Motion Picture News (Apr-Jun 1918)

2372 Motion Picture News Old Scores Are Settled in " Boss of the Lazy Y " — Western (Triangle Five-Reel Production) Remember the novel " Boss of the Lazy Y " ? Who, once having read it, could ever forget it? Written by that master story-teller of Western life, Charles Alden Seltzer, it made a stir such as few recent recent works of fiction have made. It has been successfully adapted for the screen and will be presented at the theatre on with Roy Stewart in the leading role. Stewart is famous for his virile Western characterizations, and as Calumet Marston, " Boss of the Lazy Y," is the ideal hero. A fine company was assembled to support the star, including Josie Sedgwick, Frank McQuarrie, Graham Pette and Walt Whitman. When Tom Taggart, who killed his enemy, old Jim Marston, slanders Betty Clayton, Cal Marston forces him to apologize and makes a deadly enemy of him. Later, Cal overhears Betty in conversation with Taggart and, suspecting her of treachery, threatens to leave her ranch, of which he is boss. But he yields to the mysterious influences which her personality has over him, and stays. Journeying to the town of Lizette, Cal has a clash with Taggart and drives him out of the town. On his way home Cal is ambushed by Taggart and a confederate. All through the night the fight rages and when Cal's team wanders home Betty sees a bullet hole in the wagon bed. Seizing a rifle she dashes to the scene of the ambuscade and joins in the fray. Cal is down to his last bullet when a sheriff's posse comes to the rescue. Taggart is killed and, although Cal has suspected Betty of joining in the attack on him, the two are eventually united in the bonds of love. " Boss of the Lazy Y," a thrilling Western, is the attraction at the theatre on . Mme. Petrova in "The Life Mask," a Baffling Mystery Drama (First National Six-Reel Production) Madame Olga Petrova, the incomparable, returns to the screen of the theatre on of week in " The Life Mask," adapted by Mrs. L. Case Russell from the anonymously written novel of the same name. It is essentially a mystery play and the building of the scenario has been so skilfully handled as to leave serious doubt in the minds of the audience regarding the final outcome until the very last scene has been played on the screeen. The unraveling of the tangled skein, a task ably discharged by the capable cast, affords entertainment of the most inviting nature. The famous Polish star offers a characterization entirely different from anything she has previously done in the films. Told briefly, the plot deals with an unwilling marriage forced upon Anita Courtland (Mme. Petrova) in order to save the family honor. Woodruffe Clay, her husband, is injured in a fall and during his illness drives his young wife to the point of desperation by his brutal treatment. One evening, while sitting up with the patient, Anita experiences a dreadful nightmare and when she awakens her husband is dead. Then follows a rapid chain of circumstances in which suspicion is cast upon herself, the nurse and three other members of the household. Madame Petrova has adapted herself admirably to the atmosphere of mystery which pervades the production and her performance in this, the third, starring vehicle made under the banner of her own producing organization is a remarkable exemplification of her versatility and true histrionic ability. The production was directed by Frank Crane, and it is said that ten of New York City's best detectives were called into consultation regarding the criminal aspects of the mystery. A fine cast is seen in support of the star, Thomas H. Holding and Wyndham Standing having prominent roles. Petrova in " The Life Mask " at the on . "The Splendid Sinner," Newest Mary Garden Film, Coming (Goldwyn Six-Reel Production) At the theatre on Mary Garden, who made her screen debut in the sensational production of "Thais" will be seen in her second Goldwyn picture, titled "The Splendid Sinner." The story was written by Kate Jordan, and Edwin Carewe directed the production. Hamilton Revelle, remembered for his admirable work in " Thais," again has the role opposite the star. Revelle has had a distinguished career on the stage, having supported Olga Nethersole, Mrs. Leslie Carter, Frances Starr, Otis Skinner and others, and his work on the screen has been a delight to motion picture audiences. Anders Randolph