Motion Picture Magazine, July 1914 (1914)

The Spirit of the Play By "JUNIUS" The reason that critics differ so much is because they have dif- ferent standards of merit. There are those who think "The House of Temperly," "The Sea- wolf" and "Captain Alvarez" in- ferior simply because they do not like the themes, the first mentioned being founded on a prize-fight, the second on the career of a ruffian, and the third being a war story. To com- pare these plays with such as "The Christian" is like comparing a rein- deer with a racehorse—both superior animals, but dissimilar. "Captain Alvarez," by the way, is the best photoplay I have seen this month. While it is founded on a very slight and simple plot and gives but little opportunity for emotional acting, it is a wonderfully stirring piece, full of brilliant battles, tense situations, picturesque scenery and excellent photography. The leading man might have been a little more attrac- tive, for such a superbly heroic part, and it is unfortunate that Edith Storey was not given opportunity to show some of her talents. Miss Gon- zales and Mr. Holt, however, added much to their reputations and to the success of this play, which ought to prove a very popular one. I could see nothing remarkable about "The House of Temperly," except an ex- cellent chapter in the history of the English prize-ring, altho it was well staged and acted. "The Sea-wolf" is rather picturesque, but it will never take rank among the great photoplays. Mr. Bosworth made rather a good-natured villain, and his pleasant smile and dimples did not harmonize with his duds. "Nep- tune's Daughter" must be classed as one of the most interesting, picturesque and successful of spec- tacles. It is a fairy story, but it will interest the grown-ups just as much as it will the children. "Brew- ster's Millions" is an amusing comedy of high grade. It is too bad that there are not more plays like 124 this and less of the Keystone type popular as the latter are and, for that matter, unexcelled in their class. "Hearts Adrift" and "Tess of Storm County'' are exceptionally fine. Mary Pickford has no rivals in plays of this kind, and Harold Lockwood makes an interesting and competent opposite. These two photoplays will live long in the memory of photoplay lovers. Another play that must take high rank among the great photo- plays of the month is "East Lynne," an exceedingly good English produc- tion. It tells the remarkable story of Mrs. "Wood so beautifully and so grippingly that its power is irresis- tible. Fred Paul deserves special mention for his commanding por- trayal of the leading role. "Old Curiosity Shop" and "Cloister and the Hearth" are two other English productions that deserve high praise. They are in a class above "The Gamblers" and "The Lion and the Mouse," which did not seem to lend themselves to photoplay, and re- quired too many tiresome subtitles to carry the stories. Nor were these two plays remarkable for fine acting, artistic handling or excellent photog- raphy. Cecilia Loftus, in "A Lady of Quality," was picturesque and inter- esting, but aside from her winning personality and that of Peter Lang, this photoplay has not a great deal to recommend it to a long memory. "Home, Sweet Home" is well done, but not really great. The majority will probably favor "Captain Alvarez" as the best play of the month, and it certainly seems to outclass "Wife Wanted," which appears on the same program at the Vitagraph Theater. It is quite certain, however, that, all things considered, and particularly from the standpoint of art, "The Christian" has not yet been equaled, nor has Biograph's "Judith." I have not yet seen Kleine's "Antony and Cleopatra" and Italia's "Ca- biria," which are spoken of very highly by those who have seen them.