Motion Picture News (Apr-Jul 1915)

58 MOTION PICTURE NEWS Vol. 11. No. 22. "THE SILENT COMMAND" (Laemmle-Universal — Four Reels) REVIEWED BY PETER MILNE WHETHER or not this feature possesses the faculty of convincing its audience, or merely thrilling it — for the two properties often go alone as well as hand in hand — depends entirely upon the audience itself. The picture is based on hypnotism, extreme mental suggestion, in which some persons will believe and others prefer not to. Before the former class the picture will present a strong, convincing and realistic story, before the latter its realism will be lacking, but they will not fail to be highly entertained by it. Such being the case it is safe to assume that the four reels comprise a feature, concerning which there will be little doubt as to its success, despite the fact that the plausibility of the theme may be questioned. In brief the substance of the plot is as follows : A young girl affected with paralysis, is operated upon and cured by a physician, who also makes a practice of hypnotic suggestion. Years later, wishing to secure the girl for himself, he attempts to hypnotize her into killing her father. In the morning her parent is discovered dead, and although the girl knows nothing of the matter, she is accused of the deed through circumstantial evidence. At this her fiance, a lawyer who is also somewhat of a telepathist, sets to work and succeeds in discovering the real murderer in the person of the doctor's servant, who committed the crime while under his master's influence. Such is the story and as picturized it makes a most engrossing subject. The climax is effectively built up to always keeping the spectator in the greatest suspense. The mysterious influence which always accompanies such a story rules throughout these four reels with an iron hand, and combined with the well conceived plot SEVANI'S OPERATION PROVES A SUCCESS has the effect of arousing every bit of interest that the spectator possesses. Robert Leonard, who wrote and directed the subject, as well as playing the father of the girl, may be justly proud of his completed work. The settings are appropriate, the photography good, purposely dimmed in some instances. He has used closeups effectively, and they would be even more powerful if merely a few were effaced from the film. As the father, Mr. Leonard is excellent. Ella Hall is exactly the .ype for his young daughter, as she invests the role with her youthful personality that is sure to attract sympathy. Harry Carter plays the villainous doctor with all his old-time vim and understanding, while Alan Forrest as the lawyer-lover is as good as ever. Mark Fenton completes the cast of principals as the coroner. PICKWICK THEATRE, SAN DIEGO, IS SOLD THE Pickwick theatre, of eight hundred seats, at San Diego, has ■I _ been sold by Lee Lund to F. N. Howe, who has taken possession. For the present at least the new owner expects to continue the house without a change of policy, and will use the Mutual program. "THE DARKNESS BEFORE DAWN" (Ljbin — Three Reels) REVIEWED BY IRENE PAGE SOLOMON IT seems a pity that as one theme strikes the popular fancy, the plot should be almost duplicated a short time afterwards by the same company. In this picture the essentials of "The Blessed Miracle" are repeated, although in justice to the author be it said, there are several new elements introduced, and it makes an interesting story. Instead of the triangle there is a quadrangle which gives the chance for a big scene when the husband and would-be seducer meet. So big was it, in fact, that Joseph Kaufman, who directed THE HUSBAND BECOMES SUSPICIOUS the picture and played Dr. George Elliott, actually had two of his teeth knocked out by Earl Metcalfe, playing the cad, Carson, to a realistic climax. Ethel Clayton has her usual part of the sweet wife (wronged in this case by circumstantial evidence), with a chance for plenty of emotional acting to which, as always, she does full justice. The part of the "other woman," Rose Lewis, a young widow, is well played by Octavia Handworth, a recent and excellent addition to the Lubin staff. My only objection to the two women (which is surely not their fault), is that they are both of the same attractive blond type and so not good foils to each other. The story goes that Dr. Elliott, loving Rose, fails to propose on discovering her penchant for cocktails and cigarettes, the habit of her set. His heart is caught on the rebound by Elsie Moore, whom he marries. Carson having ruined Elsie financially and unsuccessfully tried to ruin her morally, threatens, when he meets her as Mrs. Elliott, to show her husband some falsely compromising evidence, unless she accedes to his demands. Rose still loves Elliott. Here the complications arise. They are only solved at the very end, when Rose, arising above self, sends the Doctor back to Elsie on learning that the stork is on the threshold. After the darkness of jealousy and suspicion, a happy dawn arises for the reunited family. | 111111 1111111111111 (WW > i wwiiiiNii minimi muni inimiiiimiiin i i minimum iiiiiiimiiniiiiiii| | CHANGES OF THE WEEK j f~m 'wwiwin imiiimin minimi i iiiiiiiiimiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiimmiiiiiiiiiimniiii iitnmiiiimiiiiiiiiiiii iminiul IT ENRY B. WALTHALL goes to Essanay from the Reliance1 A Majestic studios. He will be seen in Essanay-V-L-S-E features. Mabel Condon leaves Motography June 1. She will go to the Pacific Coast, writing about motion pictures for magazines. Russell E. Smith leaves the Reliance-Majestic scenario department and goes to Famous Players. This brings him from Los Angeles to New York City. Olga Printzlau Clark goes to the Universal's Pacific Coast scenario department from American. Frank Elliot joins the Universal Pacific Coast forces, playing heavies in the Otis Turner company. On the stage Mr. Elliot supported such stars as Blanche Bates, John Drew, Elsie Janis and Emily Stevens. Bob Vernon is back with Alan Curtiss' Joker-Universal company.