Exhibitors Herald (Jun-Dec 1917)

EXHIBITORS HERALD wounded by a gang of toughs, who try to scare him away from his mine, and Molly (Beverly Bayne) nurses him until he recovers. Verda, his former sweetheart, comes west as the wife of his chum, Bob, and while Bob places his wife in Jim's care and goes away on a business trip, Verda plans to run away with the leader of the thugs, who have stolen the gold from Jim's mine. However, the early return of Bob frustrates her plans, and she accuses Jim of having insulted her. Bob thereupon swears to kill Jim, but is shot by the gangster. Yerda and the gangster flee, but Jim overtakes them and brings Verda back to her dying husband, and then she is driven out of town. The happy reunion of Jim and Molly follows. Florence La Badie, H. E. Herbert in "THE MAN WITHOUT A COUNTRY" Jewel Productions, Inc., drama; six parts; published September 9 As a whole Thrilling Story . " Patriotic Stars Capable v Support Adequate Settings Suitable Photography Superb The Thanhauser production of Edward Everett Hale's "Man Without a Country" is a picture that should rouse the nation to a great rally round the flag. Every American will feel prouder of being an American after seeing it. The enthusiasm that follows such a piece of work will transform every drop of slacker blood into patriotic service for "Old Glory," at a time when she needs the loyal support of her sons, in their great cause of universal democracy and brotherhood. Exhibitors throughout the United States can show their patriotism in no more useful way than by booking this picture and allowing every boy and girl in the country to get a thrill for a common cause. A SCENE FROM "THE MAN W ITHOUT A COUNTRY, H. E. HERBERT (Jewel Productions) FEATURING Florence La Badie and H. E. Herbert acquit themselves nobly in their parts. They are ably supported by George Mario, J. H. Gilmour, Sarey Hastings, Earnest Howard and Charles Dungan. The story: Barbara Norton and her brother, orphaned children of a veteran who gave his life for his country, go to live with an uncle and aunt in the city. It is just before the entrance of the United States into the European war and the uncle is a pacifist. He holds meetings at his home, Where Barbara assists. Barbara's brother is a loyal American and is greatly troubled by the uncle's expectation to count on him. Barbara meets the hero, who wins her promise to be his wife. They are very happy until war is declared and Barbara cannot bear the idea of her future husband not doing service for his country. His "Peace at Any Price" button is the last straw and she gives him his choice of joining the "colors" or breaking the engagement. He declared that he is a true pacifist and Barbara, believing that a man who does not support his country is that country's enemy, breaks the engagement publicly. Her fiance becomes very unpopular at his club because of his views and is taken to task by one of his father's friends. Having lost Barbara and his popularity makes him resent the constant references to the United States and his debt to his country and he curses his native land. Barbara enlists as a nurse and her brother as a soldier. Later, the old friend of the hero's family takes him a copy of "The Man Without a Country" and asks him to read it and rise above his treasonable views. He does so,;and as he reads the immortal story the patriotic spirit of Barbara comes to him in a vision of Columbia, tells him that in a previous life he was Philip Nolan in the story and takes him back to the historic times and shows him a succession of scenes from the book. The man of today sees with horror the famous court martial, in which he was sentenced to have his wish never to hear of the United States again, the tragedy of the careful carrying out of the sentence, and the pitiful death of the man, made a little easier by the humanity of Captain Danforth, who gave him a brief history of the land he had learned to bless before he died. His spirit returns from the allegorical journey and he responds to the new and vigorous manhood within him and enlists at once, thereby again winning Barbara, who is home on sick leave from her nursing in France. Winifred Allen in "THE HAUNTED HOUSE" Triangle drama; five parts; published September 16 As a whole Entertaining Story Slender Star Splendid Support Excellent Settings Well chosen Photography Clear This is called a "tale of a bandit and a ghost," but it consists principally of close-ups of pretty Winifred Allen talking to an apparition of her late mother and feeding ducklings. The plot, what there is of it, is very thin, indeed, and some of the scenes were drawn out unnecessarily long. As a character study of a little girl who was very, very lonely, "The Haunted House" presents a pathetic little story. Miss Allen is excellent in the role of "Spooky Anne" and Dick Rossen as Jimmy, Albert Day as Anne's Uncle and Robert Shirley as a small-town "detective," present good characterizations. Robert Shirley also directed the production. The story: Anne is scorned by the villagers who speak of her as "queer." Her father, a railroad brakeman, neglects to supply the love she craves and she spends most of her time in an isolated house, known as "the haunted house,' with a half dozen young ducks. A young thug from the city is wounded while trying to escape from the town constable, after a bank robbery, and Anne nurses him in the seclusion of the old house. She scares off intruders by dressing up as a ghost but finally Jimmy, the derelict, is taken to prison. Anne has fallen in love with Jimmy and is finally rewarded by his return. 'FIGHTING IN FRANCE" M. L. Fulton Official French War Pictures; six parts; published state rights Exhibitors looking for war pictures of merit for their dail) programs will find no subject of more interest than the "Fighting in France" film, being exploited by M. L. Fulton of Chicago. Battle scenes are shown that bring home the awful wai and give spectators a clear understanding of the magnitudt .of the great conflict now being waged in Europe. The first reel shows the maneuvers of the French troop: going into action; interesting views of the trenches; Frencl soldiers getting ready their great kites from which photo graphs are taken of the enemy's positions and scenes of th' battle of Champaign. Men throwing hand grenades, Re< Cross nurses working in close quarters, and the men in re serve waiting the order to advance. One picture shows battlefield with an area as large as Manhattan Island, that re sembles a dumping ground covered with garbage cans Twenty-one thousand German prisoners march by, in marke' contrast to the hordes that rolled across Belgium in 1914 Pictures of the late Lord Kitchener greeting General Joffr are shown, as well as King George reviewing French troops More than 20,000 priests are in the field in Europe and pic » tures of mass before a battle present impressive bits of the wai |> One picture shows a forest being mowed down by th j terrific shell fire; another of a cloud of gas being emptied int tin French trenches by the Germans, who take advantage c j favorable winds. Six camera men lost their lives taking thes "Fighting in France" pictures, it is said, and film theater psjJ trons can realize the dangers encountered when they see th 1 shells bursting. The photography is remarkably clear and th I pictures are nicely tinted.