Variety (September 1918)

K. i j ! #1 % : i K ■- ■t I 44 *•• -US .1 ->' MOVING PICTUaES ■,*. i.. ]B vBfe K t i A WOMAN'S EXPERIENCE. Society drama, presented by Bacon-Backer Films, bd adaptation from the play "Agnes," by Paul M. Potter, directed by Perry N. Vokroff, who also wrote the scenario. The photography is the work of Edward Earle. Mary Boland la starred and supported by a small but adequate company, all of whom ap- pear to be peculiarly fitted for the roles in which they are cast. Although there are six reels, the picture Is unusually full of action. The titles being well written, are of great assistance: in fol- lowing the thread of the story. George Roydant (8am Hardy) and hla wife, Agnes (Miss Boland) reside in the country with the loner's ancle, Nicholas Barable (Lawrence McQIll). Barrable made a for- tune In the city and has retired. Wishing to save his niece and her husband from the temptations of New York he virtually de- • manda they live with him. The young couple do not like this plan and at the aame time do not wish to hurt the old gentleman's feelings, but they make It plain to each other they long for the city. They finally break away from the old man and make their home in New York. Roy- dant is successful in buslneas,'and hla wife ' is popular in society. After a time there Is an estrangement Agnes In an absent-minded sort of way carries on a flirtation with Lord Sulgrave. and her husband falls in the hands of an adventuress. From then on the action Is fast and the story Increases In Interest. One of the beet scenes and the one in which Hiss Boland shines most radiantly, is that In which Sul- gra?e comes to her bedroom, at her invita- tion. But when he knocks at the door she will not admit him. He finally forces an entrance, and a realistic struggle follows. In the scrap Sulgrave falls to the floor and Is stunned. She removes him to his own room. Meanwhile her husband, now In financial difficulties, comes to her and asks for her jewels, that he may raise money to meet ob- ligations. She confronts him with a note from the adventuress, and explanations on his part follow. But she falls to tell him of her experience with Sulgrave. In the last reel husband and wife are recon- ciled. The uncle has come to their aid. With their difficulties over they decide they have had enough of the city and go back to live with the old man. The picture has been well staged and it should make an unusually attractive program feature. It has all the elements which will appeal. A SOUL WITHOUT WINDOWS. Hopams Ethel Clayton Joshua/ Richard Clarke Hannah Eugenie Woodward Nebexalah Victor Kennard Ptdro CamlUio David Davles Murlo Qus Plxley Mrs. Hallory Zadee Burbank Stott Malory Frank Mayo Fatlh Palmer Pinna Nesblt Mr. Palmer Jack Drumter Griswold Jack. Roberts Woman Sadie SchaetTer Girl Violet Askel This World feature, starring Ethel Clayton, Is altogether different from the general run. In it are many pleasing scenes and the theme is most unusual. It Is one of the best pro- ductions the World has put out In some months, and should be an excellent program feature. It may be the last World picture In which Miss Clayton will be seen, as her contract with that company has now expired. Qood photgraphy, In which are Included In- teresting country scenes, handsome Interiors and locations with the proper "atmosphere" help to make the picture good entertainment Miss Clayton takes the role of Hopama, .who as a child is brought to a Shaker settlement, and the years of her youth are spent among this strict religious sect. When her natural desire for fun and music come to the from, she 1b punished In the Shaker fashion. Miss Clayton acts unaffectedly and shows con- siderable dramatic power in some of the Bcenes. When brought before the elders of the church and as punishment for some minor offense Is sentenced to whip half a dozen children, who have been her playmates and have not been parties to the "crime," her indignation and refusal are finely expressed, and one Is Impressed with her earnestness.