Variety (June 1916)

22 FILM REVIEWS THE PURPLE LADY. Silas (jilworthy Ralph Hen I'uunt Louis IVtilii-r Alan Hale Mr. Severn Ilnwunl Truesdell l>«'t«>rlive Hok« rs (itnrg<* Pauneefote Jules Uorgvrc (Juldo Coluccl AUHuldc Severn (JnUlun llartman Mth. Severn Mrs. Win. Bechtel Mth. Kogera Cora Williams Fill Melotte Irene Howley The Metro release for June l'J will be the flve-nart Hollo feature, "The 1'urule Lady," with Ralph lierz and Irene Howley featured. The scenario was adapted by June Mathls from the play of the same title by Sidney Kosenfeld. The original ttory offered many opportunities for a wideawake director, which, however, were overlooked by George A. L#es- sey, who directed this feature. Withal It Is a feature that will get by anywhere and get the money, although it could have been a near- world-beater as a flve-reeler, had all of the chauces offered been accepted. The story of Silas Ullworthy (Ralph lierz), the head of the I'plirt Society which plans to rid the city of the Tango parlors, and the manner In which he falls Into the clutches of Flfl, the dancer, at the Purple Gardens, are told In a more or lest amuBlng manner. Ralph Herz manages to screen a number of his comedy touches and garners what laughs he can. The opening two reels hold the biggest number of comedy touches, and as the feature runs along, the stolen pearl necklace furnishes material for so many complications that the Interest Is held to the last. Irene Howley as Flfl gave a skillful characterization of the role and made a delightful foil for Mr. Herz. Fred. THE MAKING~oTmADDALENA. Maddalena Bdna Goodrich Georgo Hale Forrest Stanley Angelo Howard Davles Randolph Hale John Burton Blanche Delgrave Mary Merscb This Morosco-Paramount featuro has Edna Goodrich as the star, and Miss Goodrich does surprisingly well before the camera. The story Itself runs along rather nicely until the last reel when a number of Inconsistencies crop up—one of the most noticeable being a Jump from Paris to New York without any reason for the name—and there Is much to Indicate that the story is padded. But taken all in all the feature is better then the usual run of Morosco pictures, and therefore should be acceptable. The story opens in New York, Jumps to Rome and then to Paris, returning to New York for the closing scenes. Madda- lena Is the daughter of peasant Italian folk. She Is earning a living and a little extra ao that her father can get his full chare of "red ink," by peddling flowers and posing. Two young Americana of good family have gone abroad to study art. The first because his fiancee wanted him to be famous and the second for no other reason than he wanted to be with his pal. The two take a studio in Rome. George Hale, who is seeking fame, Is leading a rather happy-go-lucky existence, when be receives word from his fiancee tkat se has decided to marry another. Then dur- ing the course of a spree he marries Mad- dalena, the model. Hale, Br., in America hears of his son's marriage and cuts him off. But Mother Hale. In failing health, pines for her boy, and father goes abroad and brings him back, after sidetracking the wife and obtaining possession of the child of his son. Later Maddalena, who has been acting as com- panion to a wealthy American lady, arrives in New York and while doing charitable work In the slums, acts as nurse during an epi- demic. She reads that her child has been stricken when the pest leaps from the slums to Millionaire's Row, and eluding the police makes her way to the house where she under- takes the nursing of the child. Her husband Is away and the father-in-law falls to recog- nize her. When the child has passed the crisis and the husband returns there is a clearing up of the misunderstanding and all ends happily. "The Making of Maddalena" is but a fair example of what Paramount feature should be. Fred. THE MAN BEHINDTHE CURTAIN. Edna Hall Lillian Walkei Harry Leland Evart Overton Perkins Templer Saxe Mr. Gardner William Dunn Mr. Stanhope John Coatello A five-reel Vltagraph released as a V-L-8-B feature June 19. Story by Minnie Krakauer, directed by C. J. Van Deuaen, with Lillian Walker as its star. The story Is of the de- tective murder mystery variety. A young country girl cornea to the city In search oi a position. She receives a letter from a rich woman who wishes a secretary, calls at the house and in walking Into the parlor sees the woman apparently Bleeping. Upon closer observation she finds her dead. While stand- ing beside the body a hand cornea through the curtains and drops a dagger. The girl flees in horror and while passing down the front steps she meets the husband. He looks at her but passes on. A detective Is pui on the murder case upon the arrival home of the husband who Immediately sails for Europe, leaving only his son In America. The girl, fearing that she will be blamed for the mur- der, goes to the