Reel Life (1916-1917)

MARGARITA FISCHER in “The DEVILS ASSISTANT” Marta . Margarita Fischer Dr. Lorenz . Monroe Salisbury Marion Dane . Kathleen Kirkham John Lane . Jack Mower Butler . Joseph Harris AS weird as any fevered fancy from Edgar Allen Poe, as bizarre as a cruel dream — it is in phrases like that one one seeks about to describe “The Devil’s As¬ sistant,” in which Margarita Fischer appears the week of April 2. This picture is probably the most ambitious feature production which Pollard Picture Plays studios have made for Mutual release. The pic¬ ture was made under the direction of Harry Pollard and it savors in part of “The Miracle of Life,” the famous birth control picture featur¬ ing Miss Fischer, released nearly two years ago. “The Devil’s Assistant” is built about the experiences of a beautiful woman in the grip of the drug evil and false friends, and a false physi¬ cian, who used his prescription power in an effort to work her undo¬ ing. The production is spectacular in the extreme, depending on highly vivid treatments of desperate situa¬ tions. There is a rescue and a happy ending, but not until after the spec¬ tator has all but given up hope. Miss Fischer’s role in “The Dev¬ il’s Assistant” stands in marked con¬ trast to her part in recent produc¬ tions. She has plunged, with de¬ cided success, into the depths of the most powerfully dramatic and direst tragedy. Mr. Pollard’s handling of the theme and the powerful elements of his story are consistent with the measure of his purpose. “The Devil’s Assistant” is a fea¬ ture production which will bear very strong promotion and booking for long runs, because of the large ele¬ ment of word of mouth advertising which its sensational elements are certain to produce in the normal community. Miss Fischer’s efforts and her ex¬ traordinary acting may be expected to create a sensation among her fol¬ lowers. The eyes of Margarita Fischer — the large, expressive eyes, in which all the horror of a mind deranged by poison are mirrored — are haunting. The ghastly phantoms that pursue her — the illusions of a drug fiend — come out of the very walls of her room, lurk behind curtains and spring upon her in the most fantastic Margarita Fischer, famous star of “ The Devil’s Assistant." PollardMutual feature. way, and are marvels of the genius of the cameraman and the art of make-up. The eyes of her perse¬ cutor — the “Mephisto”-like doctor — haunt her, and in intense dramatic moments drive her almost insane. A symbolical devil — the incarna¬ tion of evil, the “Mr. Hyde” that springs from the “Dr. Jekyl” — is Dr. Lorenz. Monroe Salisbury’s physi¬ ognomy lends itself to a striking make-up and a forceful portrayal of the role. Ruthlessly his plans are car¬ ried out, but fate frustrates him. You have seen storms, perhaps have taken shelter from one in the woods, and watched the giant trees sway and bend as if every moment they would come crashing to the earth, while the wind-swept rain came down in torrents and the light¬ ning split the heavens with its barbed tongue. In such a scene, vividly realistic and appalling, is seen the fiend with his helpless vic¬ tim. Taking refuge in a hut, the storm wages fiercer, and in the glare of lightning is seen a hand-to-hand struggle between Marta and the doc¬ tor. There comes a flash, the house crumbles to the ground and Marta and Lorenz are buried in the ruins. Her delirious mind pictures Death ap¬ proaching. He beckons, and her spirit is seen rising from out her body. At the River Styx, “Charon,” the boat¬ man, awaits them. Hades is shown, and “His Satanic Majesty” is seen at his favorite indoor sport. In a wild struggle with Death, Marta comes to — to find herself in the arms of her husband, who has followed them. CONDENSED SYNOPSIS FOR YOUR PROGRAM Pollard Picture Plays present MARGARITA FISCHER in “THE DEVIL’S ASSISTANT.” When Marta (Margarita Fischer) mar¬ ries John Lane, Dr. Lorenz, a former suitor, determines to take her away from her husband. A year later John and Marta’s happiness over an expected event is turned to grief, for the child dies and Marta suf¬ fers intensely. Dr. Lorenz attends her and administers dope, until she becomes a con¬ firmed “fiend.” Marion, who loved John, conspires with the doctor, pretending to be Marta’s friend, and attempts to win John. Driven desperate by her husband’s apparent neglect of her, and craving the “dope” which the doctor withholds, she leaves with Lorenz. Taking refuge from the storm in a hut, the doctor attempts to take ad¬ vantage of the situation, but lightning strikes the hut and they are buried in the ruins. The doctor is killed, but Marta is saved from the ruins by John and they start life anew, free from the malign in¬ fluence of her persecutor. REEL LIFE— Page Two