Moving Picture World (Dec 1917)

. 1960 THE MOVING PICTURE WORLD December 29, 1917 'The Fighting Trail' Vitagraph's First SerialLives Up to the Claims of Producers and Is Filled -with Interest and Action from First to Last Episode. Reviewed by Edward Weitzel. Tin: release of "Out of the Flame." episode fifteen of the Vitagraph serial, "The Fighting Trail," completes the J. Stuart Blackton and Cyrus Townsend Brady story, in wl.irh William Duncan and Carol Holloway are the star playThe pictures lives up to the claims of its producers as "The Most Marvelous Melodramatic Photoplay Serial of the Great Outdoors," and is filled with interest and action from first to last episode. Much of the credit for the success of the serial belongs to William Duncan, who directed the production, as well as acted the role of the hero, John Gwyn. Everything connected with the picture, cast, locations and the realistic and hair-raising "stunts." leave nothing to be desired. Lovers of melodrama will find a steady stream of thrills in each one of the episodes. Carol Holloway, as Nan Lawton, the sweetheart and companion of John Gwyn, demonstrates her fitness for the position in each of the numbers released. No incident has been too strenuous or too full of danger to daunt her. George Holt, as "Deep Cut" Rawls, and Joe Ryan, as "Shoestring" Drant, contribute strongly-drawn character studies. Aside from the speed and punch of the story, it contains touches of heart interest and neat bits of construction that add greatly to its merit. 'Wages No Object' Metro-Drew Comedy in Which a Gloomy Cook Causes the Family of Two Much Distress. Reviewed by Margaret I. MacDonald. RATHER an original idea has been found as a basis for the Metro-Drew comedy, "Wages No Object." Among the frequent domestic troubles of the Minor family arises the necessity occasioned by Mandy's decision to return to her home in old Kentucky, of looking for a new cook. A nicely worded advertisement which states that the party in question is more desirous of gaining a good home than a high wage lures Mr. Minor to investigate and causes him to return with a refined and gentle person who proves a delight as far as the table is concerned but who breaks into tears at the slightest demonstration of affection in the Minor family. Mrs. McGuire's propensity for gloom finally gets on the nerves of first one and then the other, and finally when the opportunity to get rid other presents itself in the shape of a western friend looking for a cook for his ranch, the unhappy cook is easily disposed of. A few months later brings the news that in spite of her faults Mrs. McGuire has succeeded in placing herself so firmly in the affections of her employer that he has married her. This number is not quite as amusing as other Drew comedies we have seen, but it makes good on its refinement and originality. Flynn Serial in Twenty Episodes" Big Secret Service Story of German Intrigue in America Will Command Wide Attention. EVERY facility of the great Wharton studios, at Ithaca, N. Y., is being utilized in the production of the new serial, "The Eagle's Eye," founded on a story by William J. Flynn, Chief of the United States Secret Service. This attraction will be presented in twenty episodes, each complete in itself, but making a part of a powerful story possessing a wonderfully compelling love interest and thrillingly sustained suspense. The character in this serial will be played by a large and very competent company, headed by King Baggot, who will play the role of the hero, and by Marguerite Snow, who will act the part of the heroine. Both these players are popular stars and widely known through their appearance in many notable productions. While this production is a private enterprise, it has a great public purpose behind it and it is believed that it will prove a powerful factor in the propaganda of the United States Government to arouse the public of this country to the menace of the Imperial German Government's secret spy system now in active operation in this country. The constantly increasing influence of the motion picture as a moulder of public opinion is now recognized and appreciated by every thoughtful person. Its singular power in this direction has been most effectively demonstrated since the declaration of war by the United States against the Imperial German Government— that insidious and conscienceless autocratic machine which, for more than thirty years, has plotted against the peace of all nations, even of Germany itself, to the attainment of the realization of a dream of world-power conceived in ultimate criminal interest against the peace, prosperity and selfgovernment of all peoples. To the attainment of this purpose the Imperial German Government created two wonderfully effective forces — a military •organization of greater efficiency than any in the history of the world and a secret power — a political, military, naval and industrial spy system, with a scope and potency almost beyond appreciation by the human mind. This spy system was extended all over the world, the German industrial secret service being its actual foundation. Al though this government was at peace with Germany! autocracy's secret spy system, numbering many thousands of men and women, soon began to make itself felt here in sabotage, incendiarism and