Variety (December 1914)

FILM REVIEWS 25 DRAWING LESS THAN RENT. Next week will be the last of the try by the Universal to do business with feature films at the New York theatre. The U concern took the house over for four weeks, paying a fixed rental of $1,750 weekly for it, it is said, and has been doing an average weekly business of around $1,500 since taking possession. None of the Broadway houses turned over for feature pictures during De- cember has done anything to speak of since opening. The Harris with the Pope Pius film closed the first week. The "Belgian War Pictures" got a fair start, but dropped off almost imme- diately, having nothing but the title, and the Casino ran along fairly, catch- ing some attention last week with "The Land of the Head Hunters." COLLECTIONS TAKEN UP. Hartford, Conn., Dec. 16. Three picture theaters are running Sunday evening shows at which collec- tions are taken for the benefit of the poor of the city. A state law forbids the charging of admission. The larg- est single collection thus far taken amounted to $200. At another house $140 was received, and the theatre took $70 for expenses. In some cases, payments of money have been made by the managers di- rect to the applicants for charity. Some criticism has arisen, charging the collectors with being too enthusi- astic. KATHLYN WILLIAMS FREED. Los Angeles, Dec. 16. Kathlyn Williams, the moving pic- ture star, was today granted a decree of divorce from Frank R. Allen, a for- mer stock actor at the Burbank. They were married March 4, 1913. Miss Al- len, who has a nine-year-old son by a former marriage, charged desertion. TABS ON TRADE. Walter Hoff Seely, president of the Alco, this week instituted a novel sys- tem for keeping close track of general business conditions throughout the country as an aid to the distributing business of his concern. To every exchange manager is sent a chart to be returned filled out with the following data, having to do with trade conditions in the cities where the branches are located: Number of bankruptcies in your dis- trict; number of shops, mills, stores and factories to close; number of va- cant stores on principal streets; what theaters contemplate improvements; assets and previous business of men entering picture business; what indus- tries announce salary increase or de- crease? What is condition of unem- ployed? "MOVIE MASHERS" RAIDED. Rochester, N. Y., Dec. 16. The police of this city made a swoop last Saturday on the "Movie Mashers" arresting a score or more in a number of downtown picture houses. For some time past women and girls have complained men were annoying them in the houses and often times becom- ing "a little rough." RAILROAD FILM. Pittsburgh, Dec. 16. Railroad men here are having exhib- ited for their benefit a picture written by Marcus A. Dow, general safety agent of the New York Central lines, with safety as its theme. It is used in an educational campaign. The title is "Steve's Awakening," the characters being all railroad men and those asso- ciated with them. "Steve" is a railroad man whose father was killed through his own care- lessness, resulting in the widow dying in want. The son enters the employ of the road, is repulsed by the girl he admires because of being a chance- taker and his regeneration is being brought about following an accident due to his carelessness. The drama is being presented in a car fitted up as a theatre and is being transported to all points where em- ployes congregate. It is said that ar- rangements for showing the picture have been made by the Lackawanna, Burlington and Santa Fe roads. The film is also loaned to affiliated roads. Upstairs House Closed. Ithaca, Dec 16. Fire Chief B. J. Reilley has ordered A. £. Brown, proprietor of the Cres- cent theatre in North Cayuga street, to close up his house. Chief Reilley says that the location of a theatre on a third floor is a violation of the state fire laws. FALSE COLORS. Bogworth has a powerful melodrama In the film, "False