Motion Picture News (Sept-Oct 1918)

September 28 , 1 p 1 8 2079 Everything the Showman Jeeds on &eryJ?cture3ieleased Under tkeUirection of J^ter JKilne^ Advance Reviews [In addition to Advance Reviews — covering pictures shown too early to be included in The Complete Plan Book — readers will also find under this heading each week the reviews of short features and serial episodes.] " A Woman's Experience " I Bacon-Backer Film Corp. — Six Reels. State Rights) EXCHANGEMEN and exhibitors better be sure to look this over for a more promising state rights feature has not been put on the market in some time. It is an adaptation of a play by Paul M. Potter, entitled " Agnes," and presents one of the strongest domestic dramas based on the eternal triangle that has been seen in some time. The story builds with accumulative interest to an intense climax. The wife, the body of a dead man concealed behind a screen, interviews her husband regarding his financial worries, the while successful in keeping from him the knowledge of the present tragedy. The plot concerns the adventures of the married couple in New York, and how they learned the value of peace and quiet in the country as compared with the steady rush and roar, the nerve-racking wear of the great city. The cast is exceptional. Every one of the players does great work. Mary Roland, once John Drew's leading woman, acts the part of the wife with skill. Sam Hardy, well known on the stage, does great work as the husband. Robert Cain, a popular villain, gives a polished performance, and Corinne Uzzell does the best acting of her career as a woman of the world. The production which Perry Vekroff has given the picture is most appropriate. He also made the scenario, and did intelligent work in this department also. The settings and photographic work will come as a revelation. — Peter Milne. " The Embarrassment of Riches," with Lillian Walker I Lillian W alker-Hodkinson — Sept. 23. Directed by Edward Dillon) IN spite of the fact that the situations in this offering have been * put into pictures at innumerable times in the past — settlement workers vs. political crooks — it will please, because it deals more with the happy side of life and has been handled intelligently. It contains some human clement, a little suspense and a thrill or two towards the end (when the police raid the gambling house). The action keeps at fairly steady pace. The story concerns the heroine, a factory girl who is suddenly made rich through an inheritance. This does not turn her head. She seeks happiness in alleviating the sufferings of the less fortunate. Eventually she meets the man of her heart. The picture is of the light type, the kind that are in demand just now. It is not big, but will offer your patrons clean and wholesome entertainment. — P. S. Harrison. Additional Advance Reviews on page 2093 44 Orange Blossoms " With Mildred Harris (Jewel — 6 Reels. Release Date Not Yet Announced. Directed by Lois Weber) THERE is some class to this production. You will find genuine art in it. Really one couldn't expect anything less from Miss W eber after a display of such directorial capabilities as shown in " For Husbands Only.'' " Orange Blossoms " is the kind of a picture that unfolds itself in a smooth way and grips and holds you before you become conscious of the fact. The plot may not rightly be called original, but it introduces an unexpected twist that places it on that class. The hero allures the heroine, a girl of poor circumstances, by the display of splendor. With the vision of the drudgery of her life before her eyes, she is tempted to follow the easy path, but at that moment the place is raided by the police. Horror stricken, she escapes. In the end Orange Blossoms bind them to life-long happiness. Mildred Harris, as well as Lewis Cody, again display rare artistic talents. The interior scenes are remarkable for their splendor. Evidently the private home of some wealthy person had been used for the purpose. It will tickle the hearts of your women patrons. There is one situation in the picture that is suggestive, the hero asks the heroine to deviate from her virtuous path. But it is only hinted at, no brute force being used, and as they marry in the end, it may get by even with overcritical audiences. — P. S. Harrison. 44 The Border Raiders " (Pathe — Oct. 6 — 5 reels. Directed by Stuart Patton) THIS attraction will please a great number of picture-goers, mostly those who are not so critical, because it is of a nature that usually has universal appeal — opium smuggling by Chinamen as well as whites, with Government Secret Service men after them. Had the continuity been better, however, it would have pleased a larger number. The locale of the story is given as the Mexican border, and the time, after the Mexican war. The Chinese den is realistic and the characters convincing. A few thrills, suspense and some heart interest (the faithful cowboys stick to the heroine until she is out of trouble), will be found in several of the situations. This offering will have a stronger appeal with audiences that like the melodrama. — P. S. Harrison. The Complete Plan Book Appears Every Week — Fifty-two Times a Year — Covers Every Feature Released