Exhibitors Herald (Jun-Dec 1917)

26 EXHIBITORS HERALD leaders of the democracy capture him. He is made to sign an order to release a young girl whom he has imprisoned in his apartment, and they decide to kill Rasputin. Raff, the father of the imprisoned girl, shoots Rasputin and his body is dropped into the sea through a hole in the ice. Kerensky becomes the man of the hour and Russia shakes off the. yoke of Czarism. The story contains many pretty little love stories. Louise Lovely in SIRENS OF THE SEA" Jewel Productions fantasy; eight parts; published September 15 As a whole Spectacular Story Slight Star Pretty Support Well cast Settings Beautiful Photograohy Clear. "Sirens of the Sea" is a pretty, spectacular and picturesque photoplay replete with diving girls, witches and beautiful sea nymphs. The appeal to the eye should be sufficient to put the picture over with most audiences and it is what might be termed an excellent T. B. M. film. The story was written by Helen Bailey and has been carefully produced under the direction of Allen Holubar. It features Louise Lovely, Carmel Myers, Jack Mulhall, Sydney Dean and a score of bathing girls and children, the latter dressed as fairies. A SCENE FROM "SIRENS OF THE SEA," WITH LOUISE LOVELY AND JACK MULHALL IN THE FOREGROUND (Jewel Productions, Inc.) The story: A baby girl, cast up by the sea in a fisherman's net, is adopted by a wealthy family. Eighteen years elapse and the child appears as the young debutante at a birthday party. While on an errand she is followed by an impetuous lover and to avoid him throws herself from a cliff. The balance of the story pictures a dream one of the guests has while out in a boat searching for the girl, in which witches, spirits and sirens dance and plot on the beach at night. Many pretty dances are introduced and the fairy story is well done. The fairies are driven away at break of day and the young man wakes up, finds his sweetheart on a reef and takes her home. CENTRAL FILM CO. BUYS "WHIP" FOR CHICAGO AND ILLINOIS Aaron J. Jones, erf Chicago, announces the purchase by his Central Film Company of "The Whip" for Illinois. This is the biggest feature yet produced under the personal direction of William A. Brady, and is a film version of the Drury Lane spectacle, which was imported by Mr. Brady, and which ran one whole winter at the Auditorium Theater in Chicago. Incidentally, "The Whip" will be the last picture shown at the Colonial, before that house enters the field of spoken drama. It follows Norma Talmadge in "The Moth." E. K. Lincoln, Barbara Castleton, Romaine Fielding, in "THE FREEDOM OF THE WORLD" Ira Lowrey's drama; eight parts; published state rights As a whole Entertaining Story Military Stars Excellent Support .Capable Settings Correct Photography Satisfactory Ira Lowrey, in producing "Captain'' Edwin Bower Hesser's "The Freedom of the World," has made a worthy and patriotic recruiting vehicle. It is a thoroughly ambitious and powerful theme, broadly handled. Mr. Lowrey's first effort delivers a virile "punch," which should find its way to every man of enlisting age. There are eight reels of rugged, vital scenes that cover everything from the horrible causes of the war to the heroic military encounters. No red-blooded man can watch the German officer's abuse of the unprotected woman and child after battle without a desire to avenge such deeds. The author has for the most part written a convincing and stirring story. The direction is masterful and the photography is good. E. K. Lincoln is excellent in his characterization of a manly young soldier. Barbara Castleton struggles with a miserably drawn character of the wife, who is invariably false to natural womanhood. Romaine Fielding is an excellent contrast for Lincoln. Jane Adler as the mother deserves especial praise. The rest of the supporting cast contributed much to the picture. The story: Gordon Harvey, a Harvard graduate, is a typical young man-about-town. At one of his tango parties he meets a Canadian officer, who tells a story of German abuse of i; women and children that registers a fine resentment in Gordon's mind. He determines to enlist in the American Legion of the Canadian army. His parents are justly proud of him! and he leaves for Canada. Betty Milburn, a Canadian girl, spends much -of her time in getting recruits for the army and , tries vainly to get Ralph Perry, an ardent admirer of her's, to enlist. Perry is a coward and breaks his promise to enlist, thereby losing the respect of the girl. She and Gordon meet at the camp and a little later Gordon interferes when Perryh tries to force his attentions on her. There is a fight, after which Perry is arrested and tried. The judge gives him his choice of serving in jail or more usefully at the front. Perry I enlists. Betty and Gordon have a military wedding and Betty! 1 is proudly enthusiastic over her husband's quick promotion. I W hen Gordon's regiment is ordered to the front it is necessary j to administer chloroform to Betty to quiet her. A little later her child is born dead. As soon as she recovers she goes tc 1 Canada to meet her husband, finds that he is at the front anc I that there is a law with a death penalty which prevents ;' I husband and wife meeting on the firing line. She tries to enlis I j as a Red Cross nurse and finds a three years' training is necesi I sary. Discouraged, she steals on the boat as a stowaway anc( 1 persuades a nurse to uniform her and the orderly to registe I her. At the front she meets Perry again. Perry has beei 1 promoted because he took credit for saving another officer 1 He succeeds in bringing Gordon and Betty together, which lay I them liable to the death penalty. Gordon shoots Betty an< I volunteers to serve on a death mission, setting off a mine i ■% battle. Although he is wounded, he recovers, though his min i is a blank. Betty recovers and the government is lenient an i pardons them both. Gordon is taken out to be decorated o i the drill ground and as the miltary band plays the Sta I Spangled Banner and Gordon sees the stars and stripes rlyin I his memory returns, he recognizes his wife, and is cheere j by the troops. "A CONTENTED WOMAN" Selig-Hoyt comedy; two parts; published September 17 There are funny situations in "A Contented Woman" ar there are situations which are vulgar. The entire story star when a suffragette-wife attends her meeting and hubby ar nephew, who have been left at home to prepare the me£ go to a show. Mrs. Jule Walters gives a very good impersonation of suffragist. Amy Dennis is cast as Helena Wrangle, star of musical comedy chorus. Other members of the cast are W liam Fables, Fred Eckhart and James West. For the sake of thirteen dollars and thirteen cents tl sheriff would force the theatrical manager to go out of bw ness, but Uncle Todie, who has been smitten with the charr of Helena Wrange. leading lady, comes to the company rescue. He takes Helena to his home to give her the mon and while he is counting it wifie comes home. Many fun: situations have been brought in effectively here and so throughout the two reels.