Motion Picture News (Oct 1913 - Jan 1914)

THE MOTION PICTURE NEWS FIRST BETTY NANSEN PICTURE A TREAT Distinguished Tragedienne Stamps First of Great Northern Preferred Feature Attractions with Own Personality, Making "Princess Elena's Prisoner" a Notable Drama WITH Miss Betty Nansen, the distinguished tragedienne, playing the leading role in this absorbing four-reel drama, the Great Northern Film Company is to be congratulated upon bringing the photo-drama closer in touch with the stage. The Nansen series — there are several of them announced to follow as the Great Northern Preferred Feature Attractions — judging by the first, promises a treat THE PRIME MINISTER for lovers of the artistic as produced on the film. Miss Nansen proves herself to be an actress of exceptional ability, and while there are those who may suggest that in the earlier moments she does not infuse more animation into the role, it remains to be seen at the conclusion of the story that her conception of the part is all that could be wished for. She has a thorough grasp of the requirements of the role of the Princess Elena, and her demeanor and histrionic ability serve to make the production one of the noteworthy photo-dramatic creations of the era. The story is simple enough in the concrete, but with Miss Nansen playing the leading role, the theme becomes powerful from the tragical point of view. The actress possesses an appealing personality on the screen, and in truth she lives up to the reputation which she has earned on the stages of the principal theatres of Europe. Now for a digest of the story which affords Miss Nansen her opportunity. She is the Princess Elena, and her father is a king who is bent upon making war upon his neighbors. Before hostilities have been resumed for the latest outbreak, the Princess meets Captain Versin, who belongs to the hostiie country, and she learns to love him. There is a dinner being given in the old castle, and the Prime Minister announces with pride that the armies of the King have won another victory over the enemy. The company is elated, all but Princess Elena, who recalls having met and loved Captain Versin during times of peace. When the prisoners of war are brought in, Miss Nansen supplies an excellent bit of acting as she sees the man of her choice taken to the hospital on an army cot. She orders him taken to the castle after nursing him back to health, and in the meantime the Prime Minister is looking on with jealous eyes. She aids him to escape but he is recaptured. The Captain proves himself a craven and pleads that he be given another opportunity to escape, and the Princess appropriates the uniform of one of the guards and permits Versin to escape. He has many exciting moments, but in the meantime the Princess Elena, realizing that her love has been misplaced, uses the stiletto on her wrist, and when the Prime Minister arrives in order to carry out the sentence imposed upon Captain Versin, he finds the Princess dead on the floor of the cell. Miss Nansen is seen to excellent advantage in the role of Princess Elena, and her supporting company gives evidence that the directorship was handled most carefully. The entire story is one that requires the most careful attention in the way of ensemble, and the appearances of Miss Nansen in the screen picture lend a dignity and appeal that is calculated to win its way to the hearts of lovers of genuine photo-dramatic productions. G. D. P. THE FAREWELL