Motography (Jan-Jun 1918)

1002 MOTOGRAPHY Vol. XIX, No. 21. New York Times Lauds "Masks and Faces' Complains That Wonderful Picture Slipped Into City Without Warning for an Insufficient Run '""PHE complaint that a photoplay is too *■ modestly advertised by its producers and exhibitors is a rarity so great that most persons would say it never could happen in this much advertised industry. But here is an article from the dignified, conservative New York Times, stating emphatically that "Masks and Faces," the English production handled by World Pictures, is much better than its advertising claims it to be and is so excellent a photoplay that is is worth listing among the remarkable pictures of the year. The comment follows: "Those who went to Loew's New York Theatre and Roof on Saturday, most of whom undoubtedly went because it was Saturday and not because of any special attraction for them in the modestly advertised feature film, saw a photoplay in which probably more men and women of note connected with the English stage appeared than in any previous screen production. "Among those whose faces were seen were Sir Johnston Forbes-Robertson, George Bernard Shaw, Sir James Barrie, Sir Arthur W. Pinero, Irene Vanbrugh, Gladys Cooper, Sir John Hare, Dion Boucicault, Dennis Neilson Terry and Lillah McCarthy. "The play was 'Masks and Faces,' a screen adaptation of the story of the . famous Peg Woffington as narrated in Charles Reade's novel, and it was produced at the instance of a committee of the Academy of Dramatic Art as a means for raising money for the academy's war relief fund. "As a sort of prologue to the play the members of the committee, including Shaw, Barrie, Pinero, Hare and others, were shown seated around a table discussing plans for increasing their fund. Each rose to make a short speech, and spectators were able to see the celebrities in action. The actors and actresses mentioned above and a number of others appeared as the characters in the play. "Why a film of such exceptional origin and cast should slip into New York without special arrangements and be shown for one night only as part of a daily changing bill at a house that does not exhibit photoplays in continuous run will be a puzzle to many. The reason, it would seem, cannot be found in the film itself, for, though the photoplay undoubtedly lacks certain elements of appeal for the multitude of movie fans, it has a quality and a character that should make it highly interesting and entertain• ing for thousands of persons. "Even if the great names associated with it were unknown, 'Masks and Faces' would be far above the average of photoplays. Although its development lacks smoothness and the story belongs to that old school of extravagant and impossible romance which has little vogue today, one watching the picture does not have to concede any more than in the case of almost any other photoplay, and the art displayed by the actors is a rare delight to any one able to value and appreciate, real acting. "Few in the cast have adequate opportunity for their abilities and some of them do not seem to fit their parts, but a sufficient quantity and quality of firstclass acting, as distinct from the capering and grimacing before a camera, remains to make the film decidedly worth while. "It will be a pity if another and more auspicious exhibition of it is not made here." Reid Is Victim of Impostor Wallace Reid, Paramount star, was the target of a mysterious impostor recently. The man made his appearance at Camp Lewis, American Lake, Wash., where he succeeded in fooling many persons before it was learned that Mr. Reid was busy before the camera. The mustering officer and military police spent three days trying to run down the bogus star, but finally announced that he had vanished. Keeps Zane Grey Title for Film Although it was believed at first at the William Fox offices that "Riders of the Purple Sage" would not be retained as the title of the big William Farnum de luxe production now well in hand in the west, Mr. Fox has definitely determined to keep the name of this famous Zane Grey novel for the picturized version. The chief reason for this decision, Mr. Fox says, is the desire to let exhibitors profit from the wide publicity and word-of-mouth advertising that Mr. Grey's book received. "There are undoubtedly thousands of persons throughout the country," Mr. Fox declares, "who will welcome the opportunity of seeing the story in film form, although they never read the novel itself. They have heard of its power and were the title changed they probably would not recognize from billboard advertising that the production is really a faithful transcript of the book. "The temptation was strong to call it 'Lassiter,' after the name of the vigorous and virile character that Mr. Farnum is impersonating. Mr. Farnum himself, however, was one of those who protested against any change." New Picture for Miss Kennedy Madge Kennedy is busy at the Goldwyn studios in Fort Lee on her newest production, an original photodrama by Charles A. Logue called "The Service Star." A pretty scene in "Silver Lining, World picture starring Ethel Clayton.