Motion Picture News (Oct 1914-Jan 1915)

68 MOTIONPICTURENEWS Vol. 10. No. 26. ' THE BLACK SPOT" (Cosmofotofilm — Four Reels) REVIEWED BY CLIFFORD H. PANGBURN SELDOM does one have an opportunity to view a four-reel picture so perfect in structure as this drama of Russian political life. Nor is perfection of structure its only bid for fame It is a story which is literally gripping, it has many fine light and scenic effects, and besides this it is acted with a skill which borders on perfection. All this may seem high praise, but it is no more than the production deserves. George Tucker, who directed the picture for tlie London Film Company, has done in it the best work yet to his credit. All the scenes in the first reel are laid in Russia, and include many midwinter night views about the house of the aged Professor Scerloff. These are necessarily studio work, but they are unusually fine examples of the artificial creation of snow effects, while careful lighting arrangements have resulted in realistic backgrounds. The action, which takes place in England, is not so difficult to depict, but some excellent photography is seen. Jane Gail, in the role of Olga, the professor's daughter, plays a part which is heavily dramatic throughout the entire film, but she appears to even more advantage than in some of her other successes. Charles Rock is seen as the old professor, a role which he handles convincingly. A. Holmes-Gore appears as the kindhearted and plucky Grand Duke Paul, with Gerald Ames as Captain Droul-cy, his aide, and Frank Stanmore as his secretary. The story opens in Russia, where a little band ot students are attending secret meetings at the home of the aged Professor Scerloff. There is not any thought of violent acts on the part of the group, but rather serious educational work for the betterment of conditions in Europe. Nevertheless the place is raided, and the professor's wife is killed by the shock of seeing him beaten and her daughter handled roughly. The Grand Duke Paul, who happens to be passing, comes into the house and gives orders that banishment instead of a sentence in Siberia be their punishment. The professor and his daughter suppose the Duke to have been responsible for all their trouble. Later they are in England, where they attend meetings of Russian exiles. The Grand Duke Paul comes to England on a visit. He is interested in helping to advance political reforms, and therefore obtains entrance to the circle of plotters in disguise. There he hears the council vote to kill him, and sees Olga draw the black spot, which means that she is to do the work. He has her introduced to his house as a stenographer, and by giving her certain papers to copy shows her how much he is helping her cause. He thus influences her so that she will not kill him. When her so-called treachery is learned by the other Russians they again draw lots, and the Grand Duke by a trick is the one picked to kill Olga. Needless to say he avoids doing this, although at the risk of his own life. The first reel is surprisingly strong, but the other three are up to the pace it sets, and the picture is in every way an excellent one. SMALLWOOD OPERATES OWN CAMERA TO Ray C. Smallwood falls the distinction of being one of the few directors in the motion picture industry who operate their own cameras. Not satisfied with this two-in-one combination, he insists upon driving his own automobile while making exteriors, writes most of his own stories, supervises the work of the factory, cuts up his own negatives and takes care of the other work that falls to his lot as vice-president and secretary of the Smallwood Film Corporation. At the present writing, he has only to perfect a motor attachment to run his camera in order that he may equip himself to work in the pictures with Ethel Grandin, whose work he is directing. QUAKER CITY REEL FELLOWS PLAN FESTIVITIES Special to Motiok Picture News Philadelphia, Dec. 15. THE Reel Fellows Club have a big entertainment in prospect. Stanley Mustbaum, of the Stanley company, and C. L. Peny, manager of the Globe theatre, have the affair in hand and some big surprises can be looked for. The Reel Fellows are about to close their charter, membership having brought the number up to the limit set. FLAMINGO COMEDIES GET A SUCCESSFUL START ON Sunday night, December 20, the first of the Flamingo Comedies was shown for public exhibition to a crowded audience at the Olympia Theatre, Broadway and 107th street. New York City. "Without Hope" was the first production decided upon from the prize-winning scenarios of The Morning Telegraph and Chartered Theatres Corporation National competitive contest, and was a picturization of the work of Elaine Sterne who has won many prizes recently for stories and scenarios. Among the photo-play stars who made the production under the direction of Fred Mace were Margaret Loveridge, Catherine Proctor and Mary Charleson. The picture was greeted with enthusiasm. Bookings from all over the country are being received through the Zone offices of the Sawyer Film Corporation. This and all the Sawyer features are booked for Greater New York and New Jersey by the Colossus P'ilm Co., 110 W. 40tli street. PETER, AMERICAN CANINE ASSISTANT, BACK AT STUDIO (4 DETER THE GREAT," a dog well known in the Mutual ■1 program, has been found. The American's brindle bulldog is once more safe in the studios. It was a dark hour when the canine favorite of Margarita Fischer and beloved pal of little [vath Fischer disappeared. For several days no traces of him could be discovered — and then someone phoned Harry Pollard that ' he had been seen in Garden street, Santa Barbara. Of course they knew it was Peter from being familiar with his distinguished likeness on the screen. Mr. Pollard, knowing that the dog would recognize the car, had his chauffeur drive around to Garden street. The chauft'eur wa^ going along at an easy pace, when, glancing over his shoulder, he saw with joy that the expected had happened. Peter was comfortably seated in the tonneau, looking only too glad to be going home. CHANGE OF CENSORS IN SPOKANE PLEASES EXHIBITORS Special to Motion Picture News Spokane, Wash., Dec. 21. FEWER "bans" and freak rules for theatre managers are expected since the departure of the Rev. W. J. Hindley, former mayor and official censor, from Spokane. The city council has appointed Commissioner of Public Affairs Samuel Glasgow to the censorship post and he has entered upon its duties. Mr. Glasgow has never been a devotee of the theatre, but expects to become a much more regular attendant hereafter. His policy, however, will be to leave much more to the personal discretion of the managers than did his reverend predecessor. 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