Motography (Jul - Dec 1915)

970 MOTOGRAPHY Vol. XIV, No. 19. has to be made the next day. As her father has been delayed and she is not permitted to reach her yacht, Jessie decides to enlist the help of the consul, who turns out to be a former sweetheart. Together they outwit Seavey and secure the land concession for Gordon. The picture ends with a love scene between Jessie and Jack Lawrence. Forrest Stanley is a good looking and manly Jack Lawrence. He and Howard Davies meet in a fistic duel that for action of the real vigorous kind surpasses many that are staged in the roped arena. Howard Davies is the scowling James Seavey who continually shifts a cigar from one corner of his mouth to the other. Harry Fisher, Jr., and Syd de Grey in comic character parts register fright and distress through the five reels. Herbert Standing, who can always be counted upon for an excellent "makeup" and a fine character portrayal, is seen as President Ambroce Castroba. Completing the cast are Bonita Darling, Robert Dunbar and Joe Ray. "Comrade John" Reviewed by Thomas C. Kennedy IN THE five-part picturization of the Samuel Merwin and Henry K. Webster novel, "Comrade John," the meritorious Pathe Gold Rooster Program presents the most con A tense moment in "Comrade Jol. sistently good picture since its beginning. It may also be said with little fear of contradiction that "Comrade John" is the finest production to come from the Balboa studios. The story is unusual and remarkably interesting, the acting excellent, and the direction and staging is exceptional. The story deals with a freak religious cult. "Beauty Through Toil" is the motto of this sect that is even more fraudish than it is freakish. Its chief character is one of those men, whose prototype we have seen or heard of frequently, who bring forth a new faith, or doctrine, often it is masqueraded as a revival of an ancient religion, and reap a harvest from the gullible. The story is well-knit, it ' is continuous in its development of an interesting theme, and its situations and climax are arrived at plausibly. The truthfully depicted characters are convincingly acted by a cast of well selected and efficient players. The splendid company and the high class production are worthy of the material, and fully bring to realization its many possibilities, both in interesting characters and dramatic force. Often a play with an indifferent plot deserves merit because it deals with interesting characters, or if the order is reversed this holds good. But "Comrade John" has both a well devised plot and convincing characters. Briefly, the story is of a man of great ability who induces many people to embrace his new religion and subscribe large funds to its maintenance. He assured them that the "Dream City" has been built by his comrades, which is in keeping with the motto, "Beaut}' Through Toil." In reality he has engaged an architect to build the city. This young man is in love with one of the followers of Stein. When the "Prophet" tries to make the girl the object of his unclean affection, the architect exposes him. The "comrades" set fire to the temple. The director has shown much skill in producing "Comrade John." The dream city in all its glory as well as in flames is shown at a distance, which is more effective than a near view in scenes of this kind. In many other details he has shown judgment equally good. William Elliot, the star of several Broadway successes, is seen in the title role. Ruth Roland is her usual naturally effective self as Cynthia and Lewis J. Cody plays the heavy part of Prophet Stein. These three parts are equal in importance and opportunities, and they are rendered excellently. To praise one of these players above the other two would be unfair, for one is just as effective and no more so, than the other. Madeline Pardee is a sympathetic figure as Comrade Ellen. Selig's "The Flashlight" Reviewed by John C. Garrett ONE of the best photographed and interest stirring productions ever released by the Selig Company is "The Flashlight," in two reels to be released on November 1. Credit for the inspiration of the story is due to James Oliver Curwood. The production is magnificently staged and contains many rich interior settings and realistic jungle scenes in which a number of perfect specimens of the elephant tribe are leading figures. The story is lively and contains a thrilling romance in which a young newspaper photographer upon being persuaded to photograph the harem of an Indian Prince discovers a beautiful English girl being held prisoner. There are advantages for some dramatic acting in this production and a capable cast has been selected. Bessie Eyton is a charming Joan, who attracts the attention of Prince Chan which part is ably portrayed by Robert Morris. Edward Piel is cast as Roscoe Harding, the young newspaper photographer and C. C. Holland does exceptionally good work as Tarus, the hunchback keeper of the elephants. As the story opens, Roscoe Harding, a young newspaper photographer in India, takes a picture of Prince Chan and after it is developed the prince insists that he accompany him to his palace and there photograh his harem. On the young photographer's arrival at the palace he is taken to a room where he is locked in and told not to enter any other part of the house or it will mean his death. He receives a mysterious note telling him that after he has photographed the harem he will be killed and is urged to escape. He tells the prince that he would rather take a flashlight picture of the harem and that night the prince surrounds himself with the beauties of his harem. Harding takes the flashlight and as he does so a beautiful young English girl is revealed standing in the background and she appealingly holds out her arms to him. flashlight The prince notices the surprise on Harding's face and suspecting that he knows of the presence of the girl he follows him to his room and there finds the note warning Roscoe to escape and a rope there to aid him.