Moving Picture World (Jul-Sep 1915)

August 28, 1915 THE MOVING PICTURE WORLD 1493 The situation is stated in the first hundred feet, during which we see a man awaiting death at the hands of his mortal enemy. Then we return to the incidents leading up to the enmity and these having been disclosed, flash back to the man writhing in dread of his expected visitor. Finally he is driven to taking poison just before he reads in a newspaper that his enemy was "among those killed" in a railroad wreck. It is an Impressive sketch with a nice touch of irony. "The Man Who Never Was Caught" is the first of several Wm Rfc 'k*"'*"^5/ 3 ^^^B<&58 1 91 ■■'■4 v 'fiRi^B !lV"''wM iw P ^B*^ m Scene from "Dora" (Biograph). rapid-fire melodramas being made by Wray Physioe with a burglar for the hero. His house-breaking exploit in this one is exciting enough and his escape is fraught with all sorts of dangers, increased by a newspaper woman (Mary Maletesta), who runs into a good story while looking for a Sunday special on the evil of the dance hall. A new series under the general head of "Truth's Queer Tales" will open with a society melodrama called "The Wheel of the Gods." Here, as in "Among Those Killed," there is an unusual denouement, showing how a man is literally frightened to death by the physician whose wife he attempted to seduce. The doctor tells him he is in the last stages of heart disease, so instead of eloping, the lover returns home and takes a revolver from the bureau drawer. Augusta Anderson, Charles Bennet and Charles Perley appear in this picture. "Neal of the Navy" First Installment of the New Pathe Serial Exhibits Some Startling Views of the Eruption of Mount Pelee. Reviewed by Margaret I. MacDonald. THE opening chapter of "Neal of the Navy," the new PatheBalboa serial, sets a pace for itself that will keep somebody busy to keep up with. To the story of William Hamilton Osborne is added a bit of realism such as happens Scene from "Neal of the Navy" (Pathe). only at rare intervals in the world of pictures. In fact we are not sure that just such interesting realism has happened in any previous serial or other picture production, with one or two exceptions. The overflow of lava from the crater of Mt. Pelee has at some former eruption of this volcano been photographed and utilized in the making of "Neal of the Navy." The feminine star of the production, Lillian Loraine, has not yet appeared on the scene. And of William Courtleigh, the male lead, we have as yet caught only a glimpse. But of the excellent supporting cast we have been introduced to H. Stanley, Wm. Conklin and Edward Brady. Director W. M. Harvey is responsible for the visualization of the story which has been adapted to the screen by Douglas Bronston. The theme is based on the separation of a family through the confusion attendant on the eruption of the volcano. The father of a little girl baby is cast by the sea on a barren shore with some associates, while the child and the mother are taken on board a vessel that is putting out to sea to escape the danger of the shores of the Island of Martinique. At the close of the chapter a packet found with the child after the mother's death announces her identity and the fortune which is to be hers. Fourteen chapters of two reels each will complete this serial, which promises to equal if not surpass some of the serials already on the market. The story so far is well handled and the production is elaborate in its makeup. "Salvation Nell" Screen Version of Edward Sheldon's Play, Featuring Beatriz Michelena, the Well Known Prima Donna, a Big Success. Reviewed by Margaret I MacDonald. EDWARD SHELDON'S play, "Salvation Nell," is familiar to the majority of theatergoers. It is a presentation of life in the slums, and one that could easily have fallen to mediocrity in its screen portrayal, had not the cast chosen to interpret the various roles of the play fitted the situation so well. Captain Leslie Peacocke made the adaptation of the play used by the California Motion Picture Company In preparing the screen version. It may be felt in the opening of the picture that too much time has been given to familiarizing the Scene from "Salvation Nell" (California). spectator with the home life of Nell Saunders. But at the double tragedy, when her father in a drunken rage brutally murders her mother, and a few moments later at the saloon, the murderer meets his death at the hands of his associates, this sensation vanishes to a large extent. Alex. E. Beyfuss has directed the production with an eye to the artistic as well as the truly human. And of the work of the star, Beatriz Michelena, it may be said that her conception of the character is exceptionally fine. She has made of "Salvation Nell" a type that is sweet and dignified, living in the midst of vice yet preserving within herself an atmosphere of righteousness and purity that held her in the straightest path that she knew of, and helped her eventually to appeal successfully to the best there was in the man that she loved. It is interesting to note that Miss Michelena had never seen the play previous to playing the picture. Therefore, the character "Salvation Nell" as seen in the California Motion Picture Company's is an original conception. Some of the east are particularly worthy of mention. For instance, William Pike as Jim Piatt, Andrew Robson as Major Williams, and Irene Outrim as Myrtle who fell lower at every step. Miss Outrim is to be highly commended for the manner in which she has made this part stand out. Nina Herbert and Clarence Arper as Nell's mother and father are also noticeable in the excellence of their work. Then there is Myrtle Neuman as Sal, a small part well played. Frank Hollins as the old roue, and James Leslie as Sid McGovern, also Kathrine Angus, D. Mitsoras, Minnette Barrett, and Earle Emlay all do excellent work in the supporting cast.