Motion Picture News (Jul-Oct 1915)

68 MOTION PICTURE NEWS Vol. 12. No. 1. "THE SECRET OF LOST RIVER" (Kay-Bee-Mutual — Two Eeels) REVIEWED BY PETER MILNE THOMAS H. INCE, the author of the story here picturized, has conceived an attractive romance all centering about a Spanish painting. The period of action is both modern and mediaeval in comparison. For both these phases of the story the utmost realism has been brought out on the film. The picture combines a stirring quantity of action and logical plot development. The fight between the Indians and the members of a monastic order is executed with a gruesome realism. The Spanish troupe adds a fine touch of color to the tale. In photography and light effects the two reels are exceedingly artistic, while it is obvious that the usual attention which characterizes New York Motion Picture offerings has been paid to the settings. The mission in the wilderness and the hut of the miner are really the only interiors of importance that appear, but they are good examples of effective mechanical work. The story: Hornby, a struggling miner, discovers a painting encased in a tube lying in the river. He takes it to the padre and learns its history. It was presented to an old mission. When the mission was attacked by Indians one of the inmates threw it into the river to preserve it. The great value of the THE PRIEST TELLS HIS STORY painting enables the miner to sell it through his friend and procure enough money to bring his wife to the West. The cast is capable. Frank Borzage is the prospector, Jack Davidson, his friend; Estelle Allan, his wife, and Charles French is the priest. Others who appear in the second story are Jack Nelson, Louise Glaum and Lewis Morrison. The isupernumeraries act their small parts well. "SHOULD A MOTHER TELL?" (Fox Film — Five Reels) REVIEWED BY WILLIAM RESSMAN ANDREWS BETTY NANSEN maintains her reputation for effective emotional acting in "Should a Mother Tell?" written expressly for the Danish actress by Rex Ingram, and directed by J. Gordon Edwards, the director for "A Woman's Resurrection" and "Anna Karenina," other Fox productions. The photography throughout the picture delights with its exceptional clearness. Several blue-tinted scenes are notable for their pleasing effect. The introduction of a number of close-ups showing five-yearold Pamala in grief and in moods of childish gaiety are minor touches adding to the emsemble of the picture. In one she ■ displays a stuffed dog gifted with a roguish wink, and the short period of by-play makes an excellent foil to the tenser scenes just preceding her innocent amusement. Two other close-ups make an equally' striking impression, the scenes where the child industriously knits a stocking with the air of a grandmother, and in the incident depicting her childish grief, as she lies prostrate on the floor, sobbing over the remains of a doll, .broken by the child's father in a rage. The plot is developed with swift action; indeed, so swift at times that the sequence of events are not quite evident until after the first flash of their presentation. A few more subtitles would obviate this defect. In a production which has so many appealing qualities to every type of audience, it was a pity to allow absurd anachronisms to creep into the final scenes. In these days the police do not put a suspected prisoner on "the rack" in a literal sense. The huge chair-like instrument of torture, with the black-hooded attendants, expected in a THE ACCUSATION scene set in the time of the Spanish Inquisition three hundred years ago, certainly has no place in a drama obviously meant for the twentieth century. Then the introduction of an executioner with a two-handed sword of the fifteenth century, at the base of a guilotine, all ready shown with its deadly blade poised in readiness at the top of the frame for the condemned man, detracts from the interest of this particular scene. However, it may be said for the rack and the two-handed sword scenes that the producer has made them very impressive. The acting of a well-balanced cast will counteract any tendency to take exception to these incidents. Jean Sothern's acting is as pleasing as her blond beauty. Claire Whitney as the Baroness Gauntier scored a hit. Stuart Holmes as Gaspard Baudin, the miserly inn keeper, guilty of murder, invests the role with all the qualities necessary. MOTION PICTURE DAY AT WORLD'S FAIR IS JULY 17 Special to Motion Picture News San Francisco, June 30. OWING to an apparent misunderstanding in some quarters, it should be made clear that Motion Picture Day at the Panama-Pacific Exposition will be July 17. Arrangements for this were perfected some time ago by M. E. Cory, chairman of the committee on arrangements for the League. This is the official day set by the management of the World's Fair for the entertainment and recognition of the motion picture industry of this country. All companies represented at the convention and any others who desire to participate will be cordially assisted by Mr. Cory and the exhibitors' committee. "No special favors will be extended," said Mr. Cory, "but we will render the same assistance and service to all alike." CHARLOTTE WALKER TO BE SEEN IN "KINDLING" MISS CHARLOTTE WALKER, the distinguished dramatic star, is to make her photodramatic debut in the production of "Kindling," which is offered by the Lasky Feature Play Company through an arrangement with E. J. Bowes on July 12. This play, which is the most dramatic offering yet produced by the Lasky company and which had an extraordinary Broadway success, is especially adapted to the dramatic genius of Miss Walker. The company engaged to support Miss Walker in "Kindling" includes Thomas Meighan, Raymond Hatton, Mrs. McCord, Billy Elmer, Lillian Langdon, Florence Dagmar and Tom Forman.