Motion Picture News (Apr-Jul 1915)

70 MOTION PICTURE NEWS Vol. 11. No. 22. "THE COWARD" (Essanay — Three Acts) REVIEWED BY T. S. MEAD <f~pHE COWARD" is a drama, the success of which depends 1 upon the acting more than any other factor. Sheldon Lewis in this, his first Essanay picture, interprets the principal character with strength and ability such as to insure its success over any other obstacles. The rest of the cast, including Nell Craig, Ernest Maupain, Peggy Sweeney and Frank Dayton, are all well chosen for their various parts and all acquit themselves admirably. The staging REUNITED AT LAST is consistently good, and while the photography in a few scenes is slightly below the standard, this defect does not in the least detract from the interest of the film. The story shows the life-long efforts of an inherent coward to overcome this defect of character, which he knows to exist within him. It crops out when, as a poor bill collector, he is about to commit suicide after losing all his savings and some of his employer's money, betting on the races. The girl, who prevents him from shooting himself, afterwards becomes his wife, but when she, two years later, falls in love with the doctor who has saved the life of their baby daughter, the coward, his heart crushed, quite meekly consents to a divorce. In after years the doctor loses his fortune and afterwards his life, leaving his family penniless. The coward, on the other hand, has met with business success and is now a rich man. His daughter, seeking employment, becomes a stenographer in his office, neither his nor her identity being known to the other. One evening while they are alone, he tries to force his attentions upon her and receives a tongue slashing which arouses him to battle with and finally overcome his cowardly instincts. He goes to her home to humbly apologize, and there meets her mother, whom he at once recognizes as his former wife. They are re-united and it ends, happily for all concerned. "THE FAILURE" (Mutual Masterpictura — Eour Reels) REVIEWED BY CLIFFORD H. PANGBURN TRAGEDY of the most pronounced sort runs through this picture, and culminates with the suicide of the hero, who, finding life no longer of interest, destroys the enemy who has ruined him, by this act. As is inevitable in a drama of this sort, a large amount of emotional acting is necessary, especially in the case of the leading character. This role, which is that of a young newspaper man, is played by John Emerson, who handles the many difficulties of the part in a commendable style. Another important member of the cast is Olga Gray, who is seen as Rose, the actress, a woman who represents a vampire type, although her victim suffers only indirectly through her actions. Wahneta Hanson appears as the reporter's wife, and A. D. Sears as the villainous theatrical manager. A theatrical manager insults a reporter's fiancee, and later the newspaper man gets a chance for revenge and prints a story of the producer's methods with girls which compels the man to leave town. When he goes he sends the newspaper man a note, promising revenge and stating that he would kill him if he had a chance. Three years later the manager returns and discovering that his enemy has written a play, pretends friendship and considers the production of the work. Instead he steals it, and produces it before another manager to whom it has been sold can put it on. He also manages to get the author framed up as a thief, and sent to the penitentiary. Tom, the innocent convict, manages to escape, but finds that his wife and baby have both died. By a threat he forces his enemy to meet him in a saloon. There he takes poison, slips the bottle into the man's pocket, and as he dies accuses him of poisoning him. He shows the police the letter threatening his life, and the story closes with the death of the unfortunate man, and the assurance that the villain will hang. The drama was written and produced by W, Christy Cabanne. "JAPAN" (United Photoplays — Six Reels) REVIEWED BY T. S. MEAD SIX reels of most pleasing film, so interesting that one does not realize he is being instructed as well as being entertained. This describes the first series of the Dr. George A. Dorsey travel pictures which are being released through the United Photoplays company of Chicago. At present this series is running at the Studebaker theatre in Chicago, and causing most favorable comment from those who have viewed it. The beautiful scenery of Japan's mountains, forests and lakes, the life in its partially modernized cities, the quaint customs of its inhabitants, are caught by a discriminating camera man, and By • » "is''' n 1 ' ■ [\ ' THE LITTLE GEISHA HARD AT WORK with the aid of surprisingly good photography are produced most realistically on the screen. It is very interesting to see how pearls are gathered by the native divers off the shores of the island. It is even more interesting to see the harpooning of the sperm whale — a piece of really remarkable photography — and to see how these monstrous animals are cut up and prepared for the market. While no story runs through the six reels, plenty of human interest is evident, enough to hold the audience's attention and keep them from being bored. "THE TEST" (Ediscn — Three Reels) REVIEWED BY CLIFFORD H. PANGBURN l\yjODERN business offices are the scenes of most of the IV! action in this drama, which shows the efforts of a man to live down the stigma of a serious mistake. As so often is the case, he is hampered by the efforts of a jealous crook, who attempts blackmail. With this somewhat ordinary situation a a good drama has been built up by careful construction and good acting. Herbert Prior plays the difficult role of the lawyer's clerk who sacrifices himself for the sake of his friend. His nemesis