Moving Picture World (Oct 1917)

104 THE MOVING PICTURE WORLD October 6, 1917 "The Public Defender" Completed First of Series of Big Special Screen Productions Announced by Harry Raver, Based on Theme of Equal Rights Before the Law. THE PUBLIC DEFENDER," the first of a series of big special screen productions, dealing with themes of vital interest to all of the people and treating of problems close to tlu minds of the masses, announced for presentation by from "The Public Defender." ready for the Harry Raver, has been completed and Aside from the fact that "The Public Defender" is built on a basic idea of momentous interest to all humanity — equal rights before the law — and that its cast contains the names of three great stars, in the persons of Frank Keenan, Alma Hanlon and Robert Edeson, artists whose names have a real significance at that unerring indicator of popularity, the box office, it presents a story of genuinely strong entertainment "The Public Defender" is a forceful drama, based on the conflict between the opposing forces of right and wrong, founded on the book of the same name by Mayer C. Goldman. Back of the countless big situations, direct heart appeal and wealth of human interest looms a tremendous idea, a plea for justice. That the theory advanced so eloquently in "The Public Defender," which declares effectually that every municipality possessing a public prosecutor should elect or appoint a corresponding public official whose mental equipment and legal attainments equal the qualifications of the former is sound and of practical value is acknowledged in the success of the nineteen "Public Defenders" established recently in various cities of the United States. It is interesting to note the effect that theatrical attractions In the form of stage plays and screen productions have had on movements affecting the public welfare, from ante bellum days, when "Uncle Tom's Cabin" started the wave of sentiment which figured materially in bringing on the Civil War and abolishing slavery, down to more recent times, when such plays as "Within the Law" are noted as directly responsible for the betterment of conditions under which department store workers are employed. The creation of the office of a "Public Defender," as outlined in the visual story presented by Harry Raver, Is held by many eminent jurists to be absolutely essential to the proper and fair administration of justice. The idea also has the unqualified indorsement of over 2,000 newspapers and magazines throughout the country, having been editorially commended by such influential metropolitan dailies as the New Tork Tribune, the Mail, the Globe, and the Herald. A glance at the cast of "The Public Defender," which was directed by Burton Kins, who produced many successful pictures in which Petrova and other players of equal note have been starred, gives ample assurance that its characters are portrayed by actors of unquestioned ability. In addition to Frank Keenan. Alma Hanlon and Robert Edeson. players of th« highest standing are intrusted with the principal roles, such as John Sainpolis and Florence Short, whose past performances on the stage and screen have stamped them as artists entitled to a place in the front ranks of their profession. ETHEL BARRYMORE ON NEW PRODUCTION. Motion picture rights to Sidney McCall's novel, "Red Horse Hill," published hy Little, Brown & Co., have been acquired by Metro Pictures Corporation for the use of the celebrated star, Ethel Barrymore, and Miss Barrymore will begin work at once on the production of a multiple-reel photodrama based on the story. Mary Murillo has adapted the novel for Miss. Barrymore's use, and Frank Reicher. one of the most successful directors of the present dav. has been engaged to direct the star in her new production. He will be assisted by J. J. Dunne. The picture will be made under the personal super lager of the Metro vision of Maxwell Karger, genei Miss Barrymore will have the part of Maris Alden, a young woman of strong character and splendid attainments. Frank Mills will play the part opposite her. that of Dwight Alden. J. W. Johnston will have the important part of Winch. Margaret McQuade has the part of Kate, "the other woman" "Red Horse Hill" provides Miss Barrymore with a superb, story rich in possibilities, and star and director may be counted on to make the most of the opportunities offered. Future Lis Strong Bluebirds Coming Shows Subjects and Stars Up to October 29. BLUEBIRD directors have been supplied with an