Motion Picture News (Nov-Dec 1917)

3266 MOTION PICTURE NEWS Vol. 16. No. 1 giiUiiiiityiinmiuirouuiuM uiuiiiiiiiHi'Diiiiiira-uaifliiiiutMa n i mi mmm Ready Made Ad-Talks -J!U!!lllllll!IIIWUWH!NUJIUiailHIIIIIIHI!llinill!lllli:i;l nntn»n»inninniiimiiiiipiiiiiiiiw^ Gail Kane in " A Game of Wits " — The Woman Wins in This Little Game (Mutual Vive-Reel Production) A woman's wit invariably comes to the rescue of one who is sincere in her desire to do the right thing, not alone for herself but for others. In a late release from the American studios, on the Mutual program, Gail Kane, whose exhibitions before the camera are always marked by quality actin?, presents the role of Jeannette Browning, whose father, once wealthy, has lost his fortune over-night and is given tne opportunity of retrieving his fortune at the expense of his beautiful daughter whom he must sacrifice to the care of a man whom she does not love. By accident Jeannette overhears the discussion wherein Silas Stone tells her father that if he will consent to give his daughter to him in marriage, he will save her father from financial ruin. Jeannette thereafter proceeds to carry out a plan which she feels sure will settle the argument to the satisfaction of at least one of the contracting parties. Her plan works to perfection and she is not only saved from becoming the wife of the man she does not love but she makes the man pay dearly for his ungentlemanly tactics in choosing a wife. How does she accomplish this? The answer is, " woman's wit." It will all be told in detail on the screen of the theatre on — ■ of week when " A Game of Wits " is shown. Gail Kane is the prime mover in this little game of wits and outpoints her opponent in every scene. In the supporting cast are: George Periolat, Spottiswood Aitken and Louis J. Cody. Alfred Whitman and Mary Anderson in " The Flaming Omen " — Story of the Incas (Vltagroph Five-Reel Production) " The Flaming Omen," a five-part Vitagraph picture, directed by William Wolbert, with Alfred Whitman and Mary Anderson presenting the principal roles, is a picture you all want to see. It is something different from the average run. Novel in its construction, it gets away from the high, romantic drama and runs into the realm of the cave men of long ago. The opening scenes are laid in Peru, in the country of the Incas, the tribe of image worshipers, who still retain the heathenish traits. An Englishman gets into this country and marries a native girl. A child is born, the Englishman strikes riches and deserts his wife and child and returns to his native country, England. Later an English Lord, passing through the country, on a leisure trip, finds the mother and child, lying beside the image of Inti, the Sun God. He adopts the child. Twenty years later the child has grown to manhood and is now known as the " Red Prince " and successor to the wealth and estates of Lord Haviland. His father whom he does not remember, has married again. His daughter is a visitor at the Haviland estate. She loves the " Red Prince." He meets Blanca, a girl from the Incas country who is attending finishing school in London. He has a strange desire to go to Peru. There he learns the secret of his early existence and learns also that the girl who loves him is his own sister. " The Flaming Omen " has a new interest in every foot of its multiple reelage. There is action aplenty and the members of the cast do exceptionally fine work. Otto Lederer, S. H. Jennings and Clara King are other members of the cast. " The Flaming Omen " will be seen on the screen of the theatre on of week. Alfred Whitman and Mary Anderson are in the leading roles. Dustin Farnum in " The Scarlet Pimpernel " — Adapted from One of " Best Sellers " (Fox Six-Reel Production) " The Scarlet Pimpernel," by Baroness Orczy. one of the " best sellers " of its time, has been adapted to the screen and produced by William Fox, with Dustin Farnum in the featured role. Adventure, romance, intrigue — every element that goes to make an entertaining picture — are contained in this special production and the management of the theatre has no hesitancy in inviting his patrons, one and all, to see this wonder picture. Full of action and stirring events, this work of Baroness Orczy adapts itself to the screen with all the vigor which the story itself suggests. Dustin Farnum shines forth as an artist in this, his first special production under the banner of Fox pictures. Assisting Mr. Farnum in interpreting the action in this story are : Winifred Kingston. William