Motography (Jan-Jun 1917)

May 12, 1917. MOTOGRAPHY 989 Vitagraph Ready With Summer Releases HIGH STANDARD FOR FAIR WEATHER ATTRACTIONS THERE is not a single weak spot in the summer program of the Greater Vitagraph, which has just been announced. The program will, of course, be released through V. L. S. E. exchanges. It has been customary for producers to release their weakest attractions in midsummer, holding in reserve for winter pictures consdiered as worthy of greater patronage. Some of the pictures on this schedule stand out above others, however, and one of them is "The Sixteenth Wife?", which might also be called "Another Reason Why We Should Fight the Terrible Turk." Comedy Drama of Heathen Harem "The Sixteenth Wife?" is of appealing interest from beginning to end. It is so full of laughter that DirectorManager S. L. Rothapfel, of the Rialto Theater, New York, booked it after seeing the picture in its incomplete state and before the titles had been made. It is the story of an American girl upon whom a Turkish Rajah cast longing eyes and eventually, after kidnapping her, endeavored to maker her "His Sixteenth Wife?" or at least the sixteenth occupant of his palatial harem. She escapes. Throughout the entire picture there is a mixture of tragedy and comedy — just enough of the latter to keep the audience convulsed. Greater Vitagraph's summer releases start with "Her Secret," with Alice Joyce and Harry Morey as co-stars, which was ready for public consumption on April 30. "The Captain of the Gray Horse Troop," a dramatization of Hamlin Garland's novel of the same name, is said to be one of the few natural Indian stories ever written, and the truth is carried to the photoplay. While far too late to be considered a propaganda picture, it shows very clearly the manner in which the redman was mistreated by the government of the United States through the neglect and dishonesty of Indian agents. Summer Series Anita Stewart, playing the stellar role in "Rebellion," will be the release of May 21, which will be followed on May 28 by "The Soul Master," with the old Vitagraph favorite, Earle Williams. For the anticipated hot weather of June and July, Greater Vitagraph has prepared an especially inviting list of releases, starting on June 4 with "The Magnificent Meddler," by Lawrence McCloskey, featuring Antonio Moreno. It consists of the story of the struggles of a young man who placed a higher value on honor than upon love and had the courage to unmask the father of the girl with whom he was in love. On June 11 the release is "The Question," by Lawrence McCloskey, directed by Perry Vekroff, who recently directed "The More Excellent Way," one of the best box office attractions of the year. Alice Joyce is featured in "The Question," which is a story depicting the heart-gripping sacrifice of a woman for the man she loved. "The Maelstrom," by Frank Froest, directed by Paul Scardon and featuring Earle Williams, supported by Dorothy Kelly and an all-star Vitagraph cast, is the release for June 18. It is a picture full of mystery, action and thrills, in which interest is held until the very last foot of film. "Mary Jane's Pa," from Henry Dixie's stage suc cess, and directed by William P. S. Earle, who recently directed "Babette," and "The Sixteenth Wife," is the offering for June 25. Marc MacDermott and Mildred Manning are featured in "Mary Jane's Pa." MacDermott takes the part created by Henry Dixie and is given the very best opportunity ever offered him for showing his talents as a screen artist of the highest calibre. Antonio Moreno is featured in the July 2 release, which is titled "A Son of the Hills," from the novel of the same name. This is a charming story of the great outdoors, in which a real "son of the hills" battles for success and love. Later Releases on Same Level The balance of the July releases are: July 9 — "Richard the Brazen." An adaptation of Cyrus Townsend Brady's and Edward Peple's book of the same title; directed by Perry Vekroff, featuring Alice Joyce and Antonio Moreno. This release will present these two popular players^ for the first time as co-stars, in a drama replete with heart interest. July 16 — "Lincoln by the Nine." By Thomas Edkelow; directed by Paul Scardon featuring Earle Williams and the talented and beautiful Corinne Griffith who was seen to such splendid advantage in "The Last Man." A particularly timely story dealing with the perils of a Secret Service spy. July 23 — "The Message of the Mouse." By George Randolph and Lillian Chester; directed by Wilfred North, featuring Anita Stewart. This production, which is in seven parts, is really a super-feature, although it is to be released on the regular program. It was especially written for Miss Stewart by these widely known authors, and undoubtedly will prove an attraction of such strength as to produce capacity business even at the season of the year in which it is released. July 30— "The Lady Sheriff." Produced by William Wolbert and featuring Antonio Moreno. A red-blooded western drama — the kind that causes a tug at the heart and a catch at the breath. Triangles for May 20 Wilfred Lucas, Lillian Gish and Dorothy Dalton are the stars of the Triangle feature releases for May 20. Lucas and Miss Gish will be co-starred in a story of strong and vivid characterization entitled "Souls Triumphant," written by Mary H. O'Connor and directed by John O'Brien. Dorothy Dalton will be presented by Thomas H. Ince in a rattling comedy-drama of life in a fashionable southern community, known as "Wild Winship's Widow," written by John Lynch and directed by Charles Miller. Miss Dalton is ably supported by Alice Taaffe, Lillian Hayward, and other well-known Ince players. "Souls Triumphant" is the picturization of a wronged wife's fight to restore her erring husband to a position of self-respect. The story shows the reverse of the usual three-cornered affair growing out of one man's relations with two women, and thus gains for the spectator a situation of unusual dramatic interest and emotional appeal. The element of mystery injected into the plot keeps the interest from flagging, and until almost the last moment of action there is never a time when the spectator may be sure he has anticipated the outcome. Dorothy Dalton's impersonation of the title-role of "Wild Winship's Widow" is said to be one of the most engaging that she has yet given to the screen. She takes the part of a young and pretty widow with every