Motion Picture News (Jul-Oct 1915)

August 14, 1915. MOTION PICTURE NEWS 91 UNIVERSAL PROGRAM "The Broken Coin." (Universal Special. Eighth Episode. Two reels.) — The comedy element predominates in this instalment, and while little action of material account takes place, the interest is well sustained by several humorous incidents and a thrilling escape in an automobile, effected by Kitty. To date the serial has relied quite a bit more on its funny scenes than on dramatic ones, although the thrills have been numerous. "Judy Forgot." (Broadway Universal Feature. Five reels. Mon., Aug. 9.) — Reviewed at length in issue of August 7. "Dan Cupid-Fixer." (Nestor. Mon., Aug. 9.) — Father selects an old maid with money for his daughter-in-law to be, but the son objects and elopes with a manicure girl. Much _ commotion takes place in the manicure shop. This is a very fair Nestor written by George Cochrane, and produced by Horace Davey, with a cast including Jack Dillon, Neal Burns, Laura Oakley and Billie Rhodes. "A Cigarette— That's All." (Gold Seal. Two reels. Tues.,_ Aug. 10.) — Reviewed at length elsewhere in this issue. "Where Happiness Dwells." (Big U. Tues., Aug. 10.) — A man and a woman equally tired of city convention seek romance, and find it in each other in the wilds of the mountains. The most striking feature of this subject is its delightful scenery. The story is fairly interesting, and Ben Cohn, the author, has_ varied the monotony with a few original situations toward the end. Adele Lane and Edward Sloman are the principals. The latter appears with indifferent success as hero. To Frisco Via the Cartoon Route. (Imp. Tues., Aug. 10. — An interesting reel comprised of some actual views of the West, together with several drawings by Hy Mayer. Some of the scenes would have had a better effect if they had been longer. "Married on Credit." (L-Ko. Wed., Aug. 11.) — This really has some funny situations in it, and will register a success with the lovers of slapstick comedy. Neither of the rivals have money, and both get half way through the wedding ceremony before they go in search of it. Billy Ritchie and Louise Orth are featured. "His Beloved Violin." (Big U. Two reels. Thurs., Aug. 12.) — A very nice picture featuring Murdock MacQuarrie in the title and character part, although it is not so strong as some of his previous subjects. The subject is noticeable for its lack of love element, and also the fact that no heavy of any consequence is introduced. The old violinist just manages to eke out an existence with his granddaughter's assistance. She is employed as maid in the house of a society lady. When the lady gives a concert at her home and employs the services of a noted violinist, the old man listens and looks on through the window. What is his surprise to discover that the entertainer is one of his former pupils, and so the story ends happily. Frank MacQuarrie appears as the other musician, while Miss Condray is the girl. H. G. Stafford prepared the scenario. "The Elephant Circus." (Powers. Split reel. Thurs., Aug. 12.) — A vaudevile act portraying several stunts of three trained elephants. It is interesting, although nothing startling is performed. A Ditmar's educational closes the reel. "Driven by Fate." (Imp. Three reels. Fri., Aug. 13.) — This subject deals with the hereditary yearning of an actress' daughter for the stage. She runs away form her adopted parents, but their son, her lover, succeeds in finding her in a low music hall. Tack Adolphi, the director, has treated this old story story in a manner that lays particular stress on the comedy moments in the picture. Few situations of dramatic force appear. The picture will offer fair entertainment. Violet Mersereau and William Garwood are in the leading roles. Florence Crawford and Tammany Young are also in the cast. "Lost — Three Teeth." (Nestor Fri., Aug. 13.) — Just before her wedding the bride loses her false teeth, and naturally great commotion is the result until they are discovered. An average Nestor, with Ed Lyons and Victoria Forde leading the cast. The situations are liable to strike many as uproarious. "Chasing the Limited." (Bison. Two reels. Sat., Aug. 14.; — A railroad story written by Julius Furthman, and produced by Henry McRae. The station agent saving the President's special puts the usual climax on the love story. It is an entertaining two reeler well worked up to a denouement that creates a thrill. Marie Walcamp and Wellington A. Playter play the leads supported by the usual Bison cast. "Haunting Winds." (Powers. Sat., Aug 14.) — The moaning winds forever haunt the man who killed another accidentally, until he discovers that the dead man was a bank robber. _ This drama, although it is somewhat weakly motivated, has