Motography (Jan-Jun 1918)

April 20, 1918. MOTOGRAPHY 749 Vivid scenes from the nezv Triangle play, "The Lazv of the Great Northwest. Triangle Offers Weil-Balanced Bill "The Law of the Great Northwest," "Who Killed Walton?" and Keystone Comedy on April 14 Program A ROMANCE of the Canadian wil•**■ derness, "The Law of the Great Northwest," with Margery Wilson in the stellar role, is the first Triangle release for the week of April 14. It is followed by "Who Killed Walton?" a mystery story by Norman Sherbrook, in which J. Barney Sherry, Mary Mersch, and Frank Bonn have leading parts. The Canadian wilderness is a fertile held for romantic picturization, but seldom touched. Ralph Westfall, the author of "The Law of the Great Northwest," was for many years a member of the Royal Mounted Police. During this time he met with hair-breadth escapes and thrilling adventures, many of which have appeared in popular magazines. When Mr. Westfall joined the Triangle scenario staff he was given a free hand and he is satisfied that the "atmosphere" of his story has been maintained throughout the production. A big trading post, such as maintained by the trading companies in the Canadian forests, was built, for this picture. Director Wells was able to obtain many Indians, which the script called for, as well as many quaint French Canadian types. The play is laid in the Fort Roscher district of Canada and portrays a reign of terror which breaks out when the free traders threaten the great trading company. Hal Sinclair, factor of the Northern Trading Company at Fort Roscher, robs the trappers pitilessly while ruling them with a rod of iron. Independent traders open a store and bring Sinclair to the verge oL ruin by their square dealing. Entering into a murderous conspiracy with his henchmen, Mont Brennan, Sinclair shoots up the independent traders. The Royal Mounted Police are informed of the outrage. Officer Jamieson is sent to investigate. He arrives at Fort Roscher simultaneously with Charles Morin, scion of a rich French Canadian family. There also comes into the romantic life of the district Petain Monest, whose fortune has been lost in a bank failure. Accompanying Petain is his daughter Marie. Morin enters the fur trading business. Sinclair decides to drive him out. Marie wins the hearts of Morin, Sinclair and Officer Jamieson. She loses her heart to Morin. Overhearing a plot between Sinclair and Brennan to kill Morin Marie steals into . the saloon where the murder is to be committed and slays Brennan as he is about to fire a fatal shot. She is handed over to Jamieson as a murderer. When the officer realizes that her act was justified, however, he sees Marie and Morin happily united, and wins promotion for. ending the reign of terror. Margery Wilson is Marie. Her most recent vehicles have been "Flames of Chance" and "The Hard Rock Breed." William V. Mong as Petain has his first role since "The Hopper." Will Jeffries is Jamieson, Eugene Corey is Morin and William Dyer is Sinclair. The cast also includes J. P. Wild, Leo Willis and Arthur Millett. Raymond Wells directed. "Who Killed Walton?" the Second release of the week, has been adapted from Norman Shcrbrook's story, "The Veil." It is said to present a gripping mystery situation, combined with an interesting love theme. The heroine must choose between two men. One of them is the despised type of politician — strong, domineering, powerful and tender hearted; the other is a reformer, selfish, shallow and narrow. Walton is a character who sprung into prominence less than a decade ago as the victim of one of New York's prominent murder cases. Mary Mersch is the Marian Emlen of the story. Struggling as an authoress to make her name and engaged to the shallow reformer, Austin Booth, she wanted the great name of the famous illustrator, George Hamilton, on her book. At first Hamilton refused. After he had seen her, however, he admired her beauty. She appeared to be easy prey. He would trap her as he had trapped the jealous Elsa Armytage. An invitation to dine with him at the notorious Schloss restaurant was eagerly accepted. Elsa watched the two. Then Hamilton's filthy innuendoes struck terror into Marian's heart. She rose from the table in indignation and fled. A telephone call from her fiance halted her. Bitter words were exchanged, she grew faint and swooned. When she awoke she found herself in Hamilton's apartments. Beside her, seated in an armchair, was Hamilton. Suddenly she became conscious that she was with a dead man. How she got there, how she escaped the toils of the law are told in the final scenes. J. Barney Sherry is the politician. His last appearance was in "A Soul in Trust" and "The Hard Rock Breed." Alary Mersch as Marian Emlen makes her initial appearance as a Triangle player. Frank Bonn, who has hitherto appeared in Triangle Keystone comedies, is Walton. Dora Rodgers, also of the comedy forces, is Elsa Armytage. Edwin Brady is the reformer. Thomas N. Heffron directed. "First Aid," a Keystone comedy, completes the program.