Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-08-15

With the Chaplin-madness banlshed from
the center of the city, several good comics
on view downtown, and they add to
variety of good feature bills. The cool
spell has made up in part for the restric-
tions now placed on the picture.audiences.
The bills are good enough to tempt any
one.
The best war play offered since the
"Birth" and the only one dealing with the
present conflict which is at all worthy. Is
''Shell 43" at the Arcadia. Mr.. c. Gardner
Sullivan, writer for Thomas II. Ince has
written a glorious script and from 1t Mr..
Thomas II. Ince's directors have evolved
thrilling. almost magnificent film, II. B.
Warner Is the spy, one of the best por-
trayals OF the screen this year. Mr..
Warner has been shelved for Douglas Fair
banks, whom he surpasses in every respect
except humor. He is capable, intelligent.
real screen actor. And the putting on of the
work, the spinning of plot and counter-plot,
the mystery, are all superbly handled. Half
way through the film one Is still in doubt
as to the spy's true allegiance. The end
is a splendid climax. Margaret Thomp'
son had the principal supporting role,
although Mr.. Thomas II. Ince, the producer,
put Miss Enid Markey's name first. Miss
Markey was in the film. Except for that.
"Shell 43" is masterpiece in a small way.
and it is the one film of the week which
must not be missed. "Glorias Romance"
shown between exhibits of the feature.
At the Stanley there is a Keystone
comedy of the first rank very near IT,
with Ambrose Mack Swain as the hero.
The feature is Pauline Frederick in THE
Woman in the Case" made from Clyde
Fitchs play. The screening is often expert,
but many things are played up too much,
notably the scene of the forced confession
in which Marie Chambers Is excellent, but
Tha utn Itty nd
spite OF occasional awlIwardnesses, credibly.
Miss Frederick is at last released from her
siren spell and plays straight part wonder
fully well. At moments she looked more
beautiful than ever. and throughout she
acted easily and effectively. There is plenty
OF excitement. so those who do not like good
acting may go anyhow for the dramatic
enthusiasm in the play. There is a scenic
and a news pictorial to bank the two out.
standing numbers, the Keystone and the
Frohman feature.
A Keystone as good as the one mentioned
above is "The Surf Girl" at the Victoria,
II stands with a Thomas II. Ince produc-
ton. superintended by Thomas H. Ince,
and. presumably. offered by Thomas II.
Inee. The name OF Thomas II Ince should
presently become familiar to the screen
world Thomas II. Ince Is not, as might be
assumed from the advertising he gives him
self. the greatest producer for the moving
picture, nor does he act in '"The Payment"
Bessie Barriscale does, and acts very we'll
c. Gardner Sullivan, writer for Thomas
II. Ince, wrote the scenario. and II is a very
bad one. There are certain fine moments in
THE Payment" 1t is worth seeing, and the
Victoria's bill is good throughout. The
scenic is almost a thriller-as near to one
as scenic can be, ana the news pictorial
is excellentiys chosen.
The Palace is showing Mae Murray and
Theodore Roberts, in THE Dream Girl" a
feature film reviewed and enthusiastically
praised in this department when 1t was first
shown. II is An unusually beautiful film A
well-rounded selection Of other hlms fills the
bill.
A meeting OF all photoplay exhibitors
viii be held Thursday morning at the Of
foes OF the American Photoplay Company,
Parkway Building. to discuss the situation
arising from the infantile paralysis plague
As It Affects the exhibitor. At a meeting
held at the Globe Theatre this morning the
general meeting for Thursday was decided
upon.