Variety (August 1915)

20 FILM REVIEWS WHEN MY LADY SMILES. Of all the weak, ridiculous and Inconsistent stories ever Incorporated Into a feature scenario, "When My Lady Smiles." a three- part Easanay production with Ruth Btonohouse In the title role, takes the honors, It a one of those heart affairs that leads dramatically up to a high-powered climax and then through faulty direction or over-anxlouaness on the {•art of the author, tbe story becomes so rldlcu- ously melodramatic It brings a giggle In place of a tear. The tale la of love and family affairs of two young people, one the daughter of a blue-blooded Southern Colonel, the son be- ing the catch of the season, the only child of a wealthy widow. The girl Is working In a milliner's and when delivering a hat to the widow's home, meets the son. The couple fall In love, but the boy's mother objects so strenu- ously the girl's father denies his prospective son-in-law the privilege of calling. The mother haa selected a mate for her son, but the latter cannot see It that way and refuses to become Interested. The girl loses her position through a complaint filed by her rival In love and short- ly afterward the usual death scene Is enacted when the Southern Colonel retires, leaving his daughter alone* and friendless. Eventually the son locates his sweetheart and realising her circumstances determines to marry her despite his mother's objections. The marriage takes place after the boy leaves his mother's home, disowned. One year later shows the birth of their child, supposedly the day of the arrival, although the child pictured was somewhere be- tween six months and a year old. The entire boose had their laugh over It. A few more years pass In the twinkling of the camera shut- ter and the eon Is at death's door with his family starving. The mother entered her son's home, seeing her child dying of HI health and her grandchild slowly starving to death. Be- fore showing any Interest In either, however, she Induced the young wife to sign a letter In which she Informs her husband that she was going away with another. The wife did as she was directed, nevertheless, and then, after going Into the world to starve, her husband regains his health. Upon Inquiring as to the where- abouts of his lady, the mother shows him the "forced" letter and he Immediately loses his reason. The picture then proceeds to show him wandering around his garden and lawn, under the care of a trained nurse, recognising no one and to all appearances an Incurable lunatic. Meanwhile his wife Is slowly starving, for she haa been ousted from another position through the Influence of her former rival. The nurse, however, becomes the hero through tracing the wife and learning of her whereabouts. 8he arrives Just In time to save her life, for as she entered the girl's room she dropped exhausted for the want of food, but Is soon brought back to life and health and the reunion brings back hubby's reason with the announcement he sees his lady smile. For three reels such morbid melodrama la enacted one could hardly take It seriously. One scene showed the room of a fur- nished house Ave years apart without a stick of furniture moved. Miss Stonehouse was ac- ceptable throughout and the supporting cast did as well as could be expected with the book. Wynn. THE TWILIGHT SLEEP. "The Twilight Sleep" Is more or less of a solentlfle work In pictures. It has been taken over by Frederic II. Robinson of the Medical Review of Reviews, In the hope It can be made Into a regular attraction for picture houses and perhape be as big a money get- ter as "The Drug Terror," or "The Inside of The White Slave Traffic." But whether It will or not remains a question. The "Twi- light Bleep" picture may not appeal to film audiences in general. If the picture of two reels preceded by a lecture, Is properly han- dled from a publicity standpoint It will get some money out of a series of special mati- nees with the "For Women Only" sign prom- inently displayed. The picture shows the difference In methods between the natural childbirth and that which Is brought about through the aid