Moving Picture World (Aug 1917)

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1080 THE MOVING PICTURE WORLD August 18, 1917 ^R^ •» jg ^ '^ g -X fl. ft.^.^.ff.g?.; ft-frg; Reviews of Current Productions EXCLUSIVELY BY OUR OWN STAFF g^^5g^^3S3SjS3SZH^2H^S^ESSEgigE^gS^g5^S^3 "Wife Number Two" Story in American Backgrounds That Might Have Been Named "Madame Bovary," So Closely Does It Fit the French Masterpiece. Reviewed by Hanford C. Judson. NEVER have I seen Valeska Suratt in a role that she fits so well as the titular part in "Wife Number Two," a Fox picture, released July 29. The picture is noteworthy. It runs remarkably close to Flaubert's truthful "Madame Bovary," a story of human failure so relentless that the effect on the reader is tremendous. The picture is not so truthful nor so Scene from "Wife Number Two" (Fox). relentless as the novel, nor are the characters wholly convincing at all times. But the story is almost actor-proof, and it certainly gets over in the hands of these players. William Nigh, who adapted and staged it, should, I think, have more credit than anyone who had a hand in the production. "Madame Bovary" is a French life story. The author had to stand trial when the book first came out, while the French Government took testimony as to whether the book or humanity ought to be condemned. The author was acquitted. The novel was proved 'wholesome and the picture, "Wife Number Two," has much of the same quality. In its American backgrounds its incidents are not very convincing, and it will make, on this account, a lighter impression on the uninstructed than on those who have read the novel or who can see humanity through social conventions that do not belong with these recognized streets and houses. Emma is "Valeska Suratt at her best. Her parents are excellently played characters. Eric Mayne plays Dr. Bovary acceptably. And we must not forget Dan Sullivan in a side-light role that is most effectively played. The other players do well enough. Taking it as it stands, it makes an offering above the usual and out of the ordinary. It's a strong picture. "The Second Mrs. Tanqueray" Five-Part Screen Version of Sir Arthur Pinero's Celebrated Stage Success Made in London With English Cast Lacks Much of the Force of the Original — Released by Vitagraph-V-L-S-E. Reviewed by Edward Weitzel. AMONG the first of the sex or problem plays, "The Second Mrs. Tanqueray" marked a new phase of the art of Sir Arthur Pinero, and revealed certain conditions in the social life of England that were supposed to be ignored by the better element. A lady who has accepted the protection of several gentleman and who finally finds herself the wife of a man of assured position is bound to get herself talked about and to offer excellent material for a skilled dramatist. Paula Tanqueray is such a woman. She truly loves her husoand, and dares to hope that love and peace are to be hers in return, but her sin finds her out. Tanqueray has a daughter by his first wife who falls in love with one of her step-mother's old protectors. When Paula discovers this, she takes her own life. The story doesn't sound very nice in the telling, but with the incisive Pinero dialogue of the spoken play it became a fascinating study of a woman's soul — a woman who had sinned and then dared to hope for happiness without first expiating her sins. The screen version is but a faint reflection of the spoken drama, a skeleton of the play that Mrs. Patrick Campbell acted in with so much power and skill. Following the example of so many screen versions of well known plays, it goes back and relates the early history of its leading characters in detail, a method that is not always fraught with good results. Certain traits of character are in this way frequently revealed that weaken the story by repetition. When you see Paula pack up and walk out of one gentleman's apartment the action loses force when she threatens to repeat the business after she is married to Tanqueray. The English production is well mounted and acted. Sir George Alexander as Aubrey Tanqueray and Hilda Moore as Paula head the cast. Miss Moore is not a particularly graceful woman, and this fact is distinctly recorded on the screen. "The Streets of Illusion" Five-Reel Gold Rooster Feature Tells Entertaining Little Character Story of Washington Square. Reviewed by Robert C. McElravy. THIS feature number, produced by Astra Film Corporation and directed by William Parke, makes pleasing entertainment. There is no very pronounced plot running through this, but many of the characters possess traits that give them great appeal. There are also occasional humorous and pathetic touches. Gladys. Hulette plays the leading role, appearing as a girl named Beam. She lives with her blind father in Washington Square, and when her brother enlists and goes to serve on the Mexican border the girl opens up a boarding house. This gives opportunity to introduce a large number of characters, most of whom carry out the real and fancied traditions of the picturesque neighborhood. One of these is a petty thief, another a miser, and then a woman and her small son come and play important parts in the story. Beam makes an attractive character, and is well portrayed by Miss Hulette, who gives brightness and animation to the Scene from "The Streets of Illusion" (Pathe). role. William Parke, Jr., is also pleasing as the brother, who deserts the army, but afterward makes good. The story interest centers principally about the efforts of the girl to keep her boarders happy, and she succeeds very well in this. The number is brought to a pleasing close by some Christmas festivities for the child, to which all contribute a proper share. Others in the cast are J. H. Gilmour, Richard Barthelmess, William P. Burt, Katherine Adams and Gerald Badgley.