Motography (Jan-Jun 1918)

June 1, 1918 MOTOGRAPHY 1049 Viola Dana, Metro star, in an appealing role in "The Only Road. Metro Announces Releases for June "The Demon," Starring Edith Storey, Is First— Others Feature Viola Dana, Lytell, Bushman and Bayne THREE of Metro's four June releases were staged at Hollywood and the other was made in New York City. The stars represented are Edith Storey, Viola Dana, Bert Lytell and Francis X. Bushman and Beverly Bayne in the order named. "The Demon," starring Miss Storey, is released June 3. This is a picturization of the novel of the same name written by C. N. and A. M. Williamson. George D. Baker, western production manager, both adapted and directed the story. As Perdita, Miss Storey has a role which marks her departure from dramas of western life into the field of romantic comedy and satire. Perdita is an American girl, sold in childhood in an Algerian slave market and reared in the bandit-ridden hills of Corsica. Her parents having been assassinated by order of the Sultan of Morocco, the child was rescued by her nurse, Aissa. Jim Lassells, a young New Yorker, unexpectedly learns that by the death of Harold Brooks, his cousin, he inherits his fortune. Brooks had married a Greek woman and Perdita is their daughter. When Jim and his tutor, Tom Reardon, visited a slave market, they buy a Christian child, which is offered for sale, in order to keep her out of the hands of a Moslem. Jim places Perdita, the name given the girl by Aissa, in a private school in Corsica. She grows to maturity, meanwhile developing a fiery disposition, which wins her the name of "The Demon." Before the end of the story Jim learns that Perdita is the daughter of Brooks and is therefore the rightful heir to the money. However, after scenes of stirring adventure, Perdita arid Jim find mutual attraction in each other, which removes any need of dividing the fortune. "The Only Road," with Viola Dana as the star, will be released June 10. George D. Baker and Albert Sehlby Le Vino are responsible for the story and scenario and Frank Reicher did the directing. The star is presented in the role of Nita, a sweet American girl brought up in the squalid atmosphere of a Mexican peon's adobe hut. Nita is a regular tomboy and leads Manuel Lopez and his wife a lively dance. Presumably she is their daughter. Sent West by his father to redeem himself, Bob Armstrong arrives at the Buena Vista ranch, which is in charge of his father's old friend, Mrs. Clara Hawkins. He meets Nita, by protecting her when Pedro, a Mexican, tries to kiss her. Both Nita and Bob are pleased with each other. Pedro's father, Ramon, tells him that Nita is really the daughter of Mrs. Hawkins. Since Ramon has failed to win Mrs. Hawkins, he demands that Pedro marry Nita in order to get the Hawkins estate. Father and son contrive a scheme to get the girl, but their efforts are frustrated by the intervention of Bob. The Mexicans swear they will lynch Bob and follow Nita and him. Little Nita's skill with a revolver saves the situation and Bob. Under unusual circumstances Nita and Bob are married and then they part. However, a happy reunion takes place and happiness reigns for both. Bert Lytell makes his second appearance as a Metro star in "No Man's Land," which will be released on June 17. The star himself, with A. S. Le Vino, adapted this story from Louis Joseph Vance's novel of the same name. Will S. Davis directed. Mr. Lytell plays Garret Cope, the hero, who is seen in prison garb in many scenes of thrilling action. "The Scheme," presenting Bushman and Bayne, is the final release of the month, being offered on June 24. Katharine Kavanaugh of the Metro Eastern scenario staff wrote "The Scheme" and June Mathis prepared the continuity. Charles J. Brabin directed. Mr. Bushman plays Hugh Dexter, a young man who believes he is a woman-hater. Wichita to Get New Theatre A new theatre is planned for Wichita, Kansas. The stockholders of the building company, C. C. McCollister, J. H. Cooper and W. D. Jochems, have completed all the plans and hope to have the building completed by September 1. Lee S. Naftzger, president of the Southwest State bank, has leased the ground to the company for 25 years. The total cost of the building, when completed, will be $75,000. The theatre will have a front of 50 feet and will run back 140 feet. It is to be three stories high. The theatre itself will occupy the lower floor and business offices will be opened on the other two floors. There will be a store room on each side of the main entrance, to be used as refreshment and light lunch rooms. The front will be finished in light cream terra cotta, with color tints of red and green mixed in. The Spanish style of architecture will be used with a cornice on the top of red Spanish tile. Mr. McCollister, who is now manager of the Star Theatre, will manage the house, which will be called the Wichita. Feature films and probably vaudeville will be shown. Uniontown Theatre Reopened The new Rex Theatre of Uniontown, Pennsylvania, enlarged and fitted out with new equipment, was 'formally reopened the other day with "My Own United States," the Metro patriotic feature starring Arnold Daly. Motion pictures of the first day crowds were taken and shown subsequently as an added attraction.