoun, support Little Mary. The story is by Mortimer Peck. The story: Billie and her father are westward bound for the town of Contentment, but a short distance from the town death overtakes the father and Billie is left alone. She is found by Bob and as Contentment is a town in which there are no female inhabitants, Bob smuggles Billie into his cabin. His suspicious actions arouse the other members of the camp and when they find the youngster they are angry. Billie's winsome smiles, however, win the hard-hearted men. She is not successful, though, in winning the friendship of the "Crab." who goes to the Indians and asks them to kidnap the pale face. After they have done so the "Crab" becomes remorseful and starts out to rescue her. In the meantime the men discover that Billie is missing and the men set out to search for her. They meet Billie and the "Crab" returning and decide to hang the "Crab." Billie's pleadings save the "Crab" and he proudly becomes one of the "fathers." Roy Stewart in "THE MEDICINE MAN" Triangle drama; five parts; published November 11 As a whole Average Story Western Star Good Support Suitable Settings In keeping Photography Good An average picture, probably not suitable for first class audiences and yet containing enough western action and atmosphere to make it fairly enjoyable. There are some very good fight scenes, the settings have been well chosen and the photography is clear. The cast includes Roy Stewart, assisted by Ann Kronan, Percy Challenger, Aaron Edwards. Carl Ulman and Wilbur Higbee. The story is by Jack Cunning ham and direction by Cliff Smith. Percy Challenger's characterization of a sheriff s deputy is unaffected and humorous. The story: Doc Hamilton and Edith Strang, whom he found in the desert with her dead mother and father, arrive in the town of El Dorado to dispose of some quack medicine. Edith is heir to the Queen Bonanza mine, which is rich in ore and which Joe Malone is anxious to gain possession of. In lieu of this he kidnaps Edith one evening from the sheriff's home, where she had been staying during the absence of Doc, and takes her to a priest to be married in order that he might gain possession of the mine. However, Jim Walton, the sheriff, missing Edith, interrupts the ceremony and Joe is routed. Upon the return of Hamilton, Joe and he quarrel over possession of the mine and Edith. The sheriff, learning of it, arrives in time to get all the evidence and bring the two crooks to justice. Edith, now a rich young lady, prepares to go to school, but when the stage breaks down not far from the sheriff's home Edith realizes she would rather be Mrs. Sheriff and so returns. She is welcomed with open arms by the downhearted sheriff. Ruth Roland and Milton Sills in "THE FRINGE OF SOCIETY" Backer-Hoffman Foursquare drama; seven parts As a whole Entertaining Story Melodramatic Stars Excellent Support Exceptional Settings Elaborate Photography Fine "The Fringe of Society" is a good old-fashioned melodrama that abounds in thrills, excitement, suspense and has a lesson back of it. The settings are magnificently mounted and the atmosphere throughout is in keeping with the plot. The cast is unusually well chosen and each role is well han RUTH ROLAND, T. HERBERT FRANK AND MILTON SILLS IN A SCENE FROM "THE FRINGE OF SOCIETY." (Geo. Backer Film Corp.) died. It is a picture that should find favor with all lovers of this type of photoplay. Ruth Roland is winsome and womanly as the loyal wife. Milton Sills gives a fine characterization of the editor. Leah Baird is an added attraction to any cast, and J. Herbert Frank a most successful villain. Jules Cowles brought a flash of comedy into the piece that was most acceptable. The rest of the cast includes George Larkin, Ollie Kirkby and Tammany Young. The story: Martin Drake, a newspaper editor, is making a strong fight against the liquor forces. His friend, Xed Medford, is secretly allied with the liquor interests and is determined to ruin Drake. He is in love with Drake's wife and progresses well with his villainy until an incriminating paper falls into the hands of one of the reporters on Drake's paper. In the fight that follows, Drake's wife becomes involved and Drake takes to drink and is sent to Blackwell's Island under an assumed name. No trace of him is found until the same reporter finds him after his release from the island, he having been slugged by one of Medford's gangsters and is lying un 27