Colors." This four-reeler deals mainly with a story of the stage, but It de- parts here and there and in all parts the pro- duction is fine. It deals with Lloyd Phillips, an actor, whose wife died the night he scored a terrific hit in a new play. A daughter was born to the wife the night she passed away. Phillips retires from the stage, leav- ing the baby with the house-keeper and his wife. A dresser in the theatre where Mr. and Mrs. Phillips (she was also of the stage) played was an ardent admirer of the husband and collected all press notices and newspaper pictures of him. The actor leaves home im- mediately after his wife's death, without look- ing at the child (whom he hates). He goes to a lonely island, giving up the stage for ever Eighteen years elapse. The house- keeper and his wife instead of properly using the money sent them by Phillips for the care of his child, spend it on their son, who turns out a bad man. The girl runs away because of her treatment by the house-keeper, who has let the old house go to ruin. The father finally decides to come to his child, and the son of the house-keeper frames up a scheme whereby he marries the daughter of the dres- ser (who knew the Phillips) and tries to pass her off to Phillips as his (Phillips) daughter, in order to get some money. The plot fails and the wife returns to her mother, who, by this time, has Phillips' daughter staying with her. Dixie Phillips, on account of her fa- ther's popularity, gets a part in the theatre where her father became famous. She, too, becomes a favorite there. Father tries to make up with his daughter, who will not forgive him for the neglect of the past years. The reconciliation comes later when the daughter of the dresser calls ou the actor In his Island home and delivers the press book given to her by her mother (who died) to give to him. The acting in the picture is excellent, special credit belonging to Phillips Smalley and Courtenay Foote. YOUR GIRL AND MINE. The World Film has put this one out evi- dently with the object of attracting all the members of the National American Woman's Suffrage Association. At the Casino this week the film is being shown for the benefit of that order. It is a drama in six parts and deals with conditions as the author would want people to believe exist at the present moment in a state In the Union not named (though the views were evidently taken around New York City). The film draws a picture of the poor down-trodden woman who cer- tainly would have a tough time if It all were RELEASED NEXT WEEK (Dec. 19 to Dec. 26, inc.) MANUFACTURERS INDICATED BY ABBREVIATIONS, VIZ.* GENERAL Vitagraph V Biograph B Kalem K Lubin L Pathe ;.... Pthe Selig S Edison S Essanay 8-A Kleine Kl Mclies Mel Ambrosio Attb Columbus Col Mina Ml UNIVERSAL Imp I Bison B101 Chrystal C Nestor N Powers P Eclair , Eclr g« : Rx Frontier Frnt Victor Vic Gold Seal G S Joker J Universal Ike U I Sterling Ster MUTUAL Gaumont G American A Keystone Key Reliance Rel Majestic Mai Thanhouser T Kay-Bee K B Domino Don Mutual M Princess Pr Komic Ko Beauty Be Apollo Apo Royal R Lion Ln Hepworth H The subject is in one reel of about 1,000 feet unless otherwise noted. DEC. 21—MONDAY. MUTUAL—The Sower Reaps, 2-reel dr, A; Keystone title not announced ; Our Mutual Oirl, No. 49, Rel. GENERAL F—A Matter of Court, and The Dentist's Janitor, split-reel com, B; Their Cheap Vacation, com, 8-A; The Mayor's Sec- retary, 2-reel dr, K; The Adventure of the Wrong Santa Claus (Twelfth of the "Octavlus" Amateur Detective Series), com, E; The Be- loved Adventurer, Serlea No. 15, "In Port o* Dreams," dr, L; Pathe's Dally News, No. 87. Pthe; Till Death Us Do Part, 2-reel dr, and Hearst-Selig News Pictorial, No. 85, 8; Arthur Truman's Ward, dr, V. UNIVERSAL—In Sunny Spain, com-dr, I; Terence O'Rourke—Gentleman Adventurer— "The King and The Man." 2-reel dr, Vlv; Carmen'B Romance, com, Ster. DEC. 22—TUESDAY. MUTUAL—Under False Colors. 