Motography (Jan-Mar 1916)

264 MOTOGRAPHY Vol. XV, No. 5. his villainy and will shed no tears when he is found murdered in the next act. The second reel shows the "first night" of the "play, in which Alary scores a success. Pollock has arranged a banquet in Mary's honor after the play, but she has promised to run away from it early and meet Langdon. Mary, wearing one of the beautiful gowns which are a feature of this production, appears at the banquet. Before leaving home, a distrust of Pollock had led her to slip her little revolver into her party bag, but a message brought to her at the banquet asking her to meet Langdon in a certain room does jiot arouse her suspicions. The message is really from Pollock, who has been drinking far too much. Mary enters the room and starts in alarm as she sees Pollock. He locks the door, then comes toward her. The scene shifts first to the lobby where Langdon is waiting for Marj-, then to the banquet table, which is suddenly thrown into confusion on hearing a shot. All rush to Pollock's room, Langdon with them. The door is forced open, and Pollock is found dead, Alary fainting beside him. Between them lies Mary's revolver. Is Mary guilty? If not, who killed Pollock, and how? Also why? Who will save Mary from the net of circumstantial evidence? So we have the mystery, with its chief time covered necessitates many lapses, which are explained by subtitles. This, however, is not to the detriment of the picture, for the action is all between the characters introduced in the beginning and no developments of note occur during the characters and its background. It is a good beginning. The roles are well handled. The story is sure to attract and puzzle many. "The Unwritten Law" California Motion Picture Corporation's Five-Reel Drama. Reviewed by Thomas C. Kennedy. HTHE California Motion Picture Corporation's latest offering, ' "The Unwritten Law," is an interesting modern drama of character and situation, having for its central figure a woman of admirable spirit and courage in the face of adversity. This picture is satisfactory in every detail of production and acting. As the story deals with characters mostly, the acting is first in importance, and the uniformly effective cast selected to interpret the parts is supported by good direction, and fine settings and photography. Heading the cast is Beatriz Michelena, whose previous screen appearances should make comment upon her work needless. This story gives her a part which competes with her role in "Salvation Nell" as regards the opportunities for emotional acting it presents. William Tike as the brilliant lawyer who sinks to the level of the gutter through drink, and Andrew Robson as the political boss, have the other important parts. The story is built around these three figures. The actors who interpret them are always convincing. The scenario is by Captain Leslie Peacocke and is based on the story by Edwin Milton Royle. The long period of time passed over, so there is no real break in the thread of the story. In the beginning we see John Wilson and his wife living with their baby girl in complete happiness. Wilson has made a fine record as district attorney and he is mentioned for the gubernatorial candidacy. Larry McCarthy, a saloon proprietor, who rules a portion of the state with an iron hand, calls on Wilson and offers him his support. McCarthy is at once fascinated with Mrs. Wilson. Shortly after this meeting he attempts to meet the Wilsons on a social basis. The lawyer quickly ends his hopes inthis direction and AlcCarthy then decides to double-cross him. Wilson stakes everything on the election and when he is defeated he. for the first time, drinks to excess. He continues to drink and the boss, hoping to separate Wilson and his pretty wife, encourages him. Kate then becomes the bread winner. Her husband tries to pull himself together, but cannot, and he leaves her. McCarthy helps her financially and asks her to marry him. When she secures a divorce, however, he refuses to make good his promise and she kills him. Wilson, returning just after the shooting, shoulders the blame. The shock cures Wilson of the drink habit and circumstances bring about an acquittal, so the end finds the two united and happy. Alex E. Beyfuss directed the production. The direction is effective throughout and is easily one of the picture's strongest points. The reformation of the drink-soaked lawyer and the use of hypnotism to restore Kate's memory occur at the same time, practically, and while both carry conviction they are not strong enough. One feels that the author used them as a last resort to get his characters out of a great difficulty. The fire scenes are handled most admirably. Here the interest is brought to a point of excitement without spoiling the effect by overdoing the thing. "Madame X" Pathe Gold Rooster Play Picturized from Famous Drama. Reviewed by Thomas C. Kennedy SIX REELS are required to tell the screen version of Alexander Bisson's famous "Madame X," produced by Henrj W. Savage for the Gold Rooster program with Dorothy Donnelly, whose interpretation of the name role in the original stage production caused such widespread comment. It is an exception.il story which has been made into six reels without the aid of spectacular treatment. The picture is tilled with action, and it is action which has a distinct bearing on the plot. Surely no one can complain that "Madame X" has been padded. Because of it> greal -m-n^ .is a stage play "Madame X"