other crimes to the detriment Of the Allies and in the carrying out of a propaganda which would influence public opinion in this country adversely to the Allies and against taking any part in the war, no matter what provocation the Central Powers might offer. The trend of events leading to the Government of the United States entering the war — in effect as an antagonist to the personal ambitions of the Kaiser to rule the world — the conspiracies to invade Canada, to blow up the Welland Canal and to embroil this country in a war with Mexico, the repeated sinkings of unarmed American merchant ships at sea in contravention of international law and in disregard to the protest of the President, the fomentation of labor disputes, the bleeding of class hatred and of alien interference in governmental affairs, are known, but the powerful secret influences behind them are little appreciated by the people in general. The story of "The Eagle's Eye" deals with these events only in so far as they may have effect on the future by making known to the American people, in a practical and convincing way, something of the hidden intrigues of the Imperial German Government against the United States and the safety and well being of its people. While the incidents, founded on fact, pictured in Chief Flynn's serial, will relate to cases of the past, investigated and finished, there will be much in them that will prove very enlightening as to the present and the future. In the telling of the story such noted German Government representatives as Count von Bernstorff, Captain von Papen, Captain Boy-Ed, Wolf von Igel and Dr. Albert, the arch-conspirator of them all, will be seen in very convincing impersonations. While they are no longer in this country, they have left behind them an organization of far-reaching power to harass and endanger the safety of the people, and it is believed that the publication of Chief Flynn's serial will give to the public such a clear insight into the enemy's spy system now at work that this organization will soon find itself under such scrutiny as will result in greatly curtailing its activities. General public vigilance on every hand will undoubtedly deter enemy spies from carrying out some of the dastardly plots they may now contemplate putting into execution. High Speed at Astra Studios Pathe Plays and Gold Rooster Productions Keep Entire Staff Busy. THE greatest activity prevails at both Astra studios, where the entire directorial force is at work on the forthcoming big-star, big-story Pathe features. George Fitzmaurice is directing the Al. Woods stage success, "Innocent," with Fannie Ward in the star role supported by John Miltern, playing the same part he interpreted in the stage production. In this feature many scenes are laid in the Far East, and Mr. Fitzmaurice's long residence in the Orient will assure accurate atmosphere. Albert Parker is directing the screen version of the Al. H. Woods stage hit, "The Other Woman," in which Peggy Hyland, Milton Sills, and Anna Lehr will have leading roles. Hobart Henley is putting the finishing touches to "Mrs. Slacker," a story of present day war conditions by Agnes Johnston that will arouse the last drop of latent patriotism even though it is not a war story. In it Gladys Hulette, Creighton Hale, Walter Heirs, and Paul Clerget, the famous French pantomine artist, make up an irresistable cast. "Convict No. 993," adapted from Wallace Clifton's baffling mystery story, "The Frame-Up," with an all-star cast including Irene Castle, Harry Benham, Warner Oland, Helen Chadwick, J. H. Gilmour, and Paul Everton, has been completed under the direction of William Parke. It is released January 6. "The Mysterious Client," a mystifying tale with many gripping situations, is rapidly rounding into shape under the direction of Fred Wright, who recently rejoined the Pathe directing forces. Playing in this picture are Irene Castle, Milton Sills, and Warner Oland, the famous trio of stars of the serial "Patria," and also Caesare Gravina, who distinguished himself in "The Fatal Ring" serial. New Arrangement of L-Ko Directors. President Julius Stern, of L-Ko Comedies, remains on the Pacific Coast for another month to observe the outcome of several changes he has made in consultation with Director General J. G. Blystone at the Hollywood studios, where L-Kos come from. There has been a general shift of players and directors brought about by the addition of new stars for the L-Ko list, and the new schedule of operations is depended upon to work a general benefit to the product. W. S. Frederick came to L-Ko with Mack Swain to direct the "Ambrose" comedian in a series of releases that will bring that character to the screen once a month. Vin Moore, directing Myrtle Sterling, will have Al Forbes as his principal comedian. Gale Henry is being directed by Robert Kerr, with Hughie Mack and Bobby Dunn doing the leading male comedy. Dave Morris, transferred from Nestors, is being supervised in his offerings by Archie Mayo. The female contingent of assisting players in the various companies include Babe Emerson, Katheryn Young, and Rae Godfrey in prominent place3, and the assemblage of bathing girls, "villagers," and supporting beauties has been liberally augmented. L-Ko is going in for better results than ever, according to advance promises.