The New York Clipper (April 1916)

36 THE NEW YORK CLIPPEk PICTURE PLAY REPORTS. lace's numerous wonder plan hare graced the screen for the April J of the West which past Ave years, Be*. "THE TWO-EDGED SWORD." PRODUCED BT VITAGHAPH. FIVE REELS. Released March ft. By V. 8. L. S. STORY—Melodrama, by L. Case RaveO. SCENARIO—«alr. DIRECTION—fairly good. ACTION—See remarks. SITUATIONS—Some good. ATMOSPHERE—O & CONTINUITY—Jerky. SUSPENSE—Prolonged. DETAIL—Aveiaga. COSTUMES—In keening. AOTIS O < ■ remarks. PHOTOGRAPHY—Good. PAMTCRA WORK—O. K. LIGHTING—Good. EXTBHIOES—Pine. INTERIORS—Very good. BOX OFFICE VALUE—Inasmuch as V. S. I- H. features of this type have a certain following it will doubtless draw. REMARKS. There la much "love" scattered about In the fea- ture, and the Inconsistency of the story Is ap- parent, A lovely stats of affairs exists between a husband and wife. Both are allowed to "break the rules" without any divorce or separation, etc, resulting therefrom. The husband, In Maine, receives a telegram that his wife has been seriously injured on Long Island. Evidently he walks from Maine, as upon his ar- rival the lady Is able to walk about. The auto smash-up scene was badly staged and did not carry conviction. The theme does not really belong. The first two reels proved Interesting, hot after that the feature staggers along painfully. It would have made a better three reeler. The acting of Edith Story sustained the Interest to some extent, although she wore one dress that Qt her like the "paper on the wall" and rather dis- pelled the illusion that she was a child. Evart Overton was Inclined to over act, at times. Logan Paul and Mrs. Nellie Anderson, in character parts, registered nicely. Jem. !"THE HARD OF PERU," PRODUCED BY PARAGON. FIVE REELS. Released March to. By World Film Corp. STORY—An adaptation of "The Secret Agent,'* by Arthur Stringer. SCENARIO—Good. DIRECTION—Splendid. . ... ACTION—Brisk. SITUATIONS—Fine. ATMOS PHERE —Good. CONTINUITY—Even. SUSPENSE—Proper. DETAIL—Almost perfect COSTUMES—Correct. ACTING—See remarks. PHOTOGRAPHY—O. K. CAMERA WORK—Good. LIGHTING—Some very effective. EXTERIORS—Natural. INTERIORS—Weil staged. box Office value —Big draw. For a picture that will carry you along at a rapid pace and hold your interest throughout, tills feature can, be recommended. Thrill after thrill is experienced by the spectator. The showing of an Interior containing nine rooms, with action taking place In each room simul- taneously Is unusual In itself, and eliminates the necessity of using many "flash backs." It abounds with original situations, and the "close up»" are arranged so as to lend to the situations every bit of dramatic value possible. A wen directed picture. The acting of House Peters was admirable. June Elvidge, as Maura Lambert, was acceptable bi a part that was not prominent In the etory. Doris Sawyer, as "Bull's eye" Cherry, proved herself a corking screen per- former, Ralph Delmore was fine as the pm« leader. Ray Pilcer, as Tony Morello, was convinc- ing. A few bits were well handled. Prel. "THE SOWERS." PRODUCED BY LASKY. FIVE BBEU. Released March. By Paramount. STORY—Melodrama of Russian Intrigue. scenario —Splendidly constructed. D IRE CTION—Excellent judgment shown. ACTIO N—'Moves smoothly. SITUATIONS—Very well staged.