Motography (Jan-Jun 1918)

308 MOTOGRAPHY Vol. XIX, No. 7 Dorothy D alt on, Paramount Star, in her new picture, "Flare-Up Saf: Fight to "K. O." in "The Beloved Traitor" Hero and Villain in Goldwyn Picture Starring Mae Marsh Wreck Studio in "Knock Down and Drag Out" Affair A REAL "knock down and drag out" fight— the sort of a battle that makes film fans sit up and gasp, is soon to be seen in "The Beloved Traitor," Goldwyn's picturization of Frank L. Packard's novel by that name in which Mae Marsh is starred. The fight has a logical place. It is not dragged in merely to exploit the prowess of the actors, nor to give an imaginary "punch" to the story as a whole. It means something. The situation is an interesting one." The hero has met with his first success as a sculptor in the city and has forgotten his country sweetheart, left behind in a fishing village. He is in the toils of a society girl vampire. Undecided as to which of two men to choose, she keeps the fisherman-sculptor dangling, tormenting him with her pretended preference' for the other man, a society politician. These two come to a studio celebration to inspect a statue for which the sculptor has just won a prize. Also comes the village girl (Mae Marsh) who has heard of her sweetheart's indiscretions. She seeks to turn him from the wrong road. Seen by the ribald crowd, the girl is thought to be the sculptor's secret model for the figure of "The Beacon," which is seen to be the counterpart of the girl from the fishing village. The crowd jeers at her and jests at her pretended innocence. Here the sculptor comes upon the scene, followed by the society girl and her other suitor. They add their scoffing remarks to the chorus, while the erstwhile fisherman protects the frightened girl and seeks to explain. Stung by a coarse jest of the other men, he springs upon the latter and the fight ensues. Desperately, furiously, the two powerful men struggle, the bystanders looking on in horror. Finally the climax comes when one of the combatants is knocked out. Surrounding him is the wreckage of the studio — furniture, statuary and a dozen odds and ends having been demolished. The difficulty, and the point from the producer's standpoint in photographing this episode, was in not having been able to rehearse the scene. Only the positions of the actors could be indicated and the general significance of the conflict imparted to them. All else was left to chance, with the possibility of having to retake the scene and, what was more, rebuild the setting. How far director and players succeeded in enacting this difficult bit of screen drama without mishap and with a maximum of grim realism may be seen in the last reel of the film. Reid in Role of Sleuth Wallace Reid, Paramount star, who has gone to New York from Cailfornia to work on a new Paramount production, will begin activities at the Famous Players' studio shortly on a new type of story in which he will play a detective hero. The picture has been adapted from the book, "Marcell Levignet," by Elwyn Barron, the scenario for which has been made by Margaret Turnbull. The story has a new twist to the "crook punch" melodramatic situation, and Mr. Reid will be afforded an opportunity of depicting an exceptionally interesting character and one for which he is peculiarly fitted. Dorothy Dalton in New Departure "Flare-Up Sal," Paramount Shortly to Be Released, Provides Her With Part of Dancer in Mining Camp A COMPLETE DEPARTURE from her previous characterizations in Paramount pictures will be accorded Dorothy Dalton, the beautiful Thomas H. Ince star, in "Flare-Up Sal," which will shortly be released. Miss Dalton, in the name part, is seen as the fiery adopted daughter of a mining prospector. She endeavors to save his outfit after he has lost everything in a gambling resort. She challenges the proprietor of the den to a game with herself as the stake — that is, she will, if she loses, become a dancer at the resort; but if she wins, her foster-father gets back his possessions. She loses and enters into her new life. Her disposition makes her impervious to the blandishments of her various uncouth admirers. A new minister is held up by a mysterious figure known as the "Red Rider." The bandit locks the divine in his cabin and himself assumes the guise of the clergyman. "Flare-up" is attracted by him as he preaches. He falls in love with her and reveals his identity. Together they leave for the cabin and are married by the captive minister, who is then permitted to go his way in peace. A strong supporting cast has been chosen for Miss Dalton. The picture was supervised by Thomas H. Ince in person.