Motion Picture News (Jan-Mar 1917)

440 MOTIONPICTURENEWS Vol. 15. No. 3 illlllllllllllllllllllllllUIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIH^ ^ I TABLOID REVIEWS FOR BUSY EXHIBITORS j liiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiy^^ General Film Service "The Little Missionary." (Essanay, D. Screen time 28 mins. Tues. Jan. 16.) — -Synopsis — An old couple have lived their selfish, individual lives for so long that they have come to very nearly hating each other, not realizing the fact that all they need to effect their happiness was a ray of human sunshine. This happiness they eventually found in "Sunshine Billy," a little girl they secured from an orphanage to help with the wife's household duties. "One on Him." (Essanay. Comedy and Scenic Split reel. Wed. Jan. 17.) — Synopsis — A single man hunting a position as chauffeur is informed that a certain rich man engages only married men, so the subject of this sketch marries and when he appears to take the position it develops that he has married his prospective employer's daughter. "The Sinful Marriage." (Essanay: Episode of "Is Marriage Sacred?" D. Screen time 30 mins.) Sat. Jan. 20 — Synopsis — Married for wealth and without a spark of love Jesaminc Rogers (Marguerite Clayton) tries her best to be a legal wife and respect her marriage vows, but in spite of herself, her heart still yearns for Dr. Roderick Tredmore, and when the latter saves Jesamine's husband from a diabolical poison plot he realizes that the old love between his wife and the doctor still exists, so he permits his wife to secure a divorce that she may marry the man she loves. "Among Those Present." (Essanay C. D. Screen time 30 mins. Tues. Jan. 9.) — Synopsis — Robert Ricketts (Richard C. Travers) is objected to as a suitor for the hand of Grace Stanton (Gertrude Glover) on account of his idling propensities, but when he aids materially in rounding up a "Society RafHes" and saves the girl's father Colonel Stanton (John Cossar) from further newspaper abuse for his inactivity in the premises, a deal is made whereby the Colonel gets the credit for the capture and Bob gets the girl. "Canimated Nooz., Pictorial No. 22." (Essanay Cart, and Sc. Split reel. Wed., Jan. 10.) — Synopsis — A long drawn out wrestling match, in which sleep checks are given the spectators ; Admiral Cheeseanrye of the Swiss navy, inspects the American navy. A series of Alaskan and Yukon views in which the spectator is taken from Vancouver, B. C. to Taku glacier. "The Wide Wrong Way." (Essanay: Episode of "Is Marriage Sacred?" Screen time 38 min.. Sat., Jan. 13.) — A barrier of uncongeniality confronts a newly married couple; the husband having been a rounder desires to settle down, and the wife on the contrary desires to venture forth. Constance Crawford, the wife (Marguerite Clayton), heeds the evil counsel of Wilson Ardraore (Sydney Ainsworth), her husband's friend, and but for the timely arrival of her sister, dire things might have happened. As it is, however, Ardmore realizes the wrong he was about to perpetrate and helps bring about a better understanding between (Constance and her husband Hugh Chilvers (Edward Arnold). " Canimated Nooz Pictorial, No. 21." (Essanay. Split reel. Wed., Dec. 27.)— Wallace Carlson's animated cartoons burlesquing the news weeklies, share the reel with five hundred feet of scenic taken at Lake Tehoe, California. " Wife in Sunshine." " Is Marriage Sacred? " (Essanay. Three reels. Sat., Dec. 30.) — Not shown for review ; the story follows. Influenced by Hitchcock, a social viper, Katherine divorces her artist husband, Edward Morrison. After some months Katherine asks Hitchcock to marry her. He scornfully refuses, and Katherine goes to Edward to ask forgiveness. She finds that he has married his model, and is enjoying the happiness she denied him. In the cast are Edward Arnold, Marguerite Clayton, Sydney Ainsworth, and Lillian Drew. "Cupids Caddies." (Kalem. Tues., Jan. 16.) — Ham and Bud with Ethel Teare provoke the risibles in this, their latest comedy. This crowd of gloom dispellers shows up to great advantage. Henry Murdoch is the Prince de Poppycock, who is seeking his affinity, and offers 10,000 pesos or fifty cents in American money for anyone finding for him a woman 5 ft. 7 in. in