Motography (Jan-Jun 1918)

312 MOTOGRAPHY Vol. XIX, No. 7 it is an epic of modern life, of the deeps and shallows of human emotion, woven and interwoven in the warp and woof of mankind's struggles against temptation and the complexities of existence. Mr. DeMille has missed no chance to bring out in the story his theories, which are theories no longer because they have been proved in his previous work — of what constitutes true greatness in motion picture art. With his indefatigable zeal, his insic mce upon correctness down to the 1. nutest detail, he has left nothing undone in "The Whispering Chorus" that would result in its perfection. He is cutting and assembling every foot of the film and superintending every bit of action. It should be his greatest achievement. Goldwyn Scores in Pittsburgh Goldwyn pictures have taken another stride forward in Pittsburgh with the announcement that Harry Davis has contracted to show them at his spacious Lyric Theater, said to be the most exclusive photoplay house in the city. "Dodging a Million," starring Mabel Normand, will be the opening production. "I had intended contracting for the Goldwyn program right from the start," Mr. Davis told a Goldwyn representative, "but a surplus of productions booked ahead in 1917 set all my well laid plans awry. No enterprising exhibitor, however, can long resist a program containing such box-office and artistic successes as 'The Cinderella Man,' 'The Auction Block' and 'Thais,' not forgetting beautiful 'Polly of the Circus,' and 'Spreading Dawn.' Another cause for Goldwyn elation is the report of big business from several Goldwyn exhibitors in the Pittsburgh territory. Particularly enthusiastic is H. B. Kester of the Cameraphone, East Liberty, Pittsburgh's pretty suburb. " 'The Cinderella Man' proved a big winner despite the heavy snowfall," said Mr. Kester. " 'The Auction Block' is another Goldwyn production that made me feel that a good picture will draw crowds, even in these war times. The only regret I have is that I didn't contract to show 'The Auction Block' for a week instead of three days. But I hope to repeat on it shortly. As for 'Thais,' is has more than come up to expectations, though I had always felt that Mary Garden's debut in pictures would be a big event for me." James Vela, manager of the Liberty Theater, Wheeling, W. Va, said: "'The Cinderella Man' is a thing of beauty and a joy forever." "Captain of His Soul" A Strong Drama Brothers, Each Innocent of Father's Murder and Each Suspecting Other, Offer Weird Subject for Psychical Analysis WILLIAM DESMOND has the title Brotherly love keeps both from voicing role in "The Captain of His Soul," their mistrust. Henry, seeking forgetful on the Triangle program for the week of February 10. This play is a screen adaptation by Lillian Ducey of Eleanoret Talbot Kinkaid's magazine story, "Shackles," which had its inspiration in William Ernest : ' i... c ^-. ^^k ^^^ !__ , J &Sh ' m** Virginia Pearson, whose latest photoplay, "Stolen Honor," was released recently, will soon begin working on a thrilling war play for William Fox. William Desmond and Charles Gunn in the Triangle play, "The Captain of His Soul." Henley's poem, "Out of the Night." The central theme of the plot is a mysterious death and the belief of two brothers that the other is the perpetrator of the crime. This eventful, dramatic story is fundamentally a drama of the "inner man." It affords a study of fraternal contrast, for it shows the totally different struggles and impulses which actuate two brothers who have been subjected to the same vital emotional experience. The stronger becomes master of his conscience. The weaker, resisting it, finally succumbs. The play is said to have distinct psychological value, and to offer opportunity for intensely emotional acting. The story relates how Ebenezer Boyce, president of the Boyce Automatic Pistol Works, retires from active management and turns his business over to Martin, a Wall street schemer. Martin is involved with Annette de Searcy, who importunes him constantly for money, which he refuses. His daughter, Myra, is unhappily married to Reggie Van Fleet. Ebenezer is slain. His two sons, Horace and Henry, swear to avenge his death. Martin's dead body is discovered and a verdict of suicide is given. With their common enemy slain, each brother thinks the other the murderer. ness, travels. He comes under the influence of a hermit, yields to the message embodied in Henley's poem, and returns home, resolving to become "Captain of His Soul." At Palm Beach the brothers meet Myra, whose husband has been killed in a train wreck, and jealousy poisons the fraternal love of the weaker. A sensational accusation in the hotel lobby and a subsequent startling and unexpected confession of the real murderer lead to a stirring climax. William Desmond and Charles Gunn portray the two brothers. Jack Richardson. Triangle "heavy," has the role of the villainous Martin. Walt Whitman, recently seen in "The Hopper," has a characterization part as Ebenezer Boyce. Mitzi Gould is seen as Myra and Claire McDowell is Annette DeSearcy. The cast also includes Jules Friquet, Eugene Burr, Percy Challenger and Lucretia Harris. Gilbert P. Hamilton was the director. One of the finest hotel sets ever erected at the Culver City studios was used in the filming of this picture. It covered an entire studio stage. The "green room," seen through the lobby, is considered an achievement of the Triansrle interior decorators. "Doug." to Aid Red Cross Again Not satisfied with what he has already done for the Red Cross, Douglas Fairbanks, who has just cleared $18,000 at a Rodeo held for the benefit of that organization, has entered himself in the Red Cross tennis tournament soon to take place in Southern California. Douglas will play against some of the most noted champions, with Mary K. Brown as his partner. Metro on Broadway Metro's great screen spectacle of international war events, "Lest We Forget," starring Rita Jolivet, opened for a run at the Lyric Theater in New York City on January 28, marking the entry of Metro pictures into the ranks of regular Broadway attractions. Studio Manager Joins Army Al Kaufman, manager of the Fiftysixth street studio, New York City, of the Famous Players-Lasky corporation, has been commissioned second lieutenant in the signal corps and assigned to the motion picture division with station in Washington.