Exhibitors Herald (Jun-Dec 1917)

X H I B I O R H R A L D ffiPB j.o he gives Molly her freedom and preparations are made for he wedding of Molly and Barney. Rubye De Remer in '•THE AUCTION BLOCK" Goldwyn drama; eight parts; published December 2. As a whole Well done Story Melodramatic Star Pretty Support Adequate Settings Appropriate Photography Good "The Auction Block," Rex Beach's novel, enjoyed wide opularity as a piece of fiction, and this should arouse the inerest of spectators into a desire to see the screen version ,hich has been very well done. Mr. Beach selected the cast nd supervised the direction of the production and the proper tmosphere has been given the whole. The melodramatic naure of the story makes of it a strong production, and where lelodrama is in favor "The Auction Block" should fit in very ell. Rubye De Remer is the feminine lead and has been surounded with a large cast, including Florence Deshon, Dorothy 1 A TENSE MOMENT FROM "THE AUCTION BLOCK," ADAPTED FROM REX BEACH'S STORY. (Goldwyn.) vheeler, Florence Johns. Tom Powers, Walter Hitchcock, :ed Burton, Charles Graham, George Cooper, Alec B. Francis, rancis Joyner. Bernard Randall and Peter Lang. The story: The parents of Lorelei Knight are anxious to lake a fortune out of her beauty. She is sent to New York to ecome a member of a "girl show." Bob Wharton, the dissoite son of a millionaire, falls in love with the girl and when .orelei learns that her father is ill and money is needed she larries Bob, though she does not love him. Bob's father cuts ff his allowance and the son is forced to go to work. The holesomeness of Lorelei kindles a desire in Bob to become better man. He is getting along well when Lorelei's worthss brother leads Bob back to his old life. Lorelei is about to •ave him, but being persuaded by Adoree, known as the wickiest woman in New York, and Campbell Pope, a critic in love ith Adoree, she remains and when Bob learns that he is about ) become a father he conquers his desire for drink. The birth f the baby renews pleasant relations between Bob and his ther and everyone is made happy. Brownie Vernon in "FEAR NOT" Butterfly drama; five parts; published November 26 As a whole Mediocre Story Unconvincing Star Charming Support Satisfactory Settings Suitable Photography Good Fear Not" is a wild-eyed melodrama, with all the fearme elements that go toward making such picture plays, e theme is taken from a family's fear of the consequences a craving for drugs believed to have been inherited. W hile }t character drawing is well done, it is not a story that will peal to the average photo-play patron, unless he is in search the morbid. Brownie Vernon as Hilda, the daughter of one of the drug victims, is the one bright spot of the production. Miles McCarty and Murdock MacQuarrie handle their parts very well and Frank Borzage makes a pleasing lead opposite Miss Vernon. The direction is by Allen Hollubar. The story: The Mornington brothers, James and Allen, believe themselves victims of heredity and this fear is instilled in Hilda, the daughter of James. She loves Franklin Shirley, a young physician, but the fear of heredity prevents her from marrying. Her father's health is declining and in order to give him rest, they move to a smaller town, where he is attended by the local physician. One day while he is about to take some drugs the doctor interferes. There is a struggle and Allen coming upon the scene shoots and kills the doctor. Both men escape. Hilda is accused of the crime and is sentenced to be hung. Dr. Shirley has been searching for Hilda, but is unsuccessful until the day before the execution, when he learns of her fate. He meets Allen, who comes to him for more dope, and forces a confession from him, which exonerates Hilda. And then, like a fairy godfather, a doctor proves that the fear of heredity in the Mornington's is but imagination . William Russell in "NEW YORK LUCK" American-Mutual comedy-drama; five parts; published Dec. 17. As a whole Splendid Story Entertaining Star Excellent Support Well selected Settings Faithful Photography Good To see William Russell in comedy parts is indeed a treat. And exhibitors showing "New York Luck" will be giving patrons a treat. The story, worked out from an altogether new angle, is entertaining, humorous and pleasing. A production to make one forget the war and the high cost of living. Exhibitors looking for high-class picture entertainment will do well to book this latest Mutual. Mr. Russell is supported by Francelia Billington, Charles Burton, Ashton Dearholt and Carl Stockdale. The direction is by Edward Sloman. The story: Nicholas Fowler, station agent in the town of Hohokus, believes that money can only be made in New York. With this idea and the address of a motion picture director, an old friend of his father's, Nick goes to New York. Going WILLIAM RUSSELL AND SUPPORT IN AN AMUSING SCENE FROM "NEW YORK LUCK." (Mutual.) to the studio he finds he cannot gain admission. After a week «if fruitless searching for the big money places, he is handed his hotel bill. The amount staggers him. He decides to write his father that he is coming home, but on second thought he writes him an adventure laden letter, telling how he saved pretty Gwendolyn and her father and cousin from the attack of foreign agents. As he is concluding his letter, the director comes in and tells Nick he was never notified of his visits. Nick then shows him the letter he has just written. The story is so good the director decides to make a motion picture production from it and casts Nick as the hero, at a big salary. Nick finds that the girl who is to play opposite him is none other than the heroine of his letter, whose picture he had found when she was staying at Hohokus the summer before. 25