Variety (October 1914)

VARIETY 15 WHERE THE TRAIL DIVIDES. "How" Lander Robert Bdeeon Colonel Lander Theodore Roberta Clayton Craig J. W. Johnston Hess Lander Winifred Kingston Sam Rowland James Nelll Mrs. Rowland Constance Adams He v. John Baton Fred Montague Little "How" Antrim Short Little Bess Mury Jane Higbee Aside from the commercial value of its ad- vertising and billing possibilities and the in- dividual work of its featured principal in one or two scenes, this multiple reel Para- mount release from the plant of Lasky, does not average with some of the preceding ef- lorts from the sunn? Institution. 'Inferior dl- reetlon. or possibly in this instance, inexpe- rienced directing bus unfortunately gummed up whatever artistic features the scenario carried. The customary and essential ex- planatory sun-titles or •"cut-Ins" are conspic- uous through their absence, giving a dis- jointed appear.iiue to the story that makes it doubly difficult to follow. This faUlt, com- bined with the grneral theme In its screen portrayal combs the possibilities of the reel down to a minimum. The story is of the west and open.* with a tribe of Indians on the war-path. They attack or rather sneak up on a ranch house and carry off the hus- band and wife, overlooking their daughter, who has been hidden In a well. An Indian boy enters the story here and with the ar- rival of the rescuing party, both children are taken away to the home of the Row- lands and reared to maturity. Although the first section provided a big chance for a pic- turesque battle, none appeared, nor was the fate of the captives explained. They jumped plumb out of the negative with their capture. To be brief, the children eventually marry, much against the will of Clayton Crale. A short period of happiness Is interrupted with Craig's entrance, and the wife and husband mutually agree to separate, she going east with Craig. Then follows a picture of their domestic relations. He Boon tires of his prize and she returns to her Indian husband, the period between being well jammed with com- plications that are of course adjusted with the finale. Mr. Edeson looked more like a negro than an Indian, a fact which created consid- erable comment among those who arrived late. His makeup was decidedly black, an unnat- ural color for the character and a fault which robbed the reel of the Edeson person- ality, an asset in itself. Whatever sympa- thy the average auditor holds for the In- dian was lost through this. It fairly chilled the idea of Intermingling the white and red in the marriage sacrament. Frequently the story became complicated to an extent where a sub-title was an absolute necessity, but this feature of the manufacturing process was sadly neglected. At one time a letter from the wife to the Indian was the neuclus of the ensuing situation and although the letter proper was liberally photographed, its contents were left to the imagination of the audience. Since It would have revealed the wife's feeling and inner-self and done much to clear up that section of the story, a "cut- In" would have been appropriate. A hand- to-hand fight between both men in semi- darkness and the stockade view at the open- ing helped things along, but the general di- rection was so noticeably weak, the possi- bilities contained In these and numerous other scenes were but partly developed and the entire release suffers thereby The title and cast should draw, but as a Lasky output, even that concern's most enthusiastic supporter and well wisher must concede it to be a weak- ling. Wynn. "THREE WEEKS." PROLOGUE. Alexis, King of Veseria .H. J. Smith Paul. Infant Crown Prince Paby McGrath Nicholas, the Usurper R. J. Barrett Stefan, Son of Nicholas Joseph Moore General Savoff T. Curran Anna, the Nurse Pauline Seymour THE DRAMA. Sonla, Queen of Veseria... .Madeline Traverse Stefan. King of Veseria Oeorge Pierce Gen. Pavlovltch, King's Boon Companion.. John Webb Dllllon Mahovltch. Prime Minister. ... Jjseph C. Fay Dlmitrl, Queen's Bodyguard Arthur Donaldson Anna, Queen's Companion.. .Paillne Seymour Major Vasilleff, Spy Claude Cooper Paul Verdaync M ah Ion Hamilton At a special performance given In the El- liott last Thursday evening B. S. Moss pre- sented the flve-reel feature, "Three Weeks" (Reliable Feature Film Corporation) adapted from the much discussed novel by Elinor Glyn. The performance was as mien a pro- duction as the film Itself and there was a Belascoesque touch In the endeavor to create atmosphere before the showing of the film. The stage was banked with natural palms on the left, screening an orchestra of ten pieces. There were two Immense tiger skins draped before the screen and two O-lental urns containing burning Incense decorated the s»ldes of the proscenium arch. Precedl- the picture the orchestra played several selec- tions. The house was well filled with mem- bers of the picture trade, including produc- ers, manufacturers, exhibitors, actors and di- rectors. At the conclusion of the view thosi present accorded the film their unstinted ex- pression of approval. In adapting "Three Weeks" for the screen the scenario writer has eliminated all of the objectionable fea- tures of the story that caused so much dis- cussion, but nevertheless has held sufficient of the original theme to make the film play an interesting dramatic Incident. There is no doubt there Is a box-omce drawing power in the title "Three Weeks," and there Is suffi- cient dramatic action and story in the film to satisfy