The Moving picture world (January 1924-February 1924)

320 MOVING PICTURE WORLD January 26, 1924 phasizing the quotation, "Whom God Hath Joined Let No Man Put Asunder," and is builded around the idea that love that is real continues to live, that circumstances that may bring about divorces do not kill it and that it will again burst forth anew. Mr. Blackton has worked out this idea in a story in which several of the characters are shown as getting divorces, one for infidelity, one because of the divergent views of husband and wife which bring about a separation and one where the wife, formerly an opera singer, is lured back by the glamour of her profession. Two of these unfortunates contract a new alliance but circumstances cause the old love to blossom again. The new husband chooses the suicide route when after being reunited to his ex-wife, she dies, thus leaving his wife free. Having learned her lesson, she sends for her former husband and they become reconciled. It is a society drama and despite the introduction of a multiplicity of characters which cause some difficulty in keeping them mentally tabulated, once the story gets well under way it is revealed as a sincere effort to show up the unhappiness resulting from the modern easy and too plentiful divorce. The soul of the woman is laid bare and in a dramatic manner it is shown how just a little forgiveness and sacrifice of pride would have,, saved years of unhappiness. ,A strong showmanship angle in connection with this production is the fact that it is builded on a subject which is being given serious consideration at the present time as evidenced by the space given it by the newspapers. It is a patronage pulling picture. This is shown by the good business it is doing at the Rialto in New York. It is a production which is marked by undoubted sincerity of purpose, in which the action of the characters are swayed by the message which they convey. While affording entertainment for the masses it goes deeper and succeeds in focusing attention on the divorce evil and should secure the endorsement of those who have this great problem at heart. The technical details of the picture are well handled and it is portrayed by a cast which presents Lou Tellegen in a forceful role and marks the return of Pauline Frederick after being absent from the screen for some time. Cast Petrina Faneuil Pauline Frederick Dick Lechmere Lou Tellegen Harry Vassal! Leslie Austen Felicia DeProney Helena D"Algy Lady DeBohun Pnuline Nefi? Polly DeBohun Violet DeBarros Sir Humphrey Maurice Costello Mrs. \ assail Martha Petelle Gentian Tyrell Gladys Frazin Challlot Homer Lynn Based on story by Basil King. Directed by J. Stuart Blackton. Length, nbout 8 reels. Story Harry Vassall becomes engaged to Petrlna Faneuil, but is warned by his friend, Dick Lechmere, whose marriage to the opera singer turned out unhappily, as she left him to return to the stage. Harry and Petrina marry, but as she has advanced Ideas that clash with his puritanical standards, they separate. Following the author's theme that love that is real lasts always, they continue to love each other. Dick and Petrina following their divorces wed each other. Dick's wife Petrina loses her health and voice and comes to him for aid. The old love returns and when she dies he commits suicide. Petrina and Harry have never ceased to love each other but pride has kept them apart. In her great trouble she calls on Harry and a reconciliation follows. "Innocence" Anna Q. Nilf son Gives Pleasing: Performance in C. B. C. Problem Picture Reviewed by Mary Kelly Pictures based on the unjust results of circumstantial evidence have been countless, but because the treatment here achieves some originality in the climax it cannot be classified entirely as stereotyped. Most of the picture relies upon the chorus girl and cabaret angles without many marks of distinction. But with some curtailment the production should do well in the average program house. The heroine, played by Anna Q. Nilsson, unable to break down the attorney's prejudices, cleverly subjects him "to the same incriminating circumstances which trapped her. It is one of those resourceful moves managed with a bit of mystery that usually interests the public, particularly the women, as long as it is a woman's victory. The rest of the picture is not strong. The cabaret scenes are rather obvious and ordinary and the idea of an actress marrying into a family of snobs is extremely familiar. Anna Q. Nilsson has a rather demanding role and gives a good performance. She looks attractive and interprets the various moods and decisions of her character with intelligence and poise. She is supported chiefly by Earl Foxe and Freeman Wood. Cast Fay Leslie Anna (1 Nilsson Don Hampton Freeman Wood FMd Atkins Karl Foxe Collingwood Wilfred Lucas Publicity Agent William Scott Chorus Girl Marion Harlan Based upon story, "Circumstances Alter Divorce Coses." Scenario by Jack Striimwasser. Direction by Edward J. LeSalnt. Length, 5,923 feet. Story Fay Leslie marries a wealthy society man, Don Hampton, against his family's wishes. When she uses her influence to prevent a friend from running away with her old dancing partner she gets Involved, due to the man's duplicity. Don's family accuses her of infidelity and she has to prove her Innocence and win back her husband by clever strategy, in which she is successful. "Over the World with Roosevelt" (Roosevelt Memorial— 3,500 Feet) In commemoration of the anniversary of the death of Theodore Roosevelt, the Rivoli Theatre, showed a film prepared by the Roosevelt Memorial Association dealing with, the life of this great American. As motion pictures were not then in use, the earlier part of his career is told by subtitles through which are interspersed a number of scenes depicting the Navy in action, at target practice, etc., explaining the part Roosevelt played in building up the navy. There are also scenes in this section showing Roosevelt addressing crowds. The latter part of his career and his funeral are shown by means of motion pictures, some of which are of great historical value. Altogether it is an interesting record of the life of Roosevelt, touching the high spots of his career, including his expedition toSouth America, although the only scene in this connection shows the boat leaving New York. There is an unusually large amount of footage consumed in the naval scenes and. some of these could be eliminated to advantage.— C. S. S. "Taking a Chance" (Pathe— Sport— One Reel) Grantland Rice in this "Sportlight," distributed by Pathe, shows the important part that "nerve" and the ability to take a chance plays in sport. This is interestingly illustrated in scenes on the baseball diamond, in> football and also in rodeos where a miscalculation might prove disastrous besides measuring the narrow margin between success and failure. — C. S. S. "Why Wait" (Universal — Comedy — One Reel) Slim Summerville and his companion are about to commit suicide when Slim decides instead to rescue a beautiful girl from a runaway. She disappears but returns at an inopportune moment after Slim and his pal have taken jobs as waiters, their punishment for having grafted a free meal. The number has a fair amount of action and comedy.—M. K. "The Canadian Alps" (Fox — Educational — One Reel) Most of the emphasis is upon the daring feat of climbing here rather than upon the scenery. A woman is shown making the hazardous ascent with the aid of a guide and various kinds of footgear, appropriate for the different conditions of the rockypath. It should be interesting to a great many. — M. K. SCENE FROM BIG FORTHCOMING FOX PRODUCTION, "THE BLIZZARD"