The New York Clipper (August 1916)

32 THE NEW YORK CLIPPER August 26 FEATURE FILM REPORTS. "THE CRIMSON STAIN MYSTERY." COSSOUDATED. TWO KEELS. First, Second and Third Episode* of the New Serial. Released Sept. 1. By Metro. STORY—Mystery melodrama, written by Albert PajBOn Terliune. To be released In weekly In- stallments. Serial embraces sixteen episodes. 'DIRECTION—By T. Hayes Hunter. ACTION—-Exciting. Interest never drops for a moment throughout first three episodes. SITUATIONS—.Melodramatic, but logical. ATMOSPHERE—Excellent CONTINUITY—Not a. break. SUSPENSE—Exceedingly -well sustained. DETAIL-—Great care lias been taken in the matter of small details. Every newspaper insert looks like the genuine article. The same can be said of the more Important matters of detail. COSTUMES—iMoclem. STABS—Maurice Costello and Etbel Grandin. Botk talented and experienced, picture prayers. PHOTOGRAPHY—Up to best standards. ACTING—A special •word of praise for a convinc- ing character bit must be awarded Wm. II. Cavanaugb. John Milton and N. J. Thompson also offer convincing portrayals. LIGHTING—Highly effective. EXTERIORS—Varied and always in accord With, action. INTERIORS—First class sets furnished to resemble fauman habitation!) lit an unusually convincing REMARKS. The basic Idea of "The Crimson Stain Mystery" may or may not be slightly reminiscent of chat dearly beloved classic of standard Action, "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde." Tbe average spectator, who takes his photo dramatic entertainment seriously, wiH undoubtedly form the impression, after glimps- ing the first three episodes, that one of the prin- cipal characters will torn out to possess a dual identity. That this fact can not be clearly determined evi- dences quite emphatically that Albert Payson Ter- liune's mystery melodrama contains abundantly the most desirable essential all good serials should have—an undeniable quality of well maintained suspense. Compared to the garden variety of serial picture ?>laya, "The Crimson Stain Mystery" is far above ne general average. The reasons are obvious. In a production way nothing has been over- looked, the cast Is unlxormlv excellent, there Is an absence of the exaggerated style of me'odrama Identified with most photoplays of this type, and the well written story Is endowed with a real and ever present element of mystery. T. Hayes Hunter, win* directed, has made many good, some fair, and one or two very bad cinema productions in his time. It can be herein related without fear of contradiction that this Is the very best thing he has ever done. Which means that he has, as far as wo have seen, made a surpassingly One production. Maurlco Costello, who Is co-starred with Ethel Grandin, plays with an ease and distinction that only comes witii long, comprchensrfvo and continu- ous experience before the camera. Miss Grandin, one of the best of the younger generation of screen Ingenues, Is also seen to excellent advantage In a role peculiarly suited to her well developed capa- bilities. Thos. J. McGrane, a name not very familiar to picture play patrons, should make a lasting screen reputation In this aerial. His characterization of the role of Dr. Montrose Is simply greet. With every chance In the world McGrane refrains from over playing, signifying that he Is a true artist.' Theda Barra, who has long been the standard of comparison for all vaurplrlshly Inclined ladles of the films, must perforce relinquish her hard earned laurels when Olga 01nova*s snaky wickedness be- comes familiar to the multitude. And the ascen- dancy of Miss Olnova over all contenders for vam- pire honors seems decidedly Imminent, Inasmuch as her acting in the "Crimson Stain" bears every evidence of genuine talent and serious study, coupled with a p ret tin ess of face and beauty of form that will keep the optics of the male portion of any present day house centered* directly on her every second she Is exposed to view. It the succeeding chapters of this serial are up to the high standard of excellence maintained In tbe first, second and third Installments, It should, without question, become what Its sponsors intend It to be—a record breaker. BOX OFFICE VALUE. At last we have a serial that can be recom- mended to exhibitors as one that should keep the box office as busy as a bee hive. Advertise Costelio* and Qrandln, and write to Spencer sladdln, Fitz- gerald Building. New