an audience after they have been drawn in. The adapter has taken the liberty of prefacing the original story with a prolog which shows the events at the Court of Veseria 22 years prior to the opening of Miss Glyn's tale. There Is also an epilog tacked on to the end of the story which has been gleaned from either "High Noon" or "One Day," both of which are sequels to the orig- inal. Of "Three Weeks" itself the most in- teresting scenes, those that took "lace In Lucerne and Venice, are faithfully shown. The meeting with Paul as told in the book opens the real action of the feature. This is followed by the balcony sr-enes and lastly the meeting In the boudoir of the Queen at the hotel in the Alps. Her Majesty Is seated on the famed tiger skin before an open fire place in this scene when Paul arrives and the scene closes as the two enfold each other In a long embace. The final parting is also shown, as is also the heir to the throne of Veseria, born after the Queen returns to her native land. The tragedy which closed the story Is one of the big scenes. There is a fight which will win the admiration of any audience. The cast was entirely ade- quate, with the possible exception of Paul (Mahlon Hamilton) who essayed the role of the young Englishman. He was all that could be desired as far as the physical was concerned, but in histrionic ability there was something lacking. A peculiar walk which he is possessed of is a misfortune as It de- tracts from his characterisation of the role. Madaline Traverse as the Queen was delight- ful, and the performance of Arthur Donald- son as Dlmitrl will go down into film annals as remarkable. The photography throughout Is excellent. THE LOCKED DOOR. One of the two features of the Vltagraph theatre bill, a three-part drama having to do with fire prevention In New York factory build- ings, and depending for Its force entirely upon the public Interest just now at Its height In that subject. Fire Commissioner Robert A dam son of New York and various of his aides appear for an instant in the action and the department has placed fire engines and crews at the film concern's disposal. The story Is rather drab and sordid, the cloak and suit business making rather a dingy background for the trivial romance that holds the tale together. Its main Interest is In Its exposition of the public question of fire pro- tection In factories, a subject which. It Is fair to assume, would Interest an Insurance agent more than the Broadway amusement seeking crowd. There was a thrill In the finale, where a sweatshop owner fires the fac- tory building to revenge himself on a busi- ness rival and causes a fatal panic among his own girl workers. The son and daughter of the rival sweatshop owners work out their little romance to a satisfactory denouement. The acting of Edward Elkas as the Incendiary factory owner was an excellent bit of panto- mime and the scenes Involving the panic of half a hundred girls behind the locked doors of the sweatshop, their rescue by means of ladders by firemen and all the fire scenes were well done. LENA RIVERS. Helena Nichols Beulah Poynter Lena Rivers Beaulah Poynter Granny Lizzie Conway Harry Graham Robt. Tabor Joel Scovendvke Charlie DeForest Dun wood Belmont Charles Hutchinson Nancy Scovendyke Caroline Rankin John Nichols Walter Arm In Lucy Belmont Marlon Mason Caroline Winifred Burke The Cosmo Feature Film Corp. showed on Monday its new five-part comedy-drama. "Lena Rivers." "Reufnh Poynter in her own play," said the title sheet. The feature dis- closed an Interesting story with a rural flavor, recalling In style the super-sentimental novels In vogue twenty yearn ago. There Is plentiful action and some dramatic Intensity In the final reel, but those which go before are of Interest principally because of their character relations and a certain fidelity to real life. A goodly allotment of time Is de- voted to the comedy scenes Involving Charlie DeFoTest as a silly country boy. Lena, the orphan child. Is a sobby voung person un- til, after manifold tribulations and persecu- tions, she wins the rich hero. Reels one and two are devoted to Lena's birth and the death of her mother after her father has faded from the sight of man, unjustly accused of a crime. From this on the plot becomes ex- tremely complex (although the thread of nar- rative Is never lost), until Lena's love affairs bring her under the unjust suspicion of being the faithless lover of her own father. In the clearing up of this situation, there Is a capital bit of fast action. There are dull spots In the film, but the swift progress to the final climax compensates and the story leaves a good Impression. Miss Poynter plays the role of Lena with authorltv. gettlnr her effects by means of sharply defined character bits and illuminating pantomime. (Continued on Page 24.) NEW BUILDINGS. A. H. Woods gave a hint a few days ago he will carry out his enterprise of giving $1 productions, about to be Inaugurated with John Mason at the New York, by building a new theater of 4,000 oapaclty. The loca- tion is not Indicated except as "between 47th and 51st streets." The orchestra floor Is to hold 2,000 and a like number will be provided for in the single balcony. Isaac A. Hopper, Inc., has received the con- tract for alterations on the theatre at 2038 Broadway. Plans have been flled for a $15,000 picture house at 13th avenue and 70th street, Brook- lyn. Plans have been completed for a two-story brick picture house by Cohen A Felson at the