country* securing a position as governess. She Uvea there happily until fA«1 COMING .METRO PICTURES COLUMBIA PICTURES CORPORATION PRESENTS The INCOMPARABLE VIOLA DANA a in her first METRO wonderplay The Flower of No Man's Land Five Acts of vital action and charming romance. Written and directed by John H. Collins Released on Metro Program June 26th unexpectedly she meets the son of the dead woman. He knows nothing, however, of her connection with the ease and soon falls deeply in love with her, which ends In a wedding. They return to the city and take up their headquarters at his old home. The butler, who has been In the family for several years, Is still In their employ. The butler tries extortion, telling the girl that unless she gives him money he will tell that she com- mitted the murder. The father In the mean- time returns and he and the son witness a dispute between the butler and the girl which leads to an eatrangement between husband and wife. She leaves to make her way In the world. While working In a candy store she sees a man whom she recognises as one tbat she met In her husband's home at the time of his mother's murder. She decides to follow him. She meets him and he falls In love with her, giving her a pearl which was stolen from the murdered woman. With the aid of detectives she rounds up the gang which had done the killing and brings about a reconciliation between herself and her hus- band. Lillian Walker gets all out of the leading role that there Is to it. The picture is somewhat different as far as murder mys- teries go and may prove interesting on this account. There Is sufficient action to hold the attention. MEDICINE BEND. Marlon Sinclair Helen Holmes Sinclair's Friend Belle Hutchinson Whispering Smith J. P. McGowan Murray Sinclair Paul C. Hurst Du Sang Lee D. Maloney Karg P. M. Van Norman Williams Walter Rodgers Ed Banks, Sheriff Thomas O. Llngham Deputy Sheriff E. Howland Bartender at The Three Horses Saloon.. William Behrens Tom Smith C. U. Wells Rooney, Chief Dispatcher J. E. Perkins J. S. Bucks, General Manager N. Z. Woods B. O. Daley. Superintendent. .0. H. Wisschussen Q. McCloud, Superintendent... .Chance Ward Wickwlre William Brunton Clerk in Superintendent's Office.. .Hugh Adams Roadmaster Slim Roe This is the sequel to the Mutual Star five reel production, "Whispering Smith," which was turned out by the Signal Film Corp. The story is a purely melodramatic one of a rather popu- lar type and stars Helen Holmes, who has gained a following by appearing in the "Haz- ards of Helen" series. The story for "Medicine Bend" was furnished by Frank H. Spearman, who has written a yarn that Is thrilling and Interesting. J. P. McQowan directed. From a scenic standpoint the picture is all that could ESESS3SSSSSOISBBSS=S:a be desired and the lighting throughout la par- ticularly effective. At the opening of "Medi- cine Bend" the story picks up where it left off at the close of "Whispering Smith" and carries It along to the finish, with Sinclair, the huaband, who, having associated himself with a clique of crooks, Is the leader In a train hold-up, and the entire gang are rounded up and killed. Smith and Mrs. Sinclair (Helen Holmes) leave the town with the well wishes of the camp. Fred. THE WAY dF~THE WORLD. John Nevlll Hobart Bosworth Beatrice Farley Dorothy Davenport Walter Croyden Emory Johnston Mrs. Nevttl Qretchen Lederer Peter Sturton Jack Curtis Mr. Lake C. Norman Hammond Mrs. Lake Adele Farrlngton Mr. Van Norman Herbert Barrlngton Universal, Red Feather, feature, scenario by F. McQrew Willis, and produced by L. B. Carle- ton from Clyde Fitch's play. The Btory does not lend Itself readily to screening, for the reason that there is but one situation, and practically nothing happens for four and three- quarter reels, when the "big blow-off" occurs. It is certainly a hectic denouement, but it is asking an audience a little too much to wade through over 4,500 feet of film until it comes to pass. The subject is "unclean" and you are expected to regard as the hero a man who deliberately traduces a woman's good name and easts a suspicion that the husband of the woman is not the father of her child. But It Is excellently played and well photographed. No fault to find with the production—merely the story. Jolo. -7—X ANIMAL AND GROTESQUE COSTUMES Modeling from lire our specialty. 8tsge Illusions I sad Trick Work. Waterfalls and Ilock Effects. Papier Mache and Wire Work. Furniture In the makes of Masters and Period*. Special Restsl Da- | {isrtstest for Motion Picture and Astatesr Prodee- less. THEATRICAL PROPERTIES 22t WEST 41st Street NEW YORK CITY TeL Bryant 5914 WILLIAM FOX PRESENTS Ti-iirriA mtLfUA JsLaV JHL -aTt-AVTL ITS k *tz% EAST LYNNE. A Masterly, Modernized American Version qf This Internationally Famous Stage Success AdapieJ by J Mary MurilloJ Directed by ™, Bertram Bracken FOX FILM CORPORATION