York, regarding publicity aids. Including those thirteen overland autos. Hex. "THE FUGITIVE/' THANHOrSER. FIVE REELS. Released Aug. U. By Pathe. BTORY—Written for screen by Phillip Lonergan. Conventional story, containing little that Is new. Mostly rehashed movie stuff. SCENARIO—By PhUMp Lonergan. DIRECTION—By Frederic Sullivan. Good under tbe circumstances. ACTION—Old School. One or two manufactured thrills. Not cotrvtnctnsr on tbe whole. SITUATIONS—One big scene showing a panic at a factory fire is really worth while, and Is competently directed, AfTMOSPHERE—Fair. CONTINUITY—Even. Story Inconsistent and very obvious, but coherently told. BSPENSE—Not very strong. DETAIL—Good. COSTUMES—Modern. STAR—Florence La Badta, Good screen MHM PHOTOGRAPHY—Fair. LI GHTI NG—Average. EXTERIORS—Will do. INTERIORS—Unconvincing. Always seem tike studio seta rather than human habitations. RBMA'RKS. Made up of "tried ana true" movie melodrama that formerly fitted) the single reelers four or five years ago, "The Fugitive' tells the following story: Margery Carew end her widowed sister, Aina Prentice, suddenly find themselves penniless through the dishonesty of their guardian. Both young women obtain employment In tbe same office. James Gray, the Junior partner In tbe firm, falls in love With Margery, while William Cleres. the senior partner, casts lustful eyes at the elder sis- ter. Anna foonshly agrees to go to Cleves' home bo take dictation from htm. While there Cleves at- tacks her and, in defending hherself, Anna kills him. Worried at [her sister's absence, Margery ar- rives at the Cleves home just as Anna Is fleeing. The younger sister forces the other to permit her to take on herself the blaime for Cleves' death, ex- plaining that Anna owes it to her little child to live. Margery goes West and marries. Years later, Margery's husband goes to New York, where xtls watch, is stolen by a pickpocket. The thief la arrested, and Margery's picture la found In the watch. The police recognize the pho- tograph as that of the young woman they have been seeking for the murder of Cleves. A fake telegram, asserting that her husband Is 111, lures Margery to New York, where she is arrested. Previous to this, Margery's elder sister and the letter's child had been killed by an automobile. Margery, though, is so loyal to the memory of her sister that she- refuses to tell the true circum- stances of Cleves' diatii. even under the merciless questioning of the police. A policeman who had seen her leaving Cleves' home on the night of the tragedy Is enmeshing .Margery In a net of circum- stantial evidence when a veiled woman, dressed Just as iMargery Was the night of the murder, enters the room. The policeman recognizes the clothing. Suddenly the newcomer lifts the veil and la revealed as Gray, the Junior partner. He con- fesses that it waa he who killed Cleves. Margery attempts to expostulate with Gray and refuses to accept his sacrifice, hut he tells her that he Is doing little. He Is the victim of a deadly malady, he says, and his physicians have given him only a month to live. Learning this, Margery accepts Gray's offer, and returns to her husband. BOX OFFICE VALUE. "The Fugitive'' Is a fair feature, and shon'd Sins ecceptable without causing any great commo- on as a one day attraction in the smaller Jitney houses. Eli. ** "GOD'S HALF ACRE. UOLPE. FIVE REELS. Relented Aug. 7. By ttetro. STORY—(Human Interest drama, with some sex Interest. Strong thread of romance cleverly Interwoven. SCENARIO—Bv June Matthias. DlRiamoN—■ hy Edwin Carewe Good. ACTION—Entertaining. SITUATIONS—Natural and logical. ATMOSPHERE—Very good. CONTINUITY—Not a break. SUSPENSE!—Well sustained. DETTAII*—Right. COSTUMES—Modern. i-TAR—Mabel Taliaferro. PHOTOGRAPHY—Very good. LIGHTING—bine. EXTERIORS—Good. INTERIORS—Good. REMARKS. Henry Norman, novelist, engaged In writing a new book, decides that he must delve Into real life for his material. The new book Is about aged types, and his friend. Perry Westley, gives him an opportunity to live for a while at a home for the aged, called "Rainbow's End." There Is an excellent reason for Westley's sending him away from home. Westley Is In love with Mrs. Norman. Henry believes implicitly in the honor of his friend, quite foolishly. Ignorant of tbe true condition of affairs. Henry takes up his temporary residence at Rainbow's End. More toteiestlng than ail the aged types Is the folorn young maid