Moving Picture World (Feb 1917)

1304 THE MOVING PICTURE WORLD February 24, 1917 was. The outdoor scenes were done in New Jersey and there is a perfect reproduction of the log cabin, the old swimming pool and general surroundings, together with fine views of the White House with Lincoln there. * * * "Indiscretion" served to show Lillian Walker and her dimples to admiring friends here, as she has been met personally and we all like her vivacity. It was a good Vitagraph offering, well directed by Wilfred North, and had the "happy ending" after a narrow escape with the society villain, who also figured in the "Battle Cry of Peace" as one of the invading army. I thought he was George Cooper, but the cast had it Thomas R. Mills, so maybe I am mixing the villains up. Lillian has some near Kellertnann stunts to do, but was sincere in all of it. * * * "Vanity" was all right with Emmy Wehlen and a strong cast, including that dignified leading man, Edward Martindell, singing here in "Eileen" to run several more week. Rightly, as it is worth while. Mr.. Martindell plays an English Colonel and it is a treat to hear his well placed voice. He will be a( guest of the Film Club president on the 20th at a luncheon at the Copley-Plaza. * * * On Sunday evening a party of us went to see "The Rosary," which I had somehow missed when first released. It was written by a Boston man long connected with the Boston Museum and Castle Square — "Ned" Rose — and this gave added interest. What a splendid piece of work Charles Clary does here, and isn't he like Orren Johnson in "The Light at Dusk"? Kathlyn Williams too is an excellent foil and Harry Lonsdale, a former Boston man, had a part seemingly thankless at first, but rather good in the final scene. * * * "The Rainbow" with Robert Conness again before us, Jack Sherrill and Dorothy Bernard as a trio of good players went well and proved an excellent dramatization. "The Matri-. maniac" was a disappointment all around, especially for a Triangle offering. Poor "Doug." Fairbanks, no wonder he has resigned, for to give a man such "fool" stunts to do as in this play would be excuse enough. It was full of jerky ahtletics, improbable situations and the plot (?) was a near slapstick infliction. "The Ninety and Nine" showed up well by contrast as it was full of sane action, and we have not seen William Courtenay do anything on the screen to compare with this. With a story based on a scripture verse it looked at first that it would pan out a good play with the moral all right. The forest fire scene and wild ride of the locomotive was a thriller, but would have been better to have left the heorine out of it, and have a male feeder for the fiery furnace Lucille Lee Stewart and the human bits will make this worth while. Kathlyn Williams and Thomas Holding in their first eo-star play, "Redeeming Love," was most satisfactory. Helen Eddy and the two Standings gave capable support and we liked the plot. THE cry is still they come. The latest addition to the Calcutta bioscopes is the Picture House. It has opened in the premises lately occupied by the Gaiety Theater. The whole building has been refurnished and redecorated. Messrs. N. D. Bros, of Benares have taken a lease of the premises. They have appointed Leonard W. Thompson manager. Mr. Thompson is an experienced man. He knows his business from A to Z. The Picture House holds a monopoly of the Universal films and the other brands controlled by the T. F. Co. Only American films will be shown. The venture has been started under excellent auspices and its success may be taken as assured. * * * I have seen many American films in which "Indians" play some part; but I regret to say that not one of them is true to life. I would only request the T. F. Co. and other film makers to take as much care in depicting Indian people and things as they do in other cases. While lengthy serials of the "Master Key" or "Trey o' Hearts" type are a general favorite with the Indians, they do not appeal to the Europeans. In fact, a leading European paper has just spoken against "the boosted transsomething serials of the 'Neal of the Navy' type." To me, their annoyance is not explicable. These serials convey a lesson, the value of which cannot be overrated. * * * Speaking of serials, I have to inform my readers that Mr. J. F. Madan is now showing us "The Broken Coin." All seats are sold half an hour before "screening time," so late comers have to go away disappointed. * * * People want to see serial pictures. If Mr. Madan, who specializes in serials, stops bringing out serials, I am afraid he will not be so well patronized as now. "Give the people what they want, and not what you want." Here is the secret of success. * * * In Bombay, a new picture theater will be opened very shortly, in the premises formerly occupied by another bioscope theater. The proprietors announce that they will have "no false scruples and standards in composing their weekly programs." This is interesting and I, for one, hope they will give us something out of the ordinary. * * * The. "Neal of the Navy" film was completed in five weeks. "The Broken Coin" will be completed by the end of December. We shall then have "The Red Circle." It goes without saying that Mr. Madan is one of the most enterprising showmen of India. But for him we might never have had the opportunity of seeing all the big serials released for the Indian markets. That the public appreciate his services is proved by the fact that all his four theaters in Calcutta and his other theaters in Darjeeling, Hussorie, Colombo, Rangoon. Delhi and Kidderpur are always crowded. He also frequently gives charity performances for war funds, hospitals, widows, etc. S. B. BANERJEA. THE official censor in New Zealand has just completed his seventh week of inspection. He has examined 640,000 feet of film, or 260 pictures, of which four were absolutely barred because in each case, after the objectionable parts had been eliminated, there was practically no stouy left. Minor censorings in the films that were passed numbered thirty-five. The objectionable matter in those cases occurred, as a rule, in the subtitles of the pictures, much of which could be omitted without affecting the story. The censor, of course, has in each case to re-examine the altered films to make sure that his instructions have been correctly carried out. The censor (Mr. Joliffe) expressed surprise at the poor standard of the average photoplay, as far as regards the story. "Again, out of 260 films," he went on to say, "I have not found a single industrial and only about four scenic subjects." Mr. Joliffe concluded by saying that he considered the American film much superior to either English, French or Italian products. * * * It is rumored in Wellington, New Zealand, that the minimum admission rate of three pence to picture theaters is to be a thing of the past, and that in future sixpence and one shilling will rule. * * * Another picture theater is to be erected in Manners street, Wellington. There are already four in one block, and two others in close proximity. It is stated on good authority that all films will be imported direct from America to the new house, which will be known as "The Regal." At present all pictures for New Zealand are sent from Australia, usually Sydney. % * * John F. Gavin, producer of "The Martyrdom of Nurse Cavell" and other pictures, states that he has signed up Nellie Stewart to appear in several five-part productions. Miss Stewart has undoubtedly been the best known figure on the Australian stage for a number of years, and despite the fact that she has not appeared before the public for some time, her popularity remains undiminished. Miss Stewart appeared in several Australian picture production a few years ago, including a version of "Sweet Nell of Old Drury." TOM S. IMRIE.