Motography (Jan-Jun 1918)

MOTOGRAPHY Vol. XIX, No. 2. intensely and even makes an attempt upon her life which is thwarted by Duke. Then Duke and Esther realize that they love each but Duke is persuaded to go back to Natchah and the child, and the night finds them journeying west. "Betty Takes a Hand" Triangle Picture with Olive Thomas. Released January 6. Reviewed by Helen Rockwell AN amusing light comedy with an involved plot serves to display Olive Thomas's charms in a variety of costumes, and to cause some merriment by a string of ridiculous happenings. The story is more or less improbable, as comedies go, but is told with a dash and spirit which make up for sterner qualities, and help the picture along to a pleasing end wherein the rich man marries the poor girl and their road to happiness is paved with a $50,000 check from a father who had been dead against the match all along. Olive Thomas' beauty heightens the offering considerably and helps her to successfully manage a lot of things from a boarding house to a fat, ridiculously severe millionaire father-in-law-to-be. She does both with charming ease. The picture will be well liked by those who prefer to be amused by a picture rather than enlightened. The cast is an acceptable one and each and every member plays with an abundance of enthusiasm. Among the members are George Hernandez, Charles Gunn, Frederick Vroom and Bliss Chevalier. Jack Dillon directed the picture. The story: Betty Marshall, living in a little mountain home, is told by her father that James Bartlett and Hamilton Haines cheated him out of a fortune years before, and that she is to be sent to Los Angeles to visit her aunt, Mrs. Hamilton Haines. Betty, when she starts out, has every intention of settling this old score with her aunt and of somehow getting back some of her father's fortune. She arrives just as her aunt and cousin are leaving for Panama, and they leave her to take care of the house. Betty is delighted, and hitting upon a happy scheme, she hangs out a "room and board" sign. Of course a motley crew of boarders is attracted to the beautiful home. Now Bartlett's son Tom comes to call at the Haines home and his surprise is great when he sees the sign, and greater when he beholds the beautiful boarding house mistress. Having just been disinherited for about the twentieth time, he decides to remain as star-boarder. A chance meeting between the elder Bartlett and Betty serves to captivate the old gentleman, and, not knowing her real identity, he offers her $50,000 if she will marry his son. She is only too pleased to do this, and Tom is in paradise when he hears of the agreement. Of course the two unfriendly fathers are furious when they discover the real identities of the bride and groom but a reconciliation finally takes place and all ends happily. to marry a man unknown to her until the end she is termed "Madame Who." Eleven men unknown to each other were at the meeting and she vows to have vengeance upon them all, and the remainder of the picture is devoted to showing the process of elimination. The atmosphere of the South during the period of the story is vividly portrayed and the different characters are true to the types of that time. While many offerings of the past have been made fromthe endless amount of material furnished by the Civil War "Madame Who" is something different and will cause a lingering memory of an exceptionally pleasant hour in the minds of those who see it. Paralta have turned out a worthy picture in "Madame Who," a picture of intrigue, love and duty, and one which will be sure to please the most critical observer. "Madame Who" Bessie Barriscale in 7-reel Paralta Play. For Immediate Bookings. Reviewed by Charles Wesley I F THE succeeding Paralta Plays which are to follow "Madame Who" are equal in standard to this release those who seek entertainment in motion pictures will undoubtedly become strong followers of Paralta Productions. "Madame Who" serves as an excellent vehicle to allow Bessie Barriscale to show to advantages all of her charms and loveliness. One would naturally expect a good story from Harold McGrath and this one does not disappoint in the least. The story is built in connection with the closing days of the Civil War and the action of the picture takes place beween Richmond and Washington. Reginald Baker was the director and each member of the cast ably supports Miss Barriscale in the creation of a thrilling hour's. entertainment. From the beginning to the end one is always in doubt as to the final outcome. While the picture might be termed a war story with plenty of thrills, at the same time none of the gruesome horrors of war are shown and the climax brings a pleasing finis. The story is that of Jeanne Beaufort — Bessie Barriscale — a charming Southern girl who loves the Confederacy to the extent that risking her life in its cause is her sole ambition. She is the spy upon whom the South depends for their information concerning the movements of the North. From the first event where she accidently falls among Northern agents who are holding their final meeting in Richmond and where instead of killing her to silence her forever she is forced by these Yankees "My Unmarried Wife" Carmel Myers in Entertaining Bluebird of January 7. Reviewed by Genevieve Harris C XCEPT for a misleading title, this is a very good Bluebird •'-' offering, with little to find fault with and much to commend. It is adapted from Frank R. Adams' stage comedy which bore the title "Molly and I" and it has a bright, entertaining plot, out of the ordinary but not in the least suggestive or risque. It is a well chosen vehicle for Carmel Myers since the leading role is distinctive and calls for someone of her type. The story, as adapted by Doris Schroeder and directed by Molly and her aid. George Siegmann, is whimsical and light and is the sort of thing the majority of audiences, especially in neighborhood houses, enjoy seeing. It has humor and heart interest. It is cleverly acted, smoothly directed and nicely staged and photographed. All in all, it is a good offering of its type. Kenneth Harlan and Pat Calhoun have important roles in support of the star. Beatrice Van, Mark Fenton and Jack Hutchinson are in the cast. The story: Phillip Smith, a young author, becomes temporarily blind. His deep discouragement is noted by Mary Cunningham, assistant of the doctor who treats him. She learns that the young author is planning suicide and hits upon an unusual scheme to keep him from carrying out his plan. She begs him to marry her, telling him that she must be married to inherit a fortune. Then she leaves him. He does not know who she is. Phillip regains his sight and begins a flirtation with a society butterfly. Mary sets out to save him. Posing as an Italian girl who cannot speak English, she goes to his apartment and insists on staying as his servant. In this guise she wins his love and takes him away from the other girl. Then Phillip is hurt in an automobile accident and Mary decides to tell him who she is. Because of an intercepted message, the two are nearly separated again but everything is straightened out in the end. Religious Leaders Want Censor The creation of a State Board of Motion Picture Review under an act of the session of the legislature, that will be opened in Trenton, N. J., in January, was