Motography (Jan-Jun 1915)

606 MOTOGRAPHY Vol. XIII, No. 16. one after another strong man has ruined his life for her sake, and she has only laughed. Strong, deeply affected by the story, visits Lydia's apartments without announcing his coming and there discovers her the center of a whole bevy of suitors and relating to them what she terms her "laughable affair with a long haired poet from the peaks." Broken-hearted, Strong writes her a note announcing that he is about to return to the mountains and then leaves for his solitary cabin, where to his halfmaddened brain there appears the phantom form of Lydia, whom he follows on and on across the cliffs until, at last, he comes to the edge of a precipice and, losing his balance, falls to his death on the rocks below. a letter stating her father has died, and that, after his creditors have been disposed of, there is nothing left. Her appeal for free tuition until she has finished her course is taken before the directors of the institution. Edison's "Greater Than Art" Reviewed by Charles R. Condon IN three reels, Edison's "Greater Than Art" presents a problem of the present, the dilemma of an attractive girl who is left penniless on the death of her father and who, being offered the alternative of continuing her study of art with funds furnished her by an old roue or facing the world without commercial training or other means of earning a living, chooses the former. The first half of the picture treats on the above situation, and the second half, on the manner in which the girl escapes paying the price. A little love story is woven into this latter part, softening somewhat its almost tragic events. Parts of the theme are quite daring, though not repulsive in their suggestion. As a whole the story is very cleverly handled, and Director John Collins used fully as much judgment and taste in staking it. The action in the first part of the picture is between Gertrude McCoy as the art student, Lavinia Santell, and Duncan McRae as the roue, Count La Fleur. In the second reel Edward Earle, who plays one of the leading parts as Guy Crosby, a young American studying in Paris, is introduced. The personality and expression of these players form the actual keystone of the play, as it is their convincing work alone that puts over the highly dramatic scenes and the climax. The story is not one which can be told with The teacher angry over his destroyed painting. quick action. Other important parts in the cast are taken by Marjorie Ellison, Bigelow Cooper, Henry Lerni, and Guido Culucci. While studying in Paris, Lavinia Santell receives Crosby becomes master of the situation. but voted down. One of the directors, Count La Fleur, calls on Lavinia, is impressed with her youth and beauty, and offers her financial aid. He openly asks nothing in return, but significantly leaves the key to his apartment with her. The next day the count is apprized of her surrender by her presence in his apartments. Some time previous to this Lavinia has made a life-long friend of Cora Franklyn, a model, by paying her passage back to America. Cora obtains employment in the studio of Guy Crosby, an ambitious young artist. Crosby, dissatisfied, goes abroad and enrolls at the same studio in which Lavinia is studying. He presents the letter of introduction given him by Cora,, and they become firm friends and later lovers. One night Lavinia invites Guy up to dinner, determined to let him see her in her true light. As instructed by her note Guy waits in her apartment until Lavinia returns with La Fleur. He insults the count, and accepts his challenge to a duel. Knowing that the count is an excellent shot, Lavinia writes him a compromising note, thinking to delay him, but he arrives on the grounds on time, and the duel takes place. La Fleur's bullet glances just above Guy's eye. Later when the artist is painting "Spring" with Lavinia for his model, his eyes bother him greatly, and he is warned not to strain them. La Fleur sends Guy Lavinia's compromising note. The artist becomes furious, and is about to kill his former sweetheart when his sight fails. It was the hurried finishing of "Spring" that weakened Guy's eyes. Lavinia does not leave as ordered by the artist, but remains and takes care of him, he thinking that she is a nurse employed by his housekeeper. "Spring" is declared a masterpiece by connoisseurs, and an American tourist buys it for a large sum. The news of the purchase reaches Guy just after he has recovered his sight, and learned how he has wronged Lavinia. They start life together on the money furnished by "Spring." "Ill Starred Babbie," with Miss Jackie Saunders in the title role, will be the second Balboa release on the Alliance program.