height, weighing 140 pounds, for such are his requirements in aforementioned affinity. Of course Ethel Teare as Firtatious Flossie is duly nominted for the position. Ham and Bud fixing up the deal, but when they can't collect their "fee" they decide to rescue Flossie from the "foreign brute" and many amusing incidents follow. This film is up to the Ham and Bud standard and will surely prove a drawing card where these comedians and their comicalities are known. Mutual Program Reel Life, No. 36. (Gaumont.) — "Turpentine from Waste Timber," demonstrates the old and new methods of draining trees for turpentine. It is most interesting and shows a building in which half a million barrels of the resinous substance are sometimes stored. " An Argosy from the Arctic " shows a whaling ship and vast quantities of whalebone before it resembles anything like corsets and other useful things we connect with that article. An Eskimo is seen in his kayak, a curious little boat from which he flourishes a weapon for spearing whale. An immense ivory tusk, worth many thousands of dollars, and so large that a man can stand under its curve is also shown. " Design Vour Own Gown " is another interesting feature of this reel. Mr. Preesly, with a few yards of filmy fabric, drapes a living model and lo, before your eyes, a pretty evening gown is designed. " English Walnuts in America " may be a surprise to many, but to judge from the screen it is an important industry in California. We are shown the picking, drjing, sorting and bagging of these favorite nuts, but alas, there are no signs of the green ones that make pickled walnuts of " Grosse and Blackwell " fame. See America First, No. 69. (Gaumont). — Pasadena, California, is shown in many beautiful scenes. The drives, groves and handsome residences, some of which nestle among the orange trees, are very attractive. The Horace Mann day school is shown and looks very imposing upon the screen. On this reel there is a comic cartoon in which " Miss Catnip Goes to the Movies." A parrot and monkey time is proverbial, but when a cat is added to this happy combination the things that happen can be easier understood than explained. Mr. Palmer's pen keeps these lively 'pests on the jump for the entertainment of Miss Catnip. Mutual Weekly. No. ICS. (Gaumont.)— This week's number is especially interesting; showing the wreck of a United States submarine, Eureka, Cal. ; the christening of the Julia Luckenback at Quincy, Mass. ; Colonel Cornelius Vanderbilt with the 22nd Engineers back from the border; Christmas carols sung on the steps of the Treasury building at Washington, D. C. ; Park employees receive Christmas presents ; 110,000 telegrams are sent by Cardinal Gibbons; Brooklyn Jackies entertain the kiddies; Suffragettes pay tribute to Mrs. Boisevain ; Christmas tree in Boston for horses, ears of com, carrots and other vegetables hang temptingly on the tree and the horses are seen nibbling daintily at the tit-bits ; a young Indian wins Marathon at Venice, California ; Squadron A back from the border ; Colored Guard receive armored motor, Denver, Colorado; Charles L. Schwab pledges the output of his steel works to the Government. "Jerry's Double Header." (Vogue.) — George Ovey is as funny as he can be in this reel. He seems to be perfectly at home in a trunk on the back of his sweetheart's automobile. He is in deadly fear of her parents and is kept busy dodging them, but he renders valuable aid when they are held up by Black Gomez. He wins the girl and the lasting gratitude of her parents. Reel Life, No. 35. (Gaumont.) — ;" Olive Industry." Whoever thinks that olives grow in glass bottles should see in this reel a 1,500 acre orchard with 15,000 full-bearing olive trees. The picking, sorting and bottling of this favorite relish as shown upon the screen is an eye opener, particularly for children, who only associate olives with a delicatessen store. " Modish Coiffures " are interesting and demonstrate the new style back comb. Children's hair, to judge from the child model on the screen, can no longer be left to mother's taste ; an adherence to fashion for the tots must be observed. " Unique Baskets." The shells of the curious armadillo are scraped and dried; the head and tail are brought together and form a handle for