Moving Picture World (Jan-Mar 1915)

5 IS THE MOVING PICTURE WORLD January 23, 1915 two-reel production a fine lesson on the wisdom of carefully preserving receipts for money paid out. The story of the film is interesting, and has been developed with good judgment. Considerable suspense ha? been worked into the production, and it is altogether an acceptable subject. RESTITUTION (American), Jan. 11.— This is a Western subject of the ordinary type, but enjoyable withal. It has been filmed in two reels, and has been attractively staged. The photography is clear and the action smooth. The story contains considerable human interest, and the production would be acceptable on a general program. THE SPEED KING (Thanhouser) , Jan. 12, — A very pleasing tworeel story, written by Philip Lonergan, with Arthur Ashley and Muriel Ostriche in the cast. The son of the auto manufacturer is made the victim of a frame-up in a card game, accused of cheating and shut out of the best society. Only the younger sister of his sweetheart remains true to him. Later the youth wins in a spirited auto race and his name is cleared of the stigma upon it by a confession of his former valet. This is presented in a lively fashion and the scenes are wellphotographed. The hero, of course, marries the younger girl. THE NEMESIS (Eclectic-Pathe), January. — This is a two-reel production in which a convict released from prison attains an honored position. He is harrassed by a prison comrade to whom he is obliged to give money in order to prevent his divulging his identity. The picture, which is thoroughly interesting and well acted, ends with the death of the shadowing pal in an endeavor to enter his friend's compartment on a train. THE COVETED HERITAGE { Erieotic-Pathe) , January.— A threereel production of merit made at the Balboa studios. In it an interesting story has been made the mo.-t of. Some splendid types have been introduced. The action throuj^hout is good. It contains numerous excellent situations, and particularly praiseworthy is the photographic work, in which have been secured some line etlects. QUEEN AND ADVENTURER ( Eciectic-Pathe) , January.— Founded on the story of Mary Tudor, daughter of Henry VIII. of Eugland, who after his death succeeded him to the throne, and in the course of her reign beheaded her favorite, Fabiani. This feature of four reels is a .'strong tribute to the art of cinematography. It is well cast, splendi.-l in action, cnstuming, setting and photography. Much could be said at length on the merits of this production. JOE'S PARTNER. BILL, (Kritcrian), January. — A two-reel Navajo offering. Its story has an excellent situation and works up not a little interest and this in spite of the fact that the leading juvenile acts but poorly. There is a most spirited fisticuff fight in a barroom in which the picture's fatherly character tackles the villain. This is the real thing and will be noticed. The offering shows very fair staging and directing. EDWARDS WOULDN'T STAY DEAD. Now and then in the professional career of an actordirector there occurs a strange situation. He may be playing the part of a politician and while making a campaign speech must dispense instructions to the mob before him. Or it is possible that he be playing the part of a mute, during which interpretation he finds it difficult to talk to his people before the camera. Walter Edwards, the actor-director of the Ince companies, encountered just such a peculiar situation recently during the production of "The Gun-Fight Walter Edwards Directing a Scene While "Dead." er," a forthcoming release of the New York Motion Picture Corporation. Mr. Edwards played the title role and was "killed" in the closing scenes. He was not left to lie alone, however, for the script ordered the gang in the grocery store to be present at the obsequies. So Mr. Edwards had to direct the scene, while he lay "dead" on the floor. The accompanying picture, caught by one of the Inceville cameramen, shows the actor-director outlining the scene from his uncomfortable position. Big Authors With Selig Many Writers of Distinction Serve That Company — Prompt Consideration the Secret. THAT the highest priced literary workers in the world contribute to the excellence of the Selig Polyscope Company's pictureplays, is the broad statement made by that concern. The policy of W. N. Selig is that the story is the thing; that thousands of dollars spent for elaborate settings, costumings, and acting, are virtually wasted unless the plot, in other words, the foundation of the entire structure, is strong. Acting upon this policy, the Selig Polyscope Company accepts plot material that is unusual and striking. The reputation of the author is not the prime requisite, it is the story that is essential. Ainong the authors whose work has been and is being filmed by the Selig Polyscope Company are: Edwin Balmer, Amelia E. Barr, Rex Beach, Robert Ames Bennett, B. M. Bower, Cyrus Townsend Brady, Gillett Burgess, Winston Churchill, James Oliver Curwood, Leona Dalrymple, Richard Harding Davis, Anna Katherine Green, Zane Grey, O. Henry, Harrison Jewell Holt, Arthur Hornblow, Will M. Hough, Frederic S. Isham, Maibelle Heikes Justice, Alvah Milton Kerr, General Charles King, Harold MacRath, Roy L. McCardell, John A. Moroso, E. Phillips Oppenheim. Randall Parrish, Sir Gilbert Parker, Gilson Willetts. William MacLeod Raine, Opie Reade, James Whitcomb Riley. Mary Roberts Reinhart, Hallie Erminie Rives, Mollie Sewall, Bertrand W. Sinclair, Louis Tracey, Onota Watanna, Ella Wheeler Wilcox. In fact, almost every author of meritorious work seems to submit that work primarily to the Selig Polyscope Company, knowing that prompt consideration, expert j'udgment, and highest prices, if available, is his. No expense or labor is spared to provide Selig producers with everything requisite to obtain the inost striking and effective results in pictureplay making and the authors who all wish to see the children of their brains faithfully and carefully reproduced, appreciate Selig care and liberality in the production end. After the books, magazine stories and scenarios submitted by authors are passed upon by the Selig Polyscope editorial department, they are personally read by W. N. Selig, who again goes over the scene plots carefully before placing them in production. He suggests freely, changes in plot or scene, and exercises an individual supervision over the entire output of the various Selig studios. Some pictures, even after having been completed, are kept on the shelves for months before he decides the opportune time to release them. John F. Pribyl, the editor, is favorably known to all authors as a keen judge of literary merit and a man who believes in prompt acceptances or rejections. He has also been instrumental in discovering and developing new talent. NOLAN GANE, ACTOR, DIRECTOR, AUTHOR. Nolan Gane is the youngest director in the business. This well-known juvenile lead of the Tlianhouser forces, has just finished the production of a two-reel picture to be called "The Master's Model." Miss Fan Bourke, who has gained a just popularity as a comedienne, plays a straight dramatic part, risin,g to the full demands of the tense situations in a remarkable manner. Mr. Gane. besides being an actor and a director, has ability as an author, having written "A Dog's Love," featuring Helen Badgley and the famous Thanhouser collie "Shep." BRYANT WASHBURN'S NEW YEAR RECEPTION. Bryant Washburn, the handsome Essanay villain, was the guest of the Crescent Amusement Company at Nashville, Tenn., on New Year's Day. The company, which controls several theaters throughout the south, engaged the great Nashville Hippodrome with the expectation that there would be an iminense crowd to see Mr. Washburn, who is one of the Nashville favorites. More than 5,000 persons attended. A special screen was erected to present "The Way of the Woman," in which Mr. Washburn plays the leading part, and the Essanay actor addressed the audience both in the afternoon and evening. A reception was held for him in the Hippodrome, where a vast and enthusiastic throng crowded to shake hands. President Tony Sudukum and Manager Billy Bordieser left no stone unturned to make the visit an enjoyable one, and they certainly succeeded.