Exhibitors Herald (Oct-Dec 1920)

October 23. 1920 EXHIBITORS HERALD 89 Warner Oland and Juanita Hansen in THE PHANTOM FOE Fifteen-episode serial: Pathe. Directed by Bertram Milhauser. Published October 17. OPIX10\ : If one were to come in on the shewing of "The Phantom Foe" unaware of the fact that a serial was being screened he would at once gain the impression that he was seeing a fast moving feature picture, and an extremely well done one at that. For "The Phantom Foe" is not merely serial material, in the sense that we have come to know serials, but a combination of two types of production, serial and feature. In other words "The Phantom Foe" has everything serial fans expect, action, romance, mystery, suspense, plus the niceties of a feature in investiture, acting and graceful handling. Furthermore, the subject matter, while odd. is neither wild nor silly. It is a story: at least that part of it told in the first two episodes which are all that bare so far been shown, that does not overtax one's credulity. All these factors blended into one unit give Pathe something different in serials. The production was made by George B. Seitz. Inc.. from the story by George B. Seitz under the direction of Bertram Milhanser. It consists of fifteen episodes, each of two reels, except the first, which is in three reels. In writing the story Mr. Seitz has introduced a phantom enemy who is pursuing the members of the Dale family in Daleholm, bent upon their destruction. The warning of the approach of the phantom comes through the heavy tread of a giant's feet. A muffled figure swathed in a long fur, coat, completely hiding his features, attacks members of the- Dale family, who vanish before one's eyes as in thin air. The question of the identity of the muffled individual and his consequent apprehension is the moving point of the story. The first two episodes are clean cut. smooth running, and nicely staged by Mr. Milhauser. The settings are pleasing to the "»« Oland and Juanita Hansen in a ,f,»' from the third episode ot "The Phantom Foe." the new Pathe serial. eye. being in good taste. The titles are well written and the photography is exceptionally good. Juanita Hanson is the heroine and makes an attractive figure. Warner Oland is mysterious as Uncle Leo Sealkirk. while William Bailey is virile and energetic as the hero. Wallace McCutcheon. Xina Cassavant and Tom Goodwin are the other members of a very well balanced cast. Judging by its first two episodes. *"The Phantom Foe" should be a big winner. SYNOPSIS: Episode 1. entitled "Doom" : Fear of an unknown menace grips Janet Dale at Daleholm when she hears the measured tread of a giant's feet. Bob Royal, her finance, asks her who it is she fears and she explains that her father. Jeremiah Dale, had been the unwitting cause of the death of the wife and brother of her uncle. Leo Sealkirk. years before, by bringing about an Indian massacre for unjustly punishing three Indians. Sealkirk had sworn vengeance upon Jeremiah Dale, but years had passed and he had seemingly forgotten his oath. She has scarcely finished speaking when a lighting fixture falls from the ceiling, barely missing her. At her twentyfirst birthday party Janet is speaking to her father when he vanishes before her eyes. Bob Royal sees a muffled figure slinking along in the shadow of the house and tries to capture him. but the figure escapes. That night Janet, unable to sleep, wanders into the library In the ashes of the fireplace she finds three links from a gold chain and the imprint of a giant's foot. Meditating upon these things she fails to hear the approach of the muffled figure, bent upon attacking her. Episode 2. "The Disappearance of Janet Dale": The muffled figure attacks Janet, but is driven off by Bob Royal s approach. Later in the day Bob again sees the muffled figure. He grapples with the unknown and a fight ensues and Bob is being worsted when Steve Roycroft. a scientific detective, and Janet appear, causing the muffled figure to flee in an automobile. Janet finds a notebook belonging to her uncle Leo. They return to the house and find Leo Sealkirk. believed by Bob to be the enemy, in company with Janet's cousin Esther. Sealkirk admits ownership of the notebook and Bcb believes his suspicions are being confirmed On the following morning Janet's room is discovered empty. A note left by her says it will be useless to try to locate her. She had received a note saying that if she followed a designated man she would be led to a place where she would find the answer to her puzzle. She is thus brought into a disreputable place and escorted to a dingy room. When she has closed the door she sees the muffled figure rise from his seat in the corner and advance toward her. Corinne Griffith in THE BROADWAY BUBBLE Five-part drama: Vitagraph. Directed by George L. Sargent. Released in November. O PI XI OX: "The Broadway Bubble" is a picture characterized by unusually fine acting on the part of Corinne Griffith and a tense climax, a startling twist and an awesome end to a story" of stage life by Leigh Gordon Giltner. It is a drama with a touch of tragedy. The plot really takes in only four characters, two of them played by Miss Griffith. The four are Adrienne Landreth. her husband. Geoffrey, her unmarried twin sister. Drina Lynn, and Fred Corliss, a theatrical manager. Adrienne, in order to return to the stage despite her husband's commands, has her twin sister. Drina. take her place in her home. Geoffrey leaves town but upon his return takes Drina to CORIXNE GRIFFITH Finds :i tragic bit ot nevrs in a letter. A scene from "The Broridvwi> Bubhle." i Vitaernph. i the opening performance si Adrienne's new show. At first he cannot believe his eyes, seeing Adrienne on the stage with a girl he supposed was his wife, at his side. Adrienne sees him and collapses, rolling down a flight of stairs to the floor. She is carried to her dressing room but the Broadway Bubble is burst. Adrienne passes away, the electric light letters spelling her stage name are extinguished one by one. and Geoffrey is left with Drina in whom he has found tenderness. This is not an inspired plot, to be sure, and its progression to the big scene is methodical and deliberate to the point cf slowness at different stages, yet the big moment comes with such force that the mark attained is a high one. The big moment puts the picture over, much like a knockout punch delivered at the last moment after a number of somewhat passive rounds puts ever a fight. C. Graham Baker and Harry Dittmar wrote the continuity skillfully and George L. Sargent directed creditably. Among other things Mr. Sargent is to be commended for his Broadway backgrounds which are not of the studio sort but the real thing. They give the production an authentic atmosphere. The performance of Miss Griffith is all that can be desired. Each of the two character she plays is clean cut and_ at no time does the mood of one creep into the other. They are played for what they are. two distinct characters. It sometimes seems as if the parts are in the hands of different plavers. Opposite Miss Griffith appears Joe King, who is his usual repressed self, giving his customary intelligent performance. Stanlev Warmerton. as the theatrical manager, and Robert Gaillard as Higginson. Drina's employer, give satisfactory' performances. With its punch and Miss Griffith's acting "The Broadway Bubble" becomes a very interesting picture. SYXOPSIS: Finding married life irksome. Adrienne Landreth seeks her husband's permission to return to the stage. This permission being refused she determines to take up her career notwithstanding and sends for her unmarried twin sister. Drina. to take her place in her household. Geoffrey, the husband, . spends but a few hours with Drina before he departs for the West on a business trip, but in that time notices a difference in his supposed wife — a difference which he hopes will result in the patching up of their troubles. During his absence Adrien..e's show is