Exhibitors Herald (Sep-Dec 1918)

Earle Williams in "A DIPLOMATIC MISSION" Vitagraph drama; five parts; directed by Jack Conway; published September 30. As a whole Well produced Story Interesting Star Very good Support Good Settings Excellent Photography Very good There are quite a few good things that can be said about this production. In the first place it has a good star who does better work than usual, a fascinating leading woman, Grace Dannond, who also gives a pleasing performance, an interesting story, considerable action, suspense and heart interest. Williams has the role of a Yankee who meets and falls in love with a British girl, Lady Diana, on Somona, a small South Sea island, where she is a guest of the royal family — whites, with Hohenzollern connections. He thrashes the crown prince when the latter annoys Lady Diana and has to flee. Next he is seen on a nearby island, Platina, as an emissary of Britain, trying to save the island's platinum mines from destruction by the natives, who have been influenced by a Hun agitator. Lady Diana comes for a visit simultaneously with an uprising of the natives. Williams saves her and the rest of the whites after many thrilling adventures, including a siege of the white populace. EARLE WILLIAMS IN A SCENE FROM "A DIPLOMATIC MISSION." (Vitagraph.) The director sees fit to have Williams and other men characters wear frock coats and silk hats in the introductory scenes, at the same time dressing the royalty of Somona in the habiliments of a European court. Persons who have been in the tropics will smile at this, especially the frock coats, for they aren't worn there. Williams has a fighting role and wields his fists and uses a revolver and rifle as if he were bred to such a type. A very good feature which will undoubtedly please Gladys Brockwell in "THE STRANGE WOMAN" Fox drama; six parts; directed by Edward Le Saint; published November 3 As a whole Entertaining Story . . '. Problematical Star Charming Support Capable Settings Exceptional Photography Good "The Strange Woman," picturized from the successful play by William Hurlbut and directed by Edward Le Saint, makes a most entertaining offering. The problem it presents is one that can be openly discussed as it is developed in the picture. The production is well mounted, although the photog raphy is none too gentle with Miss Brockwell, which is to be regretted. Her characterization of a woman too pure to defile her love by marriage is interesting in the extreme, and the contrasts with women of the small town are well brought out. Mr. Le Saint has directed the scenes with intimate understanding of their value. It is unfortunate that the theme does not lend itself to photography as well as Miss Brockwell's vehicles usually do, though her personal popularity will probably overcome the deficiencies in the story. As the charming Parisienne, Miss Brockwell lends her beauty and grace, her intelligence and magnetism to a most interesting characterization. William Scott, who will be remembered as giving her such fine support in "The Devil's Wheel," again plays opposite her. Ruby LaFayette as the little country mother was appealing and natural. The rest of the supporting cast was efficient. John Hemingway, of Delphi, la., goes to Paris to complete his architectural studies. There he meets Inez, who has suffered at the matrimonial altar with a drunken baron chosen for her by an ambitious mother. She has resolved never again to manacle herself in the bonds of what she considers wicked marriage. She and John learn to love each other. He wants her to marry him but she refuses. She offers to live with him faithfully and lovingly, but not to tie herself again. There ensues a struggle in his mind, for he believes in all the traditions. Finally she persuades him to give her theories a trial. They go to America, where she meets his little mother. The women of the town have read her book on free love and determine to disgrace her in the eyes of John's mother. She and John have agreed that until they have won the mother to their way of thinking they will not shock her by living together in her house. Inez learns of the plot of the women, openly tells them of their own impurities of thought and suddenly converts them to a more tolerant view of her. She then confides to John's mother that her first marriage was so horrible that she fears to subject her present love to that test, and the mother sympathetically believes that true love will win her to protect the love in the conventional way. Inez weeps in the mother's arms and the picture ends there. Madge Kennedy in "THE KINGDOM OF YOUTH" Goldwyn comedy-drama; five parts; directed by Clarence G. Badger; published September 23 As a whole Entertaining Story Good Star Excellent St pport Excellent Settings Elaborate Photography Very good Madge Kennedy comes up to all expectations in this picture and as usual supplies a delightful evening's entertainment. She has the support of Tom Moore, now a star in his own right, and the combination is a highly successful one. Miss Kennedy has the role of Ruth Betts, bride of Jimmie Betts, a young collegian, by a secret marriage. Jimmie is compelled to leave his wife when he graduates, going to the city to manage the estate of Mrs. Ella Rice, the widow of his former guardian. Aunt Sophronia, who has reared Ruth, learns of her secret and sends her to her husband. Meanwhile, Mrs. Rice, just over the border-line of "the kingdom of youth," has become enamored of Jimmie and resents his wife's intrusion, especially as the two are devoted to each other and unwilling to remain apart for a minute. Mrs. Rice plots to separate the couple and very nearly succeeds when Ruth cleverly lures her from her toilet table and Jimmie sees with disgust how false she is. A foolish quarrel follows and Ruth, determined to make Jimmie sorry, rows out to the yacht of Count Duval in response to a previous invitation, but before she can board it falls in the water. Jimmie appears miraculously and saves her life and the two are reunited. Marie DeWolfe takes the part of Mrs. Rice. Lee Baker is Count Duval and Jennie Dickerson is Aunt Sophronia. All appear to excellent advantage. The production is filled with sparkling humor and beside being well acted has been well staged, the exterior settings warranting much praise. The production should satisfy any class of patronage and affords an unusually attractive feature for theatres of the better class. 33