Moving Picture World (April-June 1915)

238 THE MOVING PICTURE WORLD April 10, 1915 into the bands of a young man wbom the missionary forces to wed her. The photography is good and the scenes are attractive ; the supporting cast is also competent. The missionary returns to his Chinese sweetheart. A fresh plot worked out quite entertainingly. AN OLD GRUDGE (Universal Special), April 4.— Episode No. 4 of "The Black Box" series. Many interesting and even stirring situations are presented in this number, but there is the same vague, disconnected construction noted in previous numbers. One or two well-placed subtitles would aid in clearing up the activities of the detective and other characters. Quest's drop from the signal tower to the moving freight train was a good feature. The second murder mystery was introduced in an abrupt way at the close of the second reel. Obscure construction is the worst fault of this instalment. THE GUARDIAN OF THE FLOCKS (Victor), April .5.— A picturesque and generally pleasing two-reel number, featuring J. Warren Kerrigan. Vera Sisson and Ceorge Periolat. Kerrigan plays Tony, a Mexican sheepherder, who sees a cowpunchcr carry off the girl with whom he lo in love. He threatens to kill the cowpuncher on sight and a year later comes to their cabin. His finding of the baby and protection of it from the ravaging wolves made a tender and appealing series of scenes. The wolves were present in reality, and all through the story there are beautiful scenic effects. This makes an entertaining offering. THE MYSTERIOUS CONTRAGRAO (Gold Seal), April 6.— An entertaining two-reel number containing in the cast the aviator, Frank Stites, who recently met death at Universal City. The Contragrao is an invention which defies gravitation, lifting the person holding it up in the air at will. This instrument is stolen from the inventor and the plot has to do with its recovery. The yarn is quite ingenious and contains suflBcient novelties lo hold the interest well. Some thrills are accomplished in the final scenes. THE HEART BREAKER (Big "U"), April S.— A girls" school story, featuring Muriel Ostriche as the mischievious miss who wins the love of the professor and keeps the students in an uproar. This is very much like other offerings with the same locale; some observers will find it a little drawn out. Those who have not seen similar stories in this setting will no doubt enjoy it very much. The girl students are .•ittractive and the atmosphere of the production is accurate. The photography is also pleasing. THE BROKEN TOY (Imp), April 9.— A two-reel film story featuring Violet Mersereau as the mother of a little girl. Scenes from her early life are shown, picturing her career as a dancer after her parents' death. She left her husband after injuring her foot, thinking he no longer loved her because she could not dance. The little daughter dances at a society function and the father learns who she is. A happy family reunion follows. This story strikes a good average, but has no particularly strong points. THE FATAL NOTE (L-KO), April 7. — A two-reel low comedy num.ber of fair strength, with Billie Ritchie and Peggy Pearce in the cast. Billie flirts with a girl on a bench and brings her to an apartment house. Here a rival lover turns up and their jealousy leads to prolonged knockabout scenes of a mildly amusing character. The tone of this plot is not the best, and some of the photography was too light. A fair number of its kind. World Film Corporation. THE ARRIVAL OF PERPETUA (Shubert), March 29.— A passably entertaining five-part picture in which Vivian Martin is starred. A review may be found in The Moving Picture World of April 3. on page 71. Miscellaneous. THE CURIOUS CONDUCT OF JUDGE LAGARDE (Life Photo-Film). March). — Founded on a play by Victor Mapes, a story of dual personality has been made into an interesting five-part drama, with Lionel Barrymorc in the principal role. It is reviewed in the current issue of The Moving Picture World. Capably Acted Drama. The characters portrayed by 'W^inifred Greenwood, Edward Coxen, Josephine Ditt and John Steppling in the one-part picture apologue, appear to have been especially made to suit the histrionic abilities of these talented picture favorites. The plot is highly dramatic and deals with the question of a daughter's acceptance of a wealthy but loveless marriage In payment for the mother's sacrifices made for the girl's education and social ambition. A powerful story with a moral. Versatile Betty Harte. Betty Harte, leading lady for the Alhambra Motion Picture Company, releasing on the Kriterion Program is not only a brilliant screen star but a writer of scenarios and short stories. Among the scenarios written by Miss Harte, the following have already been produced: "The Token of Gratitude," "The Bridge of Sighs," "The Spy," "Their Only Son," "The Little Stowaway," "The Wild Rose" and "The Claim Jumpers." Miss Harte's latest short story, "Jimsey of the Movies," will appear in one of the magazines shortly. John Emerson Joins the Mutual. John Emerson, recently starred in "The Conspiracy," a popular New York success of which he was both author and producer, has become one of the Mutual's stars. He has arrived at the Hollywood studios in Los Angeles and begun rehearsals in an orginal four-reel feature photoplay prepared especially for Emerson. The title has not yet been selected. Turns Down Cupid for Thespis AGNES VERNON, leading woman with Murdock MacQuarrie's Big U company of Universal players, whose engagement to Abe Deuce, staff writer for the Newspaper Enterprise .\ssociation, was recently ?.nnounced through the columns of the Los Angeles Record, has changed her mind. There will be no wedding bells for her nor for Mr. Deuce if he waits for her to reconsider. Cause? Yes, there was plenty of cause. Miss Vernon has been advised by those who know, to avoid the lures of Hymen lest it interfere (as it almost inevitably does) with her future in the theatrical world. Although she has been in pictures only six months. Miss Vernon has in that short length of time risen from the lowly position of unknown extra girl to the proud post of leading Agnes Vernon, Big U Leading Woman. woman with one of the best-known American character portrayors. Her start has been too good to let slip, so think her friends, and by dint of continued argument they have finally brought her around to their way of thinking. Result: no wedding bells for her and one big grouch for Mr. Deuce, if accounts may be believed. That Miss Vernon is like unto adamant in her decision now that she has made it, may be gathered that besides giving up a possible hubby, she is doing what many people regard as even more serious. She has returned to him the speedy little roadster which he presented her on the eve of their engagement. The accompanying photographs were taken while Miss Vernon was taking her last spin in the little "boat" before returning it to the luckless donor. Mr. Deuce refuses to make any comment anent the new arrangements. That he is dissatisfied, however, goes without saying, so far as those who know Miss Vernon are concerned. In the meantime, that little lady has turned her face decidedly away from the matrimonial knot and has resolved tw devote her life to her art. PLAYS KLEINE FEATURES AT 2Sc. ADMISSION. .Aberdeen, South Dakota, has at least one exhibitor who believes in giving his clientele the best and charging accordingly. H. L. Walker, manager of the Orpheum theater, that city, is the author of a circular letter to all his patrons announcing his new policy of renting the best film obtainable and charging twenty-five cents admission instead of the usual five or ten. Mr. Walker has arranged for an opening line of Kleine's Features, starting with "Stop Thief," and including "Antony and Cleopatra," "The Naked Truth," Mrs. Leslie Carter in "Du Barry," "Julius Caesar" and others. Mr. Walker has engaged a splendid symphony orchestra of seven and is making other arrangements to place Lis performance on a higher scale than customary. It is believed that his progressive example will have much to do in bringing about better conditions for exhibitors in the north central states. PAULINE CURLEY WITH THE LIFE PHOTO. Little Miss Pauline Curley, now appearing in "Polygamy," playing at the Park Theater, New York City, has been cast by theLife Photo Film Corporation for its forthcoming fivepart feature production, "The Unbroken Road," in which Mary Nash takes the leading role, supported by .\lexander Gaden and William H. Tooker.