Moving Picture World (Jan-Mar 1915)

522 THE MOVING PICTURE WORLD January 23, 1915 "Time Lock 776" Regular Melodrama in Six Reels with Joe Welch in Leading Role — Not a Dry Inch in It (Photo-Drama Company). By Hantord C. Judson. TO THOSE who like the "real thing" in melodramas we can heartily recommend this oilering, "Time Lock 776," made by the Photo-Drama Company. This reviewer enjoyed all of its six reels and didn't find a dry inch in it; but it is all melodrama. The thing he enjoyed in it is the types; they are delightful. The good, human acting furnishes many a moment, enjoyable to both mind and heart. Hal Reid, the author of "Human Hearts," wrote and directed it. Joe Welch plays the big, human-heart character, a kindly watchmaker, most delightfully. The daughter of tlie watchmaker is a winsome heroine, played by Dora Dean. The hero is Edward Carewe, and he is working as clerk for Scene from "Time Lock 776" (Photo Drama). a broker (David Wall), the heavy villain. Behind this broker is the scheming woman, his accomplice, played by Mae Georgina. On the other side of the story, is a band of counterfeiters with the old hag (Adella Barker), a fence; the tough (Fred McKaye), and the "chief," (Edward Sullivan), an Italian. Strung through the tale are other fine characters including one dandy tough cop (Peter Burns), an old woman starving with her two children whom the pawnbroker helps, a rich uncle of the children (Hal Reid) and secret service man (John Starkey), etc. The story, making good use of all these characters, had to be fairly elaborate. It has something going all the time. Very truly that something is of the ten, twent, thirt kind; it intended it to be just that, knowing that there were many who like it now and then. It is a picture that will go best with simple audiences; but even with the critical — we believe that nearly everyone like to be uncritical at times — it ought to be acceptable. It is a picture that will amuse the tired businessman, will feed the romantic and stir the simple hearted spectator. The photography and staging are good. LIONEL BARRYMORE WITH LIFE PHOTO. Mr. Lionel Barrymore, who made his debut in motion pictures in the leading role of "The Seats of the Mighty," has been engaged by the Life Photo Film Corporation to appear in "A Modern Magdalen." Mr. Barrymore is under contract with the Colonial Motion Picture Co., and it was through their courtesy that his services were loaned to the Life Photo Film Corporation. THEODORE WHARTON IN "ELAINE." Sparing no pains or expense to insure the artistic excellence of "The Exploits of Elaine," Pathe Freres have prevailed upon Theodore Wharton to set aside his other business interests and co-operate with his brother Leopold in the direction of the picture. Two such high-class directors from the same family on the same picture makes an unusual combination. TO PICTURE "A MODERN MAGDALEN." Life Photo Film Corporation has entered into a contract with C. Haddon Chambers, author of "A Modern Magdalen," for the production of that story in pictures. Miss Catharine Countiss has been engaged for the leading role of Katinka, Will S. Davis will have charge of the production. "Through the Murk" Two-Reel Domino of Fascinating Theme and Strong, Realistic Treatment. Reviewed by Louis Reeves Harrison. CAST. Missouri Joe Jack Nelson Ivy Hudson Elvira Weil Mother Hudson Gertrude Claire Big Anderson Louis Morrison IT IS the occasional picture of undoubted merit, like "Through the Murk," that keeps the audience hoping for still greater development in this new art of ours and makes life bearable for press reviewers. We know that the art itself is not created to satisfy a passing whim, that it has infinite possibilities, but it is discouraging at times to watch releases that are mere reflections of one another, simply readjustments of a few antiquated situations. In offering "Through the Murk" to the public, its producers are using the right bait for popularity, so far as logic, reason and common human interest are concerned, and the taste of the fish to be caught is to be considered, not that of the angler. .\fter viewing photoplays of cut-and-dried plots, whose termination a child could foresee from the beginning, portrayed by a lot of chalk-faced, preposterous caricatures of humanity, arrayed in theatrical garb and general superficiality moving around amid the stock properties, what a relief to get a touch of realistic treatment, even if it lacks the undeniable charm of beauty. Added attraction is a theme that may be used in a thousand ways and gain attention because it is ever vital, our desperate struggle against imfavorable environment, because it is part of our daily lives. "Through the Murk" is the story of a desperately poor young fellow of no great strength of character, beaten to the very dust, like a weaker nation by a more powerful one, and a young girl of wretched circumstances, those of abject poverty under the influence of a mother who is a disgrace to her name and sex through alcoholism. These two unhappy creatures are brought into an association through the wretchedness of their condition, he shambling with weakness from lack of food, she barefoot and uncouth, both headed straight for one form or another of demoralization. A touch of true love, and they are transformed. Both are stimulated to new effort, one encourages the other to resist the common adversity, and their pitiful struggle is really only beginning at the end of the story, but they are two "hearts courageous" on their way to self-betterment, the finest aspiration within their grasp. There are people of super-sensibilities, who do not like to witness the upward struggle of God's own creatures, those so poor, so pure, so simple of heart that Christ would have taken them into his arms, but there are big hearts in every moving picture audience and plenty of them, so the little play will win. The types are perfect, though Gertrude Claire as Mother Hudson goes to a Zola-like extreme of realism. Elvira Weil, as Ivy Hudson, is remarkable in her characterization, so faithful that she does not hesitate to be as ugly as she should be. She is a veritable little artiste now — later on she will insist on looking pretty and showing her teeth, the way of all screen girls. Jack Nelson as "Missouri Joe" has an extremely difficult role to fill, one not at all to the taste of "leading men," but he steers through all his difficulties with skill, offering an admirable portrayal. "Big Anderson" is well typed and as well performed by Louis Morrison. There are grim features to the story, but they are of life's true physiognomy. The logic of cause and effect, the true denotements of character and the fine handling of precedent conditions give "Through the Murk" high rank. GERMAN EMBARGO ON HYDROCHINONE. Information has been received that the German government has placed an embargo upon further shipments from that country of the photographic chemical known as hydrochinone. The date of that embargo is December 4, 1914. VITAGRAPH MAKES HIT AT WEST POINT. "A Million Bid," "Wild Beasts at Large," and "Love, Luck and Gasoline" were witnessed at West Point by seven hundred cadets and officers with their families. Among those present was Col. George W. Goethals, builder of the Panama Canal. The reception accorded these pictures is sufficient evidence that the Vitagraph occupies a place in the Moving Picture World that gives it an enviable prominence. Upon urgent request of Chas. P. Townsley, superintendent of the Academy of West Point, a second entertainment was given on Sunday evening for the benefit of the enlisted men.