Buress, Bertram Grassby, Bert Hadley. Howard Gaye, Willard Louis and Jack Nelson. Most of the scenes are laid in France during the time of the French Revolution. Sir Percy Blackeney is known as " The Scarlet Pimpernel," and he is leader of a READY-MADE AD-TALKS PUBLISHED IN LAST WEEK'S ISSUE November 3, 1917. FEATURES TITLE OF PLAY PRODUCERS " The Man Hater " Triangle 5 reels " This is the Life " Fox 5 reels " I will Repay " Vitagraph 5 reels " Shall We Forgive Her " World 5 reels " The Lust of Power " Bluebird 5 reels " A Daughter of Maryland " Mutual 5 reels " Paradise Garden " Metro 7 reels " Queen of Spades " Pathe 5 reels "The Call of the East" Paramount 5 reels "Society's Driftwood " Butterfly 5 reels "Next Door to Nancy" Vitagraph 5 reels " The Sen of His Father " Paramount 5 reels "The Auction Block " Goldwyn 5 reels " Arms and the Girl " Paramount 5 reels band of Englishmen who go to France to rescue condemned French aristocrats. Chauvelin, the Revolutionary chief, exerts every influence to discover the identity of the fearless Englishman. He gets information that Pimpernel is the man and he attempts to coerce him through his wife by threathening the safety of her brother. The events that follow the discovery that Pimpernel is the man who is making life miserable for the revolutionary forces, serve as the foundation for some of the best action ever transferred to the screen of a theatre. At the theatre of week, Dustin Farnum in " The Scarlet Pimpernel." Bett\ Brice in " Loyalty " — Drama Depicting Reformation of Drug Fiend (Oro Pictures Six-Reel Production) In " Loyalty " patrons of the theatre will have an opportunity to see a gripping photoplay based on this cardinal virtue. It tells the story of an actress who married a worthless fellow addicted to the drug habit. Because of her marriage she loses her position on the stage and is unable to gain another. The man goes from bad to worse and soon becomes almost a hopeless drug fiend. The girl has her opportunity to forsake him, to go back to her old life on the stage at which she was so successful, but instead she remains loyal. It is no easy matter, but summoning all her spare strength and courage she puts the proposition to him squarely — that she will stick by him if only he will make one slight effort to mend his ways. And so in the wonderful mountain air the man's regeneration is begun and the girl has the satisfaction of restoring her husband to his people — the people who once snubbed her — a man in every respect. This gripping drama is the first picture to be presented by the newly formed Oro Pictures, and is certain to be a successful initial offering. Betty Brice, long a stage favorite on the Pacific coast, brings life to the role of the actress, while Jay Morley and Murdock MacQuarrie carry the other principal roles to fine advantage. Do not miss this picture when it comes to the theatre on of week. " The Belgian " Tells of German Spy System — Presents Romance of Great War (Sidney Olcott Plat/crs. Inc., Seren-Rcel Production ) When " The Belgian," a seven-part special production, comes to the theatre, patrons will have an opportunity of witnessing one of the most unusual productions of the year. The secrets of the German spy system which was so complete before the outbreak of the war, but which in these days is being shattered by the steady pounding of the secret service of the Allied Nations, comes in for a striking expose. The agents of the German government went to such extreme lengths, one case of which is exemplified in " The Belgian " as to place their agents in important government positions in their enemy's employ. This spy is postmaster in the little Belgian village where the story opens, and his constant access to all the mails put him in touch with the doings of the entire country around. But the fellow comes to grief when the little army collected by the village shoots him down like a do?. Interwoven with this spy expose is one of the most appealing love stories in the world, which Walker Whiteside, a well-known stage actor, and Miss Valentine Grant, an old favorite with picture patrons, admirably interpret. The picture was written by Frederic Arnold Kummer, whose stories you have seen in many of the popular magazines of the day, and Sidney Olcott transferred it to the screen. You will also be interested to know that the battle scene* in " The Belgian " were personally supervised by a member of the British army who has served two years on the battle front and who came to the United