Reel Life (1915-1916)

“Silent Selby” In Three Parts, with T om Chatterton and Anna Little “The Wayfarers” A Three Part Drama, Starring Alfred V osburgh and Vivian Rich rHEN the poet remarked, “All the world loves a lover,” he really meant all the world loves a love story. The love story is the life of fiction and drama. Audiences never tire of the conquest for a pretty girl’s hand and if this conquest be fraught with adventure and danger the story is doubly interesting. No prettier love story has ever been adapted for screen reproduction than is found in the AmericanMutual three-part drama of the West, Silent Selby, written by Kenneth B. Clarke, and acted by an excellent cast, headed by Anna Little and Tom Chatterton. The action of this delightful romantic drama takes place on a big Western ranch where Silent Selby is the most popular cowboy and most accomplished rider of all the ranchmen. He is in love with Helen Whitney, daughter o f the ranch owner, and she looks upon him with considerable favor. Cliff. Merton, the ranch foreman, also has his heart set upon the pretty daughter of his employer. Mert o n attempts to force his attention on the girl, but is soundly thrashed by Selby, who plans revenge. Learning of a trysting place where Helen and Selby frequently meet, Merton waylays the girl and carries her off to a shack in the mountains. She is kept prisoner, but manages to escape in the morning. Later Tom Chatterton, as “Silent S elby,” in the Mustang drama of the same name. Silent Selby. . Tom Chatterton Helen Anna Little Dave Jack Richardson Merton is found murdened in the shack, and Selby is accused of the crime. Helen’s father, however, comes forward and admits his guilt, offering as justification the indignity suffered by his daughter at the hands of Merton. A Western jury soon acquits him, and Selby and Helen start planning a ranch house of their own. Anna Little makes a charming and fascinating Helen. Tom Chatterton plays with his usual vigor and keen appreciation for the requirements of his role. Jack Richardson, as the villain, and Dick La Reno, as the father, give splendid characterizations. Other Mustang players appearing in the cast were selected with exceptional care, each one being deemed the best for the part to which they were assigned. EVIDENCE of a circumstantial nature has wrecked more than one life which would have been filled with happiness except for some inexplicable incident which fastened grim suspicion upon the innocent victim. The futility of condemning a man on circumstantial evidence alone is the basic theme of the tense American three-part drama, The Wayfarers, with Alfred Vosburgh, Vivian Rich and George Periolat in the leading roles. The story is one in which the strong arm of coincidence plays a strong part in the lives of a man and a girl. Frank Andrews, it is revealed, is robbed of his savings by a dishonest broker. When he demands the return of his money he is ejected from the thief’s office. Later he returns and discovers that the broker has been murdered. Martin, the clerk, enters and charges Andrews with the crime. Fearing arrest, he flees. A few hours later, while packing his things at his room, Andrezvs hears the police in the hall below, and rushes into a room across the hall. There he finds a girl about to end her life. He prevents, and saves her from carrying out her proposed scheme. They flee together and start life anew in a Western town. Sometime after Martin, the clerk, visits the town during his vacation, and recognizes Andrews. The girl then confesses that she had killed the broker, because he had wronged her sister. Martin leaves to summon the police, but is killed in an auto collision. The secret of the murder dies with him. Andrews and the girl are now free to enjoy their happiness together. Vivian Rich gives a splendid portrayal of the girl who revenges her sister’s wrongs. She does some excellent emotional work, and her characterization is perfect throughout. Alfred Vosburgh, as Andrezvs, has a role that fits him like a glove, and to which he adds dignity and force. Tom Chatterton, hero o f Mustang Mutual dramas, has been chosen for the leading male role in the forthcoming Mutual serial, The Mystery of the Submarine. Frank Alfred Vosburgh George Grace . Alfred Vosburgh and Vivian Rich in a scene from “The W ayfarers.” REEL LIFE — Page Seven