Motography (Jan-Jun 1918)

April 20, 1918. MOTOGRAPHY 745 "Over the T< * * Box Office Si 'ver tne i op a dox wrnce oucc SO SAYS MOTOGRAPHY MAN AFTER SEEING PICTURE "O By Charles Wesley VER THE TOP" is a picture well worth seeing. Xot only does it give Sergt. Arthur Guy Enipey a chance to visualize many of the stirring incidents related in his worldfamous book of the same name, but the story which has been interwoven through the picture in order to give it plenty of heart interest makes a very gripping tale. Every American and every other human being who is interested in the victory of the democratic armies fighting Germany should see this picture. While some might call it a propaganda picture and others a war picture, at the same time the least that can be said is that it provides an excellent entertainment from all angles. Acting is Excellent The battle scenes and trench scenes are done in a very realistic manner and the cast of characters, which includes Empey, Lois Meredith and James Morrison, has contributed about as good a brand of screen acting as has ever been done. Giving a brief synopsis of the action, the story begins with Empey's honorable discharge from the United States army while serving on the border. Shortly after returning to civil life, the Lusitania is sunk, and one of the victims happens to be Empey's aged nurse, who had served him faithfully in his childhood. When he learns that the kaiser has perpetrated such a deed, he can no longer restrain his fighting instinct and sails for England. There he enlists in the British army and "does his bit," "goes over the top," etc. Romance Is Unfolded Later, after being wounded and invalided home, while doing Red Cross work, recruiting, and other things toward promoting the cause in which he had been wounded, he makes the acquaintance of Helen Lloyd (Lois Meredith), who is also interested in Red Cross work. While visiting at Miss Lloyd's home he meets her brother, who might be termed a slacker or a coward. Also, he comes in contact with one Friederich ^^ on Emden, one of the kaiser's emissaries working in this country. Empey, Miss Lloyd and Von Emden form the triangle about which the fictional part of the story is woven. Later Von Emden after succeeding in The accompanying article is an illustration of how Motography purposes to handle big pictures in view of the abandonment of its Review department in favor of "What the Picture Did for Me." Whenever a really great picture is produced, Motography will dignify it with a special article. But zvhen the reader wants a "review" of this picture, or any other picture, he will get it in "What the Picture Did for Me." And he will not be getting a one-man opinion but a dozen-man opinion. Furthermore, he will get one that is based on dollars and cents instead of on the forecast of a writer. "Over the Top" should be a sure-tiro box office attraction for every exhibitor. The topic is timely, the story is a thriller and the acting of every member of the cast is superb, and finally, the picture throbs with wholesome Americanism. having Miss Lloyd, with whom he has fallen in love, be the innocent perpetrator of a successful plot to blow up American munitions, abducts her aboard a submarine and transplants her behind the German lines in Europe. Hero Goes to Europe In the meantime, her brother, Albert Lloyd (James Morrison), has joined the American arm}-. Empey also is in the United States army, having been commissioned a captain. Both go to Europe. It so happens that Albert Lloyd is attached to Empey's company and during a violent action between the American forces and the enemy, Lloyd loses his nerve and deserts. He is finally brought back before Captain Owen (Empey), who orders him court martialed. While in prison behind the American lines, the Germans storm the American troops, and Lloyd's prison is blown down. Seeing his company in danger of being annihilated, his manhood regains complete control of his actions and he jumps in the fight in time to operate an American machine gun and save his company from disaster. However his gallant redemption of himself costs him his life. Ht ro Kills Von Emden Empey is captured and when Von Emden, who is directing the enemy forces, learns of it, he orders Empey brought before him to witness his marriage to Helen Lloyd, which he is about to force upon his American captive. The end of the picture, however, shows Empey having ample revenge upon Von Emden for all the sorrows he has caused him. After killing Von Emden in a duel he escapes to the American lines with the girl, whom he has long since fallen in love with in America. Expand "Blue Bird" Campaign In addition to the big advertising and exploitation campaign now being conducted by the Famous Players-Lasky Corporation on the new Artcraft special, "The Blue Bird," a gigantic direct-bymail appeal to the public has been started. One of the most tremendous campaigns of its kind, this drive should bring about immediate returns to the exhibitors showing this production from Maeterlinck's world famous masterpiece. Thousands of appeals are now being sent out daily from the Famous PlayersLasky headquarters in New York in large and small communities throughout the country, going to the most influential people in every town. The mailing list includes names from the Official Register and Directory of Women's Clubs in America, county and town superintendents, presidents of boards of education and secretaries, city superintendents, principals of high schools, presidents, superintendents or other officials in all universities and colleges, preparatory schools, colleges for women and "prep" schools for girls, "prep" schools for boys, non-military and military schools, normal and teachers' training schools, music, art. elocution, oratory and dramatic art schools. The literature brings out the particular timeliness of Maeterlinck's great message of happiness and directs its appeal to those who are desirous of seeing a "better" film. The nature of "The Blue Bird" as an entertainment makes it particularly appropriate for exhibition in conjunction with all schools, colleges and civic as well as social institutions. It's great message to women is also expected to attract unusual support from women's clubs. Paper Conducts Novel Contest The Cincinnati Post is conducting a contest for the pointing out of inconsistencies in motion pictures. Free tickets are given by managers of mam of the theatres to readers who notice inconsistencies. Many interesting observances are being made. I. Libson. manager of four down-town houses, reports that quite a number of tickets have been given away.