Motography (Jul - Dec 1915)

August 28, 1915. MOTOGRAPHY 415 Some Current Releases Reviewed ' 'The House of a Thousand Candles Reviewed by Neil G. Caward SELIG'S "The House of a Thousand Candles," the fivereel Red Seal play to be released through V. L. S. E. on Monday, August 23, is a million candle power production. The story is so skillfully told and capably acted in pictures, The neighbors b that it seems safe to say that the film will be giving joy to thousands a year from now. The production is based, of course, upon Meredith Nicholson's novel and play of the same name, which has been adapted for pictures by Gilson Willetts and produced by T. N. Heffron. Especial praise is due the director and adapter for the clever way in which they have combined to maintain the mystery element in the story until the very last. If one has never read the book or witnessed the play it is certain he will never suspect the denouement of the story, and his surprise will be as keen when Squire Glenarm appears alive and well in the fifth reel, as was that of Jack Glenarm, the squire's nephew. Harry Mestayer is seen to far better advantage in the role of Jack Glenarm than he was in his previous appearance as a Selig star, for this boyish, rollicking, daredevil sort of a youth is just the type of character suited to Mestayer's peculiar abilities and he is at his best when permitted to romp through a part. Grace Darmond is both winsome and encounters, and George Backus is convincing as Squire Glenarm. The two heavy roles fall to John Charles as Arthur Pickering, and Effingham Pinto as Don Jose. Both are capable, though at times Mr. Pinto comes dangerously close to burlesque by his exceptional vindictiveness, or at least he seems too vividly temperamental for even a hot-blooded Spaniard. A word of special praise is due the Selig company for the gorgeous set prepared for the library of the House of a Thousand Candles. It is without doubt one of the most elaborate that has ever been erected in the Selig studios and so skillfully painted that it looks real. The odd and bizarre effect given by the arrangement of the hundreds and hundreds of tallow candles is indescribable. As some one has said, "It has to be seen to be appreciated." The story is well known to the majority of exhibitors, but briefly tells how Squire Glenarm, owner of the House of a Thousand Candles, upon learning that his nephew, Jack Glenarm, prefers to stay in the city, where he has become infatuated with Carmen, a cabaret singer, rather than come to his uncle's home for the summer, arranges to first compel the young man's appearance at the country estate, and secondly to force him to like it there. The squire is anxious to arrange a marriage between Jack and Marian Evans, the daughter of a neighbor, and feels sure that if Jack is compelled to live near Marian for a few months, he will fall a victim to her charms. Accordingly Squire Glenarm apparently dies, leaving his fortune to Jack upon the understanding that Jack reside in the House of a Thousand Candles , without leaving the grounds, for a period of one year. Pickering, the lawyer who executed the will, knows the Glenarm fortune consists of stocks and bonds and, finding they have disappeared from their hiding place in the cellar, he sets about the task of finding them with the intention of keeping them himself. Jack finds a note left by his uncle in which it is stated the fortune is hidden in the house and that he must "study architecture" in order to come into possession of it. Ultimately Jack breaks tne terms of his uncle's will by leaving the grounds to attend a mask ball at the home of Marian, but returns in time to surprise Pickering in the act of stealing the document which tells where the fortune is hidden. Both Jack and Pickering are astonished, as they struggle, to behold the sudden opening of a secret panel in the wall and the appearance of Squire Glenarm himself. It is then disclosed that the squire's death was only a tale for the purpose of testing Jack and causing him to come to the country estate for the purpose of meeting and falling in love with Marian. Of course it has also disclosed the treachery of Pickering and that unhappy individual is led away to jail as the film comes to an end. dy for the masquerade. sweet as Marian Evans, and Edgar Nelson as Larry Donovan will win his way straight to the hearts of any audience by his plump roly-poliness and care free laugh. Forest Robinson makes of Bates the sort of butler one reads of but seldom "A Yankee From the West" Reviewed by John C. Garrett CIGNE AUEN is featured as Gunhild, a Norwegian girl, in ° the four-reel Mutual Master Picture to be released on August 10. Miss Auen, who is one of the most able actresses on the motion picture stage, does not have a great opportunity to display her dramatic ability in this picture, but her portrayal of the simple and trusting Norwegian girl is very good. The picture has many satisfying qualities, and Wallace Reid as Billy Milford, alias "Hell-in-the-Mud," gives Miss Auen able support, and the acting of the rest of the cast is noteworthy. The play is a heart interest drama dealing with the life of a young college graduate, who after leaving college becomes station agent in a Western town and there, after leading a wild life he meets a young Norwegian girl. She inspires in him a wish to enjoy the real things in life'. Billy Milford, better known as "Hell-in-the-Mud," is sitting in the office of the Addertown railroad station dreaming of his college days when he notices a very pretty little Norwegian girl standing on the station platform. There are a couple of hangers-on making fun of the girl and Billy goes to her aid. After finding out that she wants to go to her uncle's restaurant and saloon he escorts her there. Later "Hell-in-the-Mud" realizes that his interest in the