Exhibitors Herald (Mar-Jun 1919)

r REVIEWS Lillian Gish in 77?c/£ //£/4/*r S(/S/£ Five-part comedy-drama; Artcraft. Directed by David Wark Griffith. Published June 1. OP IN 10. X: "Those little touches" which have played so great a part in the establishing of Griffith's pre-eminence in the directorial field are chiefly responsible for the entertainment power of "True Heart Susie." In none of his recent publications have these appeared so numerously or to better advantage. The story is a small town affair relating the romance of a typical small town boy and girl. It is told in Griffith's inimitable style and feeling interpretation is given the various roles by Lillian Gish, Robert Harron, Clarine Seymore, whose "Cutie Beautiful" won her instant recognition in "The Girl Who Stayed at Home," Raymond Cannon and an extensive cast of players chosen with like regard for ability and type. . Though in no sense a "big picture, it is an artistic one, finely done and possessing an appeal that is universal. The work of the individual players admits of no criticism. The direction is typical of the gifted Griffith in his element. The picture should surpass most of his recent Artcraft productions in pooular success. SYNOPSIS: Susie Trueheart, typical small town girl, sacrifices much to send William Jenkins, her idol, through college. He returns to be the local minister and is captivated by Betty Hopkins, who has been to the city and acquired city mannerisms, marrying her and then learning her frivolous ways but swallowing his disappointment. Susie protects her when she attends a rag-time party without her husband's knowledge and Betty dies without divulging her secret. Later William learns of Susie's sacrifices and long-suffering devotion but has vowed to remain single. Then he is told of his dead wife's perfidy and feels free to marrv Susie. Montagu Love in THROUGH THE TOILS Five-part drama; World. Directed by Harry O. Hoyt. Published June 2. OPINION : The superb screen personality of Montagu Love is, in this somewhat sinister but dramatically powerful publication, admirably set off by the use of double exposure that is by far the most convincing recently employed. The story is cleverly constructed and original. As it unfolds upon the screen the coming incidents cast no shadows before them. Each brings its own surprise. Each occurs naturally. As a result the interest is never allowed to lag from the time the play gets under way until the final fade-out. Ellen Cassidy, who appears in company with the star, is a sweetly pretty and capable young lady. Her work is natural, unaffected and pleasant to look upon. But the bulk of the credit for the play's striking power must go to the star. Where a good strong plot with novel features and steady, suspense-building development can be marketed successfully there should be no question of the success of "Through the Toils." SYNOPSIS: Noel Graham, writer, goes to a little town to work and there meets and falls in love with Rhona Allerton, daughter of a noted author whose best years have passed. The old man fosters the alliance and then contrives to break up the love affair, writing what he hopes will be his greatest novel from the material thus gained at first hand. The young couple are estranged and Rhona goes to New York to study singing. Allerton falls ill and Graham writes his novel from his notes. As death approaches the deception is discovered, Rhona returns and the broken engagement is mended. Margarita Fisher in TRIXIE FROM BROADWAY Five-part comedy-drama; American. Directed by R. William Neill. Published in June. OPINION: A colorful, sprightly and rapidly-moving narrative which permits Margarita Fisher to appear in the habitual tights and disport herself in the usual chaste abandon. "Trixie from Broadway" is an improbable recital that depends upon speed and the ability of the cast rather than upon story for its success. The early part of the picture depicts the usual film conception of Broadway and chorus-girl life. It is attractive, light-hearted fun suitable for the warm months. When the dramatic element is brought in it is well handled and so developed that the crisis finds an audience well prepared and sympathetic. The ending is conventional but satisfying. The play is not the best that the star has made but it has the advantage of novelty and brisk animation. It should do as much for the exhibitor as the majority of her previous publications. SYNOPSIS : Trixie Darling, chorus girl, gives of her funds to a fellowmember of the chorus who is stricken with tuberculosis until she finds herself in want, when she accepts the invitation of a man about town to a wine supper. But as the party progresses fear seizes her and she phones for a westerner who has long paid her court, going home in his company. Chiefly because she believes him a real man and to assure her future she marries him and goes to his western home, where he forces her to cook and perform other tasks which go against the grain. They quarrel and she appears on the stage with her old company when it shows in the local theatre. Her husband takes her bodily from the stage. The neighbors hold an indignation meeting in an old barn which takes fire, whereupon Trixie rescues her rival and the instigator of the opposition. Her husband then explains that his scheme has been to correct old habits and they move into the sumptuous home he has prepared for her. MARGARITA FISHER Kimls dint Broadway imbits coiiiiict irltn tin" ways of thv \\fHt in "Trixli From Broadway." (American.) Earle Williams in A ROGUE'S ROMANCE Five-part drama; Vitagraph. Directed by James Young. Published June 9. OPINION : Supplied with a vehicle which might have been made to measure, so splendidly does it fit the style and capabilities of the star, Earle Williams does some of the best work of his career in "A Rogue's Romance." The setting is Paris and suburban France. Seldom has American reproduction of European atmosphere been more successfully achieved. The plot 's OI ^e crook type and it has been evenly developed and constructed in a manner that extracts the full value from each of the dramatic incidents which unfold the story. The crook play is always interesting. When well done it is one of the most enjoyable forms of screen drama. In the present instance none of the good points are missing. It has suspense, dramatic power, holds interest and entertains refreshingly. It cannot fail of success. SYNOPSIS: Jules Marier is the leader of the cleverest band of crooks in Paris and the secret service of two continents have been unable tq^ bring about his capture. He has adopted three war orphans and in fleeing from his pursuers to the house in the country where they are kept he politelv but forcibly borrows the car of Mile. Deprenay, alone in her chateau. They meet again later in society, where his identity is unknown to all save her. She shields him because he tells her he has resolved to reform since he has met her. Pearls are stolen at the party and he recovers them, though suspicion attaches to him through the incident. But he is also the means of saving the community from the graft of a ring of politicians and eventually marries the girl. 43