Moving Picture World (Apr 1916)

April 29, 1916 THE MOVING PICTURE WORLD 823 Comments on the Films Exclusively by Our Own Staff. General Film Company. THE TENDER-HEARTED BOY (Biograph), April 10.— A one-reel D. W. Griffith re-issue, this photoplay has the juvenile spirit of a story by Oliver Optic. The character of the hero, his trials and the happy ending of the tale are handled in the most obvious manner, but there is a humanity to the picture that will appeal to most people. Robert Harron and Mae Marsh have the leading roles. OTTO, THE BELL BOY (Lubin), April 10. — One of the funniest farces that Edwin McKim has written and produced, the picture is made doubly amusing by the unctuous comedy acting of D. L. Don. The humor of the situations is irresistible and Mr. Don, aided by Patsy De Forest, works intelligently and effectively to extract every possible laugh. THE SELIG-TRIBUNE, NO. 29, 1916 (Selig), April 10. — Ernest Schiller, the lone pirate, who captured the British steamship Matoppo ; Bulgarian prisoners near Saloniki, Greece; Turkish prisoners at work, Saloniki ; removing giant palms from fair grounds, San Francisco ; camp scenes, Columbus, N. M. ; flood, Flint, Mich. ; U. of C. athletic meet ; Phillies' star pitcher makes aeroplane flight at St. Petersburg, Fla. ; American troops en route to Guerrero. THE HOYDEN (Vitagraph), April 10. — The character of the heroine of this one-reel drama is fully indicated in the title. Bess is a diamond in the rough, but finds out that knowing how to "put up her dukes" is a very handy accomplishment for a lady in her station of life at the opening of the picture. A few terms at boarding school polishes her off, however. Wm. E. Wing has written a capital little drama and it receives its just dues in the hands of Mary Anderson, Webster Campbell, Otto Beninger and Edith Reeves. Directed by Dave Smith. VERNON HOWE BAILEY'S SKETCH BOOK OF BOSTON (Essanay), April 12. — The many historic buildings and places of interest in Boston are shown in this number of Mr. Bailey's drawings. This series is instructive and interesting, Faneuil Hall and Bunker Hill monument being included in the first five hundred feet. A western scenic completes the reel. FASHION AND FURY (Kalem), April 12.— A wife who has a mania for buying expensive frocks furnishes the leading motive of this onereel comedy. The humor of such a subject will appeal to everyone — except the husband, who has to foot the bills. The picture is entertaining and is capitally played by Ethel Teare, Jack MacDermott, Victor Rottman, Myrta Sterling and H. Davenport. THE SELIG-TRIBUNE NO. 30, 1916 (Selig), April 13. — Regatta of U. of C. oarswomen on Lake Merritt ; U. S. troops drilling at Fort Scott, Cal. ; Baby Parade, Harlem Carnival Week, New York ; Carranza troops at San Jose, Mexico ; tug of war, Agricultural College, Maryland ; U boats at Wilhelmshaven, Germany ; Senator Warren G. Harding nominated for President, Chicago ; Mexican orphans, Cavanea, Mexico ; reinforcements of English troops, Doiran, Greece ; "Wild Bob" Burman killed in auto race, Corona, Cal. ; exhibition of artillery, Douglas, Ariz. THE BATTLE ROYAL (Vim), April 13.— This is a very amusing comedy in which a feud arises between two mountain families over a most trivial matter. One son of each house loves a daughter of the other, and even the sweethearts are forced to take to the gun much against their inclinations. The visitation of a common enemy, the revenue officer, who has nosed out the fact that moonshining is the business of the respective families, makes the two families companions in misery, and cements the broken friendship. ROMANCE AND RIOT (Kalem), April 14. — John E. Kevan, a new writer for the Sis Hopkins comedies, makes a favorable impression with this one-reel offering. A review of the picture was printed in the issue of April 22, page 645. THE SLEUTHS (Vim), April 14. — Pokes and Jabbs on the trail of a famous jewel from the forehead of an idol, leads to a number of amusing situations in this one-reel comedy. The finish is particularly clever. SUSIE, THE SLEUTH (Vitagraph), April 14.— Edith Storey has the title role in this one-reel comedy by Kenneth S. Webb, and offers a distinct character creation of much humor. The plot unfolds a broad satire on the detective drama, and also enlists the services of Antonio Moreno, John Costello, George Stevens, Robinson and Rose E. Tapley. George D. Baker directed the production. THE RACE FOR A SIDING (No. 75 of the "Hazards of Helen" Railroad Series) (Kalem), April 15.— The matter will not admit of argument ! Helen's railroad must make substantial acknowledgment of her services to the company or stand forth as conspicuous examples of monumental ingratitude. Not a week passes but she risks life and limb in the line of duty, and always succeeds in saving the company a heavy monetary loss. In "The Race for a Siding" she prevents a wreck, thwarts a band of freight car thieves and assists in their capture. MR. HOUSEKEEPER (Lubin). April 15.