abundance of future material drawn from printed works and stories especially written for the individual stars. Particular care has been taken to provide Bluebird's newest stars, Mae Murray and Carmel Myers, soon to be presented on the program, with fitting vehicles for their introduction to the series. Franklyn Farnum's appearance on Oct. 8 in "Anything Once" will be followed by "The Winged Mystery," which Director Joseph De Grasse is now producing. Rosemary Theby will play opposite Mr. Farnum, and Claire Du Brey, who is his leading lady in "Anything Once," will also have a prominent supporting role. O. D. Stuart is the author of "The Winged Mystery," with William Parker furnishing the scenario. Herbert Rawlinson, who appears in "Flirting With Death" Sept. 24, is now busying himself under the direction of Elmer Clifton in preparing "The Flash of Fate," in which Mary MacDonald will be his leading lady, with Jack Nelson, Frank McQuarrie, Dana Ong, Madge Kirby, and Willis Marks in his support. The story was written by James W. Atchison, and was prepared for the screen by Waldemar Young. When Carmel Myers makes her Bluebird debut Nov. 11 in "The Dynast," she will have Kenneth Harlan as her leading man, with Harry Solter responsible for J. Grubb Alexander and Fred Myton's story. This work having been completed, Mr. Solter has turned his attention to "One Clear Call," a story by Larry Evans, prepared for the screen by Harvey Gates. Miss Myers' leading man will again be Mr. Harlan, with Howard Crampton, Fred Schilling, Allen Sears, and Sydney Dean prominent in her support. Mae Murray's introduction to the program having been arranged for in the completed production of "The Princess Virtue," to be distributed Nov. 5, Director Robert Leonard has put his own story into work under the title of "Face Value." The company now busy on the production includes Wheeler Oakman, leading man; Casson Ferguson, Katherine Griffith, Clarissa Selwynne, and Florence Carpenter. Fred Myton prepared the scenario of "Face Value." Ruth Clifford, who will be starred in Rupert Julian's production of "The Desire of the Moth," to be released Oct. 22, with Monroe Salisbury, her new leading man, will next appear among Bluebirds as star of "The Savage," another Julian production made from a story and scenario by Elliott J. Clawson. Allen Sears, Arthur Travers, and Caroline Moore are principals in the support. Dorothy Phillips, scheduled for her regular appearance on the program Oct. 15 in "Bondage," an Ida May Park production, is now busy on "Heart's Blood," written by Elaine Sterne, and prepared for her own direction by Miss Park. Miss Sterne wrote "Heart's Blood" under a direct commission to supply Miss Phillips with a vehicle suited to display her wide range of dramatic expression, and Ida May Park and Miss Phillips, herself, are expected to do the needful. Violet Mersereau's appearance in "The Girl by the Roadside" has been scheduled for Oct. 29, and Director Theodore Marston is now selecting another work to be taken up forthwith at Bluebird's Leonia, N. J., studios. Varick Vanardy's "best seller" was screened for Bluebird executives last Thursday. Robert F. Hill, assistant director; Allen Edwards, Cecil Owen, and Ann Andrews are Miss Mersereau's principal supporters in "The Girl by the Roadside." AMERICAN SOLDIERS PARADE LONDON STREETS. If there be any pessimists among us who doubt the power of the United States to wield a decisive blow in the world war, their doubts will be dispelled when they see No. 143 of the Gaumont-Mutual Weekly, which has its initial showing Sept. 26. One subject in this issue pictures the parade of American soldiers through the streets of London, where they are reviewed by the King and Queen, members of Parliament, and thousands of enthusiastic Britishers. Stranger sights may yet be seen, however, and with the utmost confidence the Gaumont Company promises its patrons that, if the Kaiser will only fight long enough, the Mutual Weekly will yet show victorious American troops parading the streets of Berlin. A scene showing King George saluting the Stars and Stripes is vivid proof that at last the two great nations with one tongue are allies indeed! Another subject In this issue because of certain complicatic now being exhibited in Germany, ican business men representing dollars — count them! — pledge their entire successful prosecution of the war. especial regret that, . Gaumont pictures are not For, at Atlantic City, Amer lapital of twenty billion urces for the