2-reel dr. T; The Better Way, dr, MaJ; Brass Buttons, com, Be. GENERAL F—On the Heights, 2-reel dr, B ; The Winning Whiskers, com, K ; His Suicide, com, L; Wade Brent Pays, dr, S; By the Governor's Order, 2-reel dr, V; Olive Is Dis- missed, dr, E• The Volunteer Burglar, dr, 8-A. UNIVERSAL—The Call of the Waves. 2-reel dr, G S; Vivian's Beauty Test, com, C; For I Have Tolled, dr, N. DEC. 23—WEDNESDAY. MUTUAL—The Passing of Two Gun Hicks, 2-reel dr, Br; The Tin Can Shack, dr, A; A Lucky Disappointment, dr, Rel. GENERAL F—The Fatal Opal, 2-reel dr. K ; The Single Act, 2-reel dr, L; One Traveler Returns, dr, B; The Professor's Romance, com, V; 'Twas the Night Before Christmas. The Tip of the Dark Continent, and South Africa and Its Vicinity educ, E; The Fable of "The Husband who Showed Up and did His Duty," com, S-A. UNIVERSAL—Love and Spirits, com. J; The Fortunes of Margaret, 2-reel dr, Belr; Universal Animated Weekly, No. 146, U. DEC. 24—THURSDAY. MUTUAL—The Last of the Line, 2-reel dr, Dora; Keystone title not announced; Mutual Weekly, No. 104, M. GENERAL P—The Suffering of Susan, com- dr, B; A Soldier of Peace, 2-reel dr, L.; Hearst-Selig News Pictorial, No. 86, 8; The Knight Before Christmas, com-dr, V; Slippery Slim Gets Square, w-com, S-A; A High Old Time, com, Ml. UNIVERSAL—The Big Sister's Christmas, 2-reel dr, Rx ; Innocent Dad, Com, Ster. DEC. 25—FRIDAY. MUTUAL—In the Sage Brush Country. 2- reel dr, K B; When Fate Rebelled, dr, Pr; Bobby's Medal, dr, Rel. GENERAL F—The Way Home, dr, B; The Reformation of Ham, com, K; Lure of the Green Table, dr, L; Doc Yak and Santa Claus. com, S; Sweeney's Christmas Bird, com, V; The Premature Compromise, 2-reel dr, E; Any Woman's Choice, 2-reel dr, S-A. UNIVERSAL—Who Stole the Bridegroom, com, N ; Hunting in Crazyland, com, and The Japanese Silk Industry, educ, split-reel, P; The Accusation, 2-reel dr, Vic. DEC. 26—SATURDAY. MUTUAL—The Exposure, 2-reel dr, Rel; Keystone title not announced; Her Mother's Voice, com, R. GENERAL F—His Unwitting Conquest, dr, B; The Escape on the Limited (The Hazards of "Helen Series"), dr, K; Brannlgan's Band, and A Troublesome Cat, split-reel com, L; The Champion Bear Slayer, com, S; An Affair for the Police, 2-reel com, V ; The Man Who Vanished, dr, E; Broncho Billy and the Sher- iff's Office, dr, S-A. UNIVERSAL—Christmas Festivities, com. J; Frontier title not announced The Law of the Range, 3-reel w-dr, B101. true. The writer goes as far as to make wonderful new laws that could only be rem- edied according to him (or her) by the grant- ing of suffrage %to the woman. The story dealB with an heiress who marries a brute. The program describes this man as "not the stereotyped villain," but he does nothing the brotherhood of bad men have not done in the average "meller." In the picture-story state there is a law making the wife liable for her husband's debts, and he has plenty of these. From the wedding day onwards the bride has her troubles with her nasty aoused spouse. Every few moments a vision la af- fected and a young girl is brought into the picture as "Votes for Women." To anyone in the story having troubles the vision appears and says: "It would not be so If you could get the state to accept me." Besides mis- treating the missus the bad man baa an un- tidy past He throws down his sweetheart (there Is also a child) to marry the heiress. To this girl who is struggling through lite on anything from two to three dollars a week by sewing, the vision also appears and asks her to help in the fight for "Votes for Wo- men." The story goes on to explain whet rights the husband has over his wife and oven after he is stabbed by the other woman he manages to will his children away from his wife to his father. The father then takes up the villain and continues it with much vigor. Perhaps this Is the departure from the usual melodrama. Events move quickly and many exciting things happen. The tene- ment in which the other woman lived Is de- stroyed by fire and her son killed, the mother attempts to kidnap her own child and la ar- rested and