Motion Picture News (Apr-Jul 1915)

May 1, 1915. MOTION PICTURE NEWS 67 "THE CAPTIVE" (Lasky — Five Reels) REVIEWED BY GEORGE D. PROCTOR OLANCHE SWEET and House Peters have the leading roles D in this romantic drama which marks Miss Sweet's second appearance in Lasky pictures. Strange to say, House Peters is the captive, not Miss Sweet, as would be the natural inference. Peters plays Mahmud Hassan, a Turkish nobleman, who is captured by Montenegrins and turned over to Sonia, played by Miss Sweet, to till the fields and generally play the servant under the influence of her big horsewhip. A satisfactory sub-title explains that captives were put to this sort of work that agriculture might go on during recent hostilities. Then comes the subjugation of the noble captive, whom Sonia hates for his race and rank. He is made to feel humiliation and SONIA AND THE SOLDIERS the sting of the whip. His sufferings are alleviated by the friendship of Sonia's little brother, Milos, and an innocent flirtation which brings Sonia to her senses. Battle scenes follow and Hassan saves Sonia from the brutality of the soldiers. After the war Hassan is evicted by his own government. Thus any possible class distinction is swept away and he returns to wed Sonia. Artistic effects and pretty scenes help greatly. Miss Sweet's work is a distinct advance over her "Warrens of Virginia." The somewhat tenuous plot is aided and abetted by considerable detail. For instance, the humiliation of Hassan is gone into at great length. He has to eat at a side table, make bread, plow, wash clothes and draw water, each separate incident being fully developed. Little Gerald Ward adds a lovable touch as little Milos. House Peters, like business in England, is "as usual," meaning excellent. "The Captive" is an original script by Cecil B. De Mille, who undoubtedly had his leading characters in mind. "A COUNTRY LAD" (United-Ideal— Two Reels) REVIEWED BY PETER MILNE AFTER reading a book descriptive of the underworld of a great city the country boy dreams of being enticed from his home town by a band of crooks, and made a mere tool in their hands. His adventures while with the thieves are fraught with thrills of the most sensational sort. George Larkin, who plays the title part, has long since proved himself an acrobat of almost unequaled ability, and his opportunities to exercise his dare-devil tendencies in this story are manifold. Such feats as climbing down a water pipe from (lie roof of a high building and swinging from one fire escape to another, seem very simple to Mr. Larkin, and consequently have the effect of creating a most thrilling sensation. Supporting Mr. Larkin is Dolly Larkin, playing his sweetheart. For a thrilling two reeler this one takes the prize. The photography, scenes and direction are all good. "MAN'S PREROGATIVE" (Mutual Masterpicture — Four Reels) REVIEWED BY CLIFFORD H. PANGBDRN DERHAPS it would be going too far to say that this picture A actually advocates a double standard of morality for men and women, but if it does not do this it points out strongly the deep-seated belief in such a standard, which is so widely advocated by men. At the beginning is a subtitle of some length advocating the view that when a woman turns from the path of virtue not only herself but her children suffer. Man. on the contrary, can, according to the writer of this subtitle, sin without harming anyone but himself. From the foregoing it should appear plainly enough that the film is one which deals with sex problems in a decidedly open and direct manner. No matter what a person's views on these matters may be he cannot help but be held by the power of this drama. It is based on the story of the same title by Frank E. Woods, and was produced at the Reliance studios with a strong cast. In the role of the sinning husband Robert Edeson does effective acting, writh equally good support by Mary Alden as his wife. Charles Clary plays the part of the wife's friend. Billie West does her best as the vampire woman, but it is a role which she is a bit too charming to fill in just the conventional style. THE MAN FORGETS HIS WIFE A lawyer marries a young writer, who has the highest ideals of the home and married life. Their first months together are fully in accord with her fondest hopes, but then the husband meets a dazzling beauty at the studio of an artist friend. The wife, seeing her husband's infatuation, pretends to be in love with the artist, and carries the affair so far that everyone considers her guilty, though she is innocent. When her child is born her husband questions whether he is its father. Later a dying statement from the artist convinces him that his wife has never erred, and there is a meeting at which she forgives him tor his sin. and they start anew. Their child, however, has died. VIVIAN RICH CAST FOR AMERICAN HEART INTEREST DRAMA AMID majestic coast scenery, the second "Flying A" company, from the American studios, has produced a striking drama of heart interest and tenderness under title of "When Empty Hearts Are Filled." Harry Von Meter has been cast as Paul Latham, a crippled fisherman whose heart is made glad by the finding of a baby girl washed ashore tied to a raft, a character of love and affection. With Vivian Rich as the dutiful wife, the picture presents many touching episodes.