Exhibitors Herald (Dec 1917 - Jun 1918)

ml X H I B I R H R Gladys Hulette in "MRS. SLACKER" Pathe comedy-drama: five parts; published March 31 As a whole Pleasing Story Cheerful * Star Amusing Support Sufficient Settings Appropriate Photography Good Here's a comedy drama that contains a sufficient amount jf pathos and humor to make it well balanced: a story interesting enough to make it enjoyable and a star that at once .vins one's interest. "Mrs. Slacker" provides a most charming subject for an evening of light entertainment devoid of engrossing problems. And its touch of timeliness in the story of :he lad who was afraid to go to war and so married his mother's wash girl, gives the exhibitor an opportunity to advertise it as a patriotic play, minus battle scenes, as well as a production to which every man can bring his whole family. > The story : The knowledge that Rcbert married her to escape [he draft, makes Susie angry and she starts out to enlist. She jccidentally stumbles onto a German spy plot and is in imminent danger. Her husband comes to the rescue and his bravery reveals the manhood in him. And Robert's parents, here:ofore unkind to Susie, realize the part she has played in Robert's reform. Enid Bennett in "NAUGHTY, NAUGHTY'' Paramount comedy; five parts, published March 17 As a whole Diverting Story Delightful Star Pleasing Support Excellem Settings Adequate Photography Very good C. -Gardner Sullivan's little comedy makes a splendid vehicle for the pretty and vivacious Enid Bennett. It pokes fun !at the foibles of the citizens of a small town and altogether proves a diverting and highly amusing photoplay. Miss Bennett fits the role of Roberta Miller as perfectly as she does her many gowns, of which there is a lavish display. Earl Rodney is cast as a "boob" editor, Marjorie Bennett is a timorous convincing Prudence Sampson and Gloria Hope a captivating Judith Holmes, who acts as Roberta's aid in her various escapades. The picture has been carefully directed and moves plong swiftly and surely to a pleasing though somewhat trite (climax. Jerome Storm directed, supervised by Thomas H. ttnce. and the scenes of small town life are true in every respect. The subtitles call forth many laughs. The story: Roberta Miller returns to Lilyville. Kans.. after a season in Xew York City, and finds things rather dull. Her many trunks, bulldog and much finery cause the gossips' tongues to wag and finally she brings down the wrath of the , church-going populace when she presents a "symphony of Spring" at a bazaar in the Town Hall, which consists of a nature dance with music and very little clothing. The town is divided on the question of dancing thereafter and she proceeds to convert the "antis" by luring an innocent girl to a nearby town's public dance hall, intending to leave her there while she informed the church people. She discovers a church trustee drinking in the place and changes her plan. On the recommendation of the trustee and the editor of the local paper, the church votes to have dancing, to save the young tclks from temptation. Roberta, out of gratitude agrees to marrv the editor. June Caprice in "A CAMOUFLAGE KISS" Fox comedy-drama: five parts; published March 31. As a whole Amusing Story . Light Star Enjoyable Support Average Settings Appropriate Photography Good \ "A Camouflage Kiss" has its entertaining qualities and serves very well as an hour's light amusement. June Caprice, youthful and petite, is delightful in the role of Martha Thorne. and is supported by a well-selected cast, including Pell Trenton, George Bunny, Bernard Thornton and Lola May. Stephen Fox created the story and Harry Millarde directed it in his usual capable style. The story: Martha Thorne, kissed by someone in the dark and being engaged to Rudolph King, naturally expected he was the perpetrator of the deed. But when Gerard Marston kisses her she recognizes the kiss and becomes indignant. Incidentally her love for Rudolph wanes and she finds herself helplessly in love with Marston. The story ends when she consents to follow the road to happi ness in the companv of Marston. to Produce "Young America" And Several Other Big Stage Plays Essanay now is busily engaged in the preparation of its big feature, "Young America." George K. Spoor, president of Essanay. purchased the rights for this play from Cohan & Harris and it has already been put into scenario form by Essanay's staff of writers. Director Berthelet has almost completed his plans for interior art decorations and settings and scouts are out seeking ideal locations for the exterior scenes. Mr. Spoor has a representative in Xew York looking for a suitable cast. The play was written by Fred Ballard and had a highly successful run in Xew York and other cities. Work is being rushed on it and Essanay expects to publish it shortly through the Kleine exchanges. Other productions also being gotten under way include "Hawthorne of the U. S. A.." which in all probability will follow "Young America," although several other plays, of which Essanay holds the picture rights are being considered. The latest of the Taylor Holmes features, "A Pair of Sixes," which was issued through the George Kleine system April 1. it is said, is being rapidly booked. This is held by critics to be the funniest of all the Holmes comedies. Large downtown theatres in practically all the cities of the country have arranged bookings according to reports from the Kleine offices. The picture was adapted from the stage play by Edward Peple and is in seven parts. The feature following this will be a Chaplin jingle entitled. "Chase Me, Charlie." This is a British version of Charlie Chaplin's funniest films and is taken from the Essanay Chaplin comedies. The titles are in jingle form and the scenes from the various Chaplin comedies together with the titles dovetail to form a complete new story with the funniest and snappiest of the Chaplin scenes. It is in five parts and will be distributed commencing April 6. Bessie Barriscale Appears in Role Of Safe Cracker in "Blindfolded" Bessie Barriscale has scored another hit, it is said, through her remarkable portrayal in the leading role of "Blindfolded," the Paralta play which will be the next attraction in which that star will be presented to the public. The picture has already been completed and will soon be published. In this picture Miss Barriscale appears as "Peggy Muldoon." and the delineation of the member of the underworld it is stated, is proof of her unlimited versatility and her powers as an emotional actress. The characterization of "Peggy" in the story is a difficult one to portray, inasmuch as it demands that Miss Barriscale appear in the disguise of a man who "breaks" safes with the expert cracksmen who are her accomplices, and later in the story appears as an apparently unsophisticated young woman who is the mother of a child and the wife of a struggling bank employee. However. Miss Barriscale has impersonated this part, which is so different from all her former work in a manner that makes it realistic and convincing. The supporting cast of "Blindfolded" is said to be unusually good. Joseph J. Dowling, the well-known character actor of the Paralta Company, appears in the role of "Patrick Muldoon." Edw-ard Coxen appears in the leading masculine role opposite Miss Barriscale. Others in the cast are Jay Morley and Helen Dunbar. "Blindfolded" was written by E. Richard Schayer and the screen version was prepared by him as well. Raymond B. W est, who has directed the majority of Miss Barriscale's Paralta plays, also attended to the production of "Blindfolded." It will be distributed through the W. W. Hodkinson Corporation. 27