Motion Picture News (Sept-Oct 1918)

October 5, i o I 8 2247 "QUEEN OF HEARTS"— FOX Murder Gives Basis for Strongly Dramatic Story MURDER forms the basis of this attraction. It has been produced well and, in spite of the absurdity of the story in some parts, it will please a certain class of picturegoers. Many of the situations possess good dramatic strength. The mystery in the story and its unravelling creates suspense. It helps hold the interest. The plot concerns a man who, after losing heavily in the stock exchange, starts a gambling house. When his daughter becomes aware of it, she persuades him to close it up. His servant, who served him for several years, murders him because he is discharged. The suspicion falls on innocent parties until the heroine, the murdered man's daughter, detects the real murderer. This attraction will appeal to those who like strong plays, especially the melodrama. It is not sug gestive. Released Sept. 15. — Length, 5 reels. — P. S. Harrison. THE CAST Pauline Cheraud Virginia Pearson Emil Cheraud Joseph Smiley Jimmie Dreen Vicloi Sutherland Robert Faulkner Edward J. Burn* Helen Faulkner Peggy Shaner Hawley Roberts John Webb Dillion Pierre James A. Furey Little Pauline Adelaide Lawrence Written by Harry O. Hoyt. Directed by Edmund Lawrence. THE STORY Pauline Cheraud returns from abroad to discover that her father has transformed his home into a fashionable gambling establishment. She pleads with him to give up this mode of earning a living, and he finally agrees, as he loves his daughter beyond all else. However, before he can act on Pauline's suggestion he is murdered. Only a few nights later Pauline stumbles across his dead body lying in the library. Pauline takes a vow to run the guilty party to justice. To this end she continues the gambling establishment, setting herself up as its mistress. There are three men whom she suspects, all were seen talking with Cheraud on the night of the murder. Each of these three loves Pauline, so she lays a careful plan to trap the guilty party. One who had owed Cheraud quite a sum of money she discovers rifling the desk a few days later and watches him steal his notes. Another who desires her makes the boast that he has killed a man when Pauline tactfully tells him that she must have a " cave man." The third, Jimmie Dreen, is the man she least suspects of the crime. And it is he she really loves. He had seemed out of place in the gambling house, and Pauline had often wondered why he kept such associates. But it is this man who appears the most guilty of the three when all the cards are down. A pearl button from his vest had been found on the floor where Cheraud lay. On being accused of the murder, Jimmie did not deny it. In fact, he admitted that he believed he shot Cheraud accidentally from the other side of a door. But who did kill the gambler, Cheraud, and did Pauline sacrifice love or duty if Jimmie was the guilty man? AD TALK A picture which is heralded as one of the greatest detective stories ever screened starts at the theatre on of week. This is entitled " Queen of Hearts," and has as its star Virginia Pearson, the emotional actress, whose past performances patrons of the — theatre have often enjoyed. Harry O. Hoyt, a man who devotes the major portion of his time to writing for the screen, is its author. It is, indeed, seldom that a modern writer, least of all a writer of picture plays, is credited with doing something big, something really startling. But critics have claimed that " Queen of Hearts " is fully capable of ranking with the best Sherlock Holmes stories, or the best adventures of Raffles. The heroine. Pauline Cheraud, vows to seek out the man who murdered her father, and to this end she sets herself up as mistress of his gambling house. There are three men she suspects of the crime, all of whom are in love with her She sees one rifling her father's desk for notes he had given on a big loan. To another she passionately avows her love for cave men— men who would kill for the women they love. And this man proudly boasts that he has already killed a man. inus does she have reason to suspect that either of these two may be the slayer of her The third, Jimmie Dreen, who loves her ardently and who she least suspects has won a real place in her heart. But it is this man on whom the blackest suspicion falls. How he clears himself of the crime and the manner in which the entire mystery is cleared forms the climax of this sensational mystery play — a play that is gripping from beginning to end. CATCH LINES One of the best detective stories that has ever found its way to the screen. Virginia Pearson's latest and best Fox pictures. By Harry O. Hoyt, a prolific writer, who has contributed many great stories to screen literature. Of the three men Pauline suspected of killing her father, the one she loved and hoped might be the guilty man appeared to be the guilty party when all the cards were down. What should she do? Fulfill her vow or let true love take its course. The Queen of Hearts tricks the Jack of Spades. The story of a woman who played a dangerous game of chance for a man's life. Virginia Pearson, the renowned beauty and emotional artist, in her latest Fox production, a baffling mystery story. Sherlock Holmes isn't the only detective in :he world, and Raffles hasn't got an option on first place in the underworld. See the greatest detective story ever screened, " Queen of Hearts." ADVERTISING AIDS PAPER: — Two one-sheets; two three-sheets; one six-sheet. LOBBY DISPLAY PHOTOS : — Ten 8 x 10; ten 11 x 14; three 22 x 28 colored. SCENE CUTS: — In one and two-column sizes illustrating dramatic and lavish character of production. ADVERTISING CUTS:— In one and two-column sizes. Usual Fox style. A one and two-column cut also available in advertising the Excel series of Fox pictures. Other type advertisements suggested. SLIDES, MUSIC CUE SHEET. MANUFACTURERS' ADS Manufacturers' advertisements from which exhibitors can glean interesting information and advertising suggestions on this picture appeared in MOTION PICTURE NEWS in September 7 issue, page 1499; August 31 issue, page 1322. SUGGESTIONS In your advertising on this subject take care to reflect the character of the feature. There is nothing more engrossing than a well told mystery or detective play. Everyone seems to enjoy this type of fiction, drama or picture. So in newspaper advertising let them know that this is a real mystery story. It might be a good idea to suggest the plot with a paragraph something on this order: " There were three men who might have killed her father. But there was only one who committed the crime. When it came to a show-down Pauline discovered that the man she loved appeared to be guilty. Was he? See how she fathomed the case in the startling mystery picture: ' •QUEEN OF HEARTS."' Virginia Pearson has many favorites, and without doubt, has not appeared in such an unusual picture for some time. Let them know it. The exhibitor will find excellent advertising ideas and suggestions in the Fox press sheet. The publicity department has extended itself specially on this production, so it seems, and has introduced a number of novelties that seem like money getters. A suggested booklet containing a synopsis of the story up to its crucial point looks well worth trying. It is intelligently worded and all the exhibitor needs to do is to clip it and send it to his printer. The Supreme Test — Buy Liberty Bonds and Help Your Government Back up the Boys Abroad QUEEN OF HEARTS' WILLIAM FO-H. PRODUCT I OT J" Type of Coarse Screen Text Cut Supplied;