Exhibitors Herald (Jun-Dec 1917)

H B O R H R D Alice Brady in "THE SILENT SACRIFICE" Select Pictures Corp. drama; five parts; published Nov. 29 As a whole Gripping Story Strong Star Magnetic Support Excellent Settings Appropriate Photograph Good "Her Silent Sacrifice," Alice Brady's first starring vehicle under the Select banner is a thrilling story, logical and convincing, adapted from the play "The Red Mouse" by Henry Dam. The scenario was written by Eve Unsell and the splendid direction is by Edward Jose. The settings are faithful to the locale and the cast is unusually fine. Miss Brady is as charming as ever and has seldom been more suitably cast than in the present instance, for she is given the opportunity to run the gamut of emotions from simplicity to sophistication. She is exquisite throughout. The supporting company includes Henry Olive, R. Peyton Gibbs, Edmund Pardo, Mrs. Blanche Craig and Arda LeCroix. The Story: Arlette, a love child, lives with her grandfather in Savenay, where the gossip of the neighbors makes her life an unhappy one. Richard Vale, a struggling American artist, settles in Savenay and induces Arlette to pose for him. She learns to love him deeply, but his impersonal manner teaches her to hide her love. Prince Boissard, a patron of the arts, stops at the Inn of Arlette's grandfather and seeks Arlette's favor as a tonic for his jaded passions. In order to win her he agrees to give the artist every advantage as his protege, on condition that when Vale becomes famous, Arlette will pay the price. He keeps his word. Arlette goes to Paris where she becomes the toast of the town. Then he demands his price. At a ball Boissard insists that she publicly acknowledge him as her lover. She does so and Vale attacks the Prince. He is taken away by the servants and leaves, disillusioned. The Prince then prepares to exact his penalty, but a Hindoo servant, who adores Arlette, hastens to Vale and tells him the truth about the agreement Arlette made for his sake. Overcome, Vale rushes back in time to save Arlette. In the struggle the Hindoo kills the Prince and Vale and Arlette are reunited. They wire to the prison, but because of the difference in eastern and western time, the innocent man goes to his death for another's crime. The horror of the situation drives Kate mad. The picture was shown at the Band Box Theater, Chicago, last week. Thomas Santchi in "WHO SHALL TAKE MY LIFE?" Ideal Motion Picture drama; six parts; published state rights As a whole Very well done Story Gruesome Star' Splendid Support Fine Settings Ample Photography Good The horror of inflicting capital punishment upon an innocent man is depicted in all its gruesomeness in "Who Shall Take My Life," but withal the story has been splendidly done. Every phase has been handled logically and the human appeal has not been lost through overacting on the part of the players. While the present war crisis in this country may prove a handicap to the success of pictures dealing with weighty problems of humanity, yet this might prove a psychological moment for the launching of a campaign for the abolition of capital punishment. Exhibitors interested in propagandic productions will find this an exceedingly good one. The direction is by Colin Campbell, which means much to motion picture people. The principal role is enacted by Thomas Santchi, whose true-to-life characterization can hardly be excelled. Fritzi Brunette and Bessie Eyton give Mr. Santchi good support as does Ed Coxen, Harry Lonsdale, Eugenie Besserer and Al W. Filson. The story is from the pen of Mabel Heikes Justice. The story: Bill O'Shaughnessy arouses the sympathy of Kate Taylor, who gives him food and shelter until he can find steady work. He receives a position as bridge tender and lives with Kate until he meets Mary Moran, whom he loves and marries. Kate becomes downhearted and angered and when her twin sister is murdered and is mistaken for herself and Bill is accused of the murder she does nothing to rectify the matter. Instead she goes west with Croswell and lives with him until she meets "Bull" Egan. Crosswell becomes jealous and shoots Egan. He is sent to the same death chamber in which Bill is awaiting his execution. An exchange of confidences reveals the fact that they are both awaiting death because of one woman, but not until his execution day does Croswell reveal the fact that Kate Taylor is still alive. A frantic search is made for the girl and as the hour of the execution draws near no trace of her can be found. At the eleventh hour detectives find her in a western dance hall. William S. Hart in "THE COLD DECK" Ince-Lynch drama; five parts; published state rights As a whole Well done Story Western Star Fine Support Adequate Settings Appropriate Photography Clear This production, featuring William S. Hart, is a typical Hart story and exhibitors who have found this delineator of western characters a favorite with their audiences should find "The Cold Deck" a successsful offering. Mr. Hart does his usual good work and is well supported by Mildred Harris, Alma Ruebens, Sylvia Bremer, Edwin N. Wallock, Charles 0. Rush and others. The story: "Level" Leigh, notorious gambler, endeavors to keep his profession secret from his sister Alice, an invalid. He plans to win sufficient money to give her proper care and restore her health. Carolie a Spanish dancer, is infatuated with Leigh, but when he gives her little attention, she has him "cold-decked" and he loses all his money. The immediate need for a physician and lack of funds forces Leigh to hold up a stage coach, but the little sister dies and when the road agent is wanted for the murder of the messenger, Leigh gives himself up although he did not kill the man. Citizens are planning to lynch Leigh, but one of the men helps him to escape and while in hiding he unearths the money stolen from the coach. The real murderer is "Black-Jack" Hurley. Leigh brings him back to town where he gets his just deserts. Leigh is urged to remain with the villagers while Rose Larkin, daughter of the murdered messenger, promises to take care of him. Ethel Barrymore in "THE ETERNAL MOTHER" Metro drama; five parts; published November 26 As a whole Old stuff Story Padded Star Does good work Support Suitable Settings Sufficient Photography Good "The Eternal Mother" has little to recommend it as screen entertainment. The story is padded and the main plot has been used time and time again. Picture devotees fond of Miss Barrymore's acting will probably sit through "The Eternal Mother" for the sake of watching the star. Regular patrons of photoplay theaters, however, are getting to the point where they can no longer tolerate an old plot after seeing it many times, and even a well known star will not keep them in their seats, as was the case at a Chicago "loop" theatre where "The Eternal Mother" was shown last week. Miss Barrymore is supported by Frank Mills, L. R. Wolheim and Charles Sutton. The direction is by Frank Reicher. The story: Maris endeavors to persuade her husband to put men and women in the places in his mills filled by children, but Alden will not listen to his wife's pleas. One night one of the little girls is injured and Maris, calling on her. finds that it is her own daughter, from a previous marriage, whom she thought dead. She also finds her former husband, whom she believed dead, is still living. She returns to her home unable to forget her little girl and when the little one runs away from her father and comes to Maris, Maris leaves Alden, explaining her reason in a letter. Alden learns that Maris' former husband secured a divorce in order that he might marry another woman. With this evidence, after clearing the mills of the children workers, Alden goes to his wife and begs Maris and the little girl to return to him. Alma Ruebens and Walt Whitman in "THE REGENERATES" Triangle drama; five parts; published November 25 As a whole Good Story Interesting Stars Well cast Support Suitable Settings Adequate Photography Satisfying "The Regenerates" will undoubtedly provide good entertainment for many patrons of motion picture theaters. The story is interesting and well done; there is a good cast; 26 The ; the