The Washington herald., 1914-04-06

Much has been justly said OF the mar.
velous historical play. "lvanhee' based
upon Sir Walter Scott's famous novel
produced by the Imp Company during
their sojourn in the British Isles. As
spectacular pageant this play has un-
paralleled merits, on its release 1t estab-
lished a record OF sales in the British
Isles and brought unlimited credit TO the
Universal Film Manufacturing Company.
However 4 was only one Of the many
pictures produced under the masterful
hand OF Director Brenon while in Europe.
Others are to be exploited, among them
"Absinthe," perhaps one Of the most
striking pictures of the lot. Unlike its
predecessor, 'Ivanhoe," IT is a play sur
rounding two characters wholly, that OF
the absinthe fiend. enacted by King Bag
got. and his unfaithful wife. played by
Leah Baird. Without a question It Is the
greatest role that Mr. Baggot has appear
cd In I'D to date, and Miss Baird Is dis
closed as an emotional actress of the
highest type. The story is tragic in
theme. marking the awful and inevitable
consequences that follow the cultivation
OF the absinthe habit. The drink alb
sinthe to France bears almost the same
relation as opium does to the Chinese ma
ton. 1t is used by the high and low In
France. and might almost be called the
national drink Used mildly IL acts in the
same way that whIskey does, but when
used to excess it takes a grip upon the
victim that is more difficult to loosen
than perhaps any other drug. not except
ing morphine and opium. America, rele-
eating il to the same class as these lat
ter drugs, has legislated against its i'm
portation. Other nations have followed in
10 and at the nTRgpnf time.
France is contemplating drastic laws
forbidding its manufacture ISd sale.
Herbert Brenon is the director of the
picture In an accidental way he was
brought into contact with some OF the
terrible victims of this drug and had the
opportunity of observing some of its
awful tragedies and IL was this that sug-
gested the play that is about to be re-
leased. Many OF the scenes for the feature
were taken along the Champs Elysees,
the River Seine. and in Mont Martre. the
Tenderloin OF Paris.
To better aCquaint himself with the
habits OF an absinthe fiend and to secure
the proper environment, Mr.. BaggOt went
into the Tenderloin district of Paris and
lived for a week. His studies brought
results Of a remarkable nature. For the
first time in any motion picture the exact
tethods used by an absinthe fend to pre-
pare his drink and his conduct afterward
will be shown by him. While the drug
has no hold upon the American people.
the realistic portrayal should act as a
moral lesson TO all and any against the
use Of alcohol and drugs in general All
Of the scenes were taken in and about
Paris To take some of them. those that
form one Of the big climaNes of the third
reel. the company made an excursion to
the Bois de Boulogne, one Of the nations
most beautiful parks. King Baggot. as
the artist, Jean Dumas, is seen lashing
his horse into a gallop. anxious 10 get
to a place in the woods where he can
strangle a woman who has betrayed him.
In the taking OF the scene Mr.. Baggot
WAS wounded by Miss Baird. who struck
him a blow while resisting an attack OF
the supposed absinthe fend. The emo
tiOnal strain upon Miss Baird was terrific
and she put herself so completely into the
part that she tainted twice during the
taking Mr.. Baggot sustained a badly
lacerated lip and the loss Of a tooth.
"AbsInthe." one of the best pictures
ever rTuduCcd. today. Colonial Thea. - +. Ave
Adv.
William Garwood. who has long been
associated with Majestic Mutual Movies.
Oh in American Mutual Movies, in which
he will play leading parts, opposite
Vivian Rich, under the direction OF Sid
Eey Ayres. Photoplay fans will be in
terested in the change, as Mr.. GarwOOd
has a large following
The Nbagraph Company has contracted
with Col. Jasper Ewing Brady for a
series Of six plays TO be presented at the
NitaSraph Theater under the title Of
The Regular Army Man" Col Brady
is a former United States army officer
and AN author Of distinction. Having
secured permission from the
Secretary Of War. whereby the COM
mands of Gen. Taskcr II. Bliss. with
in San Antonio. and Brig
Gen. Frederick Funston. located in Gal
weston. will be utilized in the making
Of these pictures. Col. Brady and a stan
Of Nitagraph players will go to Texas
The expedition will b. under the com
mand Of Capt. Harry Lambart. formerly
of the Fourth Hussars. British Cavalry
who Is now one of the foremost Vita
graph directors. Advance indications pre-
dict six exceptional military pictures.
with particular attention given to correct
details.
The Mystery Of the White Car" 2-reeI
de tective drama, featuring Francis
pictures. tomorrow, En-
press Theater, 4l6 9Th st. y. W.-Adv.
Miss Francelia Ellington New Males
tlCD has been associated with youthful
parts SO long, that the character she
in THE Rectors Story will
surprise many of her admirers. At the
beginning of the play she is a young
girl. but at its conclusion she appears
as the minister's wife, a woman Of
thirty-fve.
Here Is the third drama in MY Lady
Raffies" series. II your enthusiasm for
the preceding one. The Twins DoTblc'
was a fraction OF what ours was, it
was big. But wait until you have fin
iShed sitting through this play. Its
above those gone before. both in the
I----Iue business introduced and the thrill
II gives; and that is saying much. 1t is
human and probable in plot. and yet it
keeps you guessing until the last mo-
ment.
Grace Cunard is the author of the play
Its settings are picturesque, character
izihg the country in which the action is
laid. On the whole. the Universal feels
that its patrons are going to put the pic
ture down as one of the best mystery.
detective dramas produced
in a long while. And there is a big heart
for the detective is human after
all, and the female Raflics is n delightful
as lovable as one could wish
This picture will be shown first time In
city at Empress Thea, 4l6 9th st.-Adv.
9th and o. 4reels daliy.-Adv.