Motion Picture News (Jan-Mar 1917)

February 10, 1917 MOTIONPICTURENEWS 893 Universal Offers Program of Varied Features Sixth of " Sin " Series Attack on Laziness McCLURE PICTURES has made in " Sloth," starring Charlotte Walker, a drama claimed to be of unusual appeal, and notable especially because it uses a new way of presenting a motion picture play. "Sloth" is the sixth of Seven Deadly Sins, the McClure series of seven five-reel dramas, the first of which is to be released on January 29. It is an attack upon laziness, wielding a sharp sword upon the idle rich and pleading especially for patriotism among the women of to-daj^ Shirley Mason plays a young society girl who loves to loll in luxury. Shirley doesn't want George Le Guere to go to the front with the National Guard. Charlotte Walker comes to her in three separate dramas, each presented by novel methods, so that the main thread of the story is never lost in the incidental plots, and in love and battle Shirley is saved from the sin of " Sloth." Miss Walker is supported by a splendid cast, including Miss Mason, Mr. Le Guere, D. J. Flannigan, Jack Crosby, Grace Williams, Charles De Mussett, A. Barrett, Curtis Cooksey, Emil Hach, Hattie Delaro, Harry McFayden and Helen Strickland. Another Ovey Comedy Feb. 22 Under the title of " Jerry's Brilliant Scheme," David Horsley will release the eighth of the new series of Cub Comedies, featuring George Ovey, on February 22, through Mutual. The picture, directed by Milton H. Fahrney, finds the comedian portraying his original character of Jerry, who for the love of a girl undertakes some wild practices in deception. Not able to gain father's consent to his marriage to Tiny, Jerry hits upon the scheme to kidnap father, and while holdI ing him prisoner to have one of his pals I impersonate the master of his sweetheart's ' household. His love-making efforts progress nicely and his scheme would have borne the desired result had it not been for his pal's expression of his weakness for the bottle that finally resulted in exposing the entire plan. LEADING a strong program of releases of the Universal Film Manufacturing Company for the week of February 5 is the five act Red Feather feature production, " The Scarlet Crystal," a photodrama of human frailties and weaknesses. This story which was written by J. Grubb Alexander and produced by Charles Swickard with Herbert Rawlinson, with Betty Schade and Dorothy Davenport in the leading roles, will be released Monday, February 5. It is claimed to be a powerful story with a wide and sympathetic appeal enacted by a cast of capable players amid settings of unusual splendor. In the cast supporting the principals are Raymond Whitaker, Marie Hazelton, Gertrude Astor and Dick Ryan. The seventh episode of the Universal serial, " The Purple Mask," with Grace Cunard and Francis Ford, which will be released this week is entitled " The Race For Freedom." Besides " The Scarlet Crystal," the Nestor comedy, " His Wife's Relatives," a one act farce by Bess Meredyth and produced by L. W. Chaudet with Eddie Lyons, Lee Moran and Edyth Roberts furnishing most of the laughs will be released on Monday. " Won by Grit," a Gold Seal three act human interest drama by Willis Woods, produced by George Marshall is the leading offering on Tuesday, February 6. The cast includes Neal Hart, Lois Wilson, Mina Cunard, Richard La Reno, and Helen Wright. The other release of this date is the Victor juvenile comedy, "The Valley of Beautiful Things," produced by Lule Warrenton from the story by Helen Jonas and the scenario by Fred Myton. The L-Ko two part comedy " That Dawgone Dog," produced by Dick Smith with Sammie Burns as the arch funmaker will appear on Wednesday, February 7. The Big U Indian drama, " Red Vengeance," and the regular issue of the Universal Animated Weekly with its pictorial news also appear on this day. Three reels are offered Thursday, February 8. The leading release is the Rex two act drama, " The Melody of Death," with Douglas Gerrard, Maude George and Ruth Clifford. The story was written by E. M. Ingleton and produced by Douglas Gerrard. The Powers educational, " Giants of the American Forest," showing the big trees of California is the other offering on the program. On Friday, February 9 the Imp drama, " Avarice," with Claire McDowell in the leading part will be released. Others in the cast are T. D. Crittenden, Leo Pearson and Betty Schade. The Victor " The High Coast of Starving," written and produced by Capt. Leslie T. Peacocke, with Eileen Sedgwick in the leading part, and The Big U two part drama " The Crimson Arrow," featuring Mona Darkfeather are the other releases for Friday. The Bison two part Western drama, " The Outlaw and the Lady," written by Harry Carey and produced by F. A. Kelsey will appear on Saturday, February 10. In the cast are Harry Carey, Louise Lovely, Jack Richardson and William Gettinger. Other Saturday releases are the Joker comedy, " Out For The Dough," with William Franey and Gale Henry and the Laemmle drama, " A Studio Cinderella," with Jane Gail and Matt Moore in the leading roles. " When Thieves Fall Out," a two act Imp drama written by William H. Lippert and produced by John Harvey is the feature offering for Sunday, February 11. This is a photodrama of the underworld. In the cast are Harry Benham, Sidney Bracy, Sonia Marcell, and Mildred Gregory. The other releases are the L-KO comedy cartoon " Fearless Freddie in the Woolly West " and' the Dr. Dorsey animated lecture " Joys and Tears of China," a split reel and the Rex drama, " In the Shadows of Night," with William Shay, the well-known star, in the principal role. " The Promise " Is Next lA^an The first Ivan production directed by William Humphrey, recently of Vitagraph, which has a working title of " The Promise," has been completed in unusually quick time. James Morrison, Christine Mayo, Rubye De Remer and Guy Coombs, who joined Ivan a short time ago, are in the principal roles. The atmosphere of the play is laid in America and Japan. Advantage is taken of the many opportunities offered for colorful lighting and scenic effects.