The New York Clipper (March 1916)

40 THE NEW YORK CLIPPER March 4 PICTURE PLAY REPORTS. ''THE STRENGTH OF THE WEAK." PRODUCED BY BLIEB1RD PHOTOPLAYS, INC. FIVE REELS. Released March It. Bluebird Photoplay Co. STORY—An adaptation of the play by the same name. SCENARIO—Weak. DIRECTION—Poor. ACTION—See Remarks. SITUATIONS—Fair. ATMOSPHERE—Average. CONTINUITY—Uneven. SUSPENSE—Fair. DETAIL—Lacking. COSTUMES Correct. ACTING—Average. PHOTOGRAPHY—Lacks definition. CAMERA WORE—Foreground too much In evi- dence LIGHTING—Fair. EXTERIORS—Natural. INTERIORS—Not Convincing. BOX OFFICE VALUE—Might draw m the smaller houses. BMCtan Poor Pauline I One might imagine from this feature that It contained another chapter of the "Perils of Pauline." For the edification of those who are not familiar -with the colleges of this broad land, this picture will prove Interesting In that it shows gentlemen entering the girl students." boudoirs whenever they please, and the girls smofc- lngclgarettes and having beer on the table. The scenario is poorly constructed, and useless flash-backs are used. There is no action to speak of, and the arrangement of the story is not logical. The same hackneyed cabaret scenes are in evi- dence, with the always present barefooted dancers, who manage to evade splinters. Lacking in technique, as a whole, and In conse- quence It proves weak entertainment. Mary Ful- ler was far above the part she portrayed, and Harry Hllliard convincingly handled poor materia:. The remainder of the cast was acceptable. FreU 44 THE PAWN OF FATE." PRODUCED BY THE WORLD. FIVE REELS. STORY—A tale of a Jok- which turned out seri- ously. SCENARIO—Good. DIRECTION—Competent ACTIO N—Co n tln-uous. ATMOSPHERE—Correct. SITUATIONS—^Striking. CONTINUITY—O. K. SUSPENSE—Holding. DETAIL—Well attended to. COSTUMES—Picturesque and correct PHOTOGRAPHY—Fair. ACTING—Fine. CAMDRA WORK—Average. LIGHTING—Effective. EXTERIORS—Very good. INTERIORS—Average. BOX OFFICE VALUE:—George Beban's playing of the principal role can be exploited with good results. REMARKS. Pierre, splendidly played by Beban, Is a great character of a French shepherd who, with his wife, Marciu*. passes a care free and happy existence in the country The artist arrives. Likes the wife, and In order to have her near him, tells the Shep- herd that he is a genius for painting, and that he will develop his talent and make him famous in Paris, where they all go. The shepherd paints a canvas which is shown by the artist to his friends whom he has kept guessing as .to his discovery. The painting Is a daub, and the shepherd discovers the joke, also that the artist loves his Marclne. He corners Mm, and to a duel with swords, nearly kills htm. He escapes from the house but la ar- rested. The artist repents of Ma joke, asks that Pierre be set free. Marclne returns to the farm, whither Pierre follows her to ask forgiveness, and they settle down again to their former simple, but happy, existence. MSB. "NEARLY A KING." PRODUCED BY FAMOUS PLAYERS. FIVES REELS. Released Feb. ID. Paramount. STORY—Original script by Win- H. Clifford. Ro- mantic comedy. SCENARIO—Technically excellent. DIRECTION Good. ACTION—Rapid. SITUATIONS—Well played. ATMOSPHERE—Fine. CONTINUITY—Even. SUSPENSE—Not over strong. DETAIL—Right. COSTUMES—Proper and consistently accurate. ACTING—Very good. PHOTOGRAPHY—Standard. CAMERA WORK—Some striking examples of the double exposure are shown. LIGHTING—Average. EXTERIORS—Convincing. INTERIORS—Natural. BOX OFFICE VALUE—Jack Barrymore In a characteristic role and congenial atmosphere. What more can be desired as a good card. REMARKS. "Nearly a King" utilizes the "dream" Idea, without using the time worn device. Jack Barry- more, as the actor, who sits in bis study and enacts tr. bis mind's eye the scenes of the script be Is reading, famishes an endless fund of capital screen amusement Wm. Clifford has brought an old Idea forward In a distinctly up-to-date end "different" way. Mr. Barrymore makes a distinctive differ- ence between the two character* he essays, dis- playing throughout a high average of histrionic ability. Russell Basett. Ratherlne Harris. Martin AUop and Beatrice Prentice aire all happily cast •Nearly a King," on the whole, Is a typical "Bar- rymore" picture play, and chat sums It up in a nutshell. Rik. "THE FOOL'S REVENGE. tt PRODUCED BY FOX FILM CO. FIVE REELS. Released Feb. H- Fox Film Co. STORY—Melodrama. SCBNARIO—G ood. DIRBCTION-^Falrly good. ACTION—Average. SITUATIONS—Some very good. ATMOaPH ERE—Correct CONTINUITY—Broken. SUSPENSE—Prolonged. DETAIL—-Average. COSTUMES—Right. ACTING—Standard. PHOTOGRAPHY—Good. CAMERA WORK-J-Good. LIGHTING—Right. E XTER IORS—Pleasing. INTERIORS—Well staged. BOX OFFICE VALUE—Problematical. REMARKS. Rather a .gruesome affair. The story Is strong and Interesting, but becomes lost at times on ac- count of the introduction of too many tangles. The action could be vastly improved by cutting many scenes. Wm. H. Tookcr (Anson) handles a trying part agreeably, and Maude Gilbert (the wife) was al- that could bo expected. The remainder of the cast was good. Jem. "THE CROWN PRINCE'S DOUBLE." PRODUCED BY V1TAGRAPH