Motion Picture News (Sept-Oct 1916)

2558 MOTION PICTURE NEWS Vol. 14. No. 16 : : : Tabloid Reviews for the Busy Exhibitor PRODUCTIONS FROM ALL PROGRAMS GENERAL FILM SERVICE "A Sauerkraut Symphony." (Kalem. Tues., Oct. 17.) — This is a comedy out of the ordinary in that in addition to Ham and Bud and Ethel Teare we have Henry Murdock in the cast. The fun is fast and furious and there are many laughable situations. An anarchist is blown into the air while sitting over the steam whistle of the sauerkraut factory, and is foiled in his attempt to blow up the place for the time being. But the bomb he has been carrying and which was blown into the clouds with him comes down later and blows the plant up. Murdoch plays the anarchist, Ethel Teare the proprietor's daughter, and Ham and Bud are the workmen. Altogether this is a novel comedy release and a good number. 1 " The Yellow Hand." (Kalem. Two reels. Wed., Oct. 18.) — This is the eleventh of the " Girl from Frisco " Series, and has for a theme the smuggling of Chinese girls into this country through a secret order of Chinamen. The Congressman lover (True Boardman) of Ace Brent's daughter (Marin Sais) is appointed agent for the government to stop the smuggling, and with Miss Brent makes his entry into the secret meeting place of the " Tong of the Yellow Hand," only to get into trouble. After a terrific struggle between the government agent and the Chinamen, in which Brent comes to his assistance, they gain admittance to an inner room just in time to save the girl who is being strangled by order of the " Yellow Hand." They in turn are rescued by the police, who have been summoned in the meantime. The gang is captured and the leader takes a trip to the sea via an underground sewer into which he fell when shot by Miss Brent. This release is extra thrilling and carries an intense interest throughout. The photography and acting are on a par with the rest of the series. "A Daring Chance." (Kalem. Sat., Oct. 21.) — For a change, again we have instead of " How shall we try to kill her next? " which the producers seem to have adopted for the " Hazards of Helen," " How will we try to kill the boy next?" Little "Billy Boy" is left alone on a speeding gasoline car from which the lineman has fallen, and only by the efforts of Helen is he saved. She commandeers a locomotive and giVes chase. Catching up with the car on a parallel track, she leans far out and grabbing the outstretched hands of the boy swings him to safety alongside of her, as the little car smashes mto a stalled train. This is one of the best thrills that the " Hazards " has pulled yet, and that's going some. The same good acting that characterized others of the series is here evident and this release is one of the best yet. " His Little Wife." (Essanay. Three reels. Sat;, Oct. 7.) — Reviewed at length elsewhere in this issue. " Only a Rose." (Selig. Three Reels. Mon., Oct. 16.) — This picture gives the impression ot having been made some time ago, since the acting is elementary, the setting simple, and the story absurd. Some audiences will doubtless enjoy the play, but not those accustomed to the comparative perfection of modern productions. The cast, which interprets the scenario literally, without any fine shades of character portraying, consists of Robyn Adair, Virginia Kirtley, Leo Pierson, E. J. Brady, Eugenie Forde and Luella Maxan. On the last reel is a few hundred feet of rustic comedy fairly well done. Dorn is the faithful bookkeeper of Phelps, a wealthy broker. Hun, also in the employ of Phelps, loves Dorn s daughter. Alma, but forgets her when he meets his employer's daughter. One day Phelps is attacked by a disappointed speculator, and is rescued by Dorn. Hun takes the credit for this rescue, and becomes Phelp's protege. Dorn is weakened by the experience, and becomes sick. He is discharged by Phelps, and he and his daughter are poverty stricken. Phelps discovers that Dorn was really his saver, and goes to make amends. Finding the faithful employee dead, he gives his daughter a check for $10,000, and leaves the sobbing girl prostrate on her father's body. " An Eventful Evening." (Selig. Sat., Oct. 21.) This Western comedy produced by Tom Mix is far below the standard set by the cowboy director. It has practically none of the cowboy stunts usually introduced in these pictures, and the action is, tor the most part, prolonged and stupid. Supporting Tom Mix are Victoria Forde, Betty Keller and Pat Chrisman. Jim Mathews, a ranch owner, wants Jack Winton to fall in love with his daughter, Betty, but the perverse man loves his other daughter, Marian. Betty overhears Jack and Marian planning to elope at midnight, and veiled, takes Betty's place. Jack discovers the deception, gets the right girl, and marries her. " The Fable of the Kittenish Superanns and the World-Weary Snipes." (Essanay. Two Reels. Tues., Oct. 17.) — The story of this George Ade comedy, adapted from one of his recent fables in the Cosmopolitan Magazine, is particularly mirthful. As usual, the sub-titles are pungent with Ade's inimitable slangy philosophy. While not on a par with the scenario, the acting, settings, directing and photography are adequate. This is a good polite comedy. A cove went back to his home stamping grounds to flash his scads of wampum on his former side-kicks. He bought the biggest mausoleum in town, and started in to pull a few house parties. The first week-end session was to be a peace conference for the antique quackey-doodles and spectacled hens. The second party was to be a hurray jubilee for the gay debutantes and blithe lads from the 'varsity. 'The seres and yellows arrived, and from the first tap of the gong, the bridles were off. The female members of his old Sunday school class began to blow cigarette smoke out of their eyes, ears and noses. Before he could suggest pre-historic euchre, the loud needle was at work on the ragamaphone. He saw reputable women with grandchildren get in the middle of the floor and slap Father Time in the face. The old birds arose Monday morning all freshened up, having slept a grand total of six hours since Saturday night. After such exuberance, the old cove feared that the rollicking juniors due the following week would put his home on the fritz. When the buds and striplings came, he found himself surrounded by pale young women and gloomy he-whiffets. They hunted dime corners and lapsed into death chamber conversation. The host tried to figure why so many young lives had been clouded. On Monday the amateur pall-bearers said good-by to him as though they had met him somewhere before. Moral : Youth is the time for gravity. " Dreamy Dud in the African War Zone." (Essanay. Split Reel. Wed., Oct. 18.)