— An echo of "All the Comforts of Home" is found in this one-reel comedy, the plot turning on the scheme of a married man to rent the rooms of his wife's boarding house for his own advantage during the absence of the bead of the establishment. The plot has good comic possibilities and Billie Reeves, Eleanor Blanchard and Francis Joyner bring out the points with skill. Clay M. Greene wrote the scenario and Earl Metcalfe made the production. THE BEAUTY HUNTERS (Selig), April 15.— James Oliver Curwood has written a number of splendid photoplays whose scenes are laid among the snow and ice of the frozen North, but he has reached double zero in "The Beauty Hunters." The inanity of the whole affair is expressed in the names of the two leading characters, John Queerphiz and Jane Apeface. A sense of humor is evidently not one of Mr. Curwood's gifts from the gods. General Film Company Specials. THE STRANGE CASE OF MARY PAGE, NO. 12, "The Slums" (Essanay), April 10. — Bennett, a friend of Pollock's is put on the witness stand in this episode and certain facts are brought out about a slumming tour, the party being made up of Mary Page, Amy Lerue, the theatrical manager and Bennett. During the tour Pollock meets the party and insulted Mary, who threatened to shoot him. Evidence is also brought out that hints of enemies that Pollock had made, and that the dead man had hired a pair of thugs to murder Langdon. The interest is well sustained during this instalment. THE PARASITE (No. 3 of "The Social Pirates") (Kalem), April 10. — Another male being who wars upon women is attacked and routed by Mona and Mary in the third episode of the George Bronson Howard serial. The battle is an exciting one. A review of the picture was printed in the issue of April 15, page 459. WIVES OF THE RICH (Selig), April 10.— The story of this threereel photoplay is not new, either on the screen or in real life. It is. well worth telling over again, however, and Allen Curtis Mason, the author, has done so with commendable skill. The situations are developed with a discreet regard for probability and the climax is handled in a novel and effective manner. T. N. Hefferon has given the picture careful direction, and Harry Mestayer, Grace Darmond, Lafayette McKee, Lillian Hayward and Emma Glenwood form a thoroughly capable cast. THE MAN WHO CALLED AFTER DARK (Biograph), April 11. — The plot in this two-part drama suggests possibilities not fully realized in Walter Coyle's production. A different method of construction might have made the story more convincing ; but even as it stands, the picture is acceptable. MILLSTONES (Essanay), April 11. — Melodrama, with the punch always in evidence is the dominant quality of this two-reel photoplay. There isn't much novelty in the picture, the thief who turns honest being one of the leading characters, but the story has been made to yield good dramatic value and is effectively played by Darwin Karr, Nell Craig, Edmund F. Cobb, John Cossar and Peggy Sweeney. THE GREATER WRONG (Lubin), April 13. — This is one of the best photoplays written and directed by George W. Terwilliger. A review of the drama, a three-reel subject, was printed in the issue of April 22, page 644. HAUNTED AND HOUNDED (Knickerbocker), April 14.— That excellent dramatic device, the woman who marries un^er the belief that her first husband is dead, is employed to advantage in this three-reel photoplay. The story is absorbing, even with a conventional ending. Madeline Pardee plays the leading character with feeling and skill. THE LAST ADVENTURE (Essanay), April 15.— Lilian Drew, John Lorenz and Edward Arnold form the oft-quoted triangle in this threereel photoplay and by their excellent acting give the story its full dramatic value. The author has shown a praiseworthy regard for probability during tbe unfolding of the plot, without sacrificing the interest. The character played by Miss Drew is sketched with a sympathetic insight that renders it very effective. The mounting of the picture is artistic. SIN'S PENALTY (Vitagraph), April 15.— The settings of this threereel photplay and a number of the effects called for by the story are almost enough to insure its success. The California winter scenes in the mountains are very beautiful, and Fred W. Hiller has fitted his plot into them with convincing skill. The scenario is strong in theme and character drawing and has been ably directed by William Wolbert. Credit for capably acted roles belongs to Corinne Griffith, Otto Lederer, Anne Schaefer, Webster Campbell, Mary Anderson and Fred W. Hiller'. Bluebird Photoplays, Inc. THE GAY LORD WARING, April 24.— J. Warren Kerrigan, Lois Wilson. Bertram Grassby, Maud George and others, give able performances in this five-part adaptation of Houghton Townley's story, done into a