Moving Picture World (Jul - Aug 1918)

1278 THE MOVING PICTURE WORLD August 31, 1918 By Marion Howard SURELY all are interested in the Davenport family, as stage and screen players, so it is not pleasant to tell of the funeral I attended the other day of Edgar L. Davenport at Forest Hills, where his talented sister, Fanny, lies. He had been ailing for a long time, so that the end was foreseen by his immediate family, though a shock to others. Many floral tributes came from New York and elsewhere. Harry Davenport, the sisters — May Davenport Seymour and Blanche Davenport — were present. There is one daughter, Marjory, who greatly resembles her late Aunt Fanny, and who has recently become engaged to a young army officer. * » * Just had a chat with Anita Stewart over here, doing a picture at the exclusive North Shore, and it was good to seen Vernon Steele in support. The news has gone forth about her transfer from the Vitagraph to Louis B. Mayer of the Hub, who promises to do much for this star. Mi — Stewart I found most unassuming, natural, and girlish, with no inclination to shine away from the screen. Some of the local interviews have been queer and no one mentioned "Hubby" Cameron, who is in the service, stationed around here at present. * * » An embarrassment of pictures has been ours of late, but space forbids the Mention all deserve. "The Firefly of Frame" went strong, and everyone likes Wally Reid. Features were admirably written titles and fine support. No, Wally was not the Firefly, for that honor went to Raymond Hatton, the embodiment of versatility. We liked the way the story unfolded, the suspense of it all, and we did think Reid looked immense in his aviator uniform. Some puncji in this offering! On the same program was "The Vamp," clever, well done by Enid Bennett and a selected cast. Charles French, our old friend, in "The (iuilty Man," made good here, as did Melbourne Mail )<>w ell. who played a Hun spy. This is the very best picture seen with Miss Bennett. For a weekly we had thousands of troops at Gettysburg "waiting orders." If you recall this historic place you can imagine the effect on the audience when the men were disclosed making tl»e word "Gettysburg" and then breaking ranks. * * * What a sparkling picture "Good Night, Paul" is! Yes, a bit risque, in a spot or two, and inconsistent, but good farce, and so well done by Constance Talmadge, Harrison Ford and that funny player, John Steppling! Fine summer picture, and after all. we must have the lighter stuff these trying days. This reminds me to ask why the weeklies show us wrecks, fires and floods, for nobody is interested, unless concerned directly. Mutt and Jeff continue to edify all, but we like best the pictures from France just now. * * * "Shark Monroe" displayed some extra fine titles in the first reels with a background of the ocean in motion. Several around me exclaimed, "how cool," for it w;. seen on one of the hottest nights of the season. Of course, W. S. Hart has his following, but I do wish he would give us a picture now and then with a different theme and done in the East. A sailor next me was a bit wrathy over the terms used during the storm at sea like "P'nrl the flying jib topsail," as if there was such a thing. This chap was up on matters nautical, and he was plainly disgusted at the captain's orders. However, few there knew the "dif," so there you are ! There was some cave man stuff and the customary ending, hero winning out. Splendid Alaskan atmosphere. Best work next to the hero was that done by Bertholde Sprotte, Hart's pal, and "white' 'all through. * * * A very good friend of mine declared that she did not like "Cecilia of the Pink Roses," but I was agreeably disappointed, and found it not only wholesome, but well done, by that incomparable beauty, Marion Davies, with fine support. Picture is sure to go with the Catholic set, especially as it has religious touches and a splendid finale. They gave the star George Le Guere for her wayward brother, and here we had an illustration on snobs versus loyalty, in dealing with the paternal. Willette Kershaw made a pathetic wife, who went out of life too soon. It is a human, compelling story, well directed by Julius Steger. * * * The big hit over here of late was the Fairbanks picture, "Say, Young Fellow," for it had a new idea well worked out in double exposure stunts, the star posing as a little mentor or curb on impulses, etc. What most of us liked was the delicious romance of the village spinster and a bachelor, impersonated by James Neill, and his versatile wife, Edythe Chapman. It was a delightful change from Doug's swift athletics. Titles were excellent, causing hearty laughter. * * * On the same program was Clara K. Young in "The Claw," not especially convincing in spots and too much melodrama for this clever star. * * * "You Can't Believe Everything," a Triangle with little Swanson, had one or two novel features, like the "Neptune Dinner," the guests in effete bathing suits, disclosing some anatomy to cause big laughs. In "The Service Star," a stunning picture for Madge Kennedy, I saw Clarence Oliver for the first time, and doesn't he look like his father? This picture ought to be a go, for it has a motive, good lighting, and is so well cast. Following this was "How Could You, Jean?" very entertaining, "Little Mary," as usual, giving pleasure. During that week Mrs. Tyer gave us "Opportunity," a Metro picture for Viola Dana doing odd stunts like i:oing to a prize fight, dressed as a boy, and running up against two men who don't "do a thing" to the little masqueradcr. There is too much running about in pajamas by the trio. It was some sight! Glad to see Edward Abeles, that sterling actor, now in the pictures. * * * "To the Highest Bidder" proved a novelty, and I have not seen anything funnier in a long time than Frank Norcross as the auctioneer! Why his name is not in the printed cast is beyond me, for he has ever done good character work for the Vitagraph, Alice Joyce and Percy Standing are the stars in this. Two other good Vitagraphs at the Fenway \\<re "Tangled Lives," with the dependable Harry Morey, Betrj BIythe, Eulalie Jensen and Charles Kent, and "The Girl in His House," featuring Earle Williams, Harry Lonsdale ami Grace Darmond — fine picture, good for repeats. Splendid photography and all <lse. * * * "Everywoman's Husband," good picture, with lesson on domesticity and how to keep "hubby" happy at home in spite of mother-in-law. I caught many around me nudging each other when the lines and arts shot home. It was convincing, and showed that a house is not always a home. Good twist at the end of this. * * + Hayakawa has again scored in "The Bravest Way," and it was good to see his dainty little v ri Aaki, with him. Florence Yidor was beautiful, but why the make-up? For a supposed Oriental, she was far removed in appearance. Winter Hall was the polished villain and the play ended well, despite the limps here and there. "Old Wives for New" had a long cast of Artcraft players. Here we had Florence Vidor again, but there was a lot of rough stuff, though the beauty parlor doings got the laugh, especially when Sylvia ton emer| sylphlike and quite attractive by con trast with the "before" habit. Elliott Dexter did not seem to fit as the husband. * * * Well I take off my hat to Director Blache for giving us such good business in the Metro picture, "A Man's World," and to Rachel Crothers for writing the play on a timely theme— man's alleged supremacy in the world of morals, etc. Then we had some splendid comedy touches around the kifl and his dog, who did quite a few stunts to make us all laugh. Except for a bad make-up of lips, Emily Stevens showed up to advantage and was well supported by the trio of Bohemians, including Walter Hiers and Frederick Truesdale, who played the "bad un," and l«ft the field clear for the good boy. This was quite classy all through after the first reel, and wasn't Florence Short some Vamp! It is hard to believe that she played Nancy Hanks in the Lincoln pictures with the lamented Chapin. On the same bill we had dear little Minter, in "Social Briers," quite the best Mutual seen here in weeks ; the small town stuff had new features and good character drawing. There is a nice little romance all through, and some comedy elements to make this a go anywhere. How we did laugh over the hero's roadster tuned to speed high lights, and his later efforts, like suddenly acquiring religion, in order to hear and see the heroine in :hurch.