Hot Springs weekly star. (Hot Springs, S.D.) 1892-1917, 1916-02-04

Vltsgraph Blue Ribbon Features. with
Anita Stewart and Earle Williams
'eseurlne an all star, Vitagraph cast.
The New York Evening Sun follow
ing the first production of this great
photo drama, says:
The Sins of the Mothers. 'the Evan.
ing Suns $1,000 Prize Photo Plav
SHOWN for the first time last night in
'he Vltagraph Theatre, is going to
cause whirlwind Of talk. Who is
there who plays bridge, which almost
everyone does now and then, who will
not question one of the two outstand-
Ing lessons of the play? The play
wright, Elaine Sterne, has snatched
STORY out OF the everyday lives Of
those who see her work and has built
up strong drama based on the steadily
Tightening grip that the Qambelipp
fever obtains on one to whom a little
society card playing proves fascinating
Only when the lives OF those the victim
loves are wrecked and her own is SAC.
rificed does the lust of the play lose its
hold o 40
The drama was submitted last NIGHT
Tor the hrst time to the public and to
the writer's of the $500 plays over
which 1t was the victor, to justify itself
and the judges who gave it the Blue
Ribbon in the Evening Suns recent
Dig scenario contest That it "made
good" the slightest study of it's con.
struction and the observation of the
drst night thropgof spectators proved
amply. In the singlemindedness with
which it hammers home it's direct and
convincing story 1t is masterpiere.
Its greatest merit from a technical
point of view is its progressive
strengthening Of purpose and effect as
each blow is delivered. The flrst tell.
ing stroke Is followed by relaxation. q
change then comes of still more vital
power. so the situations follow. in
creasing each time in dramatic tensity
until the final climax outdoes all that
mas gone before. The simple beginning
catches the interest Of the spectators
at once and with each succeeding scena
the play gains stronger and stronger
grip until at the finish there is thrill
OF expectancy. That is fulfilled with a
denouncement that is unconventional
fresh and startling So the last blow
Is driven home hard.
The Vitsgrsph Company has made
the screen In this case very mirror
held up to the lives in front of r. The
drama is played in the most natural
manner. and the characters are SEEM
ingly folk we all know. Director Ralph
lnce, among the most artistic Of the
Vltagrspher's producers, has used his
talents to the full in presenting a
smooth running story that sweeps one
on irresistibly with its current. Not a
single diversion from the main theme
occurs and once the preliminary show.
ing of the business of the mother of
the play is over the action runs swiftly.
unerrinRly to the climax.
Anita Stewart plays the heroine. or
perhaps she's the villain, and repeats
the success she won with diffiouIt
role III "A Million Bid" AS she steps
out OF convent. with many q look
oack ward, she is the personltication of
girlish Innocence. Her progress from
then on through the successive stems
of society bridge player, follower of the
races and devotee of the roulette table
is lhdlcted with sure and certain
haho: Her scenes of remorse and
anguish as she attempts to reclaim
herself are strongly played and at ali
Ilmes SHE cnllsts the sympathy of the
spectators. She dresses the part in
the extreme OF style and with oorras-
spending feet.
The companion piece to her imper-
sonation Ii that of Norris Graham the
husbund Of the fatsd girl, whose action
as District Attorney brings the ruin of
his own home and the destruction of
his wife. Earle Williams, always a
forceful actor, has touched no greater
heights even in 1.-The Christian ;" First
as the sweetheart, then as the idolizino
bridegroom, next as the guardian hus-
band who seeks to save his wife from
herself, finally as the determined Dis
trlot Attorney who carries out inflex
ioIy the pledges of his campaign. he is
precisely In character. His anger when
ne discovers that his wife has again
succumbed to her mania is whole
hearted and effective. His efforts to
strengthen his wife's stamina are
among the most sympsthic touches of
t. . play. Julia Swayne Gordon as the
gambler mother who watches with hor.
ror the development of the mania for
play in her daughter is fsteful figure
The other roles. notably, those of the
daughters old nurse, the satanic gam
bier De Vote, and the girls woman
friend who introduces her to bridge
are in capable hands. The character
Of the old nurse particularly appeals.
aud Mary Maurice, one of the best Of
the Vitagrsph Players, makes it touch
plaintive note. Lucille Lee is the
handsome and flittery friend and Pau
Scardon the gambler.
The scenes in the gambling house
and in and about race track called