Motography (Apr-Jun 1916)

1108 MOTOGRAPHY Vol. XV, No. 20. all at their true value one can heartily recommend "The Bugle Call," and no provisos are inserted into the recommendation. "The Double Cross1' Two-Reel Essanay Drama Released May 16. Reviewed by Genevieve Harris ELIZABETH BURBRIDGE plays a girl detective in this *-' little drama, which deals with a group of crooks. The story is presented in a manner not too serious, cleverly worded sub-titles aiding the players in portraying the characters. Material which usually goes to form a heavy sociological study has been deftly used for a short comedy, which still rings true and teaches a lesson without making it too obvious. Sammy Dowd and Leona Laird are in love, a fact which interferes with Sammy's devotion to his job to such an extent than he is soon "fired." While out of work he meets "Snake" Peters and his gang, a group of counterfeiters. Sammy is easily led and soon becomes a tool of theirs in getting rid of counterfeit money. Then "Snake" meets Leona and decides to take her away from Sammy. He tells her Sammy is a crook and is prepared to prove it to her and to the police. A few days later "Snake" meets a girl who attracts him more than Leona had. The girl is apparently charmed by him, and when she reveals the fact that she is a pickpocket "Snake';' tells her of his "game." The next day, when she visits their den, the place is raided and all are arrested, except Sammy, who was absent. At the police station the girl, who is Molly Burke of action of proven popularity with a goodly share of the various classes of audiences which make up the numberless photoplay enthusiasts. It is an interesting play containing situations which will be dramatically strong to the majority and enter < p Mm W ■ Y W\\~'~ M As WnM m 4 **~^^l hk^^ the police department, shows her star, and "Snake" realizes that it was she who trapped him. Then Molly, who had watched with interest the affair of Sammy and Leona, reunites the couple, warning Sammy against evil associates. Elizabeth Burbridge is very good in the leading role. The supporting cast includes Patrick Calhoun as "Snake" Peters, Thurlow Brewer as Sammy Dowd, and Alice McChesney as Leona Laird. "Love's Toll'' V. L. S. E. Modern Drama Produced by Lubin. Reviewed by Thomas C. Kennedy DRODUCED by Lubin under Jack Pratt's direction and for *■ release on the V. L. S. E. Program on May 8, "Love's Toll" is a modern drama centering about a country girl who comes to the city where indiscretion is the outcome of an affection for a man who has won her love and confidence deceitfully. The story is by Daniel Carson Goodman, whose intentit was to draw a moral forcefully in a photoplay dealing with convincing characters and every-day events. "Love's Toll" is a picture written and produced with a sincere attempt at drama-with-a-purpose, and its sincerity is felt by the spectator. While it it a fact that this picture concerns itself with conventional material and its treatment is familiar to the screen, it has a certain depth that causes one to consider it in a serious light as an offering combining a moral lesson with taining to all. The characters are well presented and, on the whole, commendably acted. Produced with fine judgment as to attractiveness and careful attention to detail of setting, "Love's Toll" first shows Marion Lane living in a small town with her parents. She has a singing voice of pleasing quality and is encouraged by her friends to avail herself of the city's opportunities to the development of her talent. She is invited to live with a girl friend who studies painting at the art school supported by a group of wealthy people. At one of the school affairs Marion makes the acquaintance of Allan Crauben. Though Lucy warns her friend that men of Crauben's position and wealth are not for girls of their kind, Marion trusts this handsome young man. The result is that Marion, in her darkest hour, is deserted by Crauben, who thinks his responsibility ends with his offer of financial aid. Marion therefore finds herself a patient, deserted by even her close friend Lucy, in a charity maternity hospital. The child dies. As a chorus girl Marion again meets Crauben and openly reproaches him. Then she becomes a nurse and receives much attention from a young physician, who finally persuades her to marry him. Later Marion can no longer hold the truth from her husband. Page spurns her when he learns of the past and he demands the name of the man who wronged her. At this point coincidence leads Crauben to the Page house. The truth comes out and in a struggle Crauben is killed, which leaves the way clear for the future happiness for Page and Marion. Rosetta Brice is Marion and Richard Buhler plays opposite her as the doctor. Mr. Buhler is very effective in this part and Craufurd Kent is praiseworthy in the heavy role. Inez Buck makes Lucy Mallory a prominent and a highly pleasing character. Karva Poloskova is another member of the cast who does well. "The Living Dead" Episode Ten of "The Iron Claw." Reviewed by George W. Graves. THOSE who like to see a villain's subtle plots fall completely through every time he concocts some new dastardly method to obtain his ends, will take great satisfaction in "The Iron Claw." Legar's schemes are detected and thwarted in their operation in every episode, by the Laughing Mask, an individual whose identity is not disclosed but whose solicitude for Margery Golden's welfare and uncanny ability to save her from her would-be abductors is quite apparent. The part of Margery Golden, the girl whose liberty is so constantly endangered, is taken by Pearl White, who is extending in these episodes the fame she won in "The Exploits of Elaine." The other two featured names in this serial are those of Creighton Hale, who has the part of Davy, Golden's secretary, and Sheldon Lewis, who impersonates Legar. Overlooking a few inconsistencies, "The Living Dead"