Moving Picture World (Oct-Dec 1916)

November 18, 1916 I'lll'. M(i\i\(; PICTIRI': WORLD 1015 Spokes from the Hub By Marion Howard. HERE in the Hub we liavc a motion picture liouse converted into a church on Sunday morning. It is our ctfctc Fenway, managed by Frank Stanton. This theater, you know, is the one to show the skill of Mr. Kothapfel of New Vork. Therefore the stage and its settings take high rank, as well as the music kept up to the same standard for which he set the pace. Mr. Stanton introduced an innovation recently in having a flock of pigeons, differing in color and breed, fly from the wings to a rustic fence fronting the pictured back drop. There they picked at bites of bread crumbs and behaved remarkably well during the orchestral number. There are no gaudy decorations about this stage, simply a row of potted plants of gay hue just below the border lights. The use of colored arc lights is cfTectively managed, .'\bout that church? Well, it is used by the Second Universalist parish, the Rev. Stephen H. Roblin, pastor. and distinguished for its choir, made up of four l>ig soloists. Mr. Roblin does not exactly preach, but talks from the heart in an informal manner. The organist, Harris Shaw, is enthusiastic over the fine organ at this theater. I happen to know that nine-tenths of that congregation are attendants at the picture houses and find much enjoyment. In passing. let me say that the Fenway resumes its activity in the evening and gives excellent picture plays to a large following. A marked feature of this theater is the air of hospitality which confronts one on entering the lobby and foyer, where a comely matron is on duty and a staff of well-trained ushers gowned in white. This also prevails on the balcony floor. • « * Pathe's two fine plays "The Shine Girl" and "The Light That Failed" went strong here and were "repeated" at various theaters. It was the consensus of opinion that "Bob" Edeson has done nothing quite so well as in the Kipling play. At the Boston theater, showing it first, I saw scores of business men. to say nothing of many members of the Boston Authors' Club, including one of its leaders, Nathan Haskell Dole, a frequent visitor to picture houses and one of the most critical of all the literary lights here. I was much amused at the remarks of a chatterbo.x in front who deplored the unhappy ending and said: "The idea of letting such a hero diel" Her companion volunteered the statement that Kipling killed him, whereupon she remarked, "Nonsense, one of those Arabs did." There vou arel • * * "Romeo and Juliet." with Bushman and Bayne, made no end of a hit here, put on at the Globe theater, which is building up a growing patronage despite its location in a not overfascinating part of our busy thoroughfare named for George Washington. It is under able management and some features of this house are in pleasant contrast to others. For instance, the orchestra is on the floor, so that when the musicians move about they do not distract attention from the picture as they do when on the stage. The screen is hung low and there is no eyestrain experienced. The back set pictures an Italian city at night with lighted windows. This theater shows the Mary Pickford pictures first here, and we have "Less Than the Dust" early in November. "The Return of Eve." was seen here, and we get Herbert Brenon's "War Brides," a most interesting announcement in the Hub, as the author. Marion Craig Wentworth, wrote the little play and she hails from this village. Furthermore it was first put on at Keiths under her direction. Mrs. Wentworth is a mernbcr of the Professional Women's Club, which gave quite an affa' in honor of Nazimova now in the pictures — happily. • * * It was not my intention to dismiss "Romeo and Juliet" so summarily, neither is it my province to review any play in these colunms. New York critics have ably voiced the sentimens of Hub devotees of this classic. L^nlike other cities, we have no regular critics sent to see the best pictures, evidently, therefore, the floating public is unaware of the great merits in this offering, but I venture to say that all who saw it (on at three theaters), became walking advertisements, as thev should. .\t the Modern we have another "Romeo and Juliet" with Theda Bara as Juliet, put on. I hear, with much lavishness. • * * .