Paramount Press Books (1918)

PRESS REVIEWS To be Sent to the Newspapers Immediately After the First Showing of “The Firefly of France” WALLACE REID AND DAINTY ANN LITTLE MAKE HIT IN “THE FIREFLY OF FRANCE” Excellent Photoplay of War and Love Provides These Sterling Artists with Exceptional Opportunities for Effective Work. PROVING itself, in every respect, a remarkable picture of love and war, “The Firefly of France,” the latest starring vehicle for Wallace Reid, the popular Paramount star, was shown at the Theatre yesterday. Dainty Ann Little, whose characterizations in many of Mr. Reid’s pictures have won for her the admiration of a large following, had an exceptional role in this photoplay and she shared the honors with the star. The story of “The Firefly of France” concerns a young American of wealth and social standing, who, in a spirit of patriotism, gives up everything to join the Ambulance Corps in France. He becomes entangled with a German spy and a beautiful girl, the latter going from New York to France in search of certain papers hidden by the “Firefly,” an aviator who has disappeared under suspicious circumstances and who is her relative. With the aid of the young American these papers are found in a chateau near the firing line, but they are not obtained without serious diffi ; culties in which the American and the young j woman are involved. The chateau is the scene | of many thrilling incidents, chief among which is a battle between the American and a quartet of desperate German spies, who are seeking these papers for their government. The American ingeniously foists upon them a faked set of documents, but he, himself, is made prisoner and is i about to be taken into the German lines when a shell providentially ends the adventure, killing the spies and wounding their prisoner. The American awakes to consciousness in a hospital and finds the girl he loves nursing him. He simultaneously wins a cross of war and the love j of his sweetheart. In the part of Devereux Bayne, Wallace Reid j appeared to excellent advantage, for it enabled j him to make use of his natural verve and en j thusiasm. Ann Little proved charming as the girl, and Charles Ogle, as the leader of the spies, did splendid work. In the small but important role of the “Firefly,” Raymojid Hatton presented a fine characterization. The entire cast was more than adequate and the settings of the picture were superb. The scenes, “somewhere in France,” were exceptionally thrilling and were enthusiastically applauded. That this picture will draw immense business throughout its run is a certainty. “THE FIREFLY OF FRANCE” THRILLING WAR PHOTOPLAY Wallace Reid and Ann Little Are Well Received in Newest Paramount Picture THAT “The Firefly of France,” starring Wallace Reid and Ann Little, should have scored so heavily on the premiere presentation of that photoplay in this city at the Theatre yesterday, is quite understandable. First, the picture, because of the spirit of patriotism which animates it, is one of the best seen here in many weeks, and second, these two stars never appeared in more congenial roles, as the frequent manifestations of the large audience amply testified. Devereux Bayne is a young American of wealth who goes to the French front as an ambulance driver. He falls in with Esme Falconer, a young woman who is searching for some papers secreted by the “Firefly,” an aviator who is missing, and who is her relative. These papers are urgently desired by several German spies and here you have the basis for one of the most interesting picture stories it is possible to conceive. How Bayne frustrates the spies and wins the love of Esme, as well as the cross of war, is admirably told in scenes that hold one’s breath to the end. Mr. Reid was well cast as Bayne, while Miss Little gave a most enjoyable portrayal of Esme. Charles Ogle was excellent as the spy, and Raymond Hatton made the most of the small but important part of the “Firefly.” The picture is well worth one’s while, not only because of its interest and heart appeal, but because of the patriotic message it conveys to Americans in this great crisis of the struggle of world democracy against German military autocracy.