Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-12-18
ALPH CONNOR
IS VIVID IN FILMS
William Farnum in "The
Heart of Lion" Is STAN
ley Success
BILLIE BURKE A G. A / n


l nors's book "Tho Doctor" Directed nv
Frank Lloyd and photographed ny hilE
Foster Fox production.
The entire program at the STANLEY Is
OF good quality The special musical
accompaniment Is also in Keeping WIN
1.-THE theatres standard. In this new
Fox film Is embodied all OF tue thlnes
THAT have made the screen acting OF
William Farnum 20 strong ooN o,'.e
lattraction. 1t Is. moreover dttilcut 10
single out. the individual performers
Whose art has made this production so
Thoroughly enjoyable from every point
Iof screencraft
The plot of this Ralph Conner story
has continuity of interest at all times
land there Is not foot of flm used ,nal
lis not absolutely essential 60 the telllns
of this tale of two brothers who each
Imake sacrifices for the welfare or the
lother The love theme IL sustained
Through the script. The sentimental III
tterest Is centered in the deep but silent
Hove OF a girl from small town IN ,ne
IEast from which the stronger prolher
.lgoes to the lumber camps of the west
Ito forget the wrongs his younger brother
has committed against him. To tel
Imore of this delightful, powerful story
1of the rugged men of primitive towns
Iwould be to spoil the enjoyment OF tu-
ture followers of this popular "hghtlhg
screen idol.
William Tarnum remains Just the
same calm, forceful player in this story
that he has always been in his other
vehicles. and he at all times dominates
khe screen action. Next in artistic I'M
Dortance is the character of the pro-
krietor of the dance hall. portrayed ny
Malter Law, who makes the type highly
realistic. Rita Bori has very small
bart of dance hall girl in love win
khe younger brother. played by william
iui, J- n
kcreen type and she invests the role OF
khe sweetheart from the village with n
koiich of simplicity. Wanda Petit, Marc
Robbins and many vivid character types
hre introduced In the course of events.
The staging is simple in detail ana
beautiful in its outdoor charm. The
Interiors are also carefully constructed.
PALACE-"The Secret Game" With Sessue
Hsyskaawhh SGrH ny NaroN SMiIe re'riaN Camera era
work by Charles Kosher. Paramount pro-
duction.
The timelness of the plot of THE Sc.
bret Game" in its relation to the prs
knt war and the once discussed poSSl-
bility of dispatching our troops across
Ibe Pacific to the war zone give the story
pertinent appeal. Melodramas about
kpies are always exciting IL the action
Is kept moving at n lively pace, and in
Ihis production Director William c. De
Mile realizes nany opportunities to keep
uhe interest sustained. There Is just
Enough OF the love theme injected to give
uhe spectators touch Of the domantic
vhould they tire Of the Secret Service
kctivities of the chief players
4 A girl whose brother is an officer OF
Eerman troops is loved by an American
Uoldier and Il Japanese Secret Service
ugent 1t is the efforts of the girl to
Uecure information for the German spy
kf the sailing date of the troops TO
Which most of the story is devoted. Sew.
yral details showing the workings of
he spy system and how its agents are
upprehended by means of the japanese
we'll brought out. Even the mas
uueradlng of Raymond Hatton as
= eminine housekeeper is not without its
Uood points. 1t is this one touch Of hui
nor that enlivens the story at a draggy
Interval.
Sessue Hayakawa is artistic and con.
vincing as usual His talents well war
hnt his rise to stardom. The American
pldier is capably played by Jack Holt
nd the young girl is fittingly intrusted
b Florence Vidor. Others who assist
the story's unfolding are Charlie Ogle
nd Mayme Kelso.
This is a fine specimen of screen
Erection, even to the minutest details.
he fight between the men is effectively
landed, as Is the murder of the Japa-
ese by Raymond Hatton in a fashion
hcalling scene in THE Thirteenth
hair"
The orchestral feature of the bill is
excellent reading of Ambrose
homas's "Mignon" overture.
RCADIA-"The Land Of Promise" with
Billie Burke. From, The play by w. som
erset Vaughan and the direction Of Jo-
Kan
When the author of a stage play also
