Motography (Jul-Dec 1917)

46 MOTOGRAPHY Vol. XVIII. No. 1. "At First Sight" Famous Players-Paramount Photoplay Released July 2. Reviewed by George W. Graves /^EORGE MIDDLETON'S story, "At First Sight," com^— * bines comedy touches with an interesting exposition of human nature in a way calculated to keep an audience agreeably entertained for the entire time of its showing. Mae Mac Murray in "At First Sight." Murray makes one of those always enjoyable piquant and vivacious girl parts sparkle with irresistible human touches, all of her own manufacture, that no one can quite imitate. Robert Leonard's direction makes Mr. Middleton's entertaining and novel tale register in just the right proportions, handling a good cast effectively and bringing out the indispensable quaint character delineations in splendid style. The story is not of the exciting melodramatic type, neither is it burdened with much intricate detail and superfluous, uninteresting action. It is just a simple little tale about a unique love affair between a vivacious, hero-worshiping girl and an absent-minded, absorbed novelist, her hero, whose story is inspired by the experiences he has with the girl, but who doesn't seem to know when he is in love. The girl at last kills two birds with one stone — arousing him to the fact that the romance is not all on paper and bringing about an exhilarating situation in real life that forms quite the proper twist for the successful completion of his novel. "At First Sight" is an enjoyable light comedy, with a big slice of the human filling out the necessary ingredients. The picture is easy to watch, because there are no tediously complex situations or unpleasant themes, and it certainly makes an attractive summer offering. Sam T. Hardy makes the reticent, profession-absorbed, slow-footed novelist a character true to some types in life. Other players are Jules Rancourt, Julia Burns, W. T. Carlton, Nellie Lindereth, William Butler and Edward Sturgis. "Vanity and Some Sables" O. Henry Two-Reel Picturization Released Through General. Reviewed by George W. Graves ""THIS picture, showing for the week of June 3 at the *■ Strand Theater, New York, seemed to make a big impression on the patrons of that house. It is, in fact, among the best of these refreshing O. Henry "punch" films. As in the stories already filmed, we find scrupulous attention given to detail, effective direction, good acting, human, convincing types, and the novelty characteristic of all the author's writings. The story, about a vain, reformed crook who makes o-ne last "lift" to improve the personal appearance of his sweetheart and thereby has a close shave with the detectives, is pleasingly and humanly told straight through. There is much effective melodramatic action made more effective through remarkable night photography. A number of thrills accompany the young gang leader's early experiences before he reforms. The "twist" occurs when we learn that the costly sables are not what they seem in price, even if they are in looks, and it is shown that the real sables never were stolen. This climax is brought about in a very deft and delightful way when the detective is about to nab the hero. A nearby cop, familiar with furs, attests their inferiority and pride surfers a fall. The young lover would rather have "done time" than have presented his girl with something cheap. Simultaneous with pride's fall we have the demonstration of a detective's bigness and a girl's subtle reproach. Wallace MacDonald in the juvenile type character takes the laurels for acting, and this is saying much, for Mildred Manning always handles her parts well. Mr. MacDonald makes a good impression because he doesn't try too hard to do so. He works with repose and conviction and besides this has a likable personality of the sort that registers as human with an audience. Mildred Manning, too, deserves praise for her realistic contribution to the picture. Types and atmosphere number "Vanity and Some Sables" with the best of the other O. Henry productions in this regard. 'The Clodhopper" Five-Reel Triangle Photoplay Released June 17. Reviewed by G. W. Graves. A REAL human play with plenty of places for laughter ^ and tears on every hand is this picturization of Monte Katterjohn's story, featuring Charles Ray is a part that gives him a chance to do some of the best acting he has yet performed before the camera. As the "Clodhopper," an awkward rustic who comes to New York and makes a hit without knowing it as an eccentric dancer featuring his original "clodhopper glide" Mr. Ray gives a rendition that is delightfully real, one that holds the spectator's eye and sympathy perpetually. The story, with its theme of subduing a hard-hearted, self-righteous, proud father, and bringing him to a point where he has to admit that his son is a better man than himself, entertains straight through. The father is a typical, narrow-minded, tyrannical, country town character, the mother is a just as typical patient, tender-hearted wife, always interceding for her boy, and "the clodhopper" is a thoroughly likable, country boy, trying to do his best under the stern rule of his father. When Everett, the clodhopper, asks his father for a new suit in which to attend the country fair with his girl he pleads in vain. But the generous mother comes to the rescue, sends for a suit by mail with her savings and double-crosses her better half. The only trouble with the suit, however, is that it is as pinched and abbreviated as the father's cast-off apparel which he had to wear was loose and ill-fitting. This mail-ordered suit, together with a flat, insipid looking straw hat, and other weird bits of dress, and the way the accomplished actor wears it will get a peal of laughs from any kind of audience. It is in this guise that Everett, who has come to blows with his cruel father and said good-bye to his sweetheart, comes to New York and is lucky enough to show up at a theater where they are looking for something novel and eccentric to save the show from a dismal Charles Ray in "The Clodhopper" and a bevy of farmeresses. failure. His first original dance is a winner. The country lad gallops up and down the stage, dangles his arms, shoots out his feet in all directions, etc., in a regular boob dance, and the audience that sees this film will be in sympathy with the