Motography (Jan-Jun 1917)

June 9, 1917. MOTOGRAPHY 1231 Just at this time, Tom Shores, released from the penitentiary, returns home to find that his sister has been deserted by the father of her baby. He is led to believe that Gerard Hale is the man in the case and goes to the young lawyer to demand that he make good the wrong done by marrying the girl. Then the truth is revealed, that Gerard's father, dead for more than a year, had been leading a double life. Gerard agrees to provide for the girl and her child but wishes to keep their existence a secret from his invalid mother. Snaith, the jealous partner, learns of the affair and manages to get a number of letters incriminating the elder Hale. He uses these to discredit Gerard in the eyes of the governor and his daughter. Gerard refuses to tell the true story and agrees to give up his career and the girl he loves and to marry Mary Shores, all in order that his mother may never learn that her husband had been unfaithful. But Mrs. Hale dies before the sacrifice is made and Gerard is free to prove his innocence. 'The Serpent's Tooth'' Gail Kane in American-Mutual Release of May 28. Reviewed by Genevieve Harris ""THIS story begins with a marriage in haste for which the contracting parties repent through five reels of pictures. The plot is of a melodramatic character with opportunity for heavy emotional acting. It is an intense, tragic story and will appeal to audiences with a taste for highly sensational society plays. Gail Kane's name is of value in advertising, and her role in this play is sympathetic and gives her opportunity for a diversity of expression and mood. William Conklin as James Winthrop, her husband, has a very heavy role, while Edward Peil as the hero, Jack Stilling, will be well liked. The story holds the interest, though it is not always convincing. Rollin Sturgeon directed the play from a story by Forrest Halsey, put into scenario form by Doris Schroeder. It has been handled in a capable fashion throughout. The action is swift but always clear and the emphasis well placed. The photography is excellent, the lighting effects always good, and the portrayal of the storm scenes especially fine. The acting of the supporting cast is good. Included are Jane Pascal, Frederick Vroom, Mary Lee Wise, Al Vosburgh and Charles P. Kellogg. The titling of the picture is pleasing. The Story : Faith Channing, a girl who has grown up in the sedate atmosphere of a New England village, marries James Winthrop, an artist who owns a large part of the village. Jack Stilling, a young physician, loves Faith but his poverty prevents him from declaring his affection. Winthrop interests a number of his artistic friends in the village and sells them homes there. As a result, the Winthrops became rich and the village is the Sb*. • ' ! \&f i H Faith meets a new type of people. home of a "smart set." Winthrop is drawn into their life of dissipation and since this sort of thing does not appeal to. Faith, she and her husband drift apart. Winthrop becomes infatuated with a widow who plans to disrupt his home and marry him herself. Faith, after the birth of her baby, which dies, is very ill and Dr. Stilling gives her a tonic containing a drug. Winthrop learns of this and after quarreling with the doctor, tricks Faith into continuing the use of the drug, knowing that if his wife becomes addicted to the drug, he may win a divorce and marry the other woman. Faith's nature is changed and she becomes a member of the Bohemian crowd. But Winthrop's destruction is swifter and his dissipations, combined with the "serpent's tooth" of conscience at his crime against his wife, drive him insane. After several wild scenes in which Faith herself is nearly driven mad, Winthrop dies. Faith then turns to Dr. Stilling, determined to conquer the habit she innocently acquired and to rebuild her life. "Redemption" Evelyn Nesbit and Russell Thaw Feature in Society Drama. Reviewed by George W. Graves "THIS film is bound to fill theaters on the strength of the names of its featured players, Evelyn Nesbit, former wife of Harry Thaw, and her son, Russell Thaw. From coast to coast they are known and the mere mention of the names will undoubt Evelyn Nesbit in "Redemption," which is now drawing big crowds in New York. edly be enough to bring a curious crowd. As far as giving the spectator a chance to become thoroughly acquainted with these characters is concerned, the picture fulfils its mission and it will get the money. The story shows some interesting developments. The star, Evelyn Nesbit, is not remarkable, but does well with several individual scenes, and it must be admitted that she makes an appealing figure on the screen. The effect of her personality grows upon one as the picture advances. Little Russell Thaw is interesting. The story tells about a happy family whose serenity is disturbed by a man who has formerly had dealings with the wife and is now trying to get her again into his power. The wife confides all to her husband; he teaches the would-be breaker of his home a lesson and loses his job because his boss depends upon the culprit for business. Next comes the dreary search for work, the husband's illness and at last his death. The heroine becomes prosperous through the succeeding years and sends her boy to college. He meets the daughter of the would-be home breaker and falls in love with her. However, when the boy's identity is finally learned the father compels his daughter to sever all relations with her lover. The man who has caused the heroine so much suffering actually dares to regard her as an immoral woman not fit for his family's society when he was the very instrument of her first straying from the straight and narrow way. But, through a brave rescue, the heroine's son proves he is worthy of his sweetheart, and the self-righteous father of the latter is finally brought low. Up to the time of the young husband's losing his job, the film, that is, its story, is rather interesting, but from this time on, to the final climax, it is our opinion that most any audience will find itself losing its first interest, and also find the picture a hard one to watch because of the weak story and poor construction. For evident reasons this is a money-getter. In line with their policy of dealing with experienced showmen, the Williamson Brothers, producers of "The Submarine Eye," announce that they have sold the New Jersey rights of their under-water drama to the J. Frank Hatch Film Company of 284 Market street, Newark.