of the twilight sleep. A number of Intimate views of the operation are shown. Of course the pictures were staged and produced, but this fact will not be recognisable by those whose Interest In seeing the pictures would only be based on a morbid curiosity. As a regular feature the picture would be hardly adaptable to a house with a clientele Including those of the younger generstlon. Fred. THE SILENCE OF DEAN MAITLAND. London, July 27. Maxwell Gray's well known novel, "The Silence of Dean Maltland," Is sufficiently familiar to the majority of people to preclude the telling of the story. The plot Is summed up In the Dean's last sermon In which he makes his confession to his congregation and drops dead. The book was adapted for the screen by Raymond Longford and produced by the Fraser Film Co.. of Australia, In three reels. There Is some good scenic photography, but the acting Is a trifle "cheap." Henry Thomas who has the titular part, could not refrain from looking Into the "eyes" of the camera at all times. The principal criticism Is the lack of growth of the Dean's children covering a long period of years. They never ceased to be children as the years passed. The whole thing led up to the one big scene at the finish showing the Dean in his pulpit delivering his last sermon. After he Is found there, there Is a close-up In which the un- happy man makes his confession. At this Junoture the orchestra at the private trade showing took up the strains of "The Rosary," and there was heard from the dark a man's voice repeating the words of the confession whloh was timed to the Up movements on the screen. Properly done in every theatre where the picture Is shown this would be effective, more especially In the cheaper houses. For the benefit of those who may not be familiar with the story, that part of the Dean's sermon which embraced his con- fession Is reprinted herewith: "The three darkest biota upon the soul of man—IM- PURITY, BLOODSHED, TREACHERY—hate stained my soul. Nineteen years ago, when In deacon's orders, 1 led an Innocent young girl astray. 1 was the tempter, 1, who fell because 1 deemed myself above temptation. The father of this poor girl discovered my Iniquity and fell upon me with violence. In the struggle, 1 know not how, 1 killed him. But even that Is not the full measure of my Iniquity. 1 had a friend; 1 loved him more than any mortal man. Suspicion fell on him through my fault. He was tried for my crime, found guilty, and sentenced to twenty years' penal servitude. Two days ago he came fresh irom prison to worship In this holy place. 1 saw him. 1 recognised all the ter- rible changes that awful misery wrought upon him. But 1 did not repent. Blind was 1 with self-love and pride, nay, I refused even to look my sin In the face. 1 stifled memory* 1 never realised what 1 had done. This man wrote to me and forgave me—that broke my stony heart. 1 declare before God and man 1 repent, and desire as far as possible to make amends. In a few days I shall be In a felon's cell. 1 shall be happier there than 1 have been In the brightest moments of my prosperity. These are my last words— ponder them, 1 beseech you, as men ponder dying words." Jolo. "JUNE FRIDAY." "June Friday" Is no kin of "Joan Thurs- day." The first Is a four-part Edison fea- ture. The latter is a novel by Louis Joseph Vance. Both girls had* a tough time during their earlier lives but managed to do well for themselves In the end, although Miss Friday committed murder, while Miss Thurs- day's worst falling was to become "stage struck." Miss Friday got away with murder, As to what Miss Thursday got one can find out by buying a copy of the book. As to Miss Friday she went through a phoney marriage and then later was legally married to a nice chap with the first wouldbe hubby returning from South America to make life miserable for her until she stabbed him. Miss Friday's father was of the type that wanted his daugh- ter to become seeped in sin, but before the story ended he committed suicide, leaving a note saying that he was the murderer of Mr. Duncan. This left Friday free to enjoy do- mestic