New York Clipper (Aug 1915)

THE NEW YORK CLIPPER 19 PICTDRE PLAY REVIEWS -BATTLE CRY OFPEACE'' TIMELY. BLACKTOR PLEA FOR PREPASEDRESS EXCELLERI FROPAGARDA* "Tlie Battle Cry ot Peace" la bound to create talk. As Tlille propngonda for tlie early adop- tion of a program of preparedness against the pos- sible InTosSon of America a subject tbat has ac- cupled the public prints for the past ;ear. Ita message Is unmistakable and Us Inmience will un- qnestionably be far reaching. The picture was shown Initially to a select gathering of newspaper men and Invited notables at the Vitagraph The- atre Friday morning, Aug. 6. Hudson Maxim, the celebrated ordnance Invent- or, wrote the hoolc entitled "Defenceless America," which Inspired J, Stuart Blackton's highly patri- otic and creditable desire to ylsuallze tbe Ideas embodied In the lDTeDtor*s literary effort In tbo form of a picture play that is more than likely destined to aid the defense movement better than any other publicizing method conceivable. - Commodore Blackton was present at the private sbowtDg Friday morning and In a short speech explained the reasons for his Interest and activity . In producing on the screen o. subject that will bring the much discussed subject of preparedness against, rather than for, war, forcibly to tho hearts and minds of the great American pabllc. lAmong other things Mr. Biackton neotloned the fact, not generally known, that he 'was of foreign Urth, and although he had made America his home for a number of years. It was only recently that he had awakened to the fact that he was not legally a citizen of the land of the free and the home of the brave. The Idea seemingly did not accord -with Mr. Blackton's views of patriotism and allegiance, and )ie forthwith proceeded to the proper department of Unnle Sam's Government, and obtained the necessary papers, malclns him what be bad long desired to be, but was too busy to become—a full fledged American citizen. The creatine of the pfctnre "The Battle Cry of Peace." Mr. Blackton admitted had awakened him to the fact of Lis Incomplete status as an Ameri- can. Portherraore, 'Mr. Blscktcn declared that It was after a perusal of Maxim's book that he sought out the tnventor and explained how a plcturized ver- sion -would reach possibly some fifty million, while the hook could scarcely expect to reach more than a similar number of thousands. He went on ti> describe In detail how It was necessarv to Inject & UtMe heart Interest In. tho screen adaptation of "Defenceless America," and tccldentKlly accorded Theodore Roosevelt worm pmlse for his eocouragemont and co-opeiatlon. Oen. Wood, Secretary Garrison and Admiral Dewey were others that Commodore Blackton de- clared were more than ready to co-operate with him in. the vroductlon of "The Battle Cry of Peace." «THB BATTIiE CRY OF PEACE" <VrrA- ORAPH), EIGHT REEL.S* Bpcclal Relcate. Starting -wIUi a lecture by Hudson Maxim, on the all Important subject of preparedness, the picture goes on to irtiow an Imaginary attack and Invasion of New York, by en aUen toe. and tbe third and last section, in happier vein, gives tbe spectator - an inkling of what the alert nation can do In the way of defensive tactics. The co-operation of both amy and navy, as "well as the State and National Covemmcnt is noticeable throughout. In the use of Coast defense guns, submarines, battlcsOtlps and National Guard organizations. "The regular armf has also been utilized to ad<l color to the gripping realism of the picture play. Mr. Blackton, In order to present his message In more entertaining form than tbe dry statistics of the book would have shown, created a simple dra- mKtlc story through which to further emphasize tho lmportanci^/>f the subject In hand. Amon;; several startling and breath holding In- cidents enacted in the picture is the dropping of bombs on Times Square from an aerial neet, the capture of New York with the consequent explod- ing of shells in the city's principal thoroughares, and'-the occupation of toe metropolis by a foreign force of Invaders. , ■ ^ ^ , The action o( these Invaders, their attitude tcward tho civilians and particularly toward :he women are enough alone to cause tbe most rabMt- hearted milk-soppy advocate of- "Peace at any price" to reconsider ■ and purgo his mind of the cowardly fear of combat. Not that the picture advocates aggression, far from It, but Its stirring scenes alone should do wonders In instilling a. little more "heart"' In the more t'.mld of onr loud-moutbed mollycoddle peace propagandists. , . ■ An allegoiy at the finish Aows the spirits of Lincoln. Washington and Grant