Motography (Jan-Mar 1916)

January 29, 1916. MOTOGRAPHY Loveland had met on shipboard. She sympathizes with him in his humble position and endeavors to help him. An explosion in the kitchen enables Loveland to become a hero, though as^ a result of his apparent affection for Izzy, Alex's daughter, he loses his job and is forced to accept a minor part with a barnstorming theatrical troupe. This company pirates one of the copyrighted plays of Miss Dearmer and she visits the town where they are playing, to enjoin them from producing the piece. She is amazed to discover the lord, but after closing the production, employs him as her chauffeur. While making love to her one day, he wrecks the auto, injuring Miss Dearmer, and when she returns to consciousness she finds herself in his arms and the two plight their troth. At this point Lord Loveland's fortunes turn for the better. He is recognized as the real Lord Loveland, restored to the position which is rightfully his and, learning that his fiancee is after all an heiress, he finds that he is able once more to return to England. The Current Triangle Bill Latest Offerings of the Ince and Griffith Studios Reviewed by Neil G. Caward A STRONG, intensely dramatic preachment called "Hono ** Altar," from the Ince studios; a Fine Arts argument i donor s : for "preparedness," picturing an imaginary war of the year 1920 entitled "The Flying Torpedo," and a two-reel Keystone comedy featuring Sam Bernard and yclept "Because He Loved Her" make up the offerings for the current week at the Studebaker theater. The program is opened by "The Flying Torpedo," which presents John Emerson in the role of Winthrop Clevering, a novelist, and he gives a most convincing portrayal of the eccentric old man who writes sensational stories and enables his inventor friend, Bartholomew Thompson, to perfect an aerial torpedo that eventually proves America's salvation. The early subtitles clearly announce that the story which is to follow is a purely imaginary one, thus evading any possible suspicion as to the picture's being one which will offend the laws of neutrality or cast reflections upon any of the warring powers of the present European conflict. As the tale begins in 1921 it is discovered that a foreign armada has sailed to attack the United States and the country is apparently helpless to defend itself on account of a lack of preparation for war. A board of government experts, hastily summoned, decides to offer a reward of one million dollars for the best invention submitted that will effectively overcome the advancing host. Winthrop Clevering, a writer of sensational novels, provides the money which enables his friend Thompson, an inventor, to perfect his flying torpedo upon which he has long been at work. A gang of international spies and crooks succeeds in killing the inventor and stealing the model of his torpedo, but eventually Haverman, Thompson's assistant, aided by Clevering, is able to recover the model and to construct a working torpedo which wins the prize offered. _ The fleet of the enemy arrives off the coast of California and proceeds to bombard the coast cities, spreading terror and destruction all along the Pacific. The troops land on the coast and the small American force which is assembled to defeat them proves wholly inadequate and is driven back farther and farther into the interior of California. When all seems lost, a trainload of armored motor cars, equipped with wireless, and a quantity of the flying torpedoes arrive and are stationed some distance back of the retreating American army. Kites are sent up, to each of which is attached a wireless periscope which permits the operator of the armored motor car to see what is going on on the distant battlefield. The artillery of the enemy is clearly shown and the aerial torpedoes are then directed by wireless to their targets and soon the invading army is defeated. The army wiped out, the flying torpedoes are turned loose on the fleet and the huge battleships are destroyed, thus freeing the United States from all peril. Clevering, Haverman and Adelaide Thompson, the inventor's daughter, with whom Haverman is in love, are suitably rewarded and the picture ends with everybody happy. Besides Mr. Emerson, who gives a finished and careful performance as Clevering, special praise is also due Spottiswoode Atiken as Thompson, William H. Lawrence as Haverman, Viola Barry as Adelaide, Bessie Love, who does an odd bit as Hulda, a Swedish maid, and Fred Butler, Ralph Lewis and Lucille Younge, who play the conspirators. Bessie Barriscale, Walter Edwards and Lewis S. Stone make of "Honor's Altar," the Ince offering, a most interesting subject. Frederick Mallory, a wealthy business man, finds himself losing interest in the wife who has stood by him during his lean years, now that he has attained wealth and fame. He seeks new conquests and to make it easier to get rid of his wife, promises Warren Woods, a former gentleman who has sunk so low in the social scale that he frankly admits he is without honor, $50,000 if he will win the love of Mrs. Alallory and give the husband an excuse for seeking a divorce. Wood accepts the commission and later discovers that Mrs. Mallory is so devoted to her husband that he stands no chance of ever winning her affection. He then seeks to compromise her by escorting her to a roadhouse of ill repute, but her faith in him is so sincere that, on the verge of success in his plan, he suffers a change of heart and escorts her home with her name and reputation still unblemished. Then, to right the wrong he came so near doing, he boasts to Mallory of his success in winning the affection of Mrs. Mallory and thus awakens within the other a spark of affection for his wife, which grows and spreads until Mallory angrily orders Wood to cease his attentions to Mrs. Mallory, and calls the whole deal off. The picture ends with Mallory declaring his affection for his wife and the two bending over some baby garments that are being prepared for a coming arrival. Miss Barriscale does splendid work as Mrs. Mallory and Lewis Stone will win many friends for himself despite the fact that he plays a villain. Mr. Edwards as Mallory is always convincing, and is careful not to overdo his role in the more dramatic moments. The subtitles of the picture are decidedly unique and called forth much favorable comment from numerous sources. The Keystone features Sam Bernard in an uproarious comedy for which it is only necessary to say that "it is a ks aid of Clevering. Keystone" to convince exhibitors of its merit. An auto's plunge over a cliff and the riding of a motorcycle through several buildings are among a few of the thrills offered during the action of the piece.