Exhibitors Herald (Jun-Dec 1917)

Ml EXHIBITO Mabel Taliaferro in "DRAFT 258" Metro war drama; five parts; published Nov. 18 As a whole Patriotic Story Propaganda Star Well cast Support Very good Settings Appropriate Photography Good Exhibitors anxious to do their bit undoubtedly will book "Draft 258." The production is propaganda pure and simple and like the majority of these pictures, this thought has been kept uppermost in the minds of the producers, thereby allowing dramatic inconsistencies to creep in. And yet for the good points which Mr. Cabanne has wrought into the story he must be given credit and his thought is a noble one. The subtitles are well chosen and contain more truth than poetry. Mabel Taliaferro is well cast as Mary Alden and is accorded good support by Earl Brunswick, Sue Balfour, Eugene Borden, Walter Miller and Wm. H. Tooker. The story: John Graham, sweetheart of Mary Alden, enlists, but Mary's two brothers refuse to do so. Mary goes to a recruiting station and asks if she cannot do -something which makes men around her so ashamed that they rush up anxious to do their bit. She finally persuades her younger brother, George, to enlist but Andrew, the older brother, joins a gang of German propagandists. Harry Schneider, leader of the gang, allows all the dangerous work to fall to Andrew. One evening Andrew gives one of his famous speeches, but Mary and George interfere and break up the meeting. Mary is captured by Schneider and taken to the gang's headquarters. They are followed by George and Xell of the U. S. secret service. Andrew permits all this to happen and remains true to the gang until they propose to blow up several munitions factories while in operation. Then the American blood in Andrew is aroused and he rebels. He is made a prisoner. George, having gone for help, hurries to the home with a company of soldiers, the spies are captured and Mary is saved. Andrew joins the U. S. army and the two brothers, with John, their brother-in-law. march away to war leaving Mary and her mother behind. The picture was shown at the Rose Theatre. Chicago, last week. R H R D Neal Hart in "THE MAN FROM MONTANA" Butterfly drama; five parts; published November 19 As a whole Average Story Exciting Star Good Support Ample Settings Faithful Photography Good The story of "The Man from Montana" is an exciting one, but it takes an alert mind to keep pace with the events and know just what is going on. The first part of the story is laid in the west and then it switches to the east and treats of the familiar theme of the man from the west who goes to the east to marry the girl he loves. Vivian Rich makes her debut under the Butterfly banner and offers Mr. Hart pleasing support. George Berrell, E. J. Peil, Betty Lamb and Willard Wayne are other members of the cast. The story: Warren Sumers and his wife, together with their pretty relative, Meta. go to the town of Green Water to purchase the Bumble Bee Mine, owned by Duke and Dad. Duke goes out of town and Dad sells the mine, receiving orthless stock in payment. Duke learning of this goes east to find out about the swindlers and to again see Meta. In the meantime Dad and the boys work an abandoned mine known as "The Worm" and strike it rich. Being unable to get in touch with Duke they go east to tell him the good news. In their search for him they wander to the docks where they are shanghaied. Duke accompanies Meta across e state line where she is to deliver some stocks for Sumers: ereupon he is arrested for taking a girl out of the state, turning to Xew York again Duke marries Meta which angers Sumers and his gang. They kidnap Meta and then tell Duke that by having' a large sum of money with him on the cks at a certain hour Meta will be delivered to him. Duke es to the docks is shanghaied and put on the same boat th Dad and the boys. When they recover they tell each ther their troubles and force the seamen to take them back to shore where Duke arrives in time to rescue Meta from the hands of her crafty relatives and the swindlers are turned over to the law. Zena Keefe in "SHAME" John W. Noble drama; six parts; published state rights As a whole Inspring Story Powerful Star Charming Support Splendid Settings Appropriate Photography Good "Shame" is a strong and vital preachment in favor of mercy being shown those unfortunate children born outside the protection of the law's sanction. The story is impressive and unusual, dealing with the stern facts of life and not with compromises. The picture will stand well among the serious offerings of the season. Zena Keefe is lovable and sympathetic as the unfortunate heroine. Xiles Welch is a convincing lover and Paul Doucet as the faithful hunchback gives a characterization that is a classic. The balance of the supporting cast includes Lionel Belmore, John Davidson, Joyce Fair, Dell Boone and Jack Dunn. The story: Mary McDavitt and John Gray, two young people, repeat the free love agreement under the stars, after hearing a lecture in their small town, and consider themselves married. John enlists at the outbreak of the SpanishAmerican war and leaves for Cuba. Mary writes him that she wishes he might come back to marry her legally before their baby is born. He sends for her instead and she arrives on the day that he is mortally wounded. He dies before the chaplain marries them and Mary is refused a marriage certificate. She returns home and dies in her father's barn when her baby girl is born. The child grows up in an institution. She is finally adopted by Peters, a brute who overworks her, as he has overworked and crippled a poor boy named Seppe. She and Seppe run away and Mary enters a hospital to train for a nurse, where the head doctor's son falls in love with her. Peters swears out a warrant for Mary's arrest and finds her in the city, where she faces trial. Fearing Peters may regain possession of her, Seppe shoots him. Peters recovers and Seppe is released. He goes to the hospital to see Mary and finds that a society girl has told the doctor that Mary is an outcast. The engagement has been ordered broken by the father of the young doctor. Alone in the world. Mary goes back to the institution to work, with the faithful Seppe her adoring companion. Olive Thomas in "INDISCREET CORINNE" Triangle comedy-drama; five parts; published November 11 As a whole Entertaining Story Enjoyable Star Splendid Support Ample Settings In keeping Photography Good Though the story of "Indiscreet Corinne" might strike some picture patrons as being a bit risque, it is entertaining and is the sort of production that can be booked for almost any class of audience. The story is lively and well acted. It has a good plot, contains many a laugh and the subtitles are fine. Olive Thomas, who wins her audience right from the beginning, is splendid in her characterization of Corinne Chilvere. She is well supported by George Chesebro. Jos. Bennet, Joseph Sedgwick, Annette De For, Lillian Langdon, Thos. H. Guise. Lou Coonley, Thornton Edwards. Edwin Brady. Anna Dodge and Harry Rattenberry. The story is by H. B. Daniels and direction by Jack Dillon. The story: Corinne Chilvere, to escape the boredom of high society, secures employment with the firm of Britton and Dodge, as a woman with a past, to win Nicholas Fenwick. a reported South American millionaire. Pansy Hartley, posing as a countess, is also set on the trail of Fenwick by Britton and Dodge. Thinking to win Fenwick through mystery. Corinne becomes a masked dancer at a famous cabaret and he is won immediately. She is engaged to dance at his dinner party and later at a house part} of the Cotter Brown's. Fenwick and the Countess go to the city to bring Corinne. but Corinne learns that detectives sent by her parents are on her trail, so they stop at the country home of Rocky Van Sandt. Van Sandt and Corinne are betrothed, but Van Sandt loves the Countess and Corinne has fallen in love with Fenwick, who. it develops, is a South American engineer, in the United States for a vacation. They are married and Corinne wins the forgiveness of her parents. The picture pleased audiences at the Pastime Theatre. Chicago, where it was shown last week. 29