arising from the ruins of the desolated capltol, which is revivified and restored by their losplrlcg presence. Among the actors who luterpret the'story co- r'elatlve to the purpose of the picture, Chas. Blch- man, James Morrison, Bogeta Lytton and Capt. Jack Campbell, appear in leading roles. Belle Bruce, Norma Talmadge, Ixiulse Beaudet and Mary Maurice, aqult uemselves creditably In the femi- nine roles. _ ^ ^ . , "The little Cry of Peace' should bo shown In every public school in America, and It wouldn't be a bad Idea for every American to see this plctnre and endeavor to 1iionghtful<y realize Its potent ineinlng. . While no particular foreign nation Is mentioned In the unfolding of the picture story, the spectator eon form his own eonelnslona. Fifty years from now "Tlut BatUa Ciy «I Feac«'>.iU7Jw c<naia«c«l in ibe present light of "Uncle Tom's Cabla." WtK) can telL Xen. «IiADT ACDLErr'S SBCIUST" (FOX). FITB Fox FUm Corporation. Amoug the selected surefire stock standbys ot the provincial touring orKaaltatlons of the paxt quarter of a century "l4idy Audley's Secret" always held a secure place. In fact, "cast I^ne," "Dncle Tom," "Ten Nights," "Leah, the Forsaken" "Camllle* and "Lady Audley" might bo termed the six most popular plays In America as far as general' clrcufaucn was concerned during tbe abovementloned period. Now the Fox Film Cor- poration, through the directorial effects of Marshal Farnum, has filmed the old favorite and the re- sult may be termed highly satisfactory. The story Is well told, possessing continuity of Interest and tbe play hoA .been mounted far better than ever It -was,' -with fcrw exceptions during Its ' long repertoire service. Thcda Bara, who has made a surprisingly suoccsstul specialty of "vampire" roles is seen to better advantage than in any of her former screen appearances, the character of Lady Audley oITerlng the French artiste unrivalled opportunities for tbe display of her finely culti- vated histrionic attainments. There Is plenty of action tbrougbout and- tbe suspensive Interest is absoTblDgl? malntatned through a eeries ot tense moments that make tbe five reels seem like half that' number. The picture starts ivlth the love affair of Geo. Talboys end Helen' Dcv<inent. - After their mar- riage "Talboys leaves for foreign lands In search of better fortunes. His wife believing him dead marries Sir Michael Addley. A situation that has grown more or less familiar though not nearly so much in use at the time "Lady Audley" was writ- ten, .occurs at this potnt through the return of Talboy!>, who discovers' tbat bis 'wife bad becomtt the better half of anotber man. through the fact of the false report of tils death. A- particularly strong scene is tbe one In which Lady Audley begs her husband to leave her and his consequent refusal, the culmination of which, encompasses Talboys taJl down a well. A coach- man has witnessed the scene In which Lady Aud- ley pushes Talboys down the water hole and ef- fects the latter's- rescue. Of course Lady Audley believes from this Ume on that she is a murderess and the constantly haunting.conscience drives her to a state bordering on Insanity. Little by little, tho web seems to weave tighter around the fear burdened woman until the accusing evidence becomes so strong that she completely losc« her mind. The suggestion of madness Is ex- cellently conveyed by Theda Bara In this part ot the drama, her work being of the repressed subtle sort FO necessary to the proper presentation of tbe complex role. The supporting company could not be Improved on, and the production on the whole reflects great credit on star, director and producing concern responsible^ To the thousands tbat nave seen "Lady Acdiey" as a stage play the film version will t>e a rare treat. . Likewise those who are not ac- quainted with the Old play -will enjoy the many exciting episodes,, tense climaxes and general air of acting excellence evidenced In Its vIsuaMzatlon. Pbotograpblcally there Is nothing to be desired. "Lady Audley" should last a long while as a pic- ture play OS Its drawing powers are countrywide. Len. <THE STOLEN VOICE" (SHVBBRT), FIVU REELS. World Film Program. Bobert Warwick, during his snort soionm on the screen, short In comparison with his more lengthy tecord as a dramatic actor, has enrolled a formlsible number ot followers, l^at this sterling ertlst should so quickly establlA a clientele of pic- ture fans Is not surprising when one stops to con- «<lder the aencral excellence of his work as a photo. Tiiayer. In tbe World Film production of ""The Stolen Voice," Warwick more than lives up to his irlready