Motography (Jan-Jun 1918)

March 2, 1918. MOTOGRAPHY 423 "Soul in Trust" Is New Type of Spy Play Triangle Feature Based on Big Profits by Learning EXPANSION of the government's naval policy following the outbreak of the war led to efforts on the part of unscrupulous business men to obtain the inside "dope" on locations for naval bases. Advance knowledge of this kind would have been worth thousands to speculators. In Triangle's second seven-reel feature, "A Soul in Trust," released February 24, Wall Street schemers use a clever woman to obtain information of this sort from an incorruptible senator on the naval affairs committee. This drama, by Catherine Carr, follows the characters through Virginia society life in the nineties to the climax in Washington's legislative halls. The grim shadow of an old mammy's superstition supplies an air of mystery which is thought to intensify the dramatic values. The story relates how Nan, a mountain girl, betrayed by Dabney Carter, a wealthy Virginian, sells her infant son to Mrs. Carter when Carter dies. Mrs. Carter treats the child as "A soul given into her care to mould." She brings the boy up to an appreciation of all that is honorable, noble and worthy. In after years, Nan, who has developed into an adventuress, uses him as a tool in a criminal conspiracy against the man he most respects. A mother's love is awakened and in the climax which follows Nan renounces her schemes when she discovers that her victim is her own flesh and blood. Efforts of Schemers to Make War Secrets at Washington Belle Bennett, last seen in "Because of a Woman," the first Triangle seven-reel production, enacts the role of Mrs. Carter. J. Barney Sherry, familiarly known as the "screen millionaire," appears as Senator Franklin. The pleasure-loving aristocrat, Dabney Carter, is portrayed by Darrell Foss, who recently appeared in "Her American Husband." Lillian West is Nan Barker. Grover Franke as Dabney Carter, Jr., has his first important role as a Triangle player. The supporting body also includes Lee Hill, Lizzie Davis and William Dyer. Gilbert P. Hamilton is credited with the direction of the play. "Little Red Decides," adapted from William V. McCoy's American Magazine story of the same name, is the second feature on the February 24 program. In this story "Little Red," a maverick of the range, is saved from a professionally prescribed mother and finds a substitute and equivalent for maternal love in the affection of Duck Sing, a Chinese cook. Many Americans believe that the Chinaman is a most dangerous enemy to white society, and various plays have been based on the racial differences of the east and west. But "Little Red Decides" offers a reversal of this theme, emphasizing the fidelity and trustworthiness of the Chinese character. When Little Red's father dies, cowmen bring the orphan boy to Colonel Aliso's ranchhouse, where he becomes the idol of many rough range-riding souls. Duck Sing, the Chinese cook, appoints himself chief guardian. A delegation of church women of Casitas demand custody of the lad, but the punchers trick them with an organ donation. Pneumonia brings the doctor to Little Red's bedside, and a woman's care is prescribed, also the removal of the boy to the minister's home until the ranchers fill the prescription. Duck Sing finally solves the problem by letting Little Red decide for himself. Little Barbara Connolly, three and a half years old, appears as "Little Red," Director Jack Conway states that she is far easier to manage than many of her grown up sisters. The' role of Duck Sing is played by the oriental actor, Gora Kino. Fritz Schade, as the husband in "The Tell Tale Shirt," Keystone comedy released for the week of February 24, is doing his best to deceive his wife (Peggy Pearce) at every opportunity. And not satisfied with flirting with the maid (Clara Roberts), his active heart beats overtime in the expectation of a rendezvous with the vampire (Marianna de la Torre). But a misplaced address and oriental innocemce, personified by Paddy McQuire, lead to a fatal tangle in a Chinese laundry. "A Coward's Courage" and "His Nimble Twist" are Triangle one-reel Komedies, also released for the week of February 24. Exhibitors Visit Lockwood Members of the Florida branch of the Motion Picture Exhibitors League of America, assembled in convention in Jacksonville last week, paid a visit to Harold Lockwood, Metro star, and witnessed the filmization of several scenes for Metro's screen production of Holman Day's novel, "The Landloper." The party, guided by S. A. Sparks and W. L. Whitehead, both Jacksonville exhibitors, included Mr. and Mrs. E. C. Bennett, Ocala, Fla., Thornton Parker, St. Petersburg; Frank Genover, St. Augustine; Mr. and Mrs. L. Kalbfield, Palatka; Fletcher Catron, A. H. La Belle and C. D. Cociley, Tampa; Braxton Beacham, jr., Orlando; H. W. Titus, Daytona; C. E. Daffin, Tallahassee; William Denworth, Fort Lauderdale; Parish Carter, Gainesville; J. E. Rivers, Green Cove Springs, and L. P. Davis, Arcadia. A sample of the humor in the Triangle play, "Little Red Decides.' Fairbanks Poses for Sculptor Douglas Fairbanks is being "sculptored" by Prince Troubetsky. The prince is spending an hour a day at the studio where Douglas, in the makeup of a westerner, with his famous horse, has been posing for him.