Moving Picture World (Jul-Sep 1915)

August 7, 1915 I HE MOVING PICTURE WORLD 1023 "CORAL" (Universal). Marie Walcamp appears in new guise in "Coral," a Universal photoplay produced by Henry McRae from the scenario by ■ Olga P. Clark. Although Miss Walcamp was known to possess much skill with the brush and crayon it was not even suspected, until Mr. McRae began the production of "Coral," that she had no little talent as a sculptress. In the photoplay Miss Walcamp is cast as a little fisher maiden who was cast up by the sea with her mother after a Scene from "Coral" (Universal). shipwreck. She is adopted by an old fisherman and while playing on the sands shows her inherited talent as ar artist by moulding figures in the wret sand. In these scenes Miss Walcamp actually moulds the figures herewith depicted. The statue represents her mother, who was drowned, and herself as a baby. A Xew York millionaire becomes interested in the little waif from the sea, gives her an art education and after many complications and exciting adventures "Coral" and her benefactor are married. Through an old fashioned locket Coral learns that her father is the president of the art school at which she has been studying and an affecting reunion of father and daughter takes' place as the last scene of the play fades out. The play was suggested by Miss Walcamp to Director McRae while both were watching a sand sculptor on the beach at Coronado Beach. Miss Walcamp remarked that she thought she could do better modeling herself and after she had amazed the "professional" sand sculptor by her skill Director McRae asked Miss Clark, the third member of the party, to write a scenario around Miss Walcamp's talent. Work on the film began next day. "SALVATION NELL" (California). The California Motion Picture Corporation has just completed an elaborate adaptation from Edward Sheldon's "Salvation Nell," which is scheduled for early release throughout the country. The picture, according to reports emanating from San Francisco where the production has already been given a private projection for those most prominently identified with the trade on the Pacific Coast is a masterpiece in both story and direction. Greater attention, say those who have seen the picture, could scarcely be given details than that accorded "Salvation Xell" b' the producing company. An instance of the care taken in this respect is found in the Salvation Army scenes which, in setting, costume and general action, have been perfected through advice from the highest officials in the Salvation Army. No less care has been taken in the tenement scenes, both interior and exterior, which contribute largely to the production. A feature of the picture which is causing favorable comment, because of its dramatic aptness, is the injection into the story of a number of scenes from fashionable Broadwaycafes as a contrast to the squalor of the tenements. Beatriz Michelena, who plays the part of Xell, has never had a role in pictures so well adapted to her versatile dramatic art. The intense situations of the play have given her an opportunity that has never before been hers since she first began to act for the screen. In arranging with Edward Sheldon for the picture rights to "Salvation Nell," it was specified that Miss Michelena, whose work Mr. Sheldon greatly admired, should take the title role. FEASTER MACHINE CREATES INTEREST. The Feaster no-rewind machine of Byron Chandler, Inc. was one of the exhibits that created considerable interest at the San Francisco Convention. As a direct result of this exhibit, the first installation of the device on the Pacific coast will be in the Lasky studios at Hollywood, Cal. COURTLEIGH IN FIRST EQUITABLE RELEASE. Although Walter McNamara, the well known author and producer of "Traffic in Souls" and "Ireland a Nation," as has been announced, is producing a special five-reel feature picture, "Human Cargoes," for the Equitable Motion Pictures Company, "Life's Crucible" is the first of the weekly offering of the new company which will be released through the World Film Corporation. The later five-reel picture is being staged under the direction of Isadore Bernstein, the recent director general of the Universal City, who has become identified with the Equitable in the same capacity in which he served the former company. The scenario was written by Marc Edmund Jones, the well known photoplaywright, who is coming to the Equitable as scenario editor, and its vivid portrayal of the regeneration of a renegade, with its underlying principles of natural science, will make "Life's Crucible" a drama of powerful interest to theatergoers of all classes. William Courtleigh, the popular star recently returned from a successful season with "The Song Bird" in Chicago, is being starred in this offering. Clara Whipple, George Soule Spencer and Roy Applegate. who will form the nucleus of the Equitable Stock Company, and Miss Orlo Lea and Miss Bessie Sankey are supporting Mr. Courtleigh. John Ince. who has left Lubin to join the Equitable forces, will arrive in Flushing next week to begin the production of a drama entitled "The Cowardly Way." "THE TIDES OF TIME" (Knickerbocker). Knickerbocker Star Features present what is termed the most novel release of the month, entitled, "The Tides of Time." Mary Xash, the versatile Broadway star, is featured with a strong support in Harmon MacGregor, who has just closed a long and successful European engagement. Joseph Levering is the producer and Clarence J. Harris, author. "Tides of Time" has a very general appeal, reaching not only those inclined to literature and art, but has a very strong popular appeal. It is founded on Poe's "The Conqueror Scene from "The Tides of Time" (Knickerbocker). Worm" and Shakespeare's "Seven Ages," both of which are used to enforce the dramatic elements of a modern drama. Flattered by success and mastered by greed, Edmund Starks forgets the demands of the poor and needy, while Mary Martin, the laborer's "Mother" takes up the appeal of the unfortunate. Edmund Starks, enraged over threats of a labor committee, will not yield. "Mother" Martin tries to soften the old man, as a last resort, hands him the poem of Poe, "The Conqueror Worm," bidding him reflect on the part he is playing in the "Tragedy, 'Man.' " With a frenzied mind, thinking of the present events and the sentiments of the poem, he sees the incoming of the seven tides of life, and finally views the end of good and ill. BELL MAKES ARRANGEMENTS FOR "PROHIBITION." The three states of Indiana, Iowa and Wisconsin have been secured by the W. H. Bell Feature Film Corporation for "Prohibition," the picture that is causing widespread comment in trade circles throughout the country. The Bell Company announces that they will handle this production in the three states as above indicated along their usual high class lines, inaugurated and carried on in connection with "The Christian," which they have thoroughly exploited in the Illinois field. "Prohibition" is a six reel photo drama production of more than ordinary merit, and in addition to serving its mission as a powerful moral story it also carries an intensely interesting plot throughout.