- But this Is only one of the many Instances In which Miss Clayton scores heavily. A most interesting feature is the identity of the "Soul Without Windows." This Indi- vidual's Identity does not come along until near the end of the third reel and is a sur-. prise, as the person, Scott Malory (Frank Mayo), early in the picture gave little evi- dence of being soulless. Mallory in saving bis fiancee from drown- ing meets with an accident, the result ol wnlcb Is paralysis from the waist down and an unbalanced mind. He Is wealthy and has the best of caro, but Is forsaken by the girl for whom he risked bis lite. He no longer wants to live, according to the titles. Hopama then enters Into hla life, and a French physician. cures htm of bis ailments. In the last scene the two lovers are seen In a clinch. MIbs Clayton has a fine supporting company. Al Jennings, erstwhile bandit and convict, pardoned by ex-President Roosevelt, at pres- est a Baptist evangelist, has completed a western which will be produced and acted by himself. It will be a history of Jennings In his outlaw days. The title is "The Lady of the Dugout." THE BELLS. Mathlaa Frank Kenan Anette. Lois Wilson Lttparre. Joseph J. Dowllng Catherine , Ida Lewis Koveski. Bert Law NlckeJ Albert Cody Christian Edwsrd Coxen Oarl Carl Stockdele Just as every legitimate actress wants to play "Camilla" and every reader pines for a chance at "Hamlet," so the male screen star yearns tor a wallop at the role of Matblas In "The Bolls." It has been done over and over and each time, a flop. The latest aspirant for these honors Is Frank Kesnan, supported by an adequate cast and production, made by Paths. Mr. Keenan is an admirable character actor, and his inter- pretation of Matblas U an Intelligent, careful and painstaking one. But the story is old- fashioned and gruesome at best. If the late Sir Henry Irving were to offer It today It would be laughed at. The Pathe production Is a tiresome affair. The majority of the present-day picture pa- trons probably never heard of the play. Joto. MODERN LOVE. Delia Arnold Mae Murray Julian Lawrence..i Philo McCulIough George Addison Arthur Shirley Myrtle' Harris Claire Du Brey Wilbur Henderson George Cbeeebro The title of this Bluebird, featuring Mae Murray, might suggest many things and many highly Interesting stories, but such Is not the case with the picture seen at the New York Theatre. It is a very ordinary feature treated in a stereotyped and conventional way. Good photography will often help a poor picture to get across, but In "Modern Love" even this Is lacking. The settings ere shabby and the lighting dim and indistinct. There are many close-ups of Miss Murray and her leading man, some of which are good, but they are" allowed to remain on the screen so long that this phase becomes tiresome long before It is over. Miss Murray Is Delta Arnold, a young wo- man of the stage, playing one-night stands through the middle west. Through missing a train and inclement weather, she and the lead- ing man get separated from the company and, owing to a storm, have to spend the night at an Inn. The actor (Philo McCulIough) signs the register Julian Lawrence and Wife, with- out his companion's knowledge. In her struggles to escape his attentions which followed, Miss Murray puts up a good fight. It proves quite a rough and tumble affair. The Innkeeper enters Into the proceed- ings at the right time and when explanations follow, Lawrence is promptly kicked out of the hotel. From actress to artist's model Is Delia's next step. While following the latter profession, the heroine meets the man she loves and presumably marries. Throughout the five reels the compromising position In which she found herself with Lawrence Is al- ways oropplng up and spoiling her plans for a happy marriage. Mies Murray plays in a moderately Interest- ing manner. Her support Is only fair. The men In the cast all show a tendency to over- act The redeeming feature la the work of Clair DiNJBrey, the sophisticated young wo- man, who knows the stage and the studios. "Modern Love" was directed by Robert Z. Leonard. Bobby Connelly, the boy film actor, has been sent to the Coast by Harry I. Carson to ap- pear with Blanche Sweet in "The Unpardon- able Sin," directed by Marshall Nellan. ■i C, ^olcjwyr^^icturci^ ^M Everybody Likes Her! MADGE KENNEDY, tp use an old-fashioned phrase, has grown en the people of America. She has become a nation-wlde habit. Picture by. picture she has grown in popularity. Step by step upwa/d—rapidly—In "Baby Mine," in "Nearly Married." *The Danger Game,'* "The Service Star," and "Friend Husband" this fascinating person- ality has increased her reputation and drawing power, as few stars ever succeed in dojng. With the finest, ablest and by all odds the most enjoyable of all of her productions, Goldwyn, under Its policy of Star Series releasing, takes pride in presenting %i?l&ngdomc/Kmfh Showing how a fresh young girl defeated a middle- aged widow with her rouge-boxes, lip-sticks, steam baths and fat-reducing appliances. Have you booked the Madge Kennedy Star Series for your theatre?