-. ATMOS PHER E—Fine. CONTINUITY—Even. SUSPENSE—Holding. DE TAIL —Accurate. t COSTUMES—Correct. ACTING—Broad-way standard. PHOTOGRAPHY—Clear. CAMERA WORK—Good. L IGHTI NG—Lossy standard. EXTERIORS—Natural and well chosen. INTERIORS—Good. BOX OFFICE VALUE—Bbr draw. HEiMiA.mrg There have been many melodramas, both on the spoken and screen drama, which nave employed the subject of Intrigue in Russia, but few, it any, have carried the Interest contained in this feature. The action la of the interesting character, and scene follows scene in natural sequence. The light- ing hits are very effective, and the situations have been staged with a view to securing the best re- sults possible The acting of the cast Is worthy of mention. Blanche Sweet gained ready sympathy in the role of Karln Dotokfiof, although the story calls more for the exploitation of the male roles. Thomas Metehan, as Prince 'Paul Alexis, gave a masterful performance, and at all times registered nicely. Theodore Roberts, as the Chancellor, exhibited a superiority of gesture and expression that was commendable. Mabel Van Buren, In the role at Princess Tanya, end Count Egor Stranuik, In the person of Ernest Joy, played carefully and deli- cately their respective parts, and secured convinc- ing results. frel. "ONE DAY." PRODUCED BY B. S. MOSS. FIVE REELS. Released March 1. By B. 8. Mo—. (Statu Bight* Feature.) STORY—Adsptitlon of Elinor Glyn's novel of same mume. Sequel to "Three Weeks." Common- place, melodramatic story, with eonwntinoal plot Slight "sex" Interest. SCENARIO—Good. Two reds would have been plenty. Whoever wrote the scenario possessed lots of Imagination. DIRECTION—Hal Clarendon directed, and consid- ering ordinary story, performed wondtro. ACTION—Strong in spots. Inasmuch as the story's possibilities are limited, considerable padding was necessary to fill out required five reel footage. SITUATIONS—The scenes played by Jeanne Iver and Victor Sutherland were cleverly acted and dramatically Interesting. Most of the situa- tions are of the familiar sort ATMOSPHERE—Hal Clarendon, director, is en- titled to a word of praise in this relation, because of the fine suggestion of foreign at- mosphere he attained m the exteriors repre- genflng the Balkan country. CONTINUITY—Unbroken, but the tale enfolded falls to convince, consequently the picture grows wearisome toward the finish. SUSPENSE—Owing to the obvious nature of the plot It was difficult for tile director to main- tain any stronc degree of dramatic suspense. DETAIL—Excellent. COSTUMES—Correct, according to the best sources of Information. The military costumes worn around the court puts this feature somewhat in the "costume" class. ACTING—On the whole, very good cast. Robert Broderick, Barclay Barker, John Webb Dillon, Hal Clarendon and Master Richard Boss ac- cording star excellent support PHOTOGRAPHY—Some parts of the picture are excellently photographed, others fairly well done. LIGHTING—Nothing spectacular is shown, bat on the whole the i<gtiftng will pass. EXTERIORS—'Really convincing. INTERIORS—Right BOX OFFICE VALUE—As a sequel to "Three Weeks." "One Day" should draw. Good for . once around, but seems rather doubtful for repeats. Has advertising possibilities. REMARKS. There Isn't much to say of tbe feature dra- matically, as the plot is of the ultra-conventional sort. Good directing and competent acting, how- ever, make it fairly entertaining. As a feature film it does not compare at all favorably with Its prede- cessor, "Three weeks." Bern. "THE ARYAN/ PRODUCED BY KAY-BEE (TOM INCE). FIVE REELS. - Released March to. By Triangle. STORY—Intense Western melodrama, full of dra- matic suspense and psychological Interest SCENARIO—Technically flawless. DIRECTION—Of the best. The manner in which The Aryan" has been produced win stand comparison with anything nny Broadway man- agement has shown in years. ACTION—Rapid fire, highly melodramatic and al- ways holding. SITUATIONS—Superbly playad by a company of real artists. ATMOSPHERE—Striking. The plcruresqne early West Is depicted faithfully in aU of Its wild and woolly wickedness. CONTINUITY — Perfect Not a dull moment throughout. Five reels seem as one. SUSPENSE—Particularly wall maintained, adding immense value to story. DETAIL—Great, especially In the combined gam- bling:houBe and dance hall scenes. COSTUMES—Always consistent and accurate. ACTING—Could not be better. Wm