plays the heavy " role and others in the cast, which maintains a high standard, are READY-MADE AD-TALKS PUBLISHED IN LAST WEEK'S ISSUE April 13, 1918. FEATURES TITLE OF PLAY Tyrant Fear " : The Danger Game " 1 Salome " 1 Nancy Comes Home ' 'The Girl Who Wouldn't Quit " 1 Mrs. Slacker " Innocent's Progress 1 : The Marriage Bubble " 1 The Whispering Chorus " ' The Trap " The Home Trail " PRODUCERS Paramount 5 reels Goldwyn 5 reels Fox • Triangle 5 reels Bluebird Pathe Triangle Triangle Paramount Artcraft World Vitagraph 5 reels 5 reels S reels 3 reels 7 reels 5 reels 5 reels Roberta Bellinger, Hassan Mussalli and Henry Pettibone. As Dolores Fargis Mary Garden plays the part of a woman who puts behind her the hollow life she has been leading for years and, against the promptings of her better judgment, marries Hugh Maxwell, a young physician, who is ignorant of her past. But her happiness is shortlived, for the man who once protected her appears without warning and urges her to renew their tie. Nor does disaster stop here for her husband interrupts them and in a burst of fury and shattered hopes he leaves Dolores. But they meet again, Dolores as a nurse in a French hospital now in possession of the enemy, her husband as a wounded soldier taken prisoner in a dash across the front. The old love returns and Dolores resolves to atone for the wrong done the man she worships. She enables him to escape, the precious documents she has stolen from a German officer next his heart. But as she is led to the council chamber to be sentenced for her loyal service to France again familiar eyes meet hers. Her nemesis, now a German officer, stares at her. Despite his pleas the sentence of death is passed and in the morning Dolores is led out to her death. " The Splendid Sinner," with Mary Garden, is announced as the attraction at the theatre on . Rex Beach's "The Heart of the Sunset," with Anna Q. Nilsson — A Thriller (Goldwyn Seven-Reel Production) " Heart of the Sunset," Rex Beach's screen classic of the great Southwest, will be seen on the screen of the theatre on — of week. Don't fail to spend an hour or more at the theatre while Mr. Beach's masterpiece is being shown. Its thrilling to the nth degree. You will find it ideal entertainment. See it. Anna Q. Nilsson is in the featured role. In support are seen Herbert Heyes, Robert Taber, E. L. Fernandez, Jane Miller, William Frederic and Irene Boyle. The picture was produced by Goldwyn, under the direction of Frank Powell, with William Fildew at the camera. " The Heart of the Sunset " tells the story of a beautiful American woman's terrible experience with Mexican bandits and her perilous escape after her husband has been murdered, and she has been forced to wed the bandit chief. The production is in seven reels, and seven reels of more thrilling entertainment on the screen, you have never seen. It's worth while and your time. Alaire Austin (the part presented by Miss Nilsson) is riding in the desert of the Southwest when her horse falls dead. She is exhausted by her walk in search of shelter, and as she reaches a water hole in the desert, falls unconscious. She is found by Dave Law, a Texas ranger. Alaire has a worthless husband. A rebel Mexican general falls victim to Alaire's beauty, and he has her husband shot because he thinks that with him out of the way he will stand a better chance of forcing his affections on Alaire. The chief's men have in the meantime stolen a herd of cattle from the ranch of Alaire, and she, without informing any one of her venture, goes into the desert in search of the bandits. She is captured by the bandit chief, and is forced to become his wife. The ranger succeeds in finding the lair of the bandit, and during his absence and before the bandit has had the marriage performed, is married, himself, to Alaire. But — well, you will have to see the picture to enjoy the happy ending. At the theatre on of week. Maurice Maeterlinck's " The Bluebird " on Screen — Marvel of Symbolic Exposition (Paramount-Artcraft Six-Reel Production) Maeterlinck's " The Bluebird " has been seenarioized by Charles Maigne and produced for the screen by Paramount under the direction of Maurice Tourneur. It's a picture of beauty and one that you will never forget. Many of you remember the stage production, and many more have read the great Belgian poet's work. Its inspiring grandeur and simplicity is reflected in the