happiness with her family. Edison has made an ordinary feature which has a morbid and grewsome ending that did not picture up as well as the director anticipated. There are many flaws. June, known as Mrs. Van Est, goes to Duncan's hotel to see him without an escort. Knowing the calibre of the man she should have gone armed or taken some precaution as he had made himself out a despicable cad In some foregoing scenes. But she didn't Her old dad, who used "dope" faster than lightning, knew where she was going and he edged along In time to batter down the hotel room door with an axe. June struggled with the drunken man who had wronged her years before. June and father take their time about making a getaway. Long after they are gone from the hotel the waiter appears with loaded tray and seeing Duncan's form, drops dishes and sounds the alarm. In a thrice the room Is packed with people, Including the usual bebadged sleuth. June's husband, hearing of the murder at a banquet, read the "extra" and then hurried out to write bis wife a note, saying he might be out all night as his friend had been killed and ho must assist In running down the mur- derer. He could have phoned and made the situation more dramatic with the real mur- deress. The picture depended a great deal upon darkened "Interiors," the silhouette and night Idea supposed to be working out In camera reflection. The stabbing scene recalls the "Heart of Maryland" climax where the point of a bayonet was used by the heroine to escape the overtures of a drunken soldier. It's likely the Maryland bit suggested the suposedly big scene of "June Friday." The feature Is disappointing and even tbe work of the stock company, Including Oertrude Mc- Coy as June, couldn't Insert the big punch. Where shown poor screen projection, Including rapidity of exhibition, also helped to give the film a black eye. Mark. EXTRAVAGANCE. Labeled a Oold Seal Feature, "Eztraca- gance" falls some feet shir of hitting the target aimed at In multlpled reeled dramatic plots and there was absolutely no use of pro- longing this story beyond one or two reels. The Investment wasn't much and the action, what little there is, is confined to a few In- terior scenes. It Is the rehashing of an old, old story. Young woman has extravagant and proud mother. Daughter loves, but her choice Is frowned upon by her mother. A rich man is mamma's selection. Daughter marries the young clerk In the rich man's office. The mother Is there with the speculation habit Places Investment with man she wanted for son-in-law. The daughter passes up parties because of husband's poverty. She buys a dress for $100. Doesn't tell hubby. Begs him to get some money. He says all they have saved and skimped has been Invested In a copper mine stock. Over night he becomes general manager of a big mining concern, own- ing the most stock. Rich man makes play for married girl and at party the husband up- braids the wife, who went In the new gown, and says he's through. The wife becomes a stenog. The husband returns and has the upper hand upon bin mother-in-law and the rich man, holding the cards that results In their becoming poverty-stricken. The male leads Indulge in a hand-to-hand encounter In the rich man's office. The unhappy wife breaks the glass partition and stops the fight. Her hand Is cut However her mother appears and she blames the latter for the trouble be- tween the newlyweds. Hubby and wife are reunited. Fight only real dramatic situation and that not big enough to make "Extrava- gance" a feature. Cleo Madison and Hobart Henley play the husband and wife rather effectively. Picture commonplace. Mark, BILLS NEXT WEEK. (Continued from page 14.) THE MAJESTY OF THE LAW. Judge Randolph Kent George Fawcett Mrs. Kent Jane Wolfe Virginia Calhoun Myrtle Btedman Lloyd Calhoun John Oaker Lawrence Evans Charles Ruggles Jackson Kent William Desmond The latest production of Bosworth la "The Majesty of the Law" with George Fawcett starred. It Is Fawcett's Initial screen work and the vehicle Is one that does not call for great exertion by the star. It la a story that lacks