the basket, and sometimes it is lined with silk. They are fanciful novelties conceived by an English basket maker. In one ■Texas county $10,000 worth have been sold in a month. " Value of Venom." This shows that even the despised serpent has its uses. The picture shows how poison is extracted from the deadly wrigglers and horses inoculated with the venom which makes them immime from snake bites. "Jealous Jolts." (Vogue.) — ^This picture features Gypsy Abbot. A farmer and his wife select a husband for their daughter, the village belle. She makes her own selection and some very lively incidents follow in which her choice gets the worst of it for a long time. He is thrown into a hay mow and later comes out tied in a nice square bundle. Gypsy hears a sound from the bundle of hay and cuts the rope. Her sweetheart tumbles out. The recklessness with which farm implements are thrown about iii this picture will keep an audience on the jump. Forks with wicked looking prongs are dropped around or flourished with utter disregard for cold steel. There is plenty of comedy of the farcical kind, which will be appreciated by most audiences. Pathe Exchange " Pearl of the Army." (Astra. Seventh Episode. Two reels. Week of Jan 14.) — Pearl and Bertha are in the power of the Grenadians. After a drunken revelry sponsored for a real cause by the girls, their guards fall into a drunken sleep. Pearl steals the plans and they escape. The Grenadians, in pursuit, fire several shots and Pearl is wounded. Bertha takes the plans and goes on, finally giving them to Col. Dare. Pearl is taken captive again and her execution is ordered. T. O. Adams is pressed into service to do the firing and with his gun leveled at Pearl's head the epicode closes. "Preparing For the South." (Florence Rose Fashions. Number Fifteen. Week of Jan. 21) — Pretty Betty and her companion look over and fit themselves in all sorts of gear, from lingerie to hats, intended for wear in southern climes in this number, which in point of everything is quite as good as those which have gone before. A short subject in color entitled " Small Birds of Warm Climates " completes the reel "Luke's Busy Day." (Rolin. Week of Jan. 21.)— Some original gags such as the manner in which Luke's machine calls for him in the morning, unassisted, make this number highly diverting. The story concerns the rivalry of Luke and Snub for the hand of the police chief's daughter. Snub stoops to all sorts of treachery to wia out but Luke manages to sail through with flyinf colors. " Part of a Debutante's Life." (Florence Rose Fashions. Number Thirteen. Split reel.) — The most interesting feature in this number of the Florence Rose fashion series is the skating exhibition. Betty and her friends repair to a rink and wear a lot of attractive costumes while slipping around on the ice. On the same reel with ' Lion Cub's.' "Lion Cubs." (Split reel.) — Showing a pair of lion cubs disporting themselves. They get into a fight with a monkey and at the end of the first round the simian has all the better of the argument. No one can deny the educational value of this. The film is hand colored and follows " Part of a Debutante's Life.' Paramount Program " Braving Blazes." (Black Diamond. Paramount. One reel. Comedy.) S>-nopsis — The Swede and Tad. employes of the Street Cleaning Department, envy the firemen their swell " joo and importune the ward boss to install them is the fire department. He declines and advises them to stick to the job he has already found for them. At their noonday lunch, they fall asleep and dream of themselves as fire chiefs performing wonderful stunts for fire department efficiency and effecting some more wonderful rescues from blazing blazes. Of course — in due time they wake up, and . . " Visiting Montreal with Burton Holmes." (Paramount. One reel. Travel.) Synopsis — Mr. Holmes conducted his excursionists to Montreal from Quebec, thus passing the end of the great bridge now being built to span the St. Lawrence River. Then a cruise up and down the St. Lawrence is imdertaken and an excellent view of old Montreal is obtained from the tower of the old Church of Bonsecourt, the favorite church of the French Canadian sailors. The fine churches are visited as are also the splendid monuments which abound in Montreal.