Exhibitors Herald (Jun-Dec 1917)

24 EXHIBITORS HERALD Valeska Suratt in "THE SLAVE" Fox drama; five parts; published June 3 As a whole _ A poor feature Story _ Disjointed Star Poses in hats and costumes Support Ample Settings -.Fine Photography Good How to live sinless yet happy ' on $8 per week, is Valeska Suratt's great problem in "The Slave," her latest Fox vehicle. The picture might also be called "The Shopgirl's Dream," as this old, slipshod manner of telling the story is used. Valeska wears many hats and striking costumes, striped ones, and spotted, white ones and black, and always a bunch of pure white lilies reposes in her corsage. The picture is so jumpy and disconnected it was hard for the audience, at the Boston Theater, Chicago, to fathom the plot and many walked away before the film ended. It was directed and written by William Nigh. Good photography abounds, but it is not a story for children. The story: Caroline (Valeska Suratt) works in a hairdressing parlor. A wealthy citizen, known as Moneybags, falls in love with her, takes her home in his auto and proposes on the curb. Caroline falls asleep and has a most remarkable dream, a regular nightmare in fact, of marrying the man who proves to be very penurious and locks her up in his mansion. He dies finally and Valeska starts out to have a good time on his money. She sees the folly of her ways, however. She wakes up from her dream, turns down the wealthy man's offer of marriage and decides to wait "eight or nine years" for the return of her poor but honest young man from the west. Antonio Moreno, Belle Bruce in "J SON OF THE HILLS" Vitagraph Blue Ribbon drama; five parts; published June 25 As a whole _ Tiresome Story Commonplace Stars -._ Dull Cast — Fajr Settings _ — Suitable Photography — *°°r "A Son of the Hills" is a story adapted by Joseph F. Poland from the novel of Harriet T. Comstock. It was directed by Harry Davenport. It is a rural drama with a hackneyed theme, poorly directed and only fairly well acted. Many noble sentiments are palely indicated, but the story proves nothing, offers no lesson, and hardly merits the attempt to entertain. There are too many loose ends to the plot. The cast surrounding Mr. Moreno and Miss Bruce is made up largely of people not suited to the roles in which they are cast. The story: Sandy Morley runs away from his home in the south, to acquire an education, leaving behind his irate stepmother and his sweetheart, Cynthia Starr. He meets John Markham, a wealthy northerner, in search of a factory site, and goes to work in.Markham's factory in the north. The boy works for a year and is sent to college, graduating with honors. He is dispatched south to superintend the building of a modern factory in his home town. In the meantime Cynthia has turned to Lansing Hartford, and while out for a drive, they are caught in a storm and stay all night in a cabin. Fearing the disgrace which Lansing convinces her will follow, she consents to marry him. When Sandy learns of their marriage he compels Lansing to promise not to exercise his right as a husband until Cynthia agrees. The sudden appearance of another woman whom Lansing had met during his college days, with a baby, disillusions Cynthia and she marries Sandy after securing a divorce from her husband. Bryant Washburn in "THE MAN WHO WAS AFRAID" Essanay K-E-S-E drama; five parts; published July 2 As a whole Good feature Story _ Interesting Star _ Splendid Support Fine Settings _ _ _ Well selected Photography _ Clear Although there have been many war subjects on the market, "The Man Who Was Afraid" presents a war story from a different angle — one that should please theater patrons. The story is adapted from one published in the Saturday Evening Post by Mary Brecht Pulver. The direction is by Fred Wright, who has handled the various situations splendidly. The story of the film follows that of the Post tale very closely and Miss Pulver's story, visualized, makes an entertaining feature. A SITUATION IN "THE MAN WHO WAS AFRAID," FEATURING BRYANT WASHBURN (Essanay-K-E-S-E) Bryant Washburn's pantomime brilliance is given a wide range and his handling of the role of weakling and slacker who becomes a strong, brave man, is done with finesse. A new lead in the person of Margaret Watts gives Mr. Washburn capable support. Ernest Maupain as a National Guard Colonel is splendid. And Frankie Raymond as the mother who has taught her son to fear war is well cast. The story: Mrs. Clune has made of her son a weakling by instilling into his mind fear of war. This action has caused Benton to become a slacker and through this he loses the love of Elsie Revere. Tortured by the jeers of the other soldiers, Benton rushes from his mother and joins the troops on their way to the Mexican border. With the enemy advancing on every side, Clune's regiment is about to be driven back. Help must be secured and the only means is for someone to ride around the enemy's lines to another camp. Clune braves the danger and comes out victorious. The enemy is annihilated and Clune becomes the hero of the hour. Through his bravery he again wins the love of Elsie. Marinette, Mich. — Manager Thorsen of the Cozy Theater here prevented a panic in his theater recently when a fire broke out beneath the building, by asking the audience to pass out quietly and orderly. Nobody ir the audience knew of the fire until Manager Thorsei stopped the show and dismissed the crowd. Buhl, Idaho. — Work has been started on a new motioi picture theater here.