Reel Life (1916-1917)

NE. THATCHER, writing in the photoplay column of The • New Orleans Times-Picayune, says : “The Devil’s Assistant,” with Margerita Fischer, is pleasing audiences at the Tudor, and will be the bill for today. It contains a plot of big action, and is a preachment against the use of drugs. Nothing so uncanny on the screen has been seen in some time. It is a wellconceived story of a woman’s battle against morphine prescribed by an un¬ scrupulous physician and the woman wins. It is an unusual photoplay, and that in itself is a recommendation, in this day of cut and dried plots and hackneyed scenes. The Tatler of Toronto, in a review of motion picture educational develop¬ ment, says: “For instance, the GaumontMutual film that illustrates clinical efforts to find a cancer cure and gives the figures on cancer in the United States, 150,000 deaths a year, is what we call a really important motion picture.” The Tacoma, Wash., Ledger, says : “To the already representative literature of the screen such classics as those of Ibsen, Dickens, Gertrude Atherton, Algernon Boyesen and Frederick Arnold Kummer are being added the Powell-Mutual studios starring Nance O’Neil and Marjorie Rambeau.” Margaret Mason, writing in Yon¬ kers, N. Y ., News, says, referring to the proposition to hold an artists’ ball there, that it is a thrilling scheme, be¬ cause : “Nine chances out of ten all the men would appear as Charlie Chap¬ lin and all the women as Annette Kellermann.” The St. Johns, N. B., Herald, in an editorial article referring to “war plus,” says : “The Mutual Film Corporation picture showing the massing of big guns for barrage fire on the western front is one of the most illuminating pictures of the war, and of far greater interest than the fake battle films that have been put out by some of the other film companies.” The Musical Courier Journal, re¬ ferring to “The Outcast,” the EmpireMutual star production now in prog¬ ress, says: “The capabilities of the technical staff under the able direction of Frank Beresford, were taxed to ar¬ range the elaborate settings required for the latest Ann Murdock photo¬ play.” The Motion Picture World, in an article on the Powell-Mutual produc¬ tion, “Motherhood,” from the story of Frederick Arnold Kummer, says: “This is a very powerful visualiza¬ tion of the horrors of war, most of the story taking place in two small villages in Europe along the fugitive lines. It is a thought provoking and forceful presentation of the way that war brutalizes the nature of man so that he forgets his own family and despoils an enemy home.” The New York Dramatic Mirror, in discussing the fallacy of censorship, says : “A folder containing a digest of existing laws applicable to motion pictures, showing that existing laws amply safeguard public morals and that censorship advocates have other purposes, is contributed by the legal department of the Mutual Film Cor¬ poration. The timeliness of the pub¬ lication is evident when it is remem¬ bered that in twenty or more states there are now censorship bills pend¬ ing. It is certainly interesting read¬ ing and presented in a forceful man¬ ner that should prove interesting reading to those misled into the be¬ lief that there is need of censorship.” The Hartford, Conn., C our ant, in a discussion of the Mutual Weekly as an educational feature, says : “The Mutual Weekly shows the ■opening of the automobile season in California, the Sun Dance at Palm Beach, and other similar features* which in our belief are the best sorts of motion picture offering — thor¬ oughly educational and entertaining.” “Amusements,” in an article dis¬ cussing the Mutual’s presentation of “Silas Marner,” quotes a letter from Henry Patrick, Principal of the Mon¬ tana School of Mines, as follows: “The Mutual Film Corporation is to be congratulated on its excellent dramatization of George Eliot’s beautiful story. Each character was played by an actor or actress of special ability. “Silas Marner was one of the most interesting and instructive film plays we have ever seen in the institution. We understood clearly the sequence of events and anticipated each scene with interest and pleasure.” The Vancouver, B. C., Times, in a discussion of the future motion pic¬ ture influence on world affairs, says: “Mr. Freuler is wise when he says the motion picture producers of the world will be able to wage war against war in their presentation of pictures displaying war’s devasta¬ tion.” The Boston Globe, reviewing “Cir¬ cumstantial Evidence,” first chapter of the new £ignal-Mutuul photonovel, “The Railroad Raiders,” says: “The picture met with an en¬ thusiastic reception. It is claimed that every incident shown on the screen during the fifteen episodes is a presentation of an actual happen¬ ing in railroad life in different parts of the country. Certainly the first episode bears out this statement. It deals with the theft of freight and money robberies. These incidents are most cleverly worked out and they are based on realism, a fact that does not lessen the thrills but adds to them.” The Bushnell, III., Record, discuss¬ ing the tremendous advance in motion picture development, says: “The Mutual Film Corporation when it was organized a few years ago earned $300,000 a year. Now it earns $7,000,000. Some development from our humble point of view.” The North Nebraska Eagle, in an editorial paragraph, says: “Why should a few conceited human beings set themselves up to censor the rest of humanity? Presi¬ dent Freuler of the Mutual Film Corporation has the right idea. He refuses to negotiate with censorship advocates, but carries the fight right to them on non-censorship as an out and out principle.” The Dayton, O., Journal, discussing Mary Miles Minter with her hair done up, says: “Give us back our Mary. In ‘The Gentle Intruder,’ Mary is no longer the laughing care-free child. She has her hair done up. Lord! fancy Mary Miles with done up hair. We refuse to stand for it. Of course Mary is gentle and wistful and awfully nice, but we want her with her hair down.” The Schenectady, N. Y ., Layette, commenting on Mary Miles Minter’s appearance in “The Gentle Intruder,” says: “Miss Minter has a thoroughly adequate vehicle in ‘The Gentle In¬ truder.’ It displays her genius for being sweet and childlike and dainty and generally adorable. Mr. Kirk¬ wood has an admirable knack of selecting plays that suit his pretty little star.” What the Papers Say About Mutual REEL LIFE— PAGE EIGHT Gleanings from the pages of the nation’s papers on subjects concerning Mutual’s pictures.