Motography (Jan-Jun 1918)

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February 9, 1918. MOTOGRAPHY 277 Reviews of Current Film Releases WRITTEN BY MOTOGRAPHY'S TRAINED MOTION PICTURE REVIEWERS "Stella Maris" Artcraft-Paramount Starring Mary Pickford. Released January 20. Reviewed by L. J. Bourstein FOR the first time in her career Mary Pickford essays to portray dual roles, and her most recent picture, Stella Maris, is truly a remarkable revelation of the star's versatility. As Stella Maris, a wealthy child who has been a paralytic for years, confined to her bed and free from the hardships of life, Miss Springtime brings love and happiness to Stella Maris. Pickford adds a delightful touch of human interest to her interpretation. And then her conception of the orphanage ugly duckling, Unity Blake, living on what she can gather from waste cans, kicked around by all, and loved by none, tends to strengthen the belief that Miss Pickford is indeed an artist in make-up heretofore unrevealed. The great differences in the natures of the two characters makes Miss Pickford's performance all the more admirable. The story has been adapted for the screen from the popular novel by William J. Locke, and has moments of intense interest intermingled with humorous touches, pathos, pity for the deformed Unity, all of which make it an absorbing study. Conway Tearle is admirable in the part of John Risca and adds to his growing popularity as a film favorite. Marshall Neilan directed, and has achieved another success. The story: Stella Maris was an orphan, paralyzed for years and surrounded with every luxury wealth could possess. In the confines of her room she was separated from the rest of the world and all knowledge of strife and sorrow ; she developed an angelic nature and a purity of mind and heart which caused all to love her. A frequent visitor to her domain of happiness was John Risca, a prominent journalist and distant relative. In his youth Risca had married a girl of lowly origin and years had brought to him despair. His wife harbored a secret love for liquor which she proceeded to satisfy to his great discomfiture. Ten years had made Mrs. Risca a physical wreck and John had separated from her. Unable to get a servant to stay in the house with her, Mrs. Risca had gone to the orphanage and taken Unity Blake as her helpmate. Unity was a deformed and ugly child and gifted with less than an ordinary degree of intelligence, and submitted without complaint to the many cruelties perpetrated until one day Mrs. Risca beat her with a red hot poker. For this act of extreme cruelty the woman was sentenced to the penitentiary for three years. John Risca adopted Unity to atone for his wife's errors, and his aunt keeps house for the two. This act of kindness won Unity's heart and she delighted in looking after his comfort. Stella Maris' guardians retain the services of the most prominent physicians and an operation gives the girl the power to walk. Her childish regard for John had turned to profound devotion, and John had found that his love was now an overwhelming passion. The passing years had given Mrs. Risca her freedom and she meets Stella. The shock of learning that John had not told her of his wife affects the health of Stella Maris and Unity, to insure the future happiness of the man who had befriended her, kills his wife and then herself. So Stella Maris and John are free to continue in their love. "The Grain of Dust" Ogden-Crest Pictures Starring Lillian Walker. State Rights — Early Release. Reviewed by L. J. Bourstein THE screen version of The Grain of Dust, one of the most * popular novels written by David Graham Phillips, production of which was started by the Ogden Pictures Corporation, but later taken over and produced under the supervision of Carle E. Carlton, president of Crest Pictures, Inc., makes an exceedingly interesting study of human nature. A thoroughly gripping drama in every sense of the word, it depicts the havoc a seemingly insignificant person — literally a grain of dust — creates in the life and affairs of a prominent man. Suspense is maintained throughout, and the situations which arise do not merely happen, but result from a sequence of events leading up to them. Harry Revier, the director, has adroitly handled the production, and its many points of interest bespeak of his capability. Lillian Walker, as Dorothy Hollowell, gives a pleasing interpretation of her part. Yet, despite her presence in the leading role, the story is really more suitable for a male star. As the story has to deal with business and its big men, it is only natural that a representative of the stronger sex be constantly in the foreground. But the palm must be granted to Miss Walker and Ramsey Wallace, who plays opposite her, does not lose any prestige by it. Another bit of interest is the presence of Edith Day in the cast. Miss Day is at present starring in a musical comedy on Broadway, but probably will not stay there long for the screen promises a bright future for her. Her winsome smile and easy manner before the camera mark her as a coming favorite in the near future with film followers. The story: Frederick Norman is a prominent lawyer highly respected because of his integrity and far-reaching influence, by the big men of the financial district. He sees in his office Dorothy Hollowell, a stenographer, whom he had never noticed before. To this big man she is but a cog in the great wheel of success which he has made, yet her bright smile and unusual charm haunt him. He is unable to put his mind to his work, and under pretense of helping her father visits her af her home.. "Mr. Norman sent me to see if you are comfortable