Motion Picture News (Sept-Oct 1916)

October 14, 1916 MOTION PICTURE NEWS 2399 THE MAKING OVER OF MOTHER " AND " BY THE SAD SEA WAVES " (Christie Comedies — One Reel Each) REVIEWED BY PETER MILNE 'T'HE second brace of comedies which Al Christie will release on the open market are fully worthy to be classed with the the first two, which exhibitors should know by this time were of an unusually high order. " The Making Over of Mother " and " By the Sad Sea Waves " are brimful of clean, good comedy, especially is the former picture which is one of the best single reelers made by Mr. Christie's company in a long time. In it hubby balks at the proposition of having his mother-inlaw on for a visit. But he is completely taken in when the good old lady dresses as a member of the younger set and court's her son-in-law. When he finally discovers her identity he admits the laugh is one on him. For once does the producer decline to poke fun at the mother-in-law and the picture is refreshing for this reason alone. The comedy contained in the reel is rich, while settings of an unusually elaborate nature for a one-reel production do much to enhance the picture. Charming Betty Compson is the wife, Stella Adams, her mother, and Neal Burns, the husband. Ethel Lynne also appears. Robert McGowan wrote the story and Horace Davey directed. " By the Sad Sea \\'aves " takes place at the sea shore and concerns the romance of two young things which is constantly menaced by the father of the girl. There is much humor here too, although the story presented is not as connected as that in the one previous. However, there is no fault to find because of that, for " By the Sad Sea Waves " is a rapid fire comedy bordering on the chase picture every now and then which type of production is ever in demand. Edna McBeth is the author of this one, while Al Christie himself took charge of the directing. The cast is headed by popular Billie Rhodes and includes in support Harry Ham, Harry Rattenberry, Stella Adams, Ethel Lynne and Nolan Leary. " LOST— TWENTY-FOUR HOURS " (Essanay — Three Reels) REVIEWED BY WILLIAM C. ESTY A STAGE farce is usually a jumble of mistaken identity, impossible situations, and exaggerated actions, with a good deal that is risque. This farce follows its stage prototype in every respect, excepting that it has nothing salacious in it. The cast of popular players is vivacious and well-selected, and it makes the most of the infrequent dramatic opportunities. Richard C. Travers is the lead, supported by such favorites as Marguerite Clayton, Harry D. Dunkinson, Warda Howard, Gertrude Glover, and John Junior. The plot has several novel twists, and brings in many incidents that are laughable. The details of production were carefully attended to, and the photography is good. When Dick's wife goes to visit her mother, the young hubsand resolves to lead a model life. But Adolphus, a bachelor friend, takes him out for several holes of Broadway Golf. They meet two young ladies whose profession is blackmailing. Next morning Dick climbs into bed and sleeps twenty-four hours. When he wakes up he finds the girl he met the night before in the house. She refuses to leave until she gets a check for $1,000. Dick's aunt and girl cousin arrive for a visit, and he is forced to pass off the adventuress as his disowned sister. Many complications arise, culminating in Dick's being sent to jail, but everything turns out all right in the end. ROTHACKER ESTABLISHES SERVICE BUREAU IN CHIC4G0 DOWNTOWN SECTION IN line with its policy of affording its customers every possible * convenience, the Rothacker Film Manufacturing Company has established a service bureau in Chicago's downtown district. This company has taken over the entire suite of offices formerly occupied by the Chicago Grand Opera Company in the Auditorium Building, Wabash Avenue and Congress Street. This will be a complete service station in every particular, besides housing the city sales department of the Rothacker Company. Here orders can be delivered so that they can be promptly transmitted to the big Diversey Parkway laboratory of the company. Delivery of the finished product will be made from this central point. Complete accommodations for out-of-town customers will also be available. PARAMOUNT SHORT SUBJECTS (Travelogue, Pictograph and Cartoon — Three Reels) REVIEWED BY H. S. FULD IN the Burton Holmes Travelogue this week we have unusually interesting and instructive scenic views. It starts off with " In Old Ireland " and with the camera mounted on the roof of a trolley car or omnibus we are taken along the " Broadway " of Belfast. The City Hall and other public buildings along with scenes of the traffic with the different public vehicles peculiar to this section of the country are graphically shown. Next we are taken to Dublin and to the Horse Fair where the contest for jumpers is filmed. The water jump, the five-foot stone wall jump are two of the most interesting. Some of the street scenes taken on the way back from the fair are reversed and some amusingly funny scenes are the result. The Pictograph opens with good views of a newspaper in the making, from the time the reporter brings in his story to the finished paper. The linotyper, matrix machine and finally the presses at work are all graphically shown. Motor cycles as used in the army, as ambulance and also in trick riding are shown. But what will probably make the biggest hit are the scenes posed for by the New York Giants baseball team with Umpire " Bill " Klem. First is shown a man " running for first," the first baseman jumping for the ball and the umpire declaring the man out. By slowing up the man is seen to reach the base while the baseman is still in the air and is consequently " safe." A number of similar scenes are shown up by the " slow camera " showing how the umpire can err in close decisions. The Bray Cartoon has the adventure of O U Rooster, a " gay flirt " and a " chorus chicken," which is an amusing comedy conception to say the least. On the same reel is " The Busy Life of an Orbweaver." It shows the spider spinning its silky web; capturing a grasshoper and smothering it in silky meshes and other instructive scenes in the busy life of the spider. "THE TORCH BEARER" (Mutual Masterpiece — Five Reels) REVIEWED BY E. DRAW THIS picture affords an excellent opportunity for the display of the dramatic talents of W illiam Russell. It is just the type of story which demands the vigor and virile interpretation which characterizes Mr. Russell's work and makes him particularly suited for the role of the rigid minded and aggressive newspaper man John Knox. Charlotte Burton also brings her versatility into play as Janet Dare. The story is rather interesting as it deals with political intrigue, although as a matter of fact a hundred plots have been written around this same theme. The action is swift and the interest well maintained. The photography, settings and locations are all good, and the production capably handled by William Russell. It is safe to say that this film will find favor with the majority of audiences. John Huntley Knox, owner of the Boston Star, opposes a corrupt ring of politicians with his newspaper and is aided by William Wendell. The gang threaten John, declaring that his father killed a man out West. This threat is followed by a series of political mob fights. Janet Dare arrives from Wyoming bringing with her a strong box carrying the personal effects of her father who was a rancher. Janet falls in love with John. It is later discovered that the box contains a confession signed by a Mexican on his deathbed that John's father was innocent. Janet is kidnapped by the politicians, but is rescued by John. The politician is beatei>> John's candidate is elected to office and the film ends pleasantly with Janet and John as the center of attraction. LOBBY DISPLAY FRAME SPECIALISTS MENGER & RING, Inc. NEW YORK CHICAGO ATLANTA. GA.