Exhibitors' Times (May-Sep 1913)

10 EXHIBITORS' TIMES. ii TANNHAUSER" [Continued ethereal being". Wolfram, realizing that he is intruding, sadly consents to withdraw his betrothed pledge and leaves the way clear for the younger knight. Another minstrel contest is held. The prize will go to him who gives the most inspiring definition of love. Wolfram sings of love as a holy thing, pure and beautiful as a spring of limpid water, while Tannhauser, under the sudden influence of Venus, impulsively describes his conception as one in which the essence is fleshy wantonness. Then he declares with unnatural vehemence that he has consorted in insensate bliss with the licentious goddess during his absence from Wartburg. The other knights are aroused to a frenzy and are only prevented from killing him through Elizabeth's intervention. The Landgrave banishes Tannhauser from the castle, ordering him not to return until he has obtained the Pope's pardon after journeying on foot to Rome with a band of pilgrims. The Pontiff, however, does not absolve him, predicting that hope will no more bloom for the sinner than his staff will ever again put forth blossoms. Utterly crushed, Tannhauser rushes into the wilderness and seeks the one thing left him : the caverns of Venus. As Elizabeth prays that his soul be redeemed, Tannhauser invokes Venus. Just as she comes to him, a vision of the chaste Elizabeth appears. The last conflict takes place, with purity the victor and lust forever conquered. The disconsolate knight learns that, owing to the miracle which has happened to the Pope's staff, he has been pardoned ; but when he reaches Elizabeth she is dead. Unable any longer to endure earthly woes from page 8] Tannhauser, finally purged through penitence, expires at the side of the virgin. In producing this work the director showed a fine sense of artistic grouping in the interior and exterior ensemble scenes. With the limited lateral space available for camera posing much care must be taken to arrange crowds of characters so as to suggest great numbers without awkwardness. There must be balance and harmony of parts and effective handling of movement to bring out the main action of the foreground without sacrificing the illusion of depth and multitudes. It was therefore a pleasure to watch the "big" scenes of the castle hall and those depicting the abode of Venus with their natural landscape settings where graceful water naiads swam and sported and lovely nymphs whirled in elfin games and dances. There was some beautiful massing and subordination of unessentials in these views that delighted the esthetic taste. Marguerite Snow was an ideal Elizabeth. She portrayed Wagner's noble heroine with unaffected dignity and sweet, girlish charm. Florence La Badie's Venus, although physically pleasing to behold, lacked the passion and bewitching allurement of the siren. It is regretted that this attractive young woman failed to make the most of her opportunities. James Cruze in the title role and AVill Russell as Wolfram bore themselves with knightly grace and medieval ruggedness that were well sustained to the end. The rich and appropriate costuming greatly enhanced the artistic value of the production. R. R. RELIANCE NOTES. Here is a fist of coming Reliance releases : PAUL SCARDON— "The Counsel for the Defense," August 20th. IRVING CUMMINGS— "Success." August 23rd. NORMA PHILLIPS— "The Girl Spy's Atonement," August 25th. VIVIAN PRESCOTT— "Peg of the Polly P." August 27th. EDGENA DE LESPINE— "The Social Secretary." August 30th. CRIMMINS— (Of Crimmins & Gore), "Feeney's Social Experiment." September 1st. '" ! STANLEY WALPOLE — "Between Home and Country." September 3rd. "The Lubin Twins" have become the "Reliance Triplets," and are now preparing a series of comedies for early Reliance release. Reehm and Stull, of "Spooney Sam" fame, with the addition of Bobby Burns, make a trio which will first be seen in a comedy entitled "The Lead Nickel." In the coming Forrest Halsey two-part drama "Success," Irving Cummings is supported by Vivian Prescott and Irene Hunt. Although still in course of construction, the new studio plant shows signs of activity. The open air stage is completed and accommodates the three companies using it. The location abounds in beautiful scenery. Francis Powers begins his work as a Reliance Director with a drama entitled "The Hardest Way." The Counsel For The Defense (Reliance) CINEMATOGRAPHY BEATS THE MAIL. Impossible, you will say. Yet this fact occurred a short time ago. The races of Monte Carlo and the funeral of Lord Wolseley were on the screen of a motion picture theatre of Pekin, China, three days before the arrival of the mail from London. It appears that the films were sent by rail via Siberia, while newspapers followed their habitual route, via the sea. — From Cines Journal.