Exhibitors Herald (Mar-Jun 1919)

E X H IBITORS HERALD AND MOTOGRAPHY Tom Moore is enlightened on » perplexing problem in "The City of Comrades" (Goldwyn) Tom Moore in THE CITY OF COMRADES Five-part drama; Goldwyn. Directed by Harry Beaumont. Published June 22. OPINION: The surface thinker, the person who expects of the screen the stimulant provided by hair-raising adventures and eleventh-hour rescues, will not enthuse over "the City of Comrades." The citizen of serious mien, on the other hand, the man who has at heart the welfare of humanity and the progress of civilization, will accord it warm praise. The "helping-hand" doctrine which it advocates is a worthy one, and the argument ior it is made without resorting to preachment. At all times a narrative, never a sermon, the play makes up in point and impression what it lacks in action and thrill. Tom Moore is again seen in unkempt apparel and unshaven, but his redemption occurs in the early part of the performance and is permanent. Seena Owen again plays opposite the star and does well with the slight role provided. It is amusement of the better sort. It is screen fiction with a purpose. It is also Tom Moore at his best. It should succeed. . SYNOPSIS: Frank Melbury. an architect who has surrendered to drink and reached the bottom of the social ladder, attempts to rob the home of Regina Barry but loses courage when he eats a meaj found in the ice box. Regina discovers him, sees the shame in his eyes and allows him to escape. "The Down and Out Club" reforms him and he obtains a position which brings him again into her life. She does not recall their first meeting but he tells her about it when he asks her to marry him. She refuses and he joins the Canadian army to keep himself from going back to drink. Wounded in the Halifax disaster he is nursed back to health by Regina, who does not disclose her identity. But he learns the truth, returns and they are married. Sylvia Breamer in A HOUSE DIVIDED Five-part drama; Film Clearing House. Directed by J. Stuart Blackton. Published on the open market. OPINION: The directorial skill of J. Stuart Blackton has never shown to better advantage than in the present pretentious and thoroughly worth while drama. The artistic and the realistic methods of gaining effect have been utilized in about equal parts, combining to create perfect naturalness. An English story, the atmosphere of that country is well maintained throughout, both in production and in the acting of the cast. The action moves steadily, deliberately, giving unto each detail the footage deserved but not an extra inch. Truly wonderful as a production, it is no less notable as a story. The appeal that it makes is universal. The incidents involved are such as might happen in any community. The war plays a minor part and will arouse no opposition to the play. A splendid production in every aspect, it abounds in advertising and presentation possibilities. The Riviera, Chicago, made it a complete success on a week's run. It should do as well in any community. SYNOPSIS: Phillip Carmichael, under the influence of liquor, believes he is merely participating in a joke when he marries an actress. Later, he marries Mary Lord, whom he has always loved, and they live happily for five years. Then the actress returns to England with her son and claims Carmichael as her husband and the boy's father. To clear him of a charge of bigamy, Mary declares that she was never married to Phillip and destroys all the evidence that might prove it. She then loses her reason and wanders through the hospitals and canteens back of the front line trenches. The child dies and the actress consents to an annulment of the marriage. Mary's reason is restored and she remarries Phillip. Ellen Cassidy in THE OTHER MAN'S WIFE Six-part drama; Film Clearing House. Directed by Carl Harbaugh. Published on the open market. OPINION : Despite the opposition to plays dealing with the recent conflict, fancied or real, there must be a place for the picture which deals with untouched angles, unpictured sidelights on the world struggle. Such is the business of "The Other Man's Wife." While the story is primarily a drama of love and marriage, the war plays such an important part in its development that it cannot be ignored. Aside from the central theme, minor plots have been introduced that deal solely with the war and its effect upon sundry lives, and it is here that the unusual is taken up and depicted faithfully. Stuart Holmes is a valuable aid to the star, his villainy being up to the standard which he has set for himself. Ellen Cassidy is capable and pleasing to the eye. The plot is involved and voluminous, but it is sincere and free from propaganda. If the opposition to pictures of the type is not too great in the community there is no reason why the picture should not deliver fair satisfaction. SYNOPSIS: Despite the fact that he is married and has three children, Fred Hartley answers the call to arms. J. Douglas Kerr, who has long coveted Mrs. Hartley and has secured a certain power over her through his influence over the workmen in her father-in-law's factories, forges a telegram declaring her husband killed in action and seeks to win her for himself. Though she is aware of the deception she allows him to believe he is succeeding in his plots and keeps him at bay until her husband's return, when his plots are bared and he is made to pay the penalty. May Allison in ALMOST MARRIED Five-part comedy-drama; Metro. Directed by Charles Swickard. Published June 2. OPINION : Careful manipulation of plot ingredients that have served many producers and many stars, injection of novel developmental incidents and attractive dressing of scenes and characters, plus wise calculation of cause to effect have made of not overly promising material a photoplay that impresses and pleases. May Allison's unstudied performance pleases. The work of Frank Currier, Hugh Fay and William Percival in support harmonizes with that of the star. The action is well distributed over the five reels and holds interest throughout. The happy ending is brought about naturally and follows a humorous complication that should be provocative of merriment wherever exhibited. As a whole, perhaps, the play is a bit below the average of the star's recent endeavors but it still must be classified as a first class program film. SYNOPSIS : Adrienne Santerre, daughter of an Alpine inn keeper and singer at the inn, falls in love with Carrey O'Connell, American, who returns the A \