Motography (Jan-Jun 1918)

February 23, 19] 8. MOTOGRAPHY 375 "My Wife" Ann Murdock in Empire-Mutual Picture of February 11. Reviewed by Genevieve Harris NOT up to the standard set by "Outcast" or "Please Help Emily," but diverting enough to please Murdock admirers, this picture will entertain the average audience fairly well. It is a comedy drama based upon a frequently used but seemingly popu The party. lar dramatic situation, a marriage in name only from which a real romance develops. In handling the subject, good taste has been used to avoid risque situations but the action is slow and loo much depends upon the acting of the star. Miss Murdock, with an appealing story and clever situations to aid her, has shown ability as a screen player, but in this case she has not the aid, for the story is mediocre. The photography and outdoor scenes are the most pleasing feature of the picture. Dell Henderson directed. Michael Morton wrote the story. The large cast of players includes Rex MacDougal, Ferdinand Gottschalk, Jules Rancourt, Herbert Druce and others. The story: When Beatrice Hammond's maiden aunt was on her death-bed, she added a codicil to her will that unless Beatrice was married before her eighteenth birthday, the large bequest left to her shall revert to others. Gerald Eversleigh, a wealthy bachelor and a life-long friend of Beatrice, is named as one of the executors of the will. Beatrice believes herself in love with Ronald Farwell, who has been called to the colors and sent to France. When Beatrice learns of the codicil to the will, she persuades Gerald to marry her, "in name only," in order to save her inheritance, with the understanding that they shall be divorced when Ronald returns from France. Ronald is wounded in action, falls in love with the French girl who nursed him in the hospital, and marries her. In the meantime, Gerald has fallen desperately in love with his "temporary" wife and becomes jealous of the attentions of other men to her, while fervently praying that Ronald will reap all the glory of a dead hero. Ronald returns from France with wife and offers Eversleigh a bribe of sixty thousand dollars if he will remain married to Beatrice. Eversleigh, who has discovered that his love for his wife is reciprocated, considers it a good bargain, but refuses the money, and the denouement is a happy one for all concerned. "Jack Spurlock — Prodigal" Fox Film Production, Starring George Walsh. Reviewed by L. J. Bourstein ("^EORGE WALSH is back and in film production of George ^-I Horace Lorimer's "Jack Spurlock — Prodigal." Seldom has a screen production excited so much curiosity. For the many who read of Spurlock in the Saturday Evening Post this picture will have an added interest. Mr. Lorimer has certainly chronicled some humorous incidents in his story. Judge for yourself the sight of a band of onion peelers. Now isn't that enough to bring tears to your eyes? Or a huge bear bent on getting an absolutely innocent student in Dutch with the prof. These are only two of the many funny angles of the picture, which abounds with the infectious smile of George Walsh. Walsh is given full sway and makes the most of it. As the speculator in onions Spurlock gets into many difficulties, but the onions finally prove ' strong enough to bring Jack back to his irate father. Walsh is simply immense as Spurlock; if anything more were said it might spoil everything. Dan Mason plays Spurlock, Senior, with a naturalness that borders on the perfect; in fact, it strikes one that Mr. Mason might have had the experience in real life. Anita Grey, Jack's sweetheart, is very capably portrayed by pretty Ruth Taylor. Carl Harbaugh directed and has handled the many complex situations in an adroit manner. The story: Jack Spurlock is expelled from college because he takes a kindly interest in a bear which persists in following him around — even to studies. But you can't blame Jack, because he was returning home from a party and was pretty drunk when he bought the creature. Anyway, Jack is put to work by his father, a wealthy grocery dealer, and is given a position as purchasing agent. Unaware of the fact that the company had quite enough of onions, Jack went right ahead and bought up all the onions he could get. Result, the onion workers went on strike and Jack went with them. When the strike was finally settled Jack found himself without a job and managed to get along as a waiter in a silent system restaurant. But he left that and became a demonstrator for physical culture specialists. While engaged in this work Jack met Col. Jackson, a soldier of fortune, who had managed to live by selling a patent medicine. The colonel received a large order for his medicine, but could not fill it because he could not get enough of the chief ingredient. That ingredient was onions. Easy enough for Jack, who went to the onion workers and commandeered the entire supply. Just then Spurlock, Senior, came in with Anita Grey, Jack's sweetheart, who was rather displeased with Jack and his escapades. But Jack explained matters and saved his father quite a bit of money and the onion workers many tears. The colonel had his supply of onions and Anita was willing to give Jack another chance. So was Spurlock, Senior. 'The Crucible of Life" General Enterprises Inc., Starring Grace Darmond. Reviewed by L. J. Bourstein ANOTHER addition to the ranks of war dramas, with the ** present conflict filling in as a patriotic background, is "The Crucible of Life," a screen adaptation of the stage success, "Fairfax." For this type of drama a strong story is a nonessential ; battle scenes and flag waving will usually suffice to draw the crowds. But when the story is in itself an interesting one that has pathos, love and patriotism, and is exceptionally well titled, it is bound to be a sure fire hit. Interest is not lacking in any of the seven parts of the picture. This picture was made by the Authors Film Company and is being exploited by General Enterprises. An extensive advertising campaign has kept the film in the public eye for some time and when it is released, which will be in the near future, the anxious film fan will have ample cause for rejoicing. Probably never before have more realistic battle scenes been seen, and of additional interest is a scene where the villain, a spy in the uniform of our army, is caught lowering the Stars and Stripes by a loyal Sammy. This is a signal for the Hun attack and the American boys are warned in time to repulse the enemy when they advance. Situations like this are abundant. Grace Darmond is a charming heroine and is surrounded by an exceptional supporting cast headed by Jack Sherrill and Frank O'Connor. Suspense is maintained throughout and a great heart interest is ever in evidence. -Augmented by the thrilling'battle scenes and parades of our soldiers and our Red Cross workers, the picture is one that should enlist an army of lovers. The story: After the death of her mother, Gladys Dale enters into an unfortunate marriage with Marigold, a crook, who deserts her. Gladys is. befriended by Mrs. Dorset, who employs lper as companion to Diana, her daughter. At the Dorset country home Gladys meets Robert, the ne'er do well son, and incurs his enmity by repulsing his advances. Edwin Fairfax, a younger brother of Mrs. Dorset, admires Gladys and so tells her. But Robert has gotten into bad company, robs his mother and placethe blame on Gladys. By a curious coincidence Gladys discovers Robert is the real thief and to spare her benefactress the blow, leaves the house. Later, enlisted as a Red Cross worker, Gladys is sent to France. The national army draft has taken Fairfax and after months of severe training he is sent to France with his n p ment. Neither Fairfax nor Gladys is aware of the other's presence in the sector until one day a German airman drops bombs on the hospital tent and Gladys is severely injured. With other wounded she is taken to a hospital base in the rear. A spy in the camp is discovered by Fairfax in the act of