Reel Life (1915-1916)

“F eat hertop’— Mutual Masterpicture De Luxe Edition Depicting the emptiness of modern society— Featuring the popular star, Marguerite Courtot, in a dual role FOR her second apearance in a Mutual feature since her connection with the Gaumont (Mutual) Company, charming Marguerite Courtot is cast in a dual role. Her first appearance was in The Dead Alive. Her second appearance will be m the Mutual Masterpicture, De Luxe Edition, Feathertop, a drama of high lights, color and tense plot partially founded on Nathaniel Hawthorne’s story, “Feathertop.” Feathertop, as a finished production, is a work of art, such as the public has learned to expect from the capable French director, Henry Vernot. With pretty Marguerite Courtot in the leading role, the picture could not be otherwise than successful. The plot allows for a wide variety in setting and characterization which makes possible unusual acting before the cinema. There is the simple life of the seaside and sailor folk, the quietude of a horticulturist’s green houses, and the swaggering social life of a great city. As Elsie, the chrysalis who dwells at peace among her father’s flowers, and later develops into a gay, careless butterfly, and as Polly Goodkin, the picturesque character of Hawthorne’s tale, Miss Courtot gives splendid characterization. The story of Feathertop is as follows: Once upon a time there were three brothers. One longed for riches, another declared that the life of a sailor be his, while the third only wanted to grow beautiful flowers. As the boys matured into men, each followed his bent. Tom, the eldest, became owner of nurseries, also the father of a lovely girl, Elsie. Henry, the youngest, won a fortune, but not contentment. Dick found happiness in a South Sea home and a good wife, Sarah. Henry decided to pay his older brother, Tom, a visit, taking with him, Grace Eawton, a society girl and a husband-seeker, and Percy Morleigh, an affected fop of today. The two young people with their fashionable clothes and affected manners, made a deep impression upon simplehearted Elsie. Percy was attracted to Elsie and flattered her until her young head was completely turned. Shortly after the visit, Elsie went to the city to spend some time with her wealthy uncle. Here she becomes completely inoculated with the froth and glitter of the social world. Under the guidance of Grace she developed into an ultra-society butterfly. In the meantime, Percy made a wager that he would kiss Elsie. She sent a photograph of herself in one of her most daring gowns to her gentle old father. The knowledge Elsie had so changed broke her father’s heart, and he died. After her father’s death, Elsie became discontented with this simple life among the flowers. She also decided that she could not marry Ward Roberts, who had been in charge of the nurseries for her father. Elsie’s glimpse of the high life had spoiled her good sense. She returned to reside with her wealthy uncle and was again completely carried away with the glitter and glamor of society. The wealthy uncle died. He had previously grown disgusted with Elsie’s conduct. The girl found that instead of inheriting her uncle’s millions, her Uncle Dick had inherited the money. Elsie had been willed only a copy of the story, “Feathertop.” Uncle Dick was given the money on the promise that he and his wife come to New York to live. Beautif ul Marguerite Courtot and Sydney Mason in a scene from “ Feathertop ” — Gaumont-Mutual Masterpicture. Elsie Green ! Marguerite Courtot Polly Goodkin j Ward Roberts Sydney Mason Percy Morleigh 1 John Reinhard Feathertop J Uncle Dick and Sarah came to New York, where Elsie took them in hand. Uncle Dick was not happy in his new environment. He made a trip to Elsie’s old home, and from Ward learned the cause of his brother’s death. Meantime the uncle read the story of “Feathertop.” When Elsie and her aunt returned from the opera, he insisted that the girl read the legacy her uncle had left her. Elsie read the story, and in her mind’s eye saw m the man of straw with the pumpkin head, the social fop, Percy.. Later, she learned of his wager to kiss her. Completely disgusted with society and its garishness, Elsie accompanied her aunt and uncle on a trip on the schooner. There she discovered that the old people have invited Ward to be of the party, and in a romantic love scene the girl returned once more to the protection of a true man. REEL LIFE — Page Six