creation whicli Director Tourneur has made, with all the impressiveness of the most grand. Maurice Maeterlinck, the Belgian Shakespeare, and well he deserves the honor. He understands human nature, and most of all the subtle touch of the symbolic which speaks with the force of a gifted orator in Paramount-Artcraft's creation of his greatest of all works, " The Bluebird." The author is one of the most distinguished poets, philosophers, dramatists and essayists of modern times. " The Bluebird " is at once, a fairy tale, a morality and a mystery play, possessing a lightness of fancy which none of the other of his immortal works possess. It touches with the wand of charm, the childhood that lies at the heart of age and bids it quicken. Everything in daily life, Fire, Water, Bread, Sugar, Milk, are personified, and in such a manner and with such skill by the impersonators, that you will marvel at its exposition. All are given a soul. The thread of the story is carried by two small children who are in search of the Bluebird, meaning happiness. Robin Macdougall and Tula Belle are the principal characters, and their work is marvelous. Others in the cast are: Edwin E. Reed, Emma Lowry, William J. Gross, Florence Anderson, Edward Elkus, Katherine Bianchi, Lillian Cook, Gertrude McCoy, Lyn Donelson, Charles Ascot, Tom Corless, S. E. Popapovitch, Mary Kennedy, Eleanor Masters, Charles Craig and Sam Blum. The picture beggars description. Seeing is believing in this case. See Maeterlinck's " The Bluebird " at the theater on of week. Ambassador Gerard's Story, "My Four Years in Germany " — Marvelous Revelation (My Four Years in Germany, Inc., Nine Reels) Former Ambassador James W. Gerard has written of his experiences as American representative at the court of the Kaiser, " My Four Years in Germany." Under the direction of William Nigh, his work has been created for screen presentation in nine reels. It is coming to the theatre on of week, and there isn't a man, woman or child in the — ; , who should fail to see this picture. It is inspiring. The picture is based on facts — not fiction. It takes you into the capital of Germany, Berlin, and with Ambassador as an escort, you are shown the cunning, underhanded tricks perpetrated by the most hated of all men, Kaiser William. " My Four Years in Germany " opened at the Knickerbocker theatre, New York, a few weeks ago, and there wasn't a minute during the opening performance that was not disturbed by either' the signs of disapproval by the vast audience or applause in appreciation of the commendable. The German intrigue is laid bare — it is revealed before your eyes — not as some clever author of fiction imagines, but as Ambassador Gerard, America's representative in Germany before and during a period of the war, saw it. ' In the cast are seen : Halbert Brown, Willard Dashiell, Louis Dean, Earl Schenck, George Riddell, Frank Stone, Earl Dane, Fred Horn, Percy Standing, William Bittner, Arthur C. Duvel and Ann Dearing. Those who have been conspicuous in promoting the scenes of German thirst for the blood of human kind, are characterized and shown in all their hideous, treacherous activities. Mr. Gerard has furnished the facts, and Director Nigh has transferred them to the screen with care and faithfulness. " My Four Years in Germany " is a picture that all will be the better for having seen — better Americans and better patriots. It will be seen on the screen of the theatre week. "Little Miss No Account" Has Gladys Leslie, Winsome Star (Vitagraph — Five-Reel Production) Gladys Leslie, remembered for her performance in " His Own People " and " The Wooing of Princess Pat," has the featured role in " Little Miss No Account," which will be the attraction at the theatre on . Miss Leslie, who is one of the screen's youngest and most beautiful stars, is a New York girl and her first photoplay experience was gained with Thanhouser. Later she was seen in several important features on the Pathe program, attracting special attention by her work as Sophia in " The Vicar of Wakefield," in which Frederick Warde was starred. She is now under a long term contract to appear in Vitagraph Blue Ribbon features. In " Little Miss No Account " she has the part of a poor little actress who is held prisoner by plotting relatives seeking to rob her Of a great property of which she knows nothing. She runs away on her birthday and then two men