The New York Clipper (February 1917)

34 THE NEW YORK CLIPPER February 7, 1917 FEATURE FILM REPORTS "MAN WHO TOOK A CHANCE" Bluebird. Five Reels. Releated Feb. 19 hv Bluebird. Cast. Monty Grey Franklyn Farnum Wilbur Mason Lloyd Whitlock Constance Lanning Agnes Vernon Mrs. banning Countess du Cello Richard Limning Marc Fenton The Duke of Cannitter Charles Pcrley James Arthur Hoyt Story—Melodramatic farce. Written for screen by Ben. Conn. Directed by Win. Worthington. Action—Unfunny. Continuity—Rambling. Suspense—Lacking. Detail—Will pass. Atmosphere—Satisfactory. Photography—Average merit Remarks. "The Man Who Took a Chance" is one of those typical Bluebird "bad boys." Some- how or Other when the Bluebirds are good, they are very, very good, but when they are not good—well, yon know the rest of the story. The story is founded on one of the most ancient farce ideas known to the playwriting fraternity. The acting is mediocre, the staging but fair throughout and the general characteristics of the film about on a par with what the Universal used to grind out in single-reel doses before the salaries of actors commenced to worry Carl Laemmle. The Universal has let it be known that it does not believe in the star syBtem, at least as far as its features are concerned. From the looks of this picture no one will ever accuse the Universal of employing good actors, much less stars. As a whole this is simply awful. Better look it over before booking unless catering to a cheap class of trade. Box Office Value: One day. Maybe you can get away with it if booked at a bargain price. "THE RED WOMAN" World. Five Seels. Released Feb. 12 by World. Cast. Maria Temotaeh Gail Kane Morton Dean Afahlon Hamilton Bancho Ed. F. Roteman Dora Wendell June Elvidge Her Mother Charlotte Granville Vhica •. • Gladys Barlcott Story—Melodrama. Action occurs along the Mexican border and in New York. Written for screen by H. R. Durant. Directed by Mason Hopper and other*. Action—Entertaining. Suspense—Thrilling. Continuity—Uneven. Detail—Fair. Atmosphere—Satisfactory. Photography—Good. Remarks. This picture was made several months ago and held in reserve by the World. Originally Mason Hopper started to pro- duce the picture but quit for some reason or other. At least one and possibly two other directors had a hand in putting the feature in shape for the market. The re- sult, despite all drawbacks and incon- sistencies of the plot, is a film that enter- tains from beginning to end. There are bunches of thrills and some excellent char- acter portrayals which go a long way in making up for a few minor deficiencies un- doubtedly caused by the mix-op in directors. The exteriors showing the wild Mexican mining country are picturesque and beauti- fully photographed. Gail Kane plays the part ef an Indian girl and while not par- ticularly convincing in a character sense scores in the scenes calling for sym- pathetic rendition. Ed. Roseman. is a corking Mexican villain of the ultra wicked type. As a whole "The Red Woman" should please the average audience. Box Office Value. Two days. Advertise this as a Mexican story showing the border country. "ROSIE O'GRADY" Apollo. Five Reels. Released Feb. 1 by -irt Drama* Cast. Rosie O'Grady Viola Dana "Chimmie" Thoi. F. Blake "Cyclone Johnny Allen".. . . .James Harris Story—Melodrama of east side life in New York City. Written for screen by John H. Collins. Directed by John H. Collins. Action—Holding. Suspense—Capitally sustained. Continuity—Most part even. Detail—Good. Atmosphere—Convincing. Photography—First class. Remarks. "Rosie O'Grady" is a picture that con- tains many excellent points. It has more than sufficient human interest to put it over as a program feature and is especially for- tunate in possessing a cast of players of exceptional ability. The story would seem more convincing, however, to those who are familiar with the population centers of the big city if the action had been laid on the west side rather than the east. Out- side of New York, of course, this does not matter. There is a prize fight scene in "Rosie O'Grady" that will stand compari- son with anything of a similar nature ever depicted on the screen as part of the action of a photo drama The lighting effects and photographic qualities of the film are of the very best grade. As a whole this compares very favorably with the majority of para- mounts and Metros. Viola Dana, as a waif, offers a sympathetic characterization that goej straight to the heart She is an actress of real attainments. Tnos. F. Blake also scores with a lifelike portrait of a rough and ready east-aider, and James Harris is convincingly human as the amorous prise- fighter who causes all the trouble. Box Office Value. Three days. Can be played in almost any type of house. Advertise Viola nana heavily. She will not disappoint your patrons, no matter how strong the billing. SEASON TICKETS NOVEL IDEA One of the best ideas introduced in con- nection with a pitenre house for several years has been pnt over by the manager of the Forsythe Theatre of Atlanta, 6a., who up to date has sold 2,700 season tickets. A. BRADY WILLIAM In association with WORLD PICTURES J *%£ Presents CARLYLE BLACKWELL AND JUNE ELVIDGE * A SQUARE DEAL" Cast including HENRY HULL and MURIEL OSTR1CHE Directed by HARLEY KNOLES