Motography (Jul-Dec 1917)

48 MOTOGRAPHY Vol. JVIII, No. 1. 'The Price of Pride" Peerless-World Drama in Five Reels Released June 2. Reviewed by George W. Graves <<CKLF-LOYE and wounded pride," as one of the subtitles '-, indicates, seems to be the root of the evil influences that spread broadcast in this drama of family misunderstandings and troubles. The story has a pretty tedious and complicated Carlyle B/ackweH fte a double role in "The Price of Pride plot, which may interest some because of its various ramifications, but the general effect is a jumble of convenient situations, garnished with bits that are improbable, and the whole is certainly far from impressive or a savory dramatic repast for those desiring something convincing and entertaining. The film has to its credit a number of well known artists who give creditable performances, and this helps the story considerably, but this, together with good direction and quality production, fails to pull the story out of the slough of the manufactured, the unreal. The illustrative backgrounds given many of the subtitles show careful preparation and they help considerably in emphasizing the thoughts developed. These decorated subtitles have appeared in World Film subjects for some time and they are worth mention. Carlyle Blackwell plays a double role, as the son of the father whose happy home is broken up by a misunderstood situation kept so by wounded pride, and his half-brother, a gambler, thief and worthless character. The story opens in the happy home of Jeffery Black. Nan Westland, a dear friend of Madge, the wife, is secretly in love with Jeffery. She is unable to control herself, and Madge enters the parlor to find her apparently in the arms of her husband. Madge misconstrues the event, denounces the two and tells Jeffery she never wants to see him again. Jeffery packs up and leaves for parts unknown, but gives Madge a number of hours in which to repent and call him back. Her pride hurt as much as his, she fails to do so, and so the parting is made. Nan, aware of events, plans to be on the same westward bound train as Jeffery; the two meet, and through reasons of sympathy the two decide to take up life together, although Jeffery admits he does not love the woman. A child is born to the two, but Nan finally realizes that she cannot win Jeffery's love, or get him to marry her, so she marries another man who does love her. About this time a skip of twenty years is made, revealing Jimmie, Nan's son, as a gambler and thief known as "Rodeo." David, Jeffery's child by his first wife, comes to the West as a mining expert, is the exact double of his half-brother. He sends for his sweetheart to join him in the West. Her train is held up by Rodeo. By accident she gets a glimpse of his face and of course believes it to be David, whom she repulses later. David is arrested as the culprit and brought to trial before his own father, Jeffery Black. Madge, who has hurried from the East, is also in the courtroom. About this time Rodeo is arrested and brought wounded to the courthouse. It is not explained why the latter place, however, is not notified in time to prevent the trial of David and his conviction. Anyway, sentence is suspended. Afterwards all the main characters of the play are grouped together in the final scene. Rodeo dies in the arms of his mother, while David brings Madge and Jeffery together. Carlyle Blackwell's work is only fair in his double role. "House of Cards" Catherine Calvert and Frank Mills in Eve-Part Art Dramas Release. Reviewed by H. I. Fretz J'HE "House of Cards," a photodrama writte and directed by Madame Alice Blache, and produced b U. S. Amusement Corporation for the Art Drama program is a message to both men and women. It is a story where t:e careers of a father and mother count more than the wtfare of their child. So absorbed are they in their work, stiving to gain from the world, that they forget they started ut for happiness. Through the efforts of the child the: are brought to sec that heir home is but a house of cardiand liable to go under at any time. Little Kittens Reichert has an important pat as the child Louise, plays it well. Frank Mills as _\l;nnering and Catherine Calvert as Ethel Howard are effe:tive in their roles. James O'Neil as Norton is good. It i: a clean play that strikes home, and one that will be a ig box-office attraction. The supporting roles are well cast Ethel Howard, a young woman of ideal, anxious to have a career, marries Mannering, but insists upon continuing with her work. Devoting all her time to her profession, she neglects her home. Even after their little daughter is born, she remains absorbed in her work, and hire: servants to care for the child. Gradually the husband and wife drift apart. The woman is still engrossed in her work, while the man becomes infatuated with another woman. This woman is tie accomplice of the men who are trying to stop the investigdon on child labor. She tries to induce Mannering to use his influence with the committee handling the matter, and to take the bribe offered him. He refuses. Meanwhile, the little girl, being lonely at bme and seeing no attention paid to her, decides to run aw;.-. With the disappearance of the child, the parents are drawn together. "The Ghost of Old Morro" Edison-K. E. S. E. Five-Reel Release c? June 25. Reviewed by Genevieve Harris AN UNUSUAL production, filmed in Cuba aid containing many wild and strikingly beautiful scenes takei among the sea cliffs and about an old castle, is offered to exlnitors in this release. The story itself is a wild, colorful tale, tagic but romantic and full of local color and Spanish atmoohere. It is a picturization of a legend which explains the ghos that haunts an old castle. The beauty of the settings alone -ould please any audience and there is added a most interesting, uiusual story, well set forth and well acted. First honors go to lelen Strickland, who does remarkable work as the old witch one of the most vivid and vigorous character interpretations re have ever seen taken by a woman player. Mabel Trunelle plas the Spanish girl well, and Robert Conness appears as the oficer. There are a number of minor roles vividly set forth. In fact, vividness is a distinguishing feature if the play. It is "different." It is a tragedy, and there are gnesome incidents, but it is so picturesque and so excellently don, good taste never being sacrificed, that we think all audiences will appreciate it. It will gain immensely by an accompaniment of Spanish and other colorful music, and an artistic exhibtor can arrange special advertising and lobby displavs to appeal to the imagination of his patrons. The picture is worth of being featured. The Story: In a Spanish seacoast town an oil witch-like woman heads a band of outlaws and smugglers. To gain protection for her band, she bribes a revenue officer b arranging a meeting with the daughter of one of the men. When the father learns of this, he curses the old woman, asking that she may suffer through someone dear to her. The old woman has a daughter cared for in a convent. One day the officer sees the girl and. attracted by her beauty, manages to see her again. He is struck by the innocence of the girl and really loves her. The band of smugglers learn of this and kidnap the girl, intending to use her as a bribe for the officer. The old witch aids in the plan, too late learning the identity of the girl. When she does, she orders the officer killed. Her servants are to carry his body to a high cliff and throw it into the sea. But through the treachery of one of them the officer is allowed to escape and a substitute is sought. The witch's daughter is killed and her body is thrown into the sea. When the officer learns of this, he throws himself into the sea, and the old witch dies of grief. Her spirit returns to haunt the old castle, the scene of her crime and sorrow.