Moving Picture World (Jul - Aug 1918)

452 THE MOVING PICTURE WORLD July 20, 1918 \*ir-&CXZJ^G<&^ sy^ax^gp^ygNQAi Critical Reviews and Comments Upon Current Productions MLMUX&J&t **« ftfl mum m{ Ml mum ;*k im. miusbd&uske^ "THE EMPTY CAB" Five-Reel Bluebird Presents Franklyn Farnum in Role of Cub Reporter. Reviewed by Robert C. McElravy. THIS five-reel Bluebird number, "The Empty Cab," is a light-running story, rather conventional in its opening scenes, but developing to an amusing close. The plot is hardly Btrong enough for Ave reels, but the fact that the close is really worth while makes the number as a whole entertaining. It will pass as an if the light, agreeable type. Franklyn Farnum appears in the role of Henry Egbert Xerxes, the spendthrift of a wealthy father. The latter is ..raud by Henrys failure to I himself In any was and st nils him a note, saying "For God's sake go to work." The youth decides to act upon this adbeing out of funds, and attaches himself t<> the staff of a newsp. The editor of the paper, who had not seemed very enthusiastic about employing him, finally sends Henry out to trail some counterfeiters. Henry tbfl mys terious actions of a girl with whom he had been trying to flirt that very morning and follows her. He and a private detective enter the premises of a seemingly ted house and have a series of knockabout adventures with a men who have apparently made the girl captive. In the end it develops that the girl is society editor of Henry's paper and the men are all members of the staff. His father had planned a little surprise for Henry with the aid of the editor. Eileen Percy appears as the i:irl in the case. Others in the case are Harry De Mor.-, Frank Brownlee. Harry Llndsey and Fred Kelaey, The story was written by F. MeCraw Willis and direct. Douglas Gerrard. "THE SAFETY CURTAIN" Select Pictures Presents Norma Tal madge in Strong Six-Reel Release. Reviewed by Robert C. BfcElravy. A COMPACT, well-built screen pi tion in six reels has been fashioned by B, A. Franklin and Paul \\ ■ •-' from the novel called "The Safety Curtain," by Ethel M. Dell. It provides an interesting role for Norma Talma. i screen performer who neither skimps the dramatic end Of her work for IN THIS ISSUE. i he BSsantj (ni> (Bluebird), The Safety Curtate (Select). I lie ( l.'iiieneelill GaM (Pol). I lie \\ atrlaool ( >eleet I. One Thousand Dollars (Vltaaraph.), I hill (.ce/er of Merlin (Jewel). Dud's l\ nockiMil (UnHsjII Cnpitol) Widow's Mite (GoMwya-Caaltol). I ncle loin's ( nliin ( I'll rn mount ). The ( laws el I he Hun i I'a riiinnu ill I . IT 1 1 1 J wsaii'i Busbaad (TrlanajlT) \n Mini-* I. mill I Met nil. I he Lacked Door ((.t'licrnl lilini .loan of the Woods (World). ( ii | > ■ >l h> l'ro\> i I'm Ini. We Inii'l lime IT I I I J t>T~g ( \rternft I. ke of merel) looking pretty, she hold of her situations intelligently and is fortunate in this instance, as in others, in having a pari that calls ..it her best. Eugene O'Brien, the soldieralso does lirsi rate work, playing with line repression until the dramatic moments come. The story Is one that contains much human feeling convincingly Bet forth. ppeari aa Puck, a dancer of the London music halls. She is in. to the "strong man*" B brutal fellow named Vulcan, who beats her unmercifully and holds h.r to a strict socle] regime while he doea not hesitate to make love to other women There is a realistic ■oene In the theater, during which Captain Merryon, the hero, rescue Puck and takes her to his apartments. Both the captain and the girl are comparatively dlesa and naturall] fall In love. Vulcan n the nie and the captain t a )-. • . PUI K « fth him to the Army Poat in India The dramatic momenta, which are splendldlj presented, come when Sylvester, a former habitue of the dance halls, recognizes Puck. The girl will not yield to his advances and Sylvester communicates with Vulcan, who has also d on the scene. The latter eventually succumbs to the plague and Puck and bferryon are happily wed. Gladden .lames has the part of S> tor and Anders Randolf appears as Vulcan. "THE CLEMENCEAU CASE." Reissue of Five-Part Adaptation of the Dumas Novel Featuring Theda Bara. Reviewed by Margaret I. MacDonald. Till .'lemenceau Case," in which William Fox featured Theda Una. will no doubt meet with its former success with tin1 type of audiences who appreciate the Bars style of inter tion and the super-melodramatic flavor given the production in Its development. The star's ability to "vamp" is i up as the central pivot of the story to an extent that will be offensive to some, for the reason that it prevents a normal analysis of the characterization and purpose of the story. The story tells of the wicked manipulations of an artist's model when her lot lies between money and position and love. Discovering that a -certain rich nobleman u hum she has hoped to marry has decided to follow the advice of his mother and forego a union with the model on nit of their difference in station, she marries a sculptor for whom she appeared to have had an affection. Finally a crlscrosslng of love affairs, all of which prove the fickleness of the woman's affections, leads up to the climax, where the husband bs his wife to death. As told In the film the story has only the charm of melodrama and falls to establish a more serious objective. "THE WHIRLPOOL." Select Picture Starring Alice Brady Contains Numerous Dramatic Moments. Reviewed by Edward Weitzel. VICTORIA MORTON'S novel "The Whirlpool" has been put Into picture form by Eve Unsell and produced by Select with Alice Brady as the Btai and Alan Crosland the director. William Marshall was the in. The story is dra matic In the extreme, the heroine, Bella lo, being the decoy for her steprather'e gambling house. It belongs to lass of Action that will not stand the test ol plausibility, but has sufficient • iiienl to keep the spectator bothering \\ it h t hat fact. Several of the characters belong to the circles of the underworld, and the le of a well patronized gambling house Is shown In full blast, although New York is supposed to have shut the doors of all such places long before Mayor Hyland started his reform administration. On its artistic side there is much to recommend Director Crosland knows how to treat his subject, and the entire production is in keeping with the theme. Alice Brady is sufficiently attractive as the decoy, and acts with force md skill. Bella Cavello Is the creature of circumstances. Her insti those of a re