— Wallace Carlson's animated cartoons are here, combined by double exposure with human figures to make a novel and fast moving kind of comedy. The last half of the reel is devoted to Western scenic. " Marooned." (Essanay. Three Reels. Sat., Oct. 21.) — Not shown for review; the story follows: Nine Holliday, a novelist, gets a chance to experience the non-conventional situations she puts in her books. She goes on a yacht cruise with Elliot, a millionaire. The yacht is wrecked, and Prentiss, a sailor, rescues her. Ashore, Prentiss saves her from the drunken advances of Elliot. As the weeks pass, she falls in love with the stalwart seaman. A boat comes to their rescue and Elliot, taking Nina, leaves Prentiss behind. Under cover of darkness the girl leaps over the side of the ship, and swims back to her lover. The cast is composed of Edward Arnold, Alice McChesney, Fred Malatesta and Arthur Bates. MUTUAL PROGRAM "That Sharp Note." (Beauty. Two reels. Mon., Oct. 9.) — This picture has a number of good points, is amusing and entertaining, and will please any audience. Beezer leaves America with a note for Ambassador Jones to deliver from " Filson " to " the Flyser." After stirring up the Kingsland spies and meeting with numerous adventures, he hands the note over, and the Ambassador starts out to deliver it. Soon after Beezer receives word that " Filson's " quarrel has been patched up with " The Flyser," and the note does not reach its destination. The cast includes John Sheehan and Carol Halloway. " Inoculating Hubby." (Ciib. Fri., Oct. 13.) — This is a very pleasing picture, containing much good comedy and one which will afford excellent amusement. Peaceful bliss reigned in the Newlywed's household until wifie's mother announced her intention of paying the young couple a visit. No sooner does mother-in-law set foot in the house than she starts to run the house as she thinks fit. Finally mother calls Prof. Pill to restore her son-in-law to reason. Ere he can cure the patient the adoption of three kittens by Hubby causes both the wife and doctor to upbraid mother so fiercely that she packs her belongings and departs. The cast includes Neal Burns, Betty Compson, Stella Adams and Harry Rattenberry. " Ducking a Discord." (Vogue. Sun., Oct. 15.) — This IS just a fair comedy. The action is slow and there is far too much repetition. Rube's wife IS an expert at the Dutch In and Out. The house IS filled with the music of the old accordion from morning until night. Being utterly tired of his wife. Rube decides to put her in a bag and throw her in the river. She is rescued by Ben, and together they intend to give Rube a fright. Thev cover their faces with flour and interrupt Rube as he is making love to Lillian. Another time she appears as he is sitting with a gang of pickpockets, and this time she scares the whole crowd. Rube Miller plays the lead. UNIVERSAL PROGRAM "The Wrath of Cactus Moore." (Gold Seal. Three reels. Tues., Oct. 17.) — The ancient antagonism of an old rancher toward the mayor of the town for a time stands between the love of their children and the culmination of the romance, but the old man is finally won over. An enjoyable comedy-drama of average type which was written and directed by William V. Mong. Mong also plays the old rancher and gets a good bit of humor from the part. Others are Charles Ryan, Peggy Coudray and Mrs. Mattox. " His Own Nemesis." (Nestor. Mon., Oct. 16.) — An average Xestor by Walter Newman, a little mediocre in its finale but keeping one in a good state of comedy suspense over most of its length. The wife of a temperamental musician quarrels with him and goes to pose for an artist. The artist and the musician are friends and the former tutors the grief-stricken husband in the art of fencing, duelling and boxing so he will be able to beat up the man who stole his wife. It eventually comes out that the artist has been planning his own downfall, but the friends patch up the quarrel. Eddie Lyons, Lee Moran and Priscilla Dean are the principals. "Through Baby's Voice." (Laemmle. Two reels. Wed., Oct. 18.) — A most delightful comedy drama, one that can be classified with the few exceptional two-reel offerings. Calder Johnstone prepared the scenario and George Cochrane directed. The story shows how a little girl through her childish simplicitly reunited her parents, who separated over a mere quarrel. Zoe Beck as the child does some of the cleverest acting ever seen from a miss of her tender years. Edna Maison and Douglas Gerrard play the parents, while L. M. Wells carries a winning character part as the old lawyer. "Safety First." (L-Ko. Wed., Oct. IS.)— Two crooks fall out and one elopes with the safe containing a time-clock bomb as well as the other crook. An explosion follows after a long chase. This picture falls quite flat, because neither of the actors who play the crooks are comedians, while the tricks of the chase are done amateurishly. "The Eel." (Imp. Two reels. Thurs.. Oct. 19.) — An out-of-the-ordinary underworld drama that gets over in exceedingly strong style. The district attorney and a girl of the secret service join a band of crooks with the purpose of bringing them to justice, but each is unaware of the other's identity. A romance follows and the finale finds each happy in the discovery that the other is not a crook. Harry Keenan and Betty Schade are the principals in this. The direction throughout is good, particularly in respect to the underworld atmosphere. "The Conspiracy." (Bison. Two reels. Sat., Oct. 21.) — In which a clerk in the employ of a railroad firm gets information by the " listening in " of the telephone boy, that proves the confidential secretary to the president false to his employer's interests. This is an entirely satisfactory melodrama with a thriller in it when the hero stops a runaway. Harry Carey, L. C. Shumway, Edith Johnson and E. N. Wallack are the leads. VVilliam Parke prepared the scenario.