New-York tribune., 1917-07-16
On the Screen

With the talents Of Sessue Hayakawa
and the beauty of Vivian Martin il
would seem that forbidden Paths,
which is at the Strand this week should
be a whole lot better than it is. II is
sggravating, for with any number of
possibilities IT never seems to touch
the heights; the clirnaxes are all anti
climaxes.
One had every right to expect that
something interesting was going to
happen when Sato went to call on
Bonita Ramirez, for it was evident that
the willy japanese meant no good TO the
lovely adventures; and then, just as
things began to take on a semblsnce OF
interest, came the :ade-away.
When Sato decides TO remove Bonita
in his own way and takes her odt sail
ing and then opens up hole in the
bottom Of the boat there was at least
one person in the audience who wanted
TO see the boat go down. Bonita de-
served TO be drowned, and the audi
ence had every reason to believe tnat
it was going TO see 1t done. scenario
writer has no right to leave out all OF
his big scenes or leave them 10 the
imagination or 10 the title writer
Sato was a most interesting person,
and one rather hoped that he would WIN
the beautiful heiress in spite OF the
fact that he was a Japanese. Harry
MAXWELL was too fluctuating- easily
won and diverted TO be trusted with
Mildred's future.
Carmen Phillips never could hope to
bo a successful vampire while she wore
srch unbecoming frocks. She IS no
doubt sincere, but misguided. Still, IN
snite of these drawbacks, there is plenty
of interest in forbidden Paths even
il most of it is anticipatory. Sessue
Hayakawa is clever and versatile
actor. and he should be given a role
which is worthy of his talents.
"Strictly Business" is a delightful
little plav from the O. Henry story OF
the same name. It's theme is well
adapted for reproduction on the screen
and the cast is carefully selected. Alice
Rodier plays Winona Cherry with con-
siderable charm, and the same might be
said of J. Frank Glendon's Bob Hart.
Nischa Violin played Souvenir de
Moscow" as il has seldom been played,
and had 70 bow acknowledgment OF a
dozen encores; but why does he wear
an Eton suit?
Grace Hoffman, the coloratura with
. perfect high f, sang "haymahlnG' IN
a most delightful manner.
The overture is the popular "llliam
Tell" and there is q new picture called
Uncle Sans Troops Training Behind
the Firing Line in France"
Bessie Love ought never TO make an
other picture, because she never can
hore 20 equal The Sawdust Ring,
which is the feature az the Rialto this
week. It's humor IS delightful. and so
is IFS star.
on. Bessie Love, Your followers owe
YOU a deb. OF gratitude which they
never can hope 70 repay for your por-
travail OF little Janet Magic. None OF
the tinie-honored tricks Of the ingenue
are yours. One set OF curls does not
make an actress any more than one
swallow makes a summer, and you,
Bessie Love. defed tradition and sp-
peared in unbecoming pigtails. You
did not giggle; you did not romp. You
made Janet, the washwoman's dsugh-
ter. q real little girl and you made
every one in the theatre love you.
A dramatic critic said not long ago
that he would not 60 20 the movies be
cause he could not stand their "cutles,
but he may. with impunlty. visit Miss
Loves production.
OF course. kome Of the credit must
20 to L. V. Jefferson, who wrote the
play. and to Paul Powell. who directed