The Moving picture world (April 1920-May 1920)

728 THE MOVING PICTURE WORLD May 1, 1920 and cunning of the American fighting male. He not only looks the part, but he acts it with keen intelligence. There constantly shines in his eyes the combined pugnacity and caution of the true gunman of the West. He is ably supported by a cast chosen to fit the roles. Especially is this true of .■\nna Q. Nilsson. Toward the close of the play her pathetic submission to the power of circumstances is very effective. The entire product, as presented at the Rivoli, is one of the best of its kind. It is sure to win wherever it is shown. Cast. Black Deering William S. Hart Mary Brown Anna Q. Nilsson The Sheriff Jack Richardson Jordan Joseph Singleton "The Little Feller" . .Master Richard Headrick Story by William S. Hart and Lambert Hillyer. Directed by Lambert Hillyer. Length, 5,590 Feet. The Story. "The Toll Gate" through which Black DeerIng passed into the life of an outlaw was one which shut him out of the natural joys of life. From that moment he plunders until he becomes the leader of a desperate band in the Southwest. Finding that the forces arrayed against him and his followers is bound to win in the end, he announces his belief that it is time to disband. Jordan, second in command, urges one more hold-up for the sake of getting funds, and the band is with him. They stop a train and begin an attack, only to find that they have been betrayed. They are shot down to a man by troops on the train. Deering is captured and securely tied. He feigns unconsciousness and discovers that Jordan has betrayed the band for a reward. He makes a vain attack on the scoundrel in the express car. Later he escapes, throwing himself out of the train while it is in motion. His one thought is revenge. It is an exhausted outlaw who rides into a small town where Jordan has opened a cantina with the proceeds of his treachery. Deering is hungry, weak and without ammunition. In spite of these disadvantages, he burns Jordan's place to the ground, robs his enemy of funds and makes a clean getaway. He is followed by two posses, one of Mexicans under Jordan and another under a manly sheriff. Deering reaches a high bluft over the border and dives from it to rescue a child. It proves to be that of a lonely woman, Mary Brown. In return Mary protects him from the sheriff's men. Deering is tempted to revenge himself on her when he finds she is Jordan's wife, but his better nature prevails. He kills Jordan in a conflict, but escape from the sheriff is impossible. He sees that the lonely widow is provided for. Permitted to go, because he is over the border, he rides away into a new life, ready to meet what it may bring, a changed man but not a hopeless one. Progrram and Exploitation CatcUines: He Was a Bad Outlaw — A Black Bandit — Then the Sheriff "Got" Him — See What Happens Then in This New and Original William S. Hart Thriller. See the Daring William S. Hart as the Bandit Deering — The Terror of Three Counties — He Holds Up the Train — Leaps from a High Cliff — Burns Out His Foes and What Not in "The Toll Gate." He Threw Away His Freedom to Save the Life of a Child — That's William S. Hart in This Romance of the Border. E.'KpIoitatlon Angles: Boom this as one of Hart's best; a story which gives him ample opportunity in a role well suited to him. Don't overpraise, but make your patrons realize that this is a little better than the Hart average. You can also use Miss Nilsson and Jack Richardson to advantage, but for the most part play on Hart and the atory. "Bullet-Proof" Harry Carey Featured in Five-Reel Universal Subject of Melodramatic Appeal. Reviewed by Robert C. McElravy. A CHANGE in characterization for Harry Carey occurs in this stirring five-reel subject, entitled "BulletProof." Instead of appearing as "Cheyenne Harry," he is cast as a young Canadian, Pierre Winton. The number contains some interesting new situations and is highly picturesque in settings. The hero has a genuine case of "love at first sight," which develops into a real romance, despite the first catastrophe to the pair. The rock slide which enveloped the two is so realistically done that it almost brings a laugh when the principals appear again. Such impossible incidents are unnecessary and lacking in conviction. Beatrice Burnham does some exceptionally pleasing work in her portrayal of the fiery little daughter of Jim Boone. The picture will appeal to Harry Carey's admirers. Pierre Winton Harry Carey Father Victor W. Y. Ryno Father Jacques Fred Gamble Mary Brown Kathleen O'Connor Jim Boone J. Farrell McDonald Jackie Boone Beatrice Burnham Dick Wilbur Bob McKenzie {Joe Harris Captain Anderson Charles LeMoyne McGuirk Robert McKim Story by John Frederick. Sceriario by Lynn F. Reynolds. Directed by Lynn F. Reynolds. Length, Five Reels. The Story. Pierre Winton, in "Bullet-Proof," is studying for the priesthood, under the guardianship of Father Victor, when his own father, whom he has never seen, sends for him. He reaches his sire just in time to learn that he was shot by an outlaw named McGuirk. After Mr. Winton's death Pierre vows to have vengeance upon the murderer. He leaves Father Victor and rides away with the latter's gift of a luck charm. During a hard storm Pierre seeks shelter with a girl named Mary Brown. They instantly fall In love, but their romance is cut short by a rock slide, which apparently buries them both. However, each escapes, thinking the other dead, and they do not meet again until the night of a masquerade ball. By the time this event is reached Pierre has joined forces with the Boone gang, which has also sworn to exterminate McGuirk. Jackie Boone, daughter of the leader, loves Pierre, but he still remembers Mary. During the dance McGuirk makes a raid upon the cabin of the Boone gang, killing most of the members. Pierre and Jackie return to find the dead bodies. Pierre now takes up the pursuit and finally kills McGuirk in a gun duel. He wins Mary Brown and Jackie's heart turns to Dick Wilbur, another survivor of her father's band. Program and Exploitation Catchline«: Did You Ever See a Man That Was "Bullet-Proof"?— That's What Harry Carey Is in His Latest Melodramatic Production. Pierre Winton Reaches His Father in Time to Determine That He Has Been Shot by an Outlaw — He Vows Vengeance Upon the Murderer — See How He Finally "Gets" the Outlaw in "Bullet-Proof." Vivid Story of a Young Canadian Who Sets Out to Kill the Outlaw That Murdered His Father — During His Search He Meets a Pretty Young Girl, With Whom He Instantly Falls in Love — But a Landslide Comes and — For the Remainder of This Thrilling Picture See "Bullet-Proof," with Harry Carey. Exploitation Angles: Let Carey carry the story, merely announcing that he is to be seen in another play of vivid action. Use posters as freely as you can, even if you have to cut your newspaper space a little. "Captain Swift" Earle Williams Featured in Vitagraph Film Adaptation of C. Haddon Chambers' Play. Reviewed by Margaret I. MacDonald. A CLEARLY told story characterizes the Vitagraph adaptation of C. Haddon Chambers' stage play, "Captain Swift." In spite of the fact that the character of the hero does not fit in with recognized standards of consistency, the average person will find entertainment in following the story of the man accused of many crimes, from the Australian desert to the homes of the rich in London's most fashionable section. Here with the shadow of a regrettable past hanging over him, he meets and loves one of England's fair young women and carries himself with unbelievable composure through trying circumstances. Earle Williams is not particularly colorful in his interpretation of the character of Captain Swift, but presents a handsome, well-dressed figure in London's exclusive set. With one or two exceptions, the cast is not one that stands out. Edward Martindale, Downing Clarke and James O'Neill are noticeable for the excellent character portrayal. Florence Dixon is pleasing as Stella Darbisher, and Adelaide Prince has a correct conception of the role of Lady Seabrook. Clearness of outline, as before said, is a strong characteristic of the production. Cast. Captain Swift Earle Williams Stella Darblsher Florence Dixon Gardiner Edward Martindale Lady Seabrook Adelaide Prince Sir Hugh Seabrook Downing Clarke Harry Seabrook Barry Baxter Mabel Seabrook Alice Calhoun Marshall James O'NelU Ryan Herbert Pattee Adapted from the play by C. Haddon Chambers. Scenario by Lucien Hubbard. Direction by Tom Terriss. Length, Five Reels. The Story. The story of "Captain Swiff follows th« career of a man who is first presented In flight from a pursuing posse on an Australian desert. Swift is a notorious outlaw who Is accused of many crimes, including murders as well as robberies. On the desert he crosses the path of a dying prospector, whom he carries on his back for miles, only to find when at last a stream of water is reached that the man is dead. In a moment of Inspirtion he changes clothes with the dead man. leaving the identity of Captain Swift with the corpse. Some time later he turns up in London, on intimate terms with one of its best families. The home of Sir Hugh Seabrook is open to Phil Dare, otherwise Captain Swift, at all times, and he falls in love with Stella Harbisher, the daughter of a friend of the Seabrooks, who resides with them while her father is absent in Australia. A detective on the trail of Swift finally comes up with him, gaining his clue from Seabrook's butler, who has been mixed up in Captain Swift's early family relations. The discovery that Lady Seabrook is Captain Swift's mother, and that he is innocent of the crimes laid against him. with the exception of the bank robbery, finally leads to the dismissal of the detective through the Intervention of a friend. He tells the whereabouts of the stolen money and is forgiven by his sweetheart, who swears that she loves him in spite of his one crime. Program and Exploitation Catchlinesi He Was Tired of Leading the Life of an Outlaw — And He Had a Price Upon His Head — So He Changes His Identity — That's What Earle Williams Does In "Captain Swift" — See What Happens Then. How Would You Feel About It if You Discovered Your Fiance Was a Reformed Bandit? Would You Be Willing to Marry Him. This Question Is Answered in "Captain Swift," with Earle Williams. Is It Possible for a Man to Be a Hero and a Bandit at the Same Time? See "Captain Swift," with Earle Williams — He's Both. Exploitation Angles: "Captain Swift" is probably forgotten by a majority of the present day theatregoers, but it will pay to recall the stage success to the old-timers and by so doing establish it in the minds of the new generation. Make Williams carry the bulk of the exploitation.