Reel Life (1915-1916)

PRESIDENT FREULER says: “The vast increase in the Mutual output is the expression of a carefully evolved plan to meet the ever developing demands for the higher quality, the better pictures, the more appealing entertainment that is the continuously advancing goal of Mutual effort." greater opportunity to the exhibitors. The essential of our success and theirs is the same— high quality pictures. We are supplying the pictures.” Among the new Mutual Masterpictures, De Luxe Edition, in the release schedule now immediately ahead are : Silas Manner — George Eliot’s famous book, featuring Frederic Warde. The Other Side of the Door — Lucia Chamberlain’s famous novel, featuring Harold Lockwood. “Vengeance Is Mine!” — Featuring Crane Wilbur. The Bait — Featuring William Clifford and Betty Hart. The Idol of the Stage — Featuring Malcolm Williams. The Five Faults of Flo — Featuring Florence La Badie. Lord Loveland Discovers America — Featuring Arthur Maude and Constance Crawley. As a Woman Sows — Featuring Gertrude Robinson. A Famous Classic The Masterpictures De Luxe, scheduled for release in the first few weeks, include picturized works of some of the best names connected with classic and popular fiction. Silas Manner, aside from the desirability the name of its famous author would lend it, and the popularity it has gained during the years as a work of fiction, has a peculiar attractive value as a photoplay. One reason is that Frederic Warde has its leading role, as the bent and twisted miser whose life of selfishness is changed by the influence of a child. Mr. Warde has been for years appearing in Shakesperian roles. It seems particularly fitting that he should have been chosen for the role of Silas Marner in the conversion of George Eliot’s story into a motion picture. The picture was directed by Mr. Warde’s son, Ernest Warde, who has for some time been connected with the Thanhouser directing force, but who had never before had the opportunity to direct a film in which his father appeared. Silas Marner marks the elder Warde’s motion picture debut. The tensity of this story, as those who have read it will understand, lends itself readily to picturization. Director Warde has been able to incorporate some of the most spectacularly beautiful scenery and light and shadow effects ever seen on the screen in this one Mutual Masterpicture De Luxe. Another five part photodrama produced by the Thanhouser Corporation is entitled The Five Faults of Flo. It features Florence La Badie, the attractive Thanhouser star. It is an interesting portrayal of foibles common to most women. The company of Thanhouser players, with Miss La Badie at the head, spent several weeks in Connecticut filming this interesting glimpse into feminine psychology. The Other Side of the Door, the American Film Corporation’s first Masterpicture De Luxe, from Lucia Chamberlain’s book, is a story of California in the early days, and is possessed of all the picturesque setting of 1865. Quaint touches of realism are added by the introduction of an old horse street car, built in 1840, by the ancient city hall of Monterey, California’s first capital, and by the attractive costuming of the period in which the story is laid. "Every exhibitor knows that we deliver — that we can do and do do everything that we announce — that the product which appears with the Mutual name on it has to be of that high standard which makes it a box office guarantee." It is a virile, red blooded tale of the days when men did not wait for the law for justice. Harold Lockwood and May Allison, in the leading roles, are particularly well cast. In support of them, William Stowell and Orral Humphreys do excellent characterization. Lord Loveland Discovers America is one of the most delightful stories of these two writers of charming fiction, C. N. and A. M. Williamson. Everyone who is familiar with the “Lady Betty” Stories, which appeared first in the Ladies’ Home Journal, and later in book form, will look forward with anticipation to this Mutual Masterpiece De Luxe from the work shops of the American Film Corporation. The characterization of Lord Loveland by Arthur Maude, who directs the picture, as well, is given with peculiar understanding of the eccentricities of the Englishman, since Mr. Maude is himself from the British Isles, and has not been in America so long that he has forgotten English mannerisms. Constance Crawley, as Lesley Dearmer, the American heiress, gives Mr. Maude excellent support. The cafe life of New York, in contrast to the life of the Bowery, both of which are prominent in this photodrama, give real metropolitan atmosphere to the adventures of the English Lord. Two well known stageland stars have been added to the forces of the Gaumont Company at their studio at Jacksonville, Fla., to play the leading roles in the first Gaumont releases of the De Luxe Edition. Malcolm Williams has engaged for the production of The Idol of the Stage, which will be the first of this new brand of Mutual output to be released upon the market, and will appear Jan. 17. Gertrude Robinson, went to Florida to play the leading role in As a Woman Sows. In The Idol of the Stage Mr. Williams brings his store of versatility and stage charm and presence to the interpretation of the role of a “matinee idol” who does not find the course of true love too smooth for even one of his attainments. The story is big and full of heart interest. Those who have seen the popular actor in his many Broadway and screen appearances — with Leslie Carter, John Mason, or others — will find him surpassing his usual high standard in this picture. “Vengeance is Mine” At the Horsley studios at Los Angeles, two tremendous five-reel Mutual Masterpictures De Luxe Edition has been made. Crane Wilbur is playing the leading role in a photodrama entitled “Vengeance Is Mine!” William Clifford, the newly acquired star of the Horsley contingent, is starring in a production using the Bostock animals, The Bait, which was written by Miss Theodosia Harris. “ Vengeance Is Mine!” is founded on the subject of capital punishment, and incorporates the striking instance of the seeming necessity of a United States Governor to submit to the death of his brother in the electric chair because of his pronounced belief in that form of punishment. At all the studios where Mutual Masterpictures De Luxe have been quietly nearing completion consequential changes have been under way. The recent enlargement of the American Film Corporation’s plant at Santa Barbara, the erection of the great REEL LIFE — Page Two