Exhibitors Herald (Jun-Dec 1917)

Emmy Wehlen in "THE TRAIL OF THE SHADOW" Metro drama; five parts; published July 2 As a whole Twaddle Story _ Impossible Star _ Adequate Support _ F'air Settings In keeping Photography _ Clear "The Trail of the Shadow"' is one of those Diamond fDick stories dressed up in modern garb. Emmy W ehlen does very well as the persecuted maiden of the piece, who Is chased through the five reels by a heavily bearded ['Shadow," who wishes to wreak vengeance upon her because of "her pride." The hero enters upon a fine steed Sn the last reel, shoots the despicable villain and marries the girl. The reviewer doubts if the film will please the [average audience. It was presented in Chicago under a 'for adults only" permit. The story: Sylvia Mason's father is robbed by his secretary, Leslie, who agrees to restore the fortune if he is allowed to marry S}-lvia. A fight follows and Mason is killed. Sylvia goes West and makes bcadwork baskets for a living. Leslie comes to her cabin while seeking refuge from pursuing mountain police, compels her to hide him and thereafter holds her in his power. She falls in love with Henry Hilliard, an Easterner, whose proud mother wishes to break the engagement. She spurns the proffered check book, but later agrees to let Henry go, and when summoned to Leslie's cabin falls into the clutches of Leslie, "the shadow," again. She is saved by the timely arrival of Hilliard, who shoots the villain and marries Svlvia. June Caprice in "PATSY" * William Fox comedy; five parts; published July 1 As a whole Poor Story _ Lacks plot Star _ .'. _ Pretty Support Good Settings _ Adequate Photography _ Excellent A very light repast is "Patsy." The Fox Company should put these plays up in bunches and let exhibitors pick out the rotten ones, and thus avoid disappointing audiences. One has a feeling of having wasted the hour after sitting through five reels of this stuff. It is not sufficient to have a fair-haired screen star romp through 5,000 feet of celluloid with a good-looking hero to hold motion picture audiences nowadays. There should be a story. In the present instance the plot is about as thick as skimmed milk on a plate and about as nourishing. The photography is excellent. The story: Patsy's father realizes that Patsy is growing into womanhood and decides to send her to the city to his friend Richard Hewitt, to acquire an education. Hewitt, however, unknown to Patsy's father, had died and left his fortune to his son, who is going a rather fast pace. While "in his cups" he has married an adventuress, and Patsy's arrival upsets his household. Patsy falls in love with her handsome benefactor and learns courtship from a housemaid's handbook. The butler finally exposes the adventuress as his runaway wife, and the wedding of Patsy and Hewitt follows. Herbert Rawlinson in "COME THROUGH' Universal drama; seven parts; state rights basis As a whole _ _ Strong Story _ _ Gripping Star _ Ideal Support Excellent Settings Elaborate Photography _ Clear "Come Through" is a play with a real punch. It is a screen story that grips and one that is on a par with the very best dramatic productions. George Bronson Howard wrote it, and a thoroughly capable cast of players interpreted the parts. That finished actor Herbert Rawlinson heads the cast, and able support is given him by Alice Lake, George Webb, Jean Hathaway, Roy Stewart, Margaret Whistler, William Dyer and Charles Hill Mailes. Jack Conway's direction of the piece is faultless and the photography is of the best. The reviewer recommends this feature to exhibitors who are looking for a play that will grip audiences. It is a big story, well done and will hold spectators in their seats to the very en'd. The story: Buck Linsay becomes engaged to Yelma Gay, although, Yelma is in love with another. Upon Buck's discovery of this love affair he forces Velma to marry a cracksman, who enters the house, thinking it is her lover. Velma accompanies the crook to the city and Linsay soon discovers his mistake. Through Velma's influence, James Harrington Courts, the crook, reforms. They become professional dancers in a cafe, where Linsay finds them. He determines to take Velma back and employs a politician to "frame-up" Courts. A gang of detectives hound Courts until he is almost ready to give in to the politicians. A political boss, McGinnis, offers to save him if he will steal some papers from a safe. Courts refuses to do this and McGinnis beats Courts into insensibilitv in his office. Courts is rescued by Linsay and Velma, who arrive with the police. It is then Velma realizes she loves Courts. The picture was presented at the Playhouse, Chicago, the week of July 8. Mary Pickford in "THE LITTLE AMERICAN" Artcraft Pictures Corporation; six parts; published July 1 As a whole Great Story _ Patriotic Star _ _ "Little Mary" Support Excellent Settings _ _ Great Photography _ Marvelous Mary Pickford is here again, in "The Little American." With such people as Jeanie McPherson, author; Cecil B. De Mille, director, and Wilfred Buckland, art director and Miss Pickford's cameraman, it is no wonder that the picture is a great production. To persons who still are asking, "Why is America in this war?" "The Little American" is a forceful reply, as well as a satisfactory one. The battle line furnishes the settings for most of the scenes. The horrors, devastation and dastardly crimes thus far committed are so well portrayed that it will make every man, woman and child realize that the Prussian system can not be held in check, but must be entirely eradicated. The film, with its many situations, offers many opportunities for "Little Mary" to make audiences smile. The lighting of the battle scenes taking place at night