Moving Picture World (Dec 1917)

1962 THE MOVING PICTURE WORLD December 29, 1917 OVER THE HILL (Astra-Pathe), Dec. 30.— A quiet, naturally developed story of a Email town in which some young men are trying to succeed with a "yellow" newspaper. The heroine and her grandfather arc book agents. In the course of the story the girl obtains employment on the newspaper and sets fire to an entire edition of it in order to save her friend from scandal. The story interest is quite strong in this number, though it lacks something of the suspense and dramatic development it might have had in places. It is a simple story of considerable human Interest. Reviewed at length elsewhere. Miscellaneous. THE VICTIM (Catholic Art Association) .—A multiple reel production, which it is assumed is to be used entirely for propaganda purposes by the Roman Catholic Church. The picture, which was directed by Joseph Levering, is fully reviewed elsewhere. Paramount Pictures Corporation. THE LAND OP PROMISE, Dec. 10.— An unusual domestic comedydrama, with Bill ie Burke in a characterization more human and interesting than any in which she has hitherto appeared. THE PAIR BARBARIAN (Lasky), Dec. 17. — A comedy, opening in the West and transferred to England. Vivian Martin is featured. It is an entertaining subject, as is pointed out in a review on another page. WHO IS NUMBER ONE? NO. 8 (Paramount),— Dec. 17.— The eighth episode of the serial "Who Is Number One?" is entitled "Walls of Gas," and holds the interest well. The big point in the episode is the unsuccessful attempt made by the enemy to possess Hale's fortune. This attempt is made in a forceful way and encompasses a thrilling attack on the Hale bank by means of a poisonous gas. As firemen, trying out a row method of extinguishing a fire, they manage to get by the watchroan, blow open the vault and get away with bags of what turns out to be bogus money. A review will be found elsewhere. Harry Raver. THE HAND OF THE HUN (Raver).— A four-reel novelty film, made by the producer of "Cabiria." It is more a child's picture than one for older people, but on account of its fresh comedy and artistic handling and also on account of the sincere sentiment of its introduction, will go well in most places, especially in neighborhood theaters. A longer notice is printed on another page of this issue. Triangle Film Corporation. WITHOUT HONOR (Triangle), Dec. 23 — C. Gardner Sullivan is the author of this five-part photoplay which shows the extremes of a woman's love. The story is well constructed, and the cast, led by Margery Wilson, does it justice. A longer review is printed on another page of this issue. Universal Film Manufacturing Company. ANIMATED WEEKLY NO. 2 (Universal), Dec. 12.— The chief features of this number include arrest of four alien enemies in Chicago, Omaha military pagent, new draft call, music at bluejacket training station and first aid for Halifax. Other features and cartoons by Hy Mayer are shown in this entertaining topical subject. CURRENT EVENTS NO. 31 (Universal), Dec. 15.— U. S. declaration of war on Austria, Queen Wilhelmina opening the Dutch parliament, New York hotels entertaining our fighters, scenes from the third battle of the Aisne and cartoons from various newspapers are the important features of this diversified issue. BELOVED JIM (Universal), Dec. 17. — A five-reel number, written by Joseph Girard, featuring Harry Carter, Priscilla Dean and the author. This has a strong holiday atmosphere and tells a story of unusual sentiment and emotional strength. The chief characters are a middleaged bachelor, an orphan girl whom he marries, an old derelict whom he befriends, and his rascally nephew whom he banishes from his home. A strong holiday offering. Reviewed at length elsewhere. GUY AND THE GUYSER (Nestor), Dec. 24.— A comedy number, by Craig Hutchinson, featuring Dave Morris, Gertrude Astor, Wadsworth Harris and Gladys Tennyson. The scenes occur on a mountain top and Mi. Engerbritzen pushes a man over a cliff. A great time is had in hauling him up the side. Later a fake geyser creates considerable excitement. An amusing offering of the nonsensical, slapstick sort. AMBROSE'S ICY LOVE (L-KO), Dec. 26.— A two-reel comic, featuring Mack Swain in his familiar character of Ambrose. The knockabout action is very funny at times and the leading characterization is laughable as usual. Ambrose is foreman of an ice house. An abduction, a bomb and a bear are features of the number. A good subject of the type. THE BURNING SPAN (Universal Special), Dec. 29. — Episode No. 11 of "The Red Ace." This instalment witnesses the dash of the foreign agents for the United States, bringing with them the stolen platinum. Virginia and Winthrop escape from their jail confinement, after much delay, and follow in an auto. The number closes with a daring leap In the auto across a blown-up bridge. This has a real thrill at the close. THE FIRE GOD (Universal Special), Dec. 29. — Episode No. 5 of "The Mystery Ship." This continues the adventures on the "Island of Hate." Betty, seeing Gaston struck down from behind, has compassion on her enemy and tries to save his life. Later Gaston and Jack Fay go to rescue her when the natives threaten to offer her as a sacrifice to the burning volcano. This serial has a strong story