■\mong the best pictures with the Morosco brand seen here is "The House of Lies." featuring Fdna Goodrich (Mrs. Nat Goodwin No. 4) doing her best work. Much has been said and favorably in print, about this play, but what we liked best was the surprise ending, when the fair Fdna appeared in bridal robes minus the scar. "Home." with Bessie Barriscale. proved quite the cleverest satire on snobbery ever seen our way, and reflected great credit on the Triangle director, Raymond West. Here we had George Fisher, the Christus in "Civilization," in a part dear to the young things in front — the manly lover in modern dress. The story never lagged once and a marked feature was the good titling. * • • When the Metros put on "Henry's Thanksgiving," as a member of the Sunset Club 01 New York City 1 am going to make up a party of women past sixty and take it in. Why.' Because several of my sister members take part, as pictured in recent issues of this publication. The Drews, for whon: it was written, are enthusiastic over their new extras. The last three Drew pictures have perpetrated the impossible word "alright" despite private protests galore. Another picture by these producers featuring Mabel Taliaferro had this "Baloon." * * * Here are a few pictures seen of late to merit approval of our patrons: "The Daughter of Macgregor," with the reliable brand Famous Players; "Friday the 13th," ".■Vshes of Embers," strong in spots but weak elsewhere, though Pauline Frederick and Earle Fo.xe make it a go; "Little Miss Happiness," charmingly human, a play for young and old to enjoy, a good Fox play showing up the village gossips, and minus the sex stuff too common in their pictures; "The Combat," featuring .-Xnita Stewart, whom fans have a weakness for; "The Wheel of the Law," with Emily Stevens after a long absence from the screen. Here we had a look at Harry Davenport and that dependable leading man Frank Mills, last seen here in "The House of Mirrors," a Mutual picture with Lillian Keir.ble and those dear kiddies; "Through the Wall," one of tlic best detective mystery plays offered us — better even than Sherlock Holmes (some of our lawyers say). The wreck scene in mid-ocean was some thriller. * * * "The Eye of God" was put on at a suburban theater and so I went again to see it, as it features Tyrone Power, whom all Greater Boston saw in "Where Are My Children?" In referring to this play earlier I inadvertently called it "The Eye of the Night," that strong Triangle play and bearing no resemblance to the Universal one, though quite as good. « * * "The Quest of Life" ought to appeal to believers in mind over matter such as C. S. teaches, for its lesson appears in this picture very appealingly. Maurice and Florence Walton's dancing is not so familiar to us here as that of the Castles, but I quite agree with the man behind us who said "\'ernon hasn't anything on this chap." It was a good entertainment all through and the house applauded. * * * Two very strong offerings at the Park were "The Chattel," with Sothern and "Jaffery." At the Exeter I saw W. S. Hart in "The Patriot" and commend this to all managers for its lesson in patriotism and for the finished work of Hart and that dear little chap. "The Unwelcome Mother," a Fox film was seen at the Fenway, which is playing Fox and Paramount pictures and giving us Mary Pickford matinees. * * * Among short subjects put on by Mrs. Ayer at her select theater, the Exeter. "Blind Man's Bluff" and ".\shamed of the Old Folks." with Matt Moore and Jane Gail of the Universal, aroused enthusiasm owing to the fact that Mr. Moore directed them and they play doubles not disclosed until the end, * * * "The Yellow Girl," seen at the Globe, had one big unique feature, though well acted. It was a futurist picture arranged by that clever artist Edgar Keller, who designed and painted the sets and directed the costuming. It was not well advertised, else my word for it all the artists in town would have gone to see it. * t * Mary Pickford has left us after rehearsing her new play at Marblebead, where also a part of "The Heart of a Hero" was filmed by the World Film and which v/e are to see here at the Park, the home of first runs of that company. Miss Pickford's manager for New England. Sam Bernfield, became a benedict Friday, the 27th, when he married dainty Elizabeth Snyder of Somerville. They will live in Cambridge. * * * The Film Club has a meeting Sunday. November 5. when Mrs. Fiske. seen in "Vanity Fair": Donald Brian in "The Smugglers," and Sir Bcerbohm Tree in "The Old Folks^ at Home," are bidden as guests of honor as they are playing here. A special program is being arranged by the club president.