Motion Picture News (Apr - Jun 1914)

84 THE MOTION PICTURE NEWS "METAMORPHOSIS" (American) REVIEWED BY C. J. VERHALEN WHILE the theme of this production is improbable, it breaks away to some extent from the stereotyped. The triangle is evident, but the workings of the plot bring about the desired effect in a much different way. The cast includes the best of the Flying A Company, headed by Sydney Ayres and Vivian Rich. The finer points of photography and situations are well worked IT WAS A CRITICAL MOMENT out and clothe the production in a sort of mystery. The higher thought, as it might be termed, serves as the basis of the story. The scenic effects, both interior and exterior, form delightful backgrounds. The story, in brief, is about an old eccentric professor who believes that the soul of man is tied to his body by fear alone, and that if absolute courage is found, the spirit will be able to free itself. Gray, a young society man, simulates belief and sympathy for the old man, in order to gain his assistance in winning the love of Rose, his daughter; but Rose, unknown to either, has fallen in love with a young gangster. Arthur and his gang are caught looting and Rose discovers them, but she is rescued by Arthur from his pals. Burr and his daughter go to a South Sea island, where Rose pines for Arthur in prison. The father, by fasting, liberates his spirit from his body and returns to liberate Arthur and influences him to embark upon the ship that carries Gray in his search for the professor. The professor dies but Arthur finds Rose on the island. They return to civilization to be married. 'ATLANTIS" (Great Northern — Six Reels) REVIEWED BY A. DANSON MICHELL A SCREEN adaptation of Gerhart Hauptmann's famous novel. The film was produced principally in Copenhagen at the studios of the Great Northern, though many exteriors were made on the ocean and several in New York City. The latter are merely used to give atmosphere. The picture has already been shown throughout Europe and is said to have caused considerable talk over there. It seems certain to accomplish that in this country for the picture undoubtedly is a masterpiece. It possesses all the traits necessary for a successful production. The atmosphere is excellent throughout. The boat scenes are especially cleverly played. The entire picture shows the work of a master director, down to the smallest details. There is but one really large scene. There are a number of "punches," but the sinking of the ship stands predominant over all else, and will be remembered the longest. Approximately a thousand supers take part in this set. Their training and rehearsing must have been most complete, to judge from the final effect. The rush of all for the life boats, the fighting of the men, and the hysteria of the women is all vividly portrayed. One can almost hear the screams of those lost. Unlike many other adaptations from well-known books, the story is followed even to the smallest details. Characters are promiscuously introduced in the picture, which have no actual bearing on the story. Even Ingegerd's monkey and parrot play their little roles. The armless man who is so completely described by Hauptmann is brought in and plays a small part which really has nothing whatever to do with the man theme. C. Unthan, a wellknown "vaudevillian," plays the part, and gives exhibitions of writing, eating; pulling corks from bottles, dealing cards, etc., with his toes. The very smallest descriptions are followed. Even the card players on the ship are shown and introduced. It is attention to those small details that makes a picture. The principal characters are played by Olaf Fonss, Ida Orloff, Carl Schroeder, Ebba Thompson and Carl Lauritzen. Miss Orloff, who plays the actress Ingegerd, dances her "Spider Dance" before the camera. The names of the characters are retained. Though these are very long in several cases it gives the picture a certain realism. Dr. von Kammacher, a young bacteriologist, becomes despondent over the failure of his work. His worry is increased by his wife's going insane. He plans to go away on a trip. He meets the actress Ingegerd, but soon DR. VON KAMMACHER VISITS THE STEERAGE becomes disgusted with her. He engages passage en the "Roland," the actress and her father being his fellow passengers. In a dense fog the ship hits a derelict and sinks. The young doctor saves the actress at great peril to himself. They arrive in America and the doctor goes to a mountain bungalow to seek rest. He becomes very ill while there and is nursed back to life by a girl artist he had met. Hearing of his unfortunate wife's death he proposes to and marries his nurse. "THE OUTCAST RETURNS" (Great Northern — Three Reels) REVIEWED BY A, DANSON MICHELL THE man who plays the leading jiart in this feature of the Great Northern Company deserves to be ranked among the greatest actors of the screen. His name is unfortunately unobtainable from the offices of tlie company and so personal credit cannot be given. It seems peculiar that such a good story as this should not have been used before. There are any number of variations of it, any of which would be interesting, yet with one exception the writer has never seen anything like it. A number of very good double exposures are registered. Having been released after .thirty years imprisonment, the convict returns to his home. He finds this has been converted into a bar-room. He locates his mother's grave and finally finds his sister, now married. She, however, will not receive him and there is nothing left for the man but return to the prison. He is even refused admittance here. Going out into the woods he peacefully dies. The plot is beautifully unfolded.