New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-04-10
Belle of New York" Seen
at Fulton Theatre in
Salvation JOAN"
MARY PICKFORD
SEEN AT STRAND
The Eternal Grind" Tells an In
Cident in the Life of a
Working Girl.

Beauty. according TO one who has
assayed II, is only film deep. At the
Fulton Theatre last night Edna May
stepped before the screen. Just prior
to the unreeling Of Salvation Joan"
and disposed Of this legend lightly and
quickly. There is no intention to sug-
gest that Miss May still is possessed
of the youth that was hers when she
put The Belle of New York" behind
her. But for one who never has con-
trbuted a series Of beauty articles to
a syndicate of newspapers she has
done right well
Miss Mays return to the theatrical
world. even though she was expected
70 appear only in film, had all the as
poets Of Broadway first night. Her
admirers bcheld her once more in the
attire Of q Salvation Army lass. acting
in a picture designed to give her the
opportunity to be just that kind Of
person. Miss May is decidedly at
trac,ive on the screen, and acts far
better than a majority Of those now
passing as motion picture stars.
salvation Joan" IS a singular com
bination Of Major Barbara" and The
Battle Cry Of Peace and never asks
10 be taken seriously. 1t is the tale
Of society girl. who dons the garb
o. the army and works among the poor.
where she encounters Secret Service
agent whose mission Is to thwart the
dIabOlical dcs gns OF a country called
Iermania. The picture moves a trihe
slowly. and resorts so frequently to
the device of the cutback TO reveal
what is passing IN a characters mind
that 10 takes on the aspects Of a psy-
Geological drama.
Miss Mays screen debut, however,
is an unqualified success, and it 10
rather a pity that this is TO be her
sole picture. A. one time in the course
OF the film the thought occurred that
she would be even more attractive n
she would consent to do her hair in
accordance with one Of the recognized
stenOgrsphical systems Pittman. for
instance but that is exclusively a
masculine suggestion and probably
worthless.
The Vitagraph Company has leased
the Fulton Theatre for a limited sea-
son. and plans a weekly change of pro-
gramme.
The Eternal Grind" as its title sig
mites. is page from everyday life
that piodding. uneyentful life i'm which
the poor little 4weatshop worker mar
ries the younger son of the man who
owns the factory, her sister marries
and reforms the elder son, the factory
owner turns IN an instant from a
heartless employer 10 the greatest OF
philanthropists all the. little things
that are happening every day on East
Broadway and Chrystie Street. With
Mary Pickford i'm the leading role,
The Eternal Grind" is 10 be seen this
week a. the Strand Theatre.
Mary is the best Of three sisters
slaves all 20 The Eternal Grind" One
Of the others is none too strong physl-
cally and the third is weak where
limousines and fur coats are concerned.
And then there is Wharton. the heart
less factory owner. His elderson IS a bit
Of a scamp the second reel, in fact,
INlNr MIN ut 4.NfA ~ ~ tiiA't NAN Nt"t
ments Of the weak-willed sister without
knocking. But the younger son has q
-ocialistic mind. despite the fact that
his coat fastens By single button. and
he undertakes 20 prove his theories
by working IN fathers sweatshop.
Along in the fourth reel Mary mar
ries the elder son to the erring sister
at the point OF q revolver and. with
the nearest marriage license locked up
in City Hall. A. the films. however.
one is supposed TO leave a majority Of
ones senses At home, else one is reas-
onably certain 20 look back upon a
ruined evening. In the end Mary Is
seen 20 get her owen, the scapegrace
son turns out to be a good husband,
tho invalid sister RECEIVERS in the coun-
try. the factory owner reforms how
could one ask more?
The truth about The Eternal Grind
is that il D., sheer bunk. And except
for Mary Pickford it is devoid Of both
interest and importance.