Moving Picture World (Sep 1916)

1690 THE MOVING PICTURE WORLD September 9, 1916 lace is passed from one to another of the characters while the ludicrous detective attempts to locate the thief. Lee Moran, as the detective, is responsible for many of the laughs in this very creditable number, and he is ably supported by Eddie Lyons, Fred Gamble and Priseilla Dean. THE PRICE OF VICTORY (Laemmle), Sept. 13.— Strongly opposed to war, the hero of this dramatic sketch is misunderstood by his sweetheart and neighbors when the men of a European province are called to the colors. He is deemed a coward, but his courage is amply proven when he is wounded in an engagement. He returns blinded, but glorying in the maintenance of his ideals, for he had killed none of his fellow men. The story was conceived and presented in a fine spirit and is certain to appeal to those who realize the futility of war. Douglas Gerrard plays the idealist. Universal Film Corporation Specials UNHAND ME, VILLAIN (L-KO), Aug. 9— A very successful threereel comic, featuring Alice Howell as a slum girl who breaks into a theater, pursued by cops. She makes herself solid with the manager and gets to be leading lady. Some excellent burlesque scenes are pictured. The fake cow and horse, the railroad scene and the snowstorm, which winds up with fire, are all laughable. The chase at the close is short and well done. A sure laugh-producer. BRENNON OF THE MOOR (Universal Special), Aug. 21.— A tworeel Irish story, featuring Francis Ford and Grace Cunard. An old, Irish poem forms the plot basis of this, and frequent excerpts are quoted in full. It tells of an Irish lad who is ready with his fists, and indulges in numerous fights. He becomes a highwayman and is captured by British soldiers. Later he escapes with his sweetheart to America. A typical subject of the kind. The costuming, atmosphere and general presentation are very good. The photographic work is also above the average. THE HEART OF A SHOW GIRL (Universal Special), Aug. 28.— A pretty, innocuous two-reel story that at times shows a tendency to drag because the plot material is rather thin. A very severe dramatic critic writes unkind things about a petulant little dancer, whom he fails to recognize when they meet on a summer vacation. Their romance, culminating in a marraige, is anything but a surprise to the spectator, but placed on the average program, the picture will make passable entertainment. Ella Hall, Franklyn Farnum and Arthur Hoyt portray the central characters. CALL OF THE PAST (Imp), Sept. 1. — For the hero of this very satisfactory underworld melodrama, Harvey Gates, the author of the scenario, took a crook with a better side to his nature, married him to a sweetly innocent girl and then brought about his regeneration. It is a well constructed two-part picture, with Director William Lowery, Agnes Vernon and Frank Brownless playing the leading roles. There are few superfluous scenes and some of the action is exciting. DEAD OR ALIVE (Special Universal), Sept. 4. — Episode No. 4 of "Liberty." This installment is alive with interesting events. Liberty is married to Manuel Leon, to save the honor of the man she loves. The trustees quarrel over the affairs in general. There is an exciting effect achieved by the band of desperadoes, who board a rapidly moving train from the backs of galloping horses. The experiences of the American refugee are also thrilling depicted, he being one of four men who were stood up to be shot. The picturesque localities and fine photography are a great help to this serial. ■CROOKED FROM THE START (L-KO), Sept. 6.— A two-reel comic number, featuring Dan Russell, Gertrude Selby and Billy Ritchie. This is very funny throughout and particularly in the opening scenes where the pretty girl speeder is brought to the police court. She escapes and the chief of the force and another member enter into rivalry for her hand. This is full of laughable action and done in the best style for this sort of production. LOVE AND WAR (Special Universal), Sept. 11.— No. 5 of the "Liberty" series. The plot moves along with agreeable complications in this number. There is a great deal of fighting in the open between Mexicans and Americans. Liberty and her friends are all made captive. Manuel, finding himself at odds with everyone, sells his sympathies to the bandits, in exchange for an officer's commission. Some of the lighting scenes are rather obscure in meaning at the beginning, but clear up later. The installment closes with Pedro strapped to the back of a wild horse and turned loose on the plains. THE TRIUMPH OF TRUTH (Rex), Sept. 7.— A two-reel seacoast story, by J. F. Abbott. Cleo Madison, Thomas Chatterton and Seymour Zelift play the leads. The story is conventional and has no great dramatic strength. At the same time it is pleasing in its general effect. The hero rescues the fisher girl from drowning and later she saves him from the same fate at the hands of a jealous rival. The st ret dies of rugged roast are well pictured. This makes a good average number. THE PRINCELY BANDIT (Gold Seal), Sept. 9.