Moving Picture World (Sep 1916)

1854 THE MOVING PICTURE WORLD September 16, 1916 "THE WOMAN ALWAYS PAYS" (Essanay). The outstanding characteristic of this picture, which is offered in three acts, is the fact that the two leading parts are played by heavies, masculine and feminine; and, further, that these two leads are among the most popular players in pictures in just such parts. They are well cast. Lillian Drew has another of the adventurous parts she plays so well, and tli, villain is ably portrayed by Sydney Ainsworth. It is a drama with intense situations throughout, one with a varia Scene from "The Woman Always Pays" (Essanay). tion of the theme of how the man may recover his standing regardless of past deeds, while the woman always must pay. Well selected locations and beautiful photography mark the picture. The indicated moral is particularly good and should recommend it to any group of spectators. "LESS THAN THE DUST" NEW PICKFORD PICTURE. The first Pickford subject to be made by Artcraft Pictures Corporation is "Less Than the Dust," which is the name of the poem by Laurence Hope, to which the author of the play, Hector Turnbull, credits his inspiration for the plot. Miss Pickford will be seen as a little English girl whom misfortune places in an East Indian setting. It is announced that "Less Than the Dust" will be presented by Artcraft early in October. Miss Pickford is giving the play an artistic and costly production, and has assembled a notable supporting company. John Emerson is in charge of the direction. When completed the picture will furnish a complete entertainment. In view of the interest with which Miss Pickford's newest picture is awaited, the poem which inspired it is given herewith: Less than the dust beneath thy chariot wheel, Less than the rust that never stained thy sword, Less than the trust thou hast in me, my Lord, Even less than these! Less than the weed that grows beside thy door, Less than the speed of hours spent far from thee, Less than the need thou hast in life for me, Even less am I! Since I, my Lord, am nothing unto thee, See here my sword. I make it keen and bright, Love's last reward — Death comes to me to-night, Farewell, Zahirudin. "THE DIAMOND RUNNERS" (Signal). Most recenl of the Mutual Star Productions featuring Helen Holmes, the Signal Film Corporation star, will be released August 28 under the title of "The Diamond Runners." In this production Miss Holmes for the first time in her long career as a star of the screen will assay an adven'turous role, having! hccn oast for the part of the leader of a band of notorious "diamond runners." The scenes of this production, written and screened b>Dlrector Genera] J, P. McGowan, are laid chiefly in the diamond fields of South Africa, and reveal the many methods pursued by (he "runners'' in smuggling raw diamonds into Europe and tho United States. Much of the story Is founded on actual facts. Mr. McGowan. who fought through the Poor War, later serving as a member of the British Southern African constabulary, had frequently i ailed upon i" aid in the suppression of the "runm Considerable <>f the action takes place on board a liner at sea. where various thrills have been Injected into the production, among them a fight between one of the "runners" and a British secret service agent, which ends with the death of the former when he is thrown overboard. In order to secure the proper atmosphere for the staging of various of the exteriors representing the South African coast, Miss Holmes, Director McGowan and the big company of players appearing in her support spent almost a month along the Hawaiian coast where these scenes were enacted. "THE DAWN MAKER" (Kay Bee). Those who admire the work of William S. Hart — and who of those who attend moving picture theaters do not — will welcome his appearance in "The Dawn Maker," a Triangle-Kay Bee feature, as one of the decided treats of the screen. In this new story Hart portrays the character of a half-breed Indian. Joe Elk. As a master of make-up, Hart has long been famous, but in this Indian character he outdoes even himself. The story of the play gives Mr. Hart an opportunity to display his remarkable talents for interpretive acting to the utmost. That he has made a close study of the characteristics of the Indian is made clearly evident in the development of the story. In filming "The Dawn Maker" a trip to the land of snow and ice was necessary, and the resulting effects on the screen are among the finest examples of what motion pictures can do that is denied the spoken stage in its exposition of the drama. The snow effects in the picture are truly remarkable. An excellent company, headed by William Desmond, gives the popular Triangle star strong support in the development of the story and makes it one of the strongest and best told tales, that has ever been screened. Blanche White, who appeared to such excellent advantage in "Honor Thy Name," has the chief feminine role in the picture and adds to the reputation she made for herself in that picture. "MANHATTAN MADNESS" (Fine Arts). It's a Fairbanks' picture. No other description really is needed of "Manhattan Madness" to insure its eager welcome by motion picture fans. In this new Fine Arts feature Douglas Fairbanks gives final demonstration, if it be needed, as to exactly why he is one of the most popular actors on the screen today. In the first place, it is brimming over with Fairbanks "stunts." Whenever a new feature starring the likable Triangle star is announced, the public expects to be treated to a series of thrills that leaves it gasping by the end of the picture, and "Manhattan Madness" will prove no disappointment in that respect. The story is that of a young Westerner who comes back to the effete East he had left years before and in no time at all experiences all the boredom the cut-and-dried methods of living in the East gives to one accustomed to the free, easy and unconventional mannerisms of the West. He expresses himself freely to his friends at the club and at his hotel, and they, spurred on by a wager, plan to give this wild and untamed young son of the West at least one thrill here in the East. They go to elaborate pains to arrange a "plant," but he Scene from "Manhattan Madness" (Triangle). eventually turns the tables on them and. to cap the climax, carries off a charming young girl who finds it quite to her HKing to accept the impetuous young man's proposal of marriage. The picture, which was directed by Allan Dwan, is further proof of that member of the Fine Arts directing statf's ability to send a picture galloping along to a whirlwind finish. The photography, too, is particularly good, and not a little ingenuity has been shown in preparing some of the sets, particularly those used during the scenes depicting the effort to catch the fiery young man from the West napping.