newness, the action revolvl-g around a diamond necklace and money, both of • which are stolen at different Intervals with one chap receiving the blame on both occasions, he shouldering It to shield his friends who committed the deeds. The weight of this picture rests upon William Desmond as the one who handles the blame for both robberies. He easily does the beet work and It is a great Improvement on what he has done before. Fawcett has an expressive face which accounts for the large number of close ups shown of him. Myrtle Btedman Is the girl. The part Is light for an actress of her calibre. The remainder of the cast ful- fill their roles with all capableness. The production Is rather weak In parte. The big scene of\ the dance Is fairly well worked but the supers for dancers are comical In their crudenesa. The number of captions Is also noticeable. They run together In bunches on numerous occasions. This feature Is In- teresting to a meoium degree but falls to put over a i)lg impression through not possess- ing a tinge \of novelty. A BOLD IMPERSONATION. While "A Bold Impersonation" Is ^onlya two-part film It serves to show -what great improvement the Reliance Is making with Its dramatic subjects and will lead the exhibitors to expect some lengthier subjects worth while. In fact some of the climaxes In "A Bold Im- personation" are fully worthy of compari- son with some of the three and four-reel pictures that are being shown hereabouts of late. The Reliance Is also bringing new faces to the screen. Of these as a lead Olga Orey Is a second Kathlyn Williams and Is bound to be heard of In features before she Is many moons older. Miss Grey is a pretty good looker, screens well, has a supple figure and can ride, fence, swim and dive. There are women who can swim but few that can ap- proach Miss Williams or Miss Grey In the art of diving. In "A Bold Impersonation," Miss Grey shows how easy It la to ride a charger. She does an exciting bit of dra- matic play with the foils and later does a graceful dive off a dock that helps the picture Immensely. The direction of "A Bold Im- personation" Is capably done and some of the "interiors" are well staged. The picture as a whole gives satisfaction with Miss Grey's work the piece de resistance. She's a comer In picture work or we miss our guess. Mark. THE RUNAWAY WIFE A very much padded four-reeler (Kalem). Enough characters to make half a dosen fea- tures. The action for a time centers about a young artist who marries the daughter of a ruined banker. He struggles to keep the wife In such luxuries as she waa accustomed to at home, but finally loses his eyesight. The wife then takes a position as a traveling companion, goes to Europe and later hears that her hus- band and their son have lost their Uvea In a lodging bouse fire. She marries a former flame who was an American banker and who for no reason whatever becomes an English nobleman. Twenty years pass. Tbe son and father were not lost In the fire, but never took the trouble to deny the fact they were report- ed missing. In the time elapsed the son haa become famous as an artist wins great honors and decides to go abroad so that his father may be treated by a specialist In London he meets the niece of tbe man who Is at present married to his mother. At a soiree arranged In the young artist's honor the mother and father meet. Later the nobleman-husband Is conveniently killed in a steeplechase and the family Is reunited after the older artist's sight Is restored and the misunderstandings are cleared away. The story Is rather poorly told In film form and the picture Is tiresome throughout There are hundreds of feet of film wasted over trivial scenes that do not send the plot of the piece forward at all. The pic- ture Is poorly directed and only commonplace that will do for the smaller houses. FrtiL THE CLIMBERS. As a Lubln feature, the Clyde Fitch play, "The Climbers," as turned Into a film amounts to nothing more than a large number of film dramas, Just a story that was better liked on the speaking stage with the Fitch touch to It In dialog, than can be hoped for on the