finally ends up by marrying the Lieutenant-Governor of the state. Probably the most notable of characters ln the feature is the wife's aunt, an ardent suffragist. She is noted for her kindness to the poor. This attempt to Interest the public ln Women's Suffrage Is rather weak, owing mostly to Its probability. There Is also a grave mistake ln the detail. The picture-story is supposed to cover a period of 20 years. The wife lookr younger at the finish when she weds the Lieu- tenant-Governor than when the story opened. There seems a good chance, however, to work up local Interest In the feature among the Suffragette element, who should welcome a treaty of this sort on their eause. THE FLOWER OF FAITH. This Is a drama written by Will M. Hough, formerly one of the librettists of the num- erous musical attractions produced at the La Salle Opera House in Chicago. It con- cerns the love story of Rosa Allison, a lover of roses, Howard Payne, a young farmer, who afterwards becomes rich through mining, and several "wicked" men of the city who try to pounce upon the young loveliness of the g'rl from the country rose garden. Howard Payne and Rose Allison love each other innocently, but Rose has a dream ln which a fairy ap- pears to tell her she will have sorrow as well as Joy from her rosea. She determines to seek the great city, as so many girls have done before her. There she learns stenography and tets a place with a broker. She evinces her ove for roses. The broker gives her one from a large cluster on his desk. In comes his jealous wife, who sees the rose and de- mands the stenographer be sent away. All this time Howard Payne, back on the farm, has heard no word from his fiancee, although there seems to be no reason why she should not write. He goes west and becomes a prospec- tor. Ross goes as a model to a prominent artist, who paints her portrait and calls it "The Rose." Hs tries to make love to her after the portrait la painted. She resents and flees, ln the meantime, Howard has be- come rich. He returns, takes his mothsr to the city where he buys a mansion. Hs sees "The Rose," buys It and hangs it In his draw- ing room. Meanwhile Rose Is wandering about the city. She is tempted by a rose in front of a florist's shop, steals It and is arreatsd. At her trial a man takes pity on her plight and has her released. He Invites her to a dinner, and there her protector. In a quarrel, is shot. The scandal, with names and all, comes out in the newspapers. Ross Is driven to desper- ation after this and goes to the river to hide herself under the waters. She Is rescued by a Salvation lassie and joins the army after- ward in gratitude. Passing the Howard Payne mansion, she Is attracted by roses In the conservatory. She wanders In, and from there she enters the mansion where she sees her portrait. She is discovered there by her former sweetheart. The photography Is good and the story, while its plot is complicated, holds the Interest to the snd. MRS. BLACkTiS BACK. Mrs. Black May Irwin Prof. Newton Black Charles Lane Tom Larkey Wellington A. Playter Emily Mason Clara Blandlck Jack Dangerfleld Elmer Booth Major Tborne James Hester Bramley Bush Cyril Chadwlck Priscilla Black Marie Pavis Though released through the Paramount for the Famous Players a few weeks ago, "Mrs. I.iack Is Back" with May Irwin, Is showing for the first time In New York at the Strand this week. The delayed exhibition is prob- ably owing to the first run privilege the Strand holds for the Paramount features, as the Strand is a full-week stand, and the Para- mount releases twice weekly. The Irwin pic- ture accomplishes what it set out for, com- edy, and that should be sufficient for any multiple so aimed. The story is the extended film version of the play Miss Irwin starred ln on ;he speaking stage. While the ground work of the piece has been employed innumerable times for farces, especially in vaudeville, to see It stretched out before the camera for several thousand feet brings an actuality to