interest, which develops nicely as it proceeds, and the adventurous happenings are carried out with good illusion. Future Bluebirds Some of the Features That Will Appear During the First of the Year. VIOLET MERSEREAU, star of Bluebirds, will appear February 4, next, in a picture that reflects waiy but not the present strife. "Morgan's Raiders" is the new title, illuminating' and self-explanatory, of Bess Meredyth's story and scenario from which Wilfred Lucas worked in directing Miss Mersereau's latest Bluebird. The initial title was "The Wild Cat," and the picture has been thus referred to in previous mention, but "Morgan's Raiders" has been decided upon as its permanent caption for distribution. Previous to her appearance in "Morgan's Raiders," Miss Mersereau will appear as the star of Bluebird's December 31 attraction (New Year's week), playing "The Girl by the Roadside," screen version of Varick Vanardy's novel of the same title, scenarioized by John C. Brownell and directed by Theodore Marston, with Allen Edwards leading man for Miss Mersereau. "The Girl by the Roadside" is being pre-released this week (December 16-22) at the Broadway theater. New York. Another feature that has been fixed for the Bluebird program is at present titled "The Catamount," in which Franklyn Farnum will appear week starting January 28, next. The story was written by R. N. Bradbury and F. H. Clark, the scenario having been prepared by Charles Kenyon. Joseph DeGrasse, who has produced all of Franklyn Farnum's later Bluebirds, directed the feature. Before the picture is marketed a new title will be selected. Edith Johnson, who became Mr. Farnum's leading lady with the production of "The Scarlet Car," to be distributed December 24, will be featured in the new attraction as the star's chief support. "My Unmarried Wife," shown at the Broadway during the past week, will be Carmel Myers' second Bluebird, and will be released on the regular program January 7. Mae Murray will furnish the January 14 fixture, appearing in "Face Value," as her second Bluebird. For January 21 the attraction will be Dorothy Phillips in "Broadway Love," rounding out a list that is set nearly two months ahead. With the Bluebird program arranged well into February stars and directors are busy on locations with future subjects for release in the early months of the New Year. With the exception of Violet Mersereau, who operates at Bluebird's Leonia (N. J.) studio, all of Bluebird's stars are working on the West Coast, with Universal City as their base of activities. Mae Murray, under direction of Robert Leonard, has just completed "The Eternal Columbine," written for her by H. Sheridan Bickers, especially created to introduce Miss Murray's dancing. Carmel Myers will be the star of "The Green Seal," to be released late in February, with Ashton Dearholdt her new leading man. A. G. Kenyon prepared the scenario from a book written by Charles Edmund Walk, and Stuart Paton, who has lately been directing Universal serials, supervised the production. "The Girl Who Dared" will present Dorothy Phillips as a February star among Bluebirds, with William Stowell and Lon Chaney featured in her support. Allen J. Holubar is just finishing the production from a magazine story written by James Oliver Curwood. Priscilla Dean will, in this feature, appear for the first time in Miss Phillips' support, the company also including William Burress, Harry DeMore, Joseph Girard, J. Gordon Russell, and Frank Brownlee. Two features starring Ruth Clifford, with Monroe. Salisbury sharing the advertising honors, have been created by Rupert Julian. "The Highest Card." from a story and scenario by Elliott J. Clawson, and "His Wife From Arizona," contributed by the same writer, are depended upon to maintain the popularity of the Clifford-Salisbury-Julian combination at the standard lately obtained through their Bluebirds of artistic excellence. Both plays were produced in the foothills of the Sierras at Seven Oaks, Cal., where three companies from Universal City were, at one time, profiting by the scenic beauties of the natural surroundings. World Pictures. THE VOLUNTEER, Dec. 24. — Madge Evans and Henry Hull are featured in this five-part novelty picture which introduces all the World stars and has a good heart interest besides. It is given a longer review on another page of this issue. SCENES IN "NAULAHKA" DOUBLED. George Fitzmaurice, who directed Pathe's de luxe production of Rudyard Kipling's great story of adventure. "The Naulahka," on the production of which over $100,000 has been spent, says it is the most interesting picture he has ever staged. The original scenario called for some 400 scenes, but Director Fitzmaurice increased this to 800 scenes. The additional scenes doubling the number originally laid out were added as a result of the inspiration that Mr. Fitzmaurice says came to him as the work progressed. DWYER BROS. OPEN CINCINNATI BRANCH. The Dwyer Bros. & Company, formerly known as the Columbus Equipment Co., have opened a branch office at 631 Walnut street, Cincinnati, Ohio. A complete line of Simplex Projectors and theater supplies will be carried in stock to supply the wants of exhibitors in Kentucky and Southern Ohio. Arthur H. Fix, well known to the trade in and around Cincinnati, will act as manager.