Motography (Jan-Jun 1918)

April 13, 1«J18. MOTOGRAPHY 721 Reviews of Current Film Releases WRITTEN BY MOTOGRAPHY CRITICS 'The Home Trail" Vitagraph Feature with Alfred Whitman and Nell Shipman. Reviewed by L. J. Bourstein ""THE west of 1850 is brought back to us in this most recent * Blue Ribbon feature, starring Alfred Whitman and Nell Shipman, and the story which is gradually unfolded proves delightful entertainment. Period pictures are always picturesque 'The Magic Eye" Zoe Rae Feature Universal Special for Reviewed by Genevieve Harris April beginning of the trail in costumes, manners, and plot; and the very essence of the pioneer days, of our great western country, is transferred to the screen with no material loss of prestige. The story relates the experiences of Tom Evans, a young rancher, and his sweetheart, Clara. Tom and Blackie had been pals for some time and the friendship had acted as a protection for the latter, whose reputation was not of the best. Tom had always been a powerful man and respected by the community. When Tom married Clara and settled down to a quieter life, Blackie realized the consequences to his personal safety, and planned to benefit in some way. Working upon Clara's romantic propensities, which in a way had been the cause of her marriage to Tom, Blackie at last convinced her that her husband was no longer the man he had been. He induces Clara to go away with him and Tom follows in pursuit. Tom finds his wife and supposed friend at a roadhouse, but the sheriff intervenes in the fight that follows, giving Blackie his chance to escape. Clara becomes an inmate of the roadhouse, while Tom is deputized by the sheriff and becomes an arm of the law. Some time later, Blackie, now wanted for several daring hold-ups, turns up at the house, and Clara, planning revenge on the despoiler of her happiness, induces him to visit her that night. The sheriff and Tom are informed, and when Blackie enters the darkened room hefinds himself surrounded. A gun-fight ensues, in the course of which Clara falls mortally wounded by a shot from Blackie's gun. Tom follows Blackie to the desert and there leaves him to die of thirst. Tom returns to town and, his wife dead, he resumes his travels along the "home trail" with little Elsie, the store-keeper's daughter, as his companion. Skillful manipulation of the plot by Director William Wolbert makes this a delightfully pleasing release. Alfred Whitman as Tom Evans is excellent in the part and performs in his usually brilliant style. Nell Shipman reveals herself as possessing quite an abundance of dramatic ability in the part of Clara. Her work is increasing in value in each successive picture and she is fast winning her Way to well-earned laurels. Joe Rickson fills the bill as Blackie in convincing fashion. Others in the cast include Patricia Palmer, Hal Wilson, and S. E. Jennings. The photograph) is on a par with past Vitagraph releases, several of the scenes being particularly effective. The atmosphere of the period is carefully maintained and the interior scenes are fully in keeping with the entire production. ALTHOUGH featuring a child star, the plot of this picture •** seems to be designed for adults, for it is melodramatic, with a villain of the deep-dyed variety, and a number of complications beyond the understanding of children. It will, though, be liked by the youngsters because of the work of Zoe Rae as the heroine and Elwood Burdell as a boy scout. There is some humor in the picture and several pretty outdoor scenes. But as a whole its appeal is only to a very uncritical audience because of its many inconsistencies. Rea Berger directed the picture from a story by Norris Shannon, put into scenario form by Frank H. Clark. The cast of players includes Claire Du Brey, Charles Mailes, H. A. Barrows, and William Carroll. The picture is released April 1. The story: Zoe Rae plays Shirley, the small daughter of John Bowman, captain of a tramp steamer. Fearing submarines, Bowman persuades his wife not to accompany him, as she had formerly done, when he makes his next trip. He leaves his wife and child in the care of Sam Bullard, agent of the steamship line. Shirley distrusts Bullard, but her mother seems to be under his influence. One night Shirley dreams that her father's ship has been torpedoed. In the morning the report comes that the ship and all on board have been lost. Bullard insists that Mrs. Bowman collect the insurance money and turn it over to him. Shirley alone believes that her father is saved. She is right, for he returns in time to protect his wife and the insurance company from Bullard's trickery. "Life or Honor" Ivan Film Production Starring James Morrison. Reviewed by L. J. Bourstein IVAN FILM COMPANY'S initial production minus the services of the founder of the company, Ivan Abramson, is a rather weird and fantastic conglomeration of incidents that have been woven into one big idea, from which is evolved a genuine mystery. Edmund Lawrence, the director, has indeed introduced some extraordinarily weird fantasies in this production. A man suspected of murder is put through a third degree the like of which probably has never been shown on a screen before. It is possible that this may cause a lack of interest instead of exciting more than the usual curiosity. What more gruesome sight than a skeleton coming toward you, in the darkest moments of night, could possibly be shown? Or the sight of the head of the man you had killed suddenly appearing before you? Then a bonyhand is stretched out to smite you and you reel back in terror. Thus runs the picture and one is wont to flee from such sights as these. . The Third Degrct