Moving Picture World (Aug 1917)

August 11, 1917 THE MOVING PICTURE WORLD 963 Coming Art Dramas Rich in Variety Exhibitors Can Be Sure of Having Differentiated Types of Pictures in Summer and Fall. ADVANCE notices on Art Dramas for the months of August and September promise much in the way of variety of releases. No two productions are of the same type, and exhibitors using the program regularly can be sure of showing their patrons something totally unique each week. In "Eye of Envy," for instance, which is scheduled for release in the near future, patrons will see a dramatic allegory, something which has never before been done on the screen, although on the spoken stage the type has attracted considerable popularity. Possessing all the pictorial and symbolic beauty of an allegory, with the intensity and realism of a drama, this Horsley-Art Drama marks a step in the development of the motion picture. In this production audiences will have an opportunity to see Crane Wilbur, the world-renowned star, in a role especially written for him, and in which his versatility is displayed to an unusual extent. Harrish Ingraham, who directed "Eye of Envy," is said to have made of it a masterpiece, both as to pictorial beauty and dramatic effect. It is taken from the story by .T. Francis Dunbar. Immediately following "Eye of Envy" will be the U. S. Amusement-Art Drama, "Think It Over," which is best described as an amazing drama. Details of this production given in another column of this issue, prove it to be exceptional in conception, and built up out of a story which is filled with unconventional situations and sprightly humor. Catherine Calvert and Richard Tucker are starred in this, which was written by Herbert Blache, who also directed it. A comedy-dranja of unusual appeal follows this. "The Little Samaritan" is its title, and it proceeds from the Erbograph studios. Marian Swayne, who has won thousands of admirers for her work in her previous Art Dramas, "Little Miss Fortune" and "The Road Between," is starred. The story of "The Little Samaritan" was written by the Reverend Clarence J. Harris, and like all of his scripts abounds in heart interest and wholesome comedy. Joseph Levering is the director of this, which is as different in theme and treatment from the two previously-mentioned as is possible to conceive. "Behind the Mask," the Apollo picture in which Alma HanIon makes her next Art Dramas appearance, is, as its title would indicate, a strong drama of a serious nature, affording a vivid contrast to its predecessors. This is from the story by Charles Dazey, adapted by Frederick Rath. In it Miss Hanlon has the role of a girl whose father's life has be&w ruined by an enemy, and who takes it upon herself to gain revenge. The novelty of the plot comes in the form which her revenge takes, and the consequences which follow upon her daring act. As far as is known, the next Art Drama atter this will be the "Van Dyke "Peg o' the Sea," in which Jean Sothern is starred. This, from the story by "Winifred Dunn, a young woman who has in a short time advanced to the rank of screen writers, is a play in which the. star is given the fullest opportunity to be both charming and expressive. She plays the role of a girl in a seacoast town, daughter of a fisherman. When her father is ill, she takes charge of his men and boats, which she handles with the skill of an old salt. It is from this aptitude that she is given the nickname which forms the title of the picture. Eugene Nowland directed this, and a competent cast was selected for the supporting roles. Its originality of theme and setting make it a photodrama of distinction, and the producers are confident that it will be a worthy addition to the imposing list of productions now completed for future release. TIMELY MILITARY SCENES IN UNIVERSAL ANIMATED WEEKLY. Scenes incident to the war predominate in the 82d issue of the Universal Animated Weekly just released. Naval recruits are shown at their training station near San Francisco going through the various tactics that will fit them to be regular war dogs within a few months. A sham battle on Goat Island in which the boys take part adds dramatic punch to the scenes. Canadian veterans, home from the trenches, are pictured on a visit to a moving picture theater in Montreal, where the feature of the day is the recent Animated Weekly special devoted to General Pershing's reception in France. An interesting series of views taken in Cuglieri, Italy, shows a huge gathering of Austro-German civil prisoners enjoying a picnic by special permission of the Italian Government after several months' internment. Other scenes are devoted to the construction of U. S. cantonments at Yaphank, Long Island, where 40,000 men will be prepared at a time for field service; the recent big recruiting rally in Brooklyn led by Sergt. Richard Fitzgerald of the Canadian Highlanders and an unusually effective series of pictures showing a group of young cadets from St. Agnes Convent going through a maze of military convolutions with the precision and sang froid of grizzled veterans. Hy Mayer contributes his usual timely cartoon features. "SOULS IN PAWN" (Mutual). Gail Kane as Ltane Dore, the beautiful young Frenchwoman who has sworn to avenge the murder of her husband, mysteriously slain at the door of his palatial home, who a spy in behalf of the German von Kbndemarck on his ai tion that he will reveal to her the murderer of her child'! father, is wonderfully effective in her new Mutual-American production, "Souls in Pawn," released by Mutual August 8, "Souls in Pawn" is one of the strongest photodramaa pro Scene from "Souls in Pawn" (Mutual). duced in the United States since the beginning of the war. It has a most brilliantly constructed war plot based on a story by Julius Grinnell Furthmann. The play is superbly directed by Henry King. The story involves a thrilling series of adventures which display the activity of the German spy system In Paris and France generally, in the period immediately preceding and following the outbreak of war. Included in the cast are Robert Klein, a well-known character actor with experience on the French stage; Douglas MacLean, who was with Maude Adams in "Peter Pan"; Edward Peil, who was formerly with Modjeska, and Ashton Dearholt. The new play is a love story first and war story second, but in both its aspects it is fascinating. "BABBLING TONGUES" (Ivan). "Set society to glancing slyly at a man and a woman whose relationship to each other is really innocent. There is started the impalpable power of suggestive force of whispered opinion, rising into a whirlwind of babbling tongues which will blow its victims giddily into the arms of an awful tragedy." The above paragraph is the basic argument of the scenario prepared by the combined efforts of William Humphrey and George Edwards Hall. It is very comprehensive, and unquestionably has dramatic possibilities that reach climactic heights — and if a consecutive continuity of accumulating force with culminating power is pictorially presented (and such is the claim of the producers), "Babbling Tongues" should prove one of the foremost pictures presented to the public. The all star cast — composed of James Morrison, Grace Valentine, Arthur Donaldson, in the leading parts, and such wellknown artists as Paul Capellani, Louise Beaudet, Carolyn Birch and Gladden James in support — needs no introduction. They are all prominently fixed in the constellation of the theatrical sky. Their gathering in one production under the masterful direction of William Humphrey promises the finished artistry necessary for so pretentious a theme. MERIT FILM EXPANDS. The scope of the operations of the Merit Film Corporation for the coming year will be greatly enlarged. By special arrangement I. E. Chadwick, general manager of the Ivan Film Productions, will supervise the management of the exchange, which will be conducted by Mr. Willis, who for some time has been the manager of the Boston branch of the Merit Film Company. All Ivan releases, both regular and special, will be exploited by the Merit Film Corporation. Moreover, there are some special deals pending for exceptional productions of other companies which will be concluded in time for the fall season. The fact that Mr. Chadwick is stepping to closer relations with the exchange is in itself a guarantee that the exhibitors in the territory controlled by the Merit Film Corporation will get the progressive and square deal that Mr. Chadwick is known for in the business and that up to date business necessitates.