of all work. Blossom, who, scarcely more than u child In years', la old before her time. Henry laughingly calls her "The Little Old Lady," and In her he finds the inspiration for his book. Another who feels the charm of the Old Young Lady," and In her be finds the Inspira- tion tor his (book. Another who feels the charm of the stranger Is Lucy Hargreaves, the matron, commonly known as "The Dragon." In spite of her tigtlness. she -Is determined to moke bim 3ove her. But Henry's thoughts are conerned only with his work. A-letter brings him tickets from a play- wright frtend* to attend the opening of a new play. He throws the tickets into the waste basket, but seeing the wistful expression on Blossom's face he asks her to accompany him Intending to write a chapter on "The Little Old Young Lady In So- ciety." Her denghrt knows no bounds, especially when Henry bring* some of bis sister's clothes for her to shine In. The Inmates of Rainbow's End joyfnly watch her and bar escort leave for the the- atre—all except "The Dragon." who Is wild with. Jealousy. Henry's wife and Westley are-also at the pre- miere, and Rose Normaa, seeing Blossom with her ht isb nn rl, decides that the time has come for her to Bin away with Westley. Blossom found a page of Henry's manuscript, in which a proposal of mar- riage Is made to "The Little Old Young Lady." Khe thanks It la meant for her, and before saying good night to bim, she asks, Innocently, "when are we going to he married?" Henry, In surprise, is obliged to tell her that he is already married. She creeps upstairs, to cry herself to sleep when she Is confronted by the angry "Dragon,' who drives her out of the house. Henry goes home, only to find that his wife and his false friend have eloped in an automobile which Is soGitly struck by lightning. Beth are killed. Blossom takes refuge in God's Half Acre, an asylum for crippled children, presided over by Cynthia Huckaby, and she helps Cynthia with the children. Time brings her an opportunity to save the life of Henry Norman's little son, and In this way Henry finds her again. - He promises to make her over into a young young lady instead of an old young lady, and then writes the last words of his new novel, "They Lived Happily Ever After." Mabel Taliaferro stmoly revets In the role of Blossom, 3. W. Johnson, a manly and literary look- ing novelist Richard Nelll, the man who steals his wife, and Helen Dahl, the unfaithful better half who meets such a horrible end in company with her paramour. Good feature, technically and photographically. BOX OFFICE VALUE. Advertise Mabel Taliaferro and the fact that she is appearing In "God's Half Acre," directed by the same producer who made that wonderful drawing' card, "The Bom of a Woman." hen. "LITTIE EVE EDGARTON." BLUE BIRD. 'FIVE REELS. Released Aug. tl. By Blue Btrd. STORY—Slight story, loudly strong' enough to carry a five reeler. Adaptation of book by Eleanor H. Abbott. Romantic comedy drama, with ]— SCBNARK with good heart Interest. IO-,By r DIRECTION—By Root. Leonard. Good Root. Leonard. ACTION—Drags In several places. Fairly lntor- BrrUATIONS—Waft played. ATOSPHERB—Good. CONTINUITY—Too much padding slows no early reels. ^ ^^ SUSPENSE—Lacking, because of obvious nature of story. DETAIL—Good. COSTUMES—'Modemf. STAR—Ella Hall gives a delightful characterlxa- tlon of a Uttle girl. ^^^ PHOTOGRAPHY—Very good. LIGHTING—Good. E XTER IORS—Good. INTERIORS—Good. REMARKS. Ella Hall who. when the slightest opportunity offers, is e. charming little screen actress, docs wan- ders for this slender story. Herbert Rawllnson Is another capable player who makes the proceedings xnterestlneat times. About two reels would have been sufficient to carry tne Plot. The fact that the feature turned out as good as It did, must be credited largely also to Director Leonard, who evidently worked bard in whipping It Into shape. Excelcnt photography and good lighting by Cam. era man R. E. Irish, who. by the way, seems to ■ have arrived in the front rank of cinema photo- graphers, greatly enhances the picture as a whole. BOX OFFICE VALUE. Suitable for smaller houses. Advertise Ella Hail as one of the best portrayers of child parts on the screen. Fair one day attraction. Len. (In answering ads. pleas* mention CtXPHta.) Comedies of Quality My one aim and ambi- tion is to produce bigger and better Keystone Comedies—and this re- gardless of time or ex- pense. MACK SENNETT.