CO. FIVE nEELS. Released Feb. 7. V. s. L. B. STORT—Romantic melodrama. SCENARIO—Good. DIRECTION—Splendid. ACTION—Average. SITUATI ONS —Some are good. ATMOSPHERE—In keeping. OONTINUITY—Fairly good. SUSPENSE—Average. DETAIL—Correct COSTUMES—Right ACTING—Standard. PHOTOGRAPHY—Nothing extra. CA MERA WORK—Average. LIGHTING—Fair. EXTERIORS—Good. INTERIORS—Nicely arranged. BOX OFFICE VALUE—Should prove good attrac- tion. REMARKS. Romantic dramas of this type provide interesting; entertainment inasmuch as the picrurization con- tains dunning soldiers, pretty girls and Interesting scenes, combined with the element of mystery. Conspicuous by Its absence is anything approach- ing a convincing climax. Whether It «•»" be blamed on the scenario writer or the director is hard to determine. The cast, headed by Maurice Costello and Norma Talmadge, was acceptable. Jem. "LAW UNTO HIMSELF." PRODUCED BY HOHSLEY. FIVE REELS, Releated March 4. Mutual Matterpicture. STORY—Western melodrama. SCENARIO—Good. DIRECTION—Good. ACTION—Brisk. SITUATIONS—Interesting. ATMOSPHERE—In, keeping. OONTINUITY—For the most part even. SUSPENSE—Properly maintained. DETAIL—Fine. COSTUMES—Correct ACTING—Convincing. PHOTOGRAPHY—Clear. CAMERA WORK—Double exposures excellent. LIGHTING—Very good. EXTERIORS—Natural and weil chosen. INTERIORS—Well staged. BOX OFFICE VALUE—Big attraction. REMARKS. There are a few minor mistakes In this feature, but on the whole it provides good screen entertain- ment. It embraces all the elements of good West- ern melodrama, containing, as It does, the galloping horses, gun fighters, etc. The situations are strong and hold the Interest throughout Jean Belrau (Crane Wilbur) has a half wit brother who is accused falsely of murder and hanged by the mob during Jean's absence. Upon discovering the body of bis brother Bellan informs the mob that henceforth he will become a wanderer, seeking vengeance on those responsible for his loss Through the efforts of the sheriff, who bears a striking resemblance to him, Jean resolves to seek the right path and has started anew, when he learns that his friend has been accused of rob- bery. He assists in rounding up the real robbers, and the climax is brought happily to a close. Wilbur's portrayal of the dual role of the sheriff and Bellau nu satisfactory. Lorla Durbatn. as Bill Holden, was at all stages the typical bad man. The new Vltagrapb serial, "The Scarlet Runner,' will shortly be released In twelve episodes. Wally Van directed. STAY FOR PATENTS CO- JUDGE DICKINSON GRANTS RESPITE IN DIS SOLUTIO N SUIT. By taking an appeal to the United States Su- preme Court In Philadelphia last week, the Motion Picture Patents Co. and other members of the so- called Moving Picture Trust secured a stay of the Injunction decree rendered against them, which was to become operative Feb. 25. t The appeal was allowed by Judge Dickinson, who decided some time ago that the patents com- panies were operating in violation of the Sherman anti-trust law. HIGHER COURT UPHOLDS POWERS. According to a decision handed down in the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court, tost week, the United States Printing and Lithograph Company must make Its complaint more spec*flc and definite. The printing company had brougtt suit against the Warner. 'Stature Co., of which Patrick A. Powers is president, for an amount close to $5,000, for prlntLn^kirnlshed and money loaned. 'fl^^*"-*' The lower court had denied Powers' motion for an amendment of the complaint FIGHT PICTURES DRAW. The fight pictures of the recent Jake Ahearn- Mlke Gibbons bout, which occurred In St. Paul, Minn., have proved a strong attraction throughout the State of Minnesota. The films also show prominent Eastern sporting men at the ringside. The popularity of the winner. Gibbons, who Is a native of the State, is responsible for the large bookings of the feature. Owing to the Inter-State Commerce Law in ref- erence to prize fight films, the Gibbons-Abeam pictures cannot be shown outside of the State they were taken In. TRIANGLE WINS. The Triangle Film Corporation can continue to occupy the Knickerbocker Theatre with its com- bination pictures and concert policy. So runs the substance of a decision handed down, last week, by Justice Cohalan, as a result of the unsuccessful Injunction suit brought by the Goelet Estate to oust the film concern. Ruth Hoyt, who recently appeared In the Gau- raont comedies, Is at present recovering from a severe spell of Illness at her home In Province- town, Mass. She has been'MMer the care of Dr. Freeman, the White RatsMMaldan. ie'iT Clara Klmbell Young an*'Charlie Chaplin will both appear at the Jewish Relief Bazaar, to be held at the Grand Central Palace, New York, on March 24. Marie Doro will leave for the Coast shortly to take np her duties as a Lasky 6tar at Hollywood, Cal. TRIANGLE PLATS ABE LOBBY CBUSBEBS Every exhibitor today Is In business for the profit to be made. The number at Till- ANGLE contracts which are beins received every week is evidence that exhibitors believe that TRIANGLE PL.A vs will help solve their problem.* TRIANGLE FILM CORPORATION Brolinw BoHding-, It. Y. C.