New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-07-19
Hot Weather Lwll i'm the Motion Picture
~ Field About New York Broadway
Theatres Which Are Open Prosper.

My Official Wife" the new film at
the Nitagraph Theatre, is an example
cf the best IN motion pictures. Not
only does 1t contain the thrills and the
punch" which please the public so
much. but it is real dramatic art. This
fact is due largely to the acting OF
Clara Kimbali Young in the title role.
I'm number Of pictures Miss Young
has shown her genuine ability at
handling parts calling for the hneSt
sort OF acting. but IN My Otfclal
" Re" she has far surpassed anything
previously accomplished.
The character of Helene Marie seems
10 have been created especially Tor her
Helene is q beautiful and serious
minded Young Russian who is willing
70 risn more than her life in the IN
tp~Csts Of free Russia. While a
young girl she had seen her home
wrecked and her father and mother
KILLED on the strength o. mere rumor
that they were advocates OF political
freedom Her sincere desire 20 aid hex
country was thus strengthened by her
determination 20 avenge the cruel
deaths Of her parents. In the course
Of the play the part calls for the eN-
preston of almost every human emo
zion. To under&ct or Ovcract Il would
be very easy. but Miss Young does
neither. She is supported by an eN-
oollent cast
My Official Wife" was written by
Richard Henry Savage, and was pro-
duced on the stage some years ago. II
is the sort of production which If prop
erly treated is at its best as motion
picture. Colonel cambridge LennoN, an
American, who appears as the nero oil
the story, is not a particularly pleas
ing character. In fact, his most I'M
portant act seems TO be the result o.
COwardice.
The colonel has to visit Russia TO
assist at the settlement Of certain bust
ness matters concerning his widowed
daughters estate. lie plans to meet
his Russian relatives at St. Petersburg
and join his daughter later. He OBJ
tains 2 passport for himself and wife
hut his wife decides not 10 go with
him. 4 maid az their Paris home is a
friend of Helene Marie, the Nihilist
and she tells of this passport. The
beautiful Russian, of course, cannot OBJ
tain a passport herself. but as she is
TO DO so as Banbridge's wife. AT the
frontier she poses as the wife of an
old friend of his. and by a clever story
induces him 90 take her 20 st. Peters
burg as his official wife"
At the Russian capital Bainbridge
learns who is MS companion, but darcs
not betray her lest he be punished jor
aiding her &c enter the country. lie
becomes infatuated with her, and not
caly reScnts the attentions of other
mcn. but attempts undue liberties, and
shows bins elf to be a cad in many
ways. The couple 20 to the lgnatiof
ball. and there the American discovers
That Helene is planning TO kill the
Oar lie prevents this BY drugging
heY wine. but it is obvious that MS
reason for doing so is not to save the
Gar. but because he fears he will be
IMPLICATED.
T. ,Iene's identity is finally discovered
by the chief of police, who has me:
lcr ON many occasions as Mrs. Balm
bridge. She fees with q young noble
man. who d. I'm love with her and VINO
Ieuounccs his rank and country TO win
her favor. They escape IN a yacht, but
ere pursued by torpedo boat. A tor
pCdp fred from this vessel blows their
acht 10 fragments, and the beautiful
Helene dies, but not entirely in vain,
ior she has found love, and her lover
goes with her
My Official Wife" is easily the best
drama which has yet been shown at the
\i4graph Theatre, and that is no light
praise.
The comedy number Of the pro-
p.anune is a three-part picture known
a5 "Uncle Bill" This is marked by a
tangled plot and very rapid action. In
spite Of its length the comedy spirit
D., vel preserved, and it is an enjoy
able production IN every way.