northwest corner of 115th street and Eighth avenue; owners. Bonn Bros. Esti- mated cost, about $35,000. Shampan A Shampan, architects, are draw- ing plans and specifications for a picture house, seating 000, and a roof garden ac- commodating B00 more, for a Mr. Elsler, site at 886-81)0 DeKalb avenue, Brooklyn. Rebuilding of the PanUges theatre, to the extent of $60,000, has been authorised by the officers of the circuit and work is to begin shortly. Charles E. Sleight, 136 Washington street, Paterson, is drawing plans for a new picture theatre in Pompton Lakes, N. J. Lubln A Wolf, 334 East 50th street, New York, are lessees of a projected picture theatre In Fifth avenue near the boardwalk, Rockaway Park, L. I. Watertown, N. Y., Oct. 14. Work has been started on picture theatre in Franklin street. The new building will be called the "Majestic," seat 1,000, and cost tibout $7,000. Baltimore, Oct. 14. An unusual architectural and building prob- lem has been solved In the erection of the New Garden theatre at Clay street and Park avenue. Another building has been enclosed between the walls of the theatre. It Is 16 by 20 feet and three stories high and la completely walled in by the playhouse on three sides. When the site for the playhouse was being acquired by agents of the Garden Theatre Co., the owner of the small build- ing Is said to have asked $60,000 for the lot The price was refused and Architect Thomas W. Lamb was told to go ahead on the plana to build without the building, which the own- er had thought essential. It Is understood that offered to sell for $15,000 when he learned that the theatre was going up anyway. The cost of altering the plans at that time would be probably about $20,000 and the additional space would have given room for a compara- tively few seats. Pop vaudeville and pictures will be given in the new playhouse. Seneca Falls, N. Y., Oct. 14. Work has started on the new opera house here. The site was donated to Fred C. Fisher by the people of Seneca Falls on condition that be build a theatre. Watertown, Oct. 14. Plans have been drawn for a new moving picture theatre on Franklin street, near the public square, to seat 1,000. Policy not an- nounced. MARION DYER. It isn't the quality of the attractions offered the Hinterland, but the inability of the small town populace to appreciate worthy entertain- ment, that is causing poor business on the road, according to Marian Dyer. Miss Dyer has t'ust finished an engagement with the New England "Potash & Perlmutter" Co. She got back to New York a few days ago. Listen: "There can be no doubt about the merit of the play." she said, "but it couldn't draw a profit. Oh, those towns! One hotel clerk, with an appetite for wooden toothpicks, wanted to know if the P. & P. firm gave a fashion dis- play. Another native manager billed us as a vaudeville show featuring a team of Hebrew comedians." ANDY LEWIS' SHOW CLOSES. Milwaukee, Oct. 14. Fifteen girls of the chorus of the "International Girls" company, the Andy Lewis Progressive organization that played the Club last week, are high and dry in Milwaukee following the ending of the show Saturday. Sev- eral secured almost immediate employ- ment in cabarets. Salaries, they assert, are in arrears. Board bills averaging $10 per week were paid up to Saturday night, and on Monday the young women, scattered among four hotels, were living through kind-heartedness of the hostelries. Last week the costumes were seized in an attachment suit brought by Bloodgood of New York for $566. The wardrobe was released under bond for the remainder of the engagement orily, and the civil court action con- tinued ten days. Lewis was made de- fendant in this procedure, but Sam Hyman, his manager, is said to own the garments. The company was to have played To- ledo this week. The fact that "Hello Paris" was booked here this week, but shifted to Toledo indicates that Lewis' finish was anticipated, "The Dainty Maids" being sent here instead. Larry Boire, advance agent of the Andy Lewis show, arrived in New York Monday morning, having re- ceived a telegram from Mr. Lewis while billing Toledo stating that the show would close Saturday night in Milwaukee and instructing Mr. Boire to return to New York. The last of the girls got out of town Wednesday, aided by subscription, to which city officials and newspapermen contributed. "The Winners," which has been play- ing the Progressive Circuit, headed by Snitz Moore and George Scanlon, closed in Buffalo Saturday. Moore and Scanlon came to New York Wednesday to arrange for the re- turn of the company from Buffalo. "MERRY MAIDENS" STRAND. Coatesville, Pa., Oct. 14. Six of the girls of the erstwhile "Marry Maidens'" burlesque company, forced to disband here, found employ- ment with the Gordon Players, a per- manent musical stock playing Wilming- ton, N. J. It is the burlesque company Dave Leavitt had out for five weeks. STORE HOU8E INSTEAD. Baltimore, Oct. 14. Work on the new Club theatre, which was to be erected for the Progressive Circuit, has been suspended for a few months. The work was stopped when the foundation was about to be start- ed. The suspension, it is said, was caused by the financial crisis. A meeting of those interested in the erection of the playhouse will he held within a few days to consider plans of resuming the original outlines. HOUSES CHANGE CIRCUITS. The Columbia Circuit has moved from the Main to the Extended chain, the Orpheum, Paterson, N. J., and Corinthian, Rochester, N. Y.