screen In pantomime. As the title Indicates, the tale Is of society folk, the marrlsge of an helreas, the ruin and death of her father through her husband, and tbe husband finally becoming In- volved and disgraced. Gladys Hanson and George Soule Spencer are featured. There Is nothing attractive about the picture or the playing. It's ordinary In all departments. Rle BIJOU (ubo) (Norfolk split) Jolly Johnny Jones Abbott A White Holmes A Buchanan (Two to fill) Been—tor, 1*. Y. LOEWS Brown A Jackson "Mysterious Will" Manhattan 8 Great Santolle (1 to AU) 2d half Amoros A Mulvey Baa Antonio MAJESTIC (inter) Smith A Austin Ryan A Lee Chris Richards Leon Sisters Co Simpson A Z Twins Tom Swift Co Norman A Clare Baua Dies* PANTAGE8 (m) (Open Bun Mat) Hanlon Broa Co Kltner Hayes A M Barto A Clark Kelly A Galvln Walter Daniels A Co Morton Broa Wilson Bros (2 to fill) Rockier*, IU. PALACE ,(wva) Vera Berliner "Between 8 A 9" d A Jack Smith Herbert Germalne 3 Bersac's Circus 2d half Kremka Broa Grace Twins J C Lewis Jr Co / Kirk A Pegarty < (One to All) St. LenU COLUMBIA (orph) Blanche Walsh Co Wlllard McConnell A Simpson Bison City 4 ^-- Cameron A Oayford Carson Broa / Skaters BUorfve Claudius A Scarlet EMPRESS (wva) Montrose A Sardell Dena Cooper A Co Cadeta De Gasgones .Three Rlanos (One to fill) 2d half Nelson A Nelson Yvonne Baa Fraaelaeo ORPHEUM (Open Bun Mat) Mrs L Carter Co Milo Pekin Mysteries J C Nugent Co Thomas Egan Harry A Eva Puck PANTAGES (m) (Open Sun Mat) Klein Production Rice A Francis SUber A North Juliette Dike Josle Flynn Mlns Rio A Norman PANTAGES (m) "Miss U B A" Ober A Dumont Gray A Wheeler Will A Kemp Kennedy A Burt Blesx City ORPHEUM (wva) Novelty Clintons Norcross A Holdsw'rth Johnson Howard A L Venlta Gould Geo Primrose 2d half Mdm Asoria Co Awakening of Mr Plpp Scott A Wilson Friend A Downing Fantons Athletes HAMILTON (wva) "Visions D*Art Miller Packer A 8 Prince Charles (One to AU) 2d half Reed A Wood Cadeta De Gasgone The Rials (One to AU) Q O H (wva) Zamora Bisters Bbaw A Lea Harry Tsuda Jorge A Hamilton Musical McLarens Military Dancers 6 Water Llllies FR8T PK (orph) MoRae A Clegg Dec O'NeU Fears A Homer Masoone A Masoone Frank Colby Baat Bt Leal*, IU. BRBBRS (wva) Du Pace Opera Co Friend A Downing The Rials (One to AU) 2d half Brown Harris A B 8 Rlanos (Two to All) St. Pnal ORPHEUM (Open Bun Mat) Walter C Kelly Primrose 4 Kelso A Lelghton Weber A Elliott The Gliders Page Hack A M PRINCESS (wva) Rsymond A Bell Willie Zimmerman Dolly A Mack (One to All) 2d half Regal A Bender Mme Rlalto Co Fltsgerald A Ashton Corrlgan A Vivian ) Saataaw. Mica. FRANKLIN (ubo) Clare A Flo Gould Marie Bishop Chick 8ales Avellng A Lloyd Boganny Troupe 2d half Gusmanl 8 Culhane A Burt Dora Dean Co James II Cullen La Graclosa Bait Lake ORPHEUM Naslmova Misses Campbell Joe Cook Lucy Gillette Bert Melrose Frits A Lucy Bruch PANTAGES (m) (Open Wed Mat) "Candy Ship" Rogers A Wiley Jessie Hay ward Co Neuse A Eldrld Harry Hlnes Co Romeo Doris Wilson Santa Bead, IaeV ORPHEUM (wva) Willie Hale A Bros. Gordon Eldrld Co Neal Abel Ed Vinton A Buster Toots Pake 2d half Gardner's Maniacs Geo Damarel Co Al Abbott Wartenburg Broa Icetta Spotrana PANTAGES (m) (Open Sun Mat) The Zendaa Melody 6 Lady Betty B J Moore Co 8 Pattersons Lewis A Cbapln Saiiajrftelol HL MAJESTIC (wva) Gordon A Day Olga Mr A Mrs Allen Hufford A Chain Fantons Athletes 2d half Shlavonl Troupe O'Nell A Walmsley Dena Cooper Co Creole Band (One to AU) Springfield, Mane, PALACE (ubo) The Youngers Edmunds A Farrell Bert Frank A Co Whiteside A Picks Crawford A Broad rick Mlrano Broa 2d half Three Martins Browning A Lewis Harry Haywood A Co Stuart A 8tuart Lester Malson "Bachelors A Sweet- hearts" Sprlag-fleld, Mo. JEFFERSON (wva) Mathes Bros A Girl 2d half Ives A Cervo PANTAGES (m) "Birthday Party" Maude Leone Co 8pencer A Williams Hsnlon Dean A H Parisian 8 Terre Haate, lad. HIPPODROME (wva) Sabath A Wright Newholf « Phelps Mme 8umlko Co Boudlnl Bros The Langdons v 2d half Kumbry. Bush A R Lucky A Yost Princess Kalama Co Senator F Murphy Olympla Deevalls Toronto 8HEA'S (ubo) Blgelow Campbell A R Musical Chef