S. Hart does remarkable work as the bad man who Is re- formed by a good woman's influence. Louise Glaum also gives a fine performance. PHOTOGRAPHY—Standard. Some excellent long shots and numerous "close-ups" of principals are capitally done. LI GHTI NG-—Impressionistic. EXTERIORS—Western locale. Fine examples of beautiful Western scenery, all well chosen. INTERIORS—Realistic. BOX OFFICE VALUE—Should stand 'em up In best houses. Good feature for any cflaes of picture house. Should repeat and draw big money. REMARKS Wm. S. Hart appears In "Tbe Aryan" In a some- what similar role to that played by the admirable portrayer of early Western types. In "Hell's Hinges." a Trlangle-Kay-Bee, released some five weeks ago. Bessie Love* a clever girl, who does not seem to be over sixteen or seventeen years ol -age, plays the part of a trusting little country maiden In almost unapproachable fashion. "The Aryan" is one of the best and most ap- pealing Western melodramas turned out up to date by the Kay-Bee Co. Nothing higher in the be said, considering Tom GYPSY JOE.' PRODUCED BY KEYSTONE (MACK SENNET). TWO REELS. Released March to. By Triangle. STORY—Melodramatic farce. Not particularly in- teresting. Several typical Keystone thrills help the comedy Immensely. SCENARIO—Fair. DIRECTION^—Good. ACTION—Starts off slowly, picks up and drops oft again toward finish. SITUATIONS—Typical Keystone stuff. ATMOSPHERE—O. K. Some scenes of Gypsy life are very convincing. CONTINUITY—Uneven. SUSPENSE—Fair. DETAIL—0, K. COSTUMES—Right ACTING—Good. PHOTOGRAPHY—Standard. LIGHTING—Nothing oat of ordinary called for. EXTERIORS—Good. INTERIORS—Good. BOX OFFICE VALUE—Only an average Keystone. at that far in advance of nearest imitators. Joe Jackson, the vaudeville star, who made a great reputation In that field as a comedy cyclist and pantomhnlat, is featured. It seems strange that Jackson's personality does not register better on the screen, out the fact remains that in tbir picture he is Just passably humorous, and never as bowHngly fanny as he has seemed on the vaude- ville stage. Possibly It may have been lack of opportunity doe to the story, but as a pletore comic Jackson falls far short of the best Keystone standards. Hex. »» "THE SOUL MARKET. PRODUCED BY POP. PLAYS AND PLAYERS. FIVE REELS. Released March 18. By Metro. STORY — Melodrama of stage life In the gay metropolis. SCENARIO—Good. DIRECTION—The feature has been well directed, especially in the scenes in and around the the- atre. ACTION—Interesting. SITUATIONS—Dramatic an.l the better part well played. ATMOSPHERE—Tbe atmosphere of the theatre predominates, and Is always convincing. CONTINUITY-^WeU maintained. SUSPENSE—Evenly balanced. DETAIL—Properly attended to tbroagout COSTUMES—Right ACTING—Olga Petrova Is featured In a eongenla' role. Others offering fine portrayals are. Arthur Hoops, Chas. Brandt and Fraunlc FraunhoU. PHOTOOBAPHY—Not always of the best, but will LIGHTING—Nothing startling. EXTERIORS—Good. INTERIORS—Some handsome boudoir sets are shown. BOX OFFICE VALUE—Petrova's name should help. REMARKS. "The Soul Market" Is never great, bat con- trives to present at least an interesting, and, on the whole, a pleasing narrative. The nubile at large Is always more of less interested in any story of the theatre and Its people, and this fea- ture therefore should meet with average success. Tne types are all well drawn. Including the woman chasing theatrical magnate and his -able assistant the house manager, the usual back stage characters and the actress who spurns the wealthy man's gold (In the play) to marry the supposedly poor but dashing hero. Jits. way of commendation can famo us pu omm THE SYMBOL SCREEN SUPREMACY IS® THE BCN Or THE HIGHEST AND MOST CONSISTENT FHOTOriAr STANEAHD IN THE VDNA FAMWs^LSSsliiM @ AOOIPH ZUKOR MMbMn IC4-I3 0 WEST SOS STREET, NEW YORK