Moving Picture World (Oct-Dec 1914)

648 THE MOVING PICTURE WORLD "The Spirit of the Conqueror" A Five-Reel Phoenix Offering Idealistic Solution of the Labor Problem — Sawyer Release. Reviewed by the Rev. E. Boudinot Stockton, S.T.B. THE original title of this picture was "Shades, or the Napoleon of Labor," the idea underlying the story being that by means of reincarnation the spirit of Napoleon comes to earth again and uses his great genius to bring about a peaceable solution to the difficulties between capital and labor. The story is simply and directly told along broad lines that take for granted the overcoming of the difficulties involved in the practical working out of the details and the allegorical portions have been most beautifully handled. Lincoln, Grant. Lee, Benjamin Franklin and Washington Scene from "The Spirit of the Conqueror" (Sawyer). meet in paradise the master of reincarnation and an angel who has just returned from the world, whither he has been sent to investigate the difficulties between capital and labor. After listening to the report of their messenger, these great leaders of men decide that what is needed today is some genius of organization who can lead labor to a universal victory over capital which will bring about a lasting adjustment of all iniquitous relations. The master of reincarnation suggests that one of them go back to earth and be that leader, V; jfr \ £ -sfflKHBrw: cowl >:mj.>< u" Scene from "The Spirit of the Conqueror" (Sawyer). but they all shrink from the task and finally Washington declares that there is only one genius capable of handling the situation, namely, Napoleon; the difficulty, however, being that the great emperor and war genius may not be willing to turn his talents into the paths of Deace. Lincoln volunteers to persuade him, and with the master of reincarnation crosses the Styx to hell, where Napoleon is dwelling disconsolately, and by his arguments fulfills his mission. The master of reincarnations takes th . shade of Napoleon to earth and places it in the body of the -ew-born son of Peter Morgan, the capitalist king. The s"tl grows up, studies social economics, takes issue with his father on the labor question, organizes a universal strike which he engineers to a peaceful victory at the cost of his own life, and t'.-e mission of Napoleon's spirit on earth being done it retu ns to the world of shades and is welcomed into paradise by the great souls that had caused his return to earth. Of course, a story like this is bound to be. more or less unreal, but it has been worked up in an intensely interesting manner, and it is certain to be popular wherever it is shown. Captain Leslie T. Peacocke Former Scenario Editor of the Universal Now Preparing Picture Plays for the World Film Corporation. WORKING quietly on a seven reel feature which bids fair to surpass his "Neptune's Daughter," and at the same time preparing the scenario for the screen version of Wilton Lackaye's feature, "The Pit," and the screen version of "As Ye Sow," in which Alice Brady will star, Captain Leslie T. Pea ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ cocke, one of the best known scenario writers, has been too busy to inform his friends that he had joined the staff of the World Film Corporation, and had been at work for weeks before they learned of his change of position. Now that he has finished his work on "The Pit," and "As Ye Sow," and is hard at it again making a photoplay for Clara Kimball Young, from Henry Kitchell Webster's story of "The Butterfly," he feels that he could take a few moments to come to the city and tell us of his plans. Captain Peacocke informs us that the seven reel feature upon which he spent so Capt. Leslie T. Peacocke. much time and has -vorked sc secictly, is to be an absolute novelty and that 10u of the most beautiful women in the world will take part in the picture. The delicate work of selecting the respective beauties is now being done at the Peerless Studio, ot the World Film Corporation, at Fort Lee, N. J., and all the nations are sure to be represented in the choice of the 100 beauties. Further information on this the captain refuses to give out, but one may be sure that the man who has written several hundred successful photoplays and who has been a standby of every organization that he has been associated with, may be expected to deliver the goods when he announces that there will be 100 beautiful women in this feature. So much has been written about the Captain that he is as well known as i>any of the players who have appeared in his photoplays, b'lt it's not amiss at this time to mention the fact that the Captain is of English birth. He served in India as an officer in the 88th regiment. He became interested in literature when he worked as a correspondent for the Irish Times, while in his native land. There is hardly a successful magazine published in either America, England. Canada, or the Orient, that has not published one of the captain's stories. For several years Captain Peacocke was the feature writer for the Los Angeles Times, which has a reputation second to none in this country, as a unique newspaper. A. H. Woods has several of the Captain's three act plays in his possession and he is also the author of various vaudeville sketches which has been staged in the past three years. "Lady Pat," one of the Captain's stories, which was published in the Smart Set, was presented before the Viceroy of India last year by Captain Peacocke's sister (Lady Gardner) and Captain Philip Scott, son of the late Clement Scott, the noted English Dramatic critic. NEW YORK ASSOCIATION BALL DATE. Adolph Weiss, chairman of the ball committee of the New York City Exhibitors' Association, calls attention to the fact that an announcement of the date of that function in the Moving Picture World was incorrectly printed. Mr. Weius says that the correct date is December 7th. The affair will be held at the new Grand Central Palace.