The Washington times., 1916-01-17
PHOTOPLAYS AND
PHOTOPLAYERS
Nv GARDNER MACK
Preparedness Sermon
Finds Best Form {
Of Expression
In Film Play
By GARDNER MACK

There Is probably no field that Of
fers such a wide opportunity to the
man with q mission or the mis-
sion that needs a following as the
motion picture. The billboard o.
the advertising sign, displayed be-
fore hundreds of Thousands OF
people every day in, every quarter
OF the country, simply receives q
glance from most Of them. The
motion picture, which maybe few
er hundreds of thousands see than
the bill board. is seer, and watched.
1t centers attention.
II is therefore not odd that man
like hudson Maxim, the great in
ventor OF Of explosives and. disciple
OF preparedness, should seek the
counsel and asslstance Of J. Stuart
BIackton, OF the Nitagraph, when he
desired to have the condition of the
United States with regard to It's de-
fenses brought prominently before
the people Of Lne country.
And It is not strange that ].
Stuart Blackton. being a member
of the Defense League. the Navy
League. and other patriotic organi-
zations Of similar intent, should
have written a scenario like that
OF "The Battle Cry OF Peace" and
made It a personal matter to see
to its proper presentation in every
city of the country in the most
vivid way, as he is doing at the
Strand Theater in this city this
week.
Mr. Blackton prepared "The Bat
tie Cry Of Peace as sermon on
the unpreparedness OF this country
with the utmost care. He not only
gave 1t the advantage of excellent
production and a cast Of actors Of
unusual merit. headed by Charles
Hickman, but he put into the story
so many vital facts connected with
the defenseless condition OF the
country that the Aim is something
more than a mere motion picture
play. 1t Is a powerful argument
and an object lesson combAned in
one big story. The story tells of the
family of a peace advocate--a peace
at-any-price man. He refused to
admit that this country could be
dragged into q war and received into
his home spies OF another nation.
who, through him, obtained much
valuable information,
At the moment when he Is ad-
dressing a monster peace mass meet
ing. the city Of New York is at
tackled by a foreign foe, the fortif-
cations at the entrance to the har-
bor are destroyed and the city is
captured. The manner in which the
city's captors treat the Inhabitants,
the brave but futile efforts OF its
defenders, are shown in the most
vivid way.
Viewed as a motion picture play.
THE Battle Cry Of Peace" Is a
thrilling piece of work. 1t has more
sensational features than many Of
thes most turid melodramas. and
each OF its sensations is based
upon what could, and probably
would, happen in case this country
was attacked by a foreign military
power. As propaganda. the play
gives the arguments advanced by
the preparedness advocates with
force and a vigor that seems al-
most incontrovertible.
A special feature OF the produc-
ton of the picture at the Strand
Theater here this week-and. by
the way, 1t Is to be run all the week
instead of for a few days-will be
the address delivered at each show
ing of the film by Capt. Jack Craw-
ford, known as the Poet Scout" /"
who appears in the film and who is
one Of the best known and most
picturesque of the preparedness ad-
Yoeates.
Mr.. Blackton, author OF the play
and president of the Vitagraph
Company. Is in charge OF the pro-
duction OF the film personally, and
will remain In Washington most Of
the week to see that 1t is properly
shown. A number OF members Of
Congress, officers of the army and
navy. and other officials of the
Government have been invited to
witness the performances.