Exhibitors Herald (Jun-Dec 1917)

EXHIBITORS HERALD 29 Billie Burke in "ARMS AND THE GIRL" Famous Players-Paramount comedy-drama; five parts; published October 8. As a whole { Delightful Story From stage play Star Petite Support Excellent Settings Realistic Photography Clear "Arms and the Girl" is capital material for the screen. In he screen version, prepared by Grant Stewart and Robert Baker, all the richness of the stage play has been preserved. Much of the credit no doubt is due Director Joseph Kaufman, is no detail in settings has been overlooked and. with the excepion of the helmets worn by the German horde, which are obviwsly made of cloth, the costuming is faithfully carried out. This film will satisfy picture play goers quite as much as the stage play did theater patrons. ■ In "Arms and the Girl" Miss Burke is not only good to look upon, but she acts with the same naive mannerisms that have made her stage work so pleasing. She gives to the role of Ruth Sherwood a certain charm and sincerity that is delightful hroughout. Thomas Meighan, as Wilfred Ferrers, is a typical, brusque. \merican youth who carries everything before him and makes n ideal hero. Others in the cast deserving mention are George i. Trimble, a most excellent type for the German general, whose comedy is sure-fire; Louise Bates, as Olga Karnovitch. Russian spy; A. Bower, as the Burgomaster, and William David as Martin. The settings are so carefully chosen it seems difficult to believe that the picture was not made in war-torn Belgium t the outbreak of the war. The time of the play is August, 1914. ONE OF THE MIC SCENES FROM "ARMS AND THE GIRL," FEATURING BILLIE BURKE. (Paramount.! The story: Ruth Sherwood, an American, traveling through Belgium with her parents, is left behind at Beaupre, while sending a message to her fiance in Paris. She is compelled to seek shelter at the Hotel Tete d'Or, as there are no more trains that day. Here she meets another American, Ferrers. Ruth's passports are stolen by Olga Karnovitch. a Russian spy, who leaves her Russian passports in Ruth's grip. The .town is invaded by the Germans on their way to Paris and the officers make the inn their headquarters. Ferrers is discovered iwhile destroying the Russian passports and sentenced to be shot at once. Ruth comes to his assistance by stating that he is her fiance. The officer is skeptical and orders them to be married at once. The ceremony is performed beneath the upheld swords of the soldiers and an embarrassing night follows when they retire to their room. Ferrers overcomes the sentinel at his door, dons his uniform and at the point of a revolver compels the general to give them a pass through the lines. In the meantime Jack. Ruth's fiance, arrives, and she states that he is her chauffeur. Ferrers gives Jack the pass, but Ruth refuses to leave with him. having fallen in love with her "husband." The Germans receive orders to move on and as he enters the inn to urge Ruth to depart at once, he is shot by the outraged general. Ruth borrows a smock from the inn keeper and with Ferrers makes her escape across the border into France. June Elvidge, Arthur Ashley in "SHALL WE FORGIVE HER?" World drama; five parts; published October 15 As a whole Interesting Story . Melodramatic Stars Convincing Support Good Settings In keeping Photography Clear "Shall We Forgive Her?" is the dramatic story of an innocent girl's struggle to live down an early indiscretion. A country girl is persuaded to leave her New England home to go west and marry a farm hand who is seeking his fortune. She is trapped in a mock marriage by her dissolute lover and upon her return to New York, marries but fails to tell her husband of her past. A strong cast interprets the various roles, headed by the talented June Elvidge and Arthur Ashley. George MacQuarrie. John Bowers. Charles Charles, Richard Collins, Katherine Johnson. Herbert Barrington and Alexandria Carewe complete the cast. The plot is based on the play written by Charles Sarver and was directed by Arthur Ashley. Impressive desert scenery and well chosen sets lend the proper atmosphere to the story. The story: Xeil Garth goes west and writes to Grace Raymond, his sweetheart, after a year elapses, asking her to join him. She departs against the wishes of her uncle and upon her arrival at the mining town finds Garth completely demoralized. He tricks her into a mock marriage and later in a struggle with the man she strikes him down and runs away. Wandering into a mission in New York she finds work and falls in love with a young engraver. They are married and happy until Garth appears and attempts to blackmail Grace under threat of telling her husband. The husband learns of the matter and drives her from the house. The illness of her baby and the confession of Garth finally reunite the young couple. Clara Kimball Young in "MAGDA" C. K. Y. — Select drama; six parts; published October 15 As a whole Entertaining Story From the play Star Forceful Support Excellent Settings In keeping Photography Clear "Magda," the first of the Clara Kimball Young pictures made by .her own company and distributed through Select Pictures, pleased large audiences at the Rose theatre, Chicago, where it was shown this week. It is founded on the play made famous by Bernhardt and Duse. Miss Young is forceful and convincing as the strong-willed girl who rebels at the unreasonable dictates of her stern father. The scenes are laid in Northern England and the atmosphere is well carried out. The production was made under the direction of Emile Chautard and brings out every fine point of Miss Young's ability. In the supporting cast is Thomas Holding, as the minister, and Edward Kimball, Miss Young's own father, who is excellent in the role of the exacting father. The photography is clear. The story: Magda Lovberg, fond of music, longs for a career. She confides in the young minister, who is in love with her. and he promises to ask her father's consent to allow her to go to the city to study music. Instead he asks for her hand and Lovberg approving the match, gladly consents. Magda is furious when she learns of this and refuses to become the minister's wife. Her father, in a fit of temper, drives her from home. She is befriended by a wealth} woman who gives her an opportunity to study music in London, and she is making rapid progress when the lady is called away. Magda, left alone in the city, goes to live with friends in a studio. Here she meets a former resident of her home town and is tricked into a marriage with him. She is deserted shortly afterwards and to earn a living for herself and little boy. she is compelled to sing in the streets and music halls. After years of struggle her talent is recognized and she is invited to give a concert at a fete in her home town. Here she again meets the father of her child. He asks for her hand in marriage, but refuses to recognize the boy as his own. She denounces him. and her father overhearing the quarrel, threatens the scoundrel with exposure. Her love for the minister returns and she tells him to wait and perhaps some day she will marry him.