States on a furlough. To this extent has the producing company gone to secure accuracy in its entertainment, but this is only one of the many cases where The Belgian " stands out from the current pictures of the day. The best thing for you to do is to see it when it ccmes to the theatre on of week. Herbert Rawlinson Featured in Thrilling Crook Play? " The Man Trap * (Bluebird Five-Reel Production) The injustice of political intrigue, the injustice of the " third degree," and the vindication of an innocent victim of crooked public officials are the revelations that will be made when " The Mao Trap," the latest Bluebird featuring Herbert Rawlinson, is shown on the screen of the — theatre. Mr. Rawlinson, who is featured in this production, will be remembered for his excellent work in Come Through." " The Man Trap I is another " crook " play that will thrill with every scene that is thrown on the screen. Mr. Rawlinson has the part of John Mull, a reporter on the staff of a daily newspaper. He is in love with Bess Miller, the ward of a crooked politician. Burton Grange, son of the district attorney, is his rival for the hand of Bess. Mull gives information that assists Steadman and the police inspector to " put over " a grafting scheme. The information is given by Mull in the course of his duty. Steadman and the inspector implicate Mull and he is sentenced to a long term in prison by the court. Mull escapes from prison and sets out to get revenge. The events which follow his escape and the methods which be employs to bring his accusers to justice are set forth in this Bluebird production with all the interest of reality. There is action every minute— action that keeps you guesing until the run of the final reel, when everything is explained and justice prevails over big odds. At the theatre on of ' week, " The Man Trap," with Herbert Rawlinson in the leading role. " The Savage," a Drama of the Great Northwest Full of Action and Surprise* (Bluebird Fire-Reel Production) The Mounted Police of the great Northwest have furnished material for many thrilling novels of the adventurous life which members of this police force lead. The Mounted Police, of Northwest Canada and the Rangers along the Mexican frontier are without a doubt the most efficient police protection in the world. They are called upon to risk their lives time and time again and ther lives are in constant danger. Bluebird has produced a five-reel, featured under the direction of Rupert Julian, that of the adventures of this body of police. Ruth Clifford has the principal feminine role and Monroe Salisbury, noted for his characterizations of strong, red-blooded men of the plains, is in chief support. Others in the supporting cast are: Colleen Moore. Allen Sears. W. H. Brainbridge, Arthur Travers, George Franklin and Duke Lee. These stars of Bluebird stock enact a strong, powerful drama — full of life action, adventure and all. There is not a dull moment to be experienced in reviewing this feature. Through it all runs a love romance — a romance such as is experienced by the men of the North — men who know not of the polished manners of their neighbors farther South, but who know the meaning of justice and whose hearts are in the right place. There is fascination in every scene and the beautiful stretches of the Northern country are placed before your eyes. " The Savage," a Bluebird production, will be at the theatre week. Ruth Clifford and Monroe Salisbury featured. George Hernandez in " Up or Down " — Something Different in Western Drama (Triangle Fire-Reel Production) George Hernandez, whom you will remember for his comedy in Olive Thomas's last Triangle feature, " Broadway Arizona," and who is conceded by some critics to be among the best droD comedians in the silent drama, is featured in a late Triangle picture titled " Up or Down." a comedy-drama of the Western species. The comedian presents the role of " Dallas " Mike, s victim of circumstance, who has just arrived into the open from the confines of the prison walls. He is " up against " it and has about decidec upon a plan to get together some ready money, by the easy " method, when he meets, by accident, Allan Corey, an aspiring author who is looking for an idea." He suggests to Mike that they get together on the matter, and Mike agrees. Corey gives up his city apartment and he and Mike strike out for the West. Passing through the Rancho Verde district, an accident happens which brings pretty Esther Hollister on the scene, and she, being the owner of a large