Paramount Press Books (1918)

ADVANCE PUBLICITY To be sent to newspapers daily for a week in advance of the showing of “The Firefly of France” AN UNUSUAL PHOTOPLAY IS “THE FIREFLY OF FRANCE” STARRING WALLACE REID Popular Paramount Star Portrays Role of Young American Who Wins Honor and Love at the Battle Front PICTURES dealing with varying phases of the great war in Europe are many, but it is doubtful if there is any in which there has been crowded more action than has been provided for “The Firefly of France,” which will be shown at the Theatre next Wallace Reid is starred; Ann Little is his leading woman. Raymond Hatton plays the title role, and Donald Crisp was the director. The heavy part of the spy is admirably portrayed by Charles Ogle. Indeed, the cast is a superior one in every respect. Marion Polk Angellotti wrote the story for the Saturday Evening Post and it was translated to the screen by Margaret Turnbull. It concerns a German spy whose plot against the Allies is frustrated by a daring young American, who saves important papers obtained by the Firefly, an aviator with the French army. A dainty love story relieves the strain of the constant suspense and thrill. It is a picture to make spectators sit on the edges of their chairs and hold their breath continuously throughout the development of the stirring story. “THE FIREFLY OF FRANCE” IS INTENSELY ABSORBING PICTURE OF LOVE AND WAR Wallace Reid’s Newest Starring Vehicle Based Upon Successful Story of Rich Young American on Firing Line in France SPLENDIDLY produced, its story dramatic and absorbingly interesting, “The Firefly of France,” the new Paramount starring vehicle for Wallace Reid, is in every respect an exceptional photoplay. In this great picture, which is based upon the story by Marion Polk Angellotti, and which was published serially in the Saturday Evening Post, Wallace Reid is seen as a wealthy young American, who goes abroad to join the Ambulance Corps, becomes entangled in the plotting of German spies, and falls in the companion ship of a beautiful girl, who innocently becomes the victim of Hun plotters. In this characterization, Wallace Reid has a role that will be highly acceptable to his clientele of admirers in that it breeds the spirit of real Americanism at a time when patriotism stands supreme. The young woman in the story goes to France in search of certain papers, hidden by an aviator known as the Firefly, and the finding of these papers in an old chateau on the firing line, the capture of the Americans by the spies, the subsequent destruction of the latter by a timely shell, and the courtship of the young man and girl, form the basis of an exceedingly clever story. This role fits Mr. Reid’s versatile talents to excellent advantage. Ann Little is charming as the girl, and Charles Ogle, as the German spy, does artistic work. Raymond Hatton, in his small but important role of the “Firefly,” stands out by reason of his fine characterization. The picture, which will be displayed at Theatre next was directed by Donald Crisp from a scenario written by Margaret Turnbull. The support generally is excellent. FEATS OF AVIATOR BASIS OF GREAT PICTURE STORY Thrilling Scenes Depicted by Wallace Reid in “The Firefly of France” NOW like a firefly in very truth is the daring aviator, who, far above the battle-scarred lands, darts hither and thither upon his mission! He is the eyes of the* army. He is taking a place in this war that makes it different from any other war, if it were not already different from other wars in history by reason of its enormous proportions and the fearful weapons of destruction employed. In “The Firefly of France,” the new Paramount picture starring Wallace Reid with Ann Little, which will be shown at the Theatre next week, the work of an intrepid birdman forms the basis of a story that sets the blood tingling and makes one of the most interesting pictures that has been seen here in many weeks. Donald Crisp did the directing. The scenario is by Margaret Turnbull, and the story, originally published in The Saturday Evening Post, was written by Marion Polk Angellotti. 7