— A two-reel feature, with Grace Cunard as the madcap queen and Francis Ford as the bandit prince. This would be more attractive if greater attention had been paid to Settings and costuming; they are too ordinary for a romantic typo of plot. The young queen captures the bandid and then insists upon marrying him in preference to Count Michael. This is fairly strong. HIRED AND FIRED (Universal), Sept. 11.— This two-reel number, by Hess Meredyth, continues the adventures of Timothy as a would-be moving picture star. Carter Do Haven extracts considerable amusement out of the part, particularly in the second reel, where he attends a moving picture performance and watches his own efforts as Jim, a miner, whose wife has deserted him. The burlesque touches In the secon ' reel are very good. The number as a whole makes an entertaining offering of the lighter type. LOVE'S MASQUERADE, Sept. 13.— Emmett Campbell Hall constructed the plot of this three-part picture around an odd situation. A marriage license is obtained in one state and the contracting parties, aboard a boat, are in another state when the ceremony is performed, therefore the marriage is invalid. With this situation as a basis Mr. Hall conceived a story in which the happiness of four people is made possible by the anulment of the marriage. Mary Fuller, Harry Benham, Johnnie Walker and Margaret McRae portray the leading figures in a picture of more than ordinary interest. V-L-S-E, Inc. THE KID (Vitagraph), Aug. 28. — An attractive five-part production featuring Lillian Walker. The story treats of how a girl reporter ferrets out a murder mystery and in so doing reveals the fact that her own father, whom she has never known, is one of the backers of the beef trust. A full review of this picture will be found on another page of the magazine. World Film Corporation THE ALMIGHTY DOLLAR (World-Paragon), Sept. 4.— A picture of considerable merit, based on the estrangement of a husband and wife brought about by the man's too persistent quest of "the almighty dollar." The most notable scenes show a wreck in the New York subway. Frances Nelson, E. K. Lincoln, George Anderson and June Elvidge are in the cast. Reviewed elsewhere in this issue. BURTON HOLMES BACK FROM HIS SUMMER TRAVELS. Burton Holmes, the well-known traveler and lecturer whose motion pictures have been released exclusively through the Paramount Pictures Corporation, has returned from his summer journeyings, during which he was in search of new material. He is now deep in the preparation of five new trav elogues, to be delivered by him personally in the principal cities throughout the country during the coming season, and in the preparation of new weekly travel pictures for Paramount. Beginning with September, Mr. Holmes' first four Paramount-Burton Holmes Travel Picture releases will be devoted to Scotland and Ireland — two releases on Scotland, one release on Ireland and another divided between the two countries. NO CHANGE IN BLUEEIRD POLICY. In the thought that a notice supplied by Bluebird Photoplays and published in last week's Moving Picture World might be misconstrued by some readers the assurance is given that there will be no departure from the Bluebird policy to advertise and promote the play rather than the player. Bluebird has entered upon the policy of making "The Play the Thing" with determination, is progressing with an extensive advertising campaign to that effect and there will be no return to the "star system" at any time. The leading players will always be of "star" caliber and standing in their profession, provided their talents are exactly suited to play the roles required of them, but always the play itself will be Bluebird's first consideration. COBE VISITS WESTERN AND SOUTHWESTERN EXCHANGES. Following The Unity Sales Corporation's policy of doing everything to aid the exchange men and the exhibitors to properly exhibit the features put out by its company, Mr. Cobe, vice-president and general manager, left this week on a tour of the Southwestern and Middle Western States. While away Mr. Cobe will visit The Unity Exchange office in Milwaukee, Chicago, St. Louis, Kansas City and Dallas. Mr. Cobe has but lately returned from a similar visit to the South Eastern territory, and before "The Yellow Menace" release Labor Day every exchange handling "The Y'ellow Menace" will have received a personal visit. THURLOW BERGEN AGAIN APPEARS IN A PATHE PICTURE. Thurlow Bergen, who has had leading parts in a number ot well known Pathe features, is again to be seen in one. In "A Woman's Fight." the live-reel Pathe Gold Rooster Play made by Herbert Blache, he plays opposite Geraldine O'Brien. Mr. Bergen will be remembered for his work in "The Stain, ' "The Boundary Rider," "A Prince of India." "The Fireman ana the Girl," and "A Change of Heart," all Pathe five-reel features with the exception of the latter, a two-reel picture, which is to be released on September 10th. MARIE DORO IN NEW LASKY PRODUCTION. Under the direction of James Young, work lias been begun on an elaborate production at the Lasky studios entitled "The Lash," in which Marie Doro will be starred. "The Lash," which provides for Miss Doro a role of great appeal, has practically an all-star cast. Among those who will appear with the star are Elliott Dexter, Raymond Hatton, James Neill, Veda McEvors and Josephine Rice.