been effectively produced by Carl M. Le Viness, with S3'dney Ayres and Doris Pawn in the leading parts The scenes are good, while the swaying treetops and banging doors, illustrating the effect of the wind, create a fine air of suspense. "A Dip in the Water." (Joker. Sat., Aug. 14.) — One of the Badger-Curtis comedies, unusual in mirth-provoking qualities. William Franey again performs a marvelous stunt in eating an entire box of chocolates to the great astonishment of Gale Henry. The story concerns the rivalry of a bachelor and a widower for the hand of an old maid. In its course many humorous situations are introduced. Max Asher, Lillian Peacock and Milburn Moranti are also in the cast. "Mountain Justice." (Rex. Two reels. Sun., Aug. 15.) — A moonshiner yarn which does away with the intruding importance of the revenue officer. The substance of the plot is that one of the mountaineers, seeing his partner terribly mistreat his wife, becomes so enraged at the indignity that he turns him over to the law. There is gorgeous mountain scenery in this, while the originality of the story and the good acting united to make the picture very desirable. Joe De Grasse produced it from a scenario by Julius Furthman, while Elsie Jane Wilson, Lon Chaney. Arthur Shirely and Grace Thompson play the leads. "In the Grip of the Law." (Laemmle. Sun., Aug. 15.) — One of Frank Lloyd's very good dramas which he wrote and produced. A girl of the seashore believes she has found her ideal in a city man who stays at her mother's boarding house. But her lover shatters the ideal as well as winning a large reward by showing the man and his companion up as smugglers. Olive Fuller Golden and Millard Wilson play the leads in this fine number. The scenes and photography are exceedingly good. "Love on an Empty Stomach." (L-Ko. Sun., Aug. 15.) — Two tramps acclaim themseles motion picture actors, and, on the strength of this, attempt to win the hand of a young maiden. There is much fighting, kicking and the like in this subject. Hank Mann is featured, and is good for a number of hearty laughs. "Animated Weekly, No 178." (Wed., Aug. 4.) — Scenes connected with the electrocution of Charles Becker ; the Liberty Bell at the fair ; a good canoe race at Asbury Park, N. J. ; the largest locomotive in the world ; and the trial trip of a new kind of motor boat, are the most interesting events of this number. MUTUAL PROGRAM "The Ceremonial Turquoise." (Reliance. Two reels. Sat., Aug. 7.) — The murder of a New York jeweler is laid to his partner, who is arrested. His sweetheart believes him innocent, and starting an investigation of her own, finds that the only thing missing from the store is an immense turquoise. This she traces to New Mexico, where it was once a sacred stone of an Indian tribe. She is captured by the Indians, but is released after an attack by the sheriff's posse, in which the chief, an educated man. is mortally wounded. Before his death the chief confesses the murder, explaining that he sought only to regain the stone, without which the prayers for rain by his people were unavailing. The locations are excellently chosen, and the scenic effects splendid. Eric Von Ritzau, Charles West, Irene Hunt, Dark Cloud, Eagle Eye and Philip Gastroack, compose the cast. "Big Jim's Heart." (Majestic. Two reels. Sun., Aug. 8.) — An interesting drama of love and crime in the Far West, elaborately produced by John B. O'Brien. Spurned by the daughter of his friend. Big Jim, the sheriff, has his jealousy aroused when he sees Elsie's love bestowed on a young express rider. When a half-breed is found murdered, and suspicion points to the successful lover, the sheriff has his revenge. He suppresses the death-hour confession of the real murderer, until the victim is led out to execution. With the rope around the young_ man's neck, the sheriff's big heart asserts itself, and he halts the execution while the real story is told. Eagle Eye gives an excellent portrayal of a half-breed Indian, and Teddy Sampson is charm THIS offer is limited to 30 days only from the date of this issue of the Motion Picture News and to exhibitors only. No strings to t his offer. Simply fill out the coupon below and mail it in. No pennants will be sent unless you USE THE COUPON. No attention paid to letters with requests for pennants unless you enclose the coupon below properly filled out. The pennants are handsome, made of fine felt and have the Universal imprint in design on them in two colors. See the cut. Send no money. These pennants are given to you FREE — but, you must fill out and send in the coupon. That's all there's to it. ^-fc ■■ u jr-k ■»-»« Good for One L/OlipUn Felt Pennant Supplv Dept., Universal Film Mfg. 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