high reputation as a "legitimate star." who has "made good" in films. The Ust of those "star" reemlta from tlia legitimate, and espesl&Uy Broad- vrij theatredom, that have "made goodT' Is de- cidedly . small. Numerous solo film nppeaTsnecs, Tritbout encore engagem^nis, during tbe past sea- son, can testify to this. "The Stolen Voice" gives Warwick, In the rolo of Qerald DorvlUe. a slncer who has lost his voice. Just the right opportunity to shine as a manly meto-dramatlc hero. Dr. Von Gabl, a hypnotic gen- tleman. Is tbe person rrsponslble for the loss of Dorvllle's vocal powers. The motive for the Sven- gall like persons action being Jealousy ot a fair maiden. It troB ever thns in meloilrama. but who can say that this is not life. Ary newspaper will fur* nish the answer In Its columns, dally. To continue with the tale, Dorrllle, In orrord wttli the trend of the times, upon the los.i ot his voice, gets a Job as a movie actor. 'I'he plot calls for tbe restoration ot tho singer's voice on tbe death ot the wicked M. D., but only after a series o' exciting and highly Interesting situations havi been enacted. Of courso the hero gets the girl, and all ends happily, but tho story, while slight, per- mits ot excellent screen vntertalnment. This Is, of <curse, due In a measure to the manner ot Its prt-sentatlon on tho screen by the high class com- pany Involved In Its Interpretation. Marguerite Lawson Is made decidedly homan by Frances Nel- son, and Dr. Van Gahl nufllcleDtly hypnotic by Geo. Mnjeron. Violet Honirr and Bertram Mar- bcrgb also contrlbuto sincere characterizations. During the unfolding at the story of "The Stolen Voice." the spoctator Is beguiled with some bosu- tifnl scenic enccts, notablv ibc views depleting the wonders of tbe .^usable Chasm. Then, too, the scenes calling for the Introduction of 'the motion picture studio business are inter- estingly played and developed. A sufficient amount of comedy relief has been in- jected to sotien tbo effect of strong melodrama, and tola arises always naturally from sltuatlona of tbe play and Is not dragged In bodily In the form ot uncalled for clowning. Tbe photography Is for tbe better part good. A little Judicious pruning ot certain scenes might have been done without hurting the ensemble any, but tbe picture does not suffer seriously on this account. "The Stolen Voice." with Robert Warwick. Is « picture that tbe fnns will come to see, remain to praise, and—return again when It plays a repeat. It Is likely to ploy many ot these. Len. WORLD FILM NOTES. Tbe 'St. Louis branch ot tbe World Film Cor- poration has uncovered a novel and probably hith- erto unattempted line of rales attack by calling thn attention of exhibitors to the approprlntenesa of the film, "Kenruchy Derby," as a booking for county falrsL As the racln; Is almost sn entertain- ment feature ot 'prlme Import.oiice at this gather- ing; far-slgbled exhibitors are arranging to take advantage of ' the sports popularity bv offering "Kentucky Derby" as a special incljental attrac- t!cn. Among the many bouses that have taken advant- age of the World Film t?orooratlon dally feature service proposition, are ih» Illppodrome Theatre, Washington: Bell's Opera House. Edentou. N. C.: New Theatre, Robersonvlile, N. C.: Crvstol The- atre, Goldsboro, N. C.; Wonderland Theatre. Nor- folk. A'a.: Ocean View Tbfatre, Ocean View, Va. Tbe managers of these houses report themselves as more than batlsflrd with tbe rcsalti. A real llvo bear will have a prominent part In the coming World Film feature. Clara Kimball Young. In "The Heart of the Blue Ridge." An ad- mirer presented her with this lltttle pet, and sinco It weighs three hundred pounds. It Is evident that Miss \oung cannot carry Iilm in her arms as she might a poodle. The picture Is to be made In tbo mountains, and will be largely exteriors, In contrast to the delightful comedy scenes with which Miss Yor.ng was able to play In "Marrying Money."' The World Film production. "The Ivory Snuff Box."' Is a thrilling detective story, in contrast to the nsiial features that are produced under Mr. Tourneur'a direction. Holbrook Bllnn la tbe star, and win be seen as a detective who has to do special secret Ecrvlce work ror one ot tho foreign gentlemen. Better get in touch with the newest branch of the World Film Corp. and arrange for your share of EQUITABLE PRODUCTIONS ONE REEL EACH WEEK BEOINNUNG A Oao-Reel Comedy WIU Also 'b« Released Eacb Week - EEQUITABLE MOTION PICTURE CORPORATION SzMiaUve OfleMt 130 W. Mtlk St.. Sew Tork City liuhis Piodnetlons Beleaaed Exelnslvely Throngh the Branche* of the World Film corporation