The Moving picture world (February 1920)

February 12, 1921 MOVING PICTURE WORLD 817 Newest Reviews and, Comments pleasant and agreeable in tone and often contains humorous touches. Cast Wing Toy Shirley Mason Bob Raymond McKee Wong V.. Edward MoWade Ten Low Harry S. Northrup White Lily Betty Schade The Mole Scott McKee Story by Pearl Doles Bell. Scenario by Thomas Dixon, Jr. Direction by Howard M. Mitchell. Length, Five Reels. The Story Wing Toy, in the picture of that name, is a girl raised in Chinatown by an old Chinese laundryman named Wong. In her sixteenth year Wong deems it necessary to tell the girl just why she must marry the hated Len Low, king of the district. He describes the manner in which she had been left with himself as infant, years before, by a convict known as The Mole, who told him the girl's father was a Chinaman and her mother a white woman. Later, in order to procure a better home for her, Wong had pledged the girl in marriage to Ten Low when she came of age. Ten Low already has a white wife, an American girl he stole years before, known as White Lily. Ten plans to divorce her and marry Wing Toy. Bob Harris, a young reporter, gets wind of the story and makes an investigation which leads to the release of Wing Toy. In the dramatic events which occur Ten Low is killed by White Lily and it develops that Wing Toy is the daughter of the district attorney. This latter fact is made clear by The Mole after his release from prison. Wing Toy and Bob become engaged. Program and Exploitation Catchlines: Shirley Mason in a Story of Chinatown. Shirley Mason in the Role of a Little Chinese Girl. She Had Been Left with the Old Chinese Laundryman Many Tears Ago — They All Thought That She Was a Chinese Maiden— But Then a Man Came from the Parts Secluded and Made Clear to Her That She Was an • American — That Cleared Her Love Affair with Her Sweetheart. Exploitation Angles: Appeal to Miss Mason's admirers with her odd role and get them interested in this. If you have a Chinese laundry in town get the laundryman to paint you a sign to use a week prior to your regular advertising. Make it a big one and let them guess what it is. "The Love Slave" First Production of the Sascha Film Company Released by Herz Film Corporation, State Rights, Has Absorbing, Dramatic Story Reviewed by Jessie Robb. The Sascha Film Company, an Austrian concern, has arranged to release its productions through the Herz Film Corporation, state rights. The first production is "The Love Slave," a screen adaptation of the novel, "Stars of Damascus," by Georges Ohnet, noted French novelist. Lucy Doraine is the featured player. The story deals with the passionate infatuation of Georges Hanet, a French artist traveling in Damascus, for Kora, an Arabian slave girl whom he rescues from the whipping post. A wild, untamed creature in her desires and impulses she proves Hanet's evil genius when twists of fate open avenues for the gratification of her revenge. The production is refreshingly different from the scenic viewpoint, as it was acted and photographed in the actual locations of the occurrences portrayed. The streets of Damascus, harbor of Triest and Southern France have all the atmosphere of old world charm. As the name of the artist who was responsible for the interiors is not given, it is impossible to give him praise direct. The interiors are not only opulent where called for, strongly resembling the art of Max Reinhardt, but those of the court room, the prison and the shops interest from their direct contrast to such scenes of American life. Further, the lighting is very good. Well written sub-titling is in harmony with the character of the pictured drama. Lucy Doraine is a pretty woman who has not hesitated to sacrifice some of her beauty under the dark paint required for the Arab girl. She gives an understanding interpretation but a certain camera consciousness results in stiffness of action. The actor who impersonates Georges Hanet is nameless so far as American spectators are concerned, which seems hardly fair, as his role is really the dominating one and is excellently acted. The entire cast is a very good one, although a noticeable tendency to face the camera is observable. On the whole this picture is high class and an interesting contribution from the European market. Featured Player, Lucy Doraine. Adapted from the nove;, "Stars of Damascus," by Georges Ohnet. Scenario by Michael Kertes. Directed by Michael Kertes. Length, Six Reels. The StoryWhile walking the streets of Damascus, Georges Hanet, French artist, hears a woman's screams. He rushes to the place and finds Kora tied to a whipping post and swaying from the unmerciful beating of her master. He rescues and frees her. This wins her love and she follows him until he takes her into his home. Their love dream is finally interrupted by a letter from Hanet's mother. His father has been killed in an earthquake and it is necessary for him to return home. Kora pleads to be taken. Piqued by Hanet's secluding her in the cabin of the ship she eludes him and carries on a flirtation with Count Ceretti. When they arrive at Triest, Hanet goes to his mother. This further enrages Kora, who wants his entire attention and she leaves with the Count. Crazed with love and grief, Hanet searches until he finally finds Kora living in a palatial mansion as Ceretti's mistress. He effects an entrance, sees Kora in Ceretti's arms, and shoots, wounding Kora in the face and badly disfiguring her. At the trial Kora lies in testimony, and Hanet is sentenced to five years hard labor. At the end of three years he makes his escape. Under the name of Fred Jevons he wins a reputation as a painter and teacher. One of his pupils is Suzanne, daughter of the Marquis De Rives. Their love is mutual and Suzanne becomes his wife. During this time Kora has come to Paris and under the name of Madame Des Champs conducts a gambling house. The Marquis is a frequenter of the house. An important message takes Hanet to the resort and there he and Kora meet again. Kora tells Hanet that she has always loved him and demands that he come every night to her home. Otherwise she will denounce him to the police and thus force him to return to jail. The Marquis and Suzanne are amazed at Hanet's actions. Unable to endure the burden of her grief, Suzanne goes to Kora. She is followed by Hanet. Kora tells Suzanne of her relations with Hanet, declares that she will not allow them to be happy and sends a letter to the police. Before the letter can be mailed her insane jealousy and rage, long indulged, result in madness and she dies. The Count reads the letter, realizes Hanet's suffering and destroys it. Thus Hanet is freed and he and Suzanne find true happiness. Program and Exploitation Catchlines: Adaptation of Georges Ohnet's Novel, "Stars of Damascus." He Heard the Scream of a Woman — He Rushed to the Scene and Found a Woman Lashed to a Whipping Post — That Is How He Won Her Love. A Foreign Made Production of a Dramatic Story Written by the French Novelist, Georges Ohnet. Exploitation Angles: Play up the author, since you have no known star, but get the star featured player over against possible other releases. Tell that this is a foreign film made in the Holy Land and Southern France, the locales of the story, and get what you can out of this. "My Lady's Latch Key" Fast Moving Mystery Story, Featuring Katherine MacDonald, Released by First National Reviewed by M. A. Malaney. "My Lady's Latch Key" is a mystery story written by C. N. and A. M. Williamson. It is fast moving, has a number of surprising twists, but is not very convincing. The star is Katherine MacDonald. Edmund Lowe is the leading man. He is a crook who falls in love with Annesley Grayle (Miss MacDonald) at sight, and they are married the next day. She doesn't know his pedigree, of course. Such a thing might happen in real life, but this picture has the incident done in such a way that is suspends interest in the story for a while. Aside from this rather improbable part the production should please — especially those who like mystery and romantic adventure. The direction of the picture is excellent. The work of the entire cast is quite up to standard. Miss MacDonald looks as pretty as ever, and she is seen to good advantage as an actress. Her work seems to improve with each new picture. Edmund Lowe, as the polished thief, looks more like an honest hero, and, of course, he reforms after the marriage. Thomas Jefferson has a good part as the wealthy victim of the thieves. Of big scenes there are few. Rather the director has spent his money in having everything correct as to detail. The scenes aboard the ocean liner are noteworthy ; also the ball where the girl discovers her husband is a crook. The Cast Annesley Grayle Katherine MacDonald Nelson Smith Edmund Lowe Countess De Santiago Claire Du Brey Lord Annesley-rieton Howard Gaye Lady Annesley-Seton Lenore Lynard Ruthven Smith Thomas Jefferson Mrs. Ellsworth Hellena Phillips Directed by Edwin Carewe. Length, About 5,500 Feet. The Story Aboard the ocean greyhound, "Monarchic," Ruthven Smith, trusted representative of a diamond merchant, is guarding a rare collection of gems on their way to London. In the stillness of the night a shadowy figure mysteriously enters Smith's stateroom and, after applying chloroform to the sleeper's face, departs with the precious jewel belt. In London, Annesley Grayle, tired of five years' existence in a house of gloom with her aunt, Mrs. Ellsworth, answers a newspaper ad for a traveling companion to an elderly lady. While waiting for the "elderly lady" in the Hotel Savoy, she is addressed by a young man, ostensibly an American. In apparent trouble he begs Annesley to save him by pretending to be his wife. She is astounded at this proposal but the man's distress appears so great that she agrees Two men threaten the young man who gives the name of Nelson Smith, and the two young people go to Annesley's home, which is also the home of Ruthven Smith in London. The latter, thinking Nelson a robber,