The New York Clipper (July 1917)

3S THE NEW YORK CLIPPER July 25, 1917 "THE WARRIOR" Harry Raver. Special Feature. Seven reel*. The Warrior "Maciste" Remarks. This new Italia film, presented by Harry Raver, is remarkable in several ways. It is a picture without a slot or a story and the characters in it are little more than atmosphere for the star. Yet the picture holds iDterest throughout its entire run. In its entirety, the feature may be classed as a thrilling comedy of the Douglas Fairbanks type, and Maciste proves himself to be a comedian of the first class. In a narrative of his supposed experiences as a movie actor and a soldier in the famous Italian Alpino regiment, be perforins some thrilling feats of strength that are real, and by exceptionally clever camera work other "stunts" are made to appear as though they, too, are genuine. At times the picture assumes the nature of a stupendous spectacle, especially in the scenes where the Alpino regiment i- scaling the perpendicular side of a mountain that is at least two hundred feet in height Here a view is had of a great number of soldiers on ropes sus- pended from the overhanging crest of the mountain. Up these ropes the soldiers climb i hand over hand, separated from each other by only a few feet. This spectacle is thrilling in the extreme. From the distance at which the picture was taken. the soldiers look like countless in- sects, strung out at regular intervals .ilnng many strings, and all moving slowly toward the top. By cleverly interposing scenes of the actual troop movements of the Italian army, a sense of realism is imparted to the military character played by Maciste, but the good natured spirit in which he performs his feats of strength keeps the comedy spirit uppermost at all times. In fact, in the closing scenes the action takes on a farce comedy atmosphere that seems out of place with the many magnificent scenic views, and the true military spirit instilled by the troops in the earlier parts of the film. "HIGH SPEED" Butterfly. Five Reels. Released July 16 by Universal. Cast 9MM . .Fritzie Ridgevsay Father Harry Rattenberry Mother Lydia Yeamans Titus Speed Jack Mulhall Count Englantinc Albert McQuarrie Count's Friend J. Morris Foster Story—Comedy. Written by Helen Starr.. Scenario by Leo Sargent. Directed by George L. Sargent Featuring Jack Mulhall and Fritzie Ridge way. Action—Lacks interest. Continuity—Consistent. Suspense—Lacking. Detail—Will do. Atmosphere—1'ncnnvincing. Photography—Cood. Remarks. This film tells of Mr. and Mrs. N'ewrich. whose daughter returns from a "finishing" school polished and indolent and with fixed ideas of excitement Her mother plans to marry her off to a count, but in the middle of the marriage ceremony, a young American bursts upon the scene, rushes her to his office in an auto. and. with the aid of her father, who brings the minister, marries her. Here is a good idea wasted from lack of treatment by the author. There is ft lot of time wasted in futile attempts to stretch out the story, but the most glar- ing defect is the drawing of Speed. He is supposed to do things on the jump, hence his name, but he fails to live up to it except at the end when, at th.> behest of the girl. Susan, to save her, he abducts and marries her. This lack of dispatch mars the character and takes Interest from the story. With this handicap. Jack Mulhall can not be expected to be at his best. The film would be more acceptable if the story were not so padded. Box Office Valve. One day. "WHAT MONEY CAN'T BUY" Lasky. Five Reels. Released July 16 by Paramount. Cast Dick Hale Jack Pickford Princess Irenia Louise Huff Madison Hale Theodore Roberts Oovrian Texler Hobart Bosuxrrth King Stephen III Raymond Hatton Ferdinand Vaslof James Cruze The Cardinal James Neill Countess Bonaco Bliss Chevalier Story—Dramatic. Written by Beulah Marie Dix from George Broadhurst's play of same name. Directed by Lou- Tellegen. Suspense—Not very strong. Detail—Good. Atmosphere—Not always convincing. Remarks. This story, while it proves an admir- able vehicle for the exploitation of Jack Pickford and Louise Huff, is so full of improbabilities and inconsistencies that its atmosphere becomes hazy. "IN SLUMBERLAND" Triangle. Five Reels. Released July 22 by Triangle Dist. Corp. Cast Eileen MoCree Thelma Salter Nora McCree Laura Sears Patrick McCree Jack Livingston Peter Kennedy J. P. Lockney Flynn, the Bog Man Walter Perry Story—Irish melodrama. Written by L. V. Jefferson. Directed by Irvin Willat. Featuring the Triangle Kiddies. Action—Interesting. Continuity—Consistent. Suspense—Sustained. Detail—Excellent Atmosphere—Convincing. Photography—Good. Remarks. This is an old-fashioned Irish melo- drama, with a touch of fairyland to bring ont the work of the kiddies. Box Office Value. From one day to full run, according to clientele. "THE RESCUE" Bluebird. Five Reels. Released July 16 by Bluebird. Cast Anne WetheraU Dorothy Phillip* Sell Jerrold Gretcken Lederer Betty Jerold. Molly ilalone- Henriette Claire Du Bray- Mrs. Hendricks .. Gertrude Aster- Kent WetheraU William StatocU Thomas Holland Lou Chancy Story—Drama, founded on Hugh Kahler's magazine story of the • sstoe title. Scenario and direction by Ida May Parks. Action—Consistent with story. Continuity—Evenly maintained. Suspense—Sustained. Detail—Good. Atmosphere—Fits story. Photography—Average. Remarks. This story, even though conventional, has its twists and turns, which give it a little different angle than that of similar pictures. Miss Phillips, who is starred in this pic- ture, more than lives up to the role. Splendid work is also done by William. Stowell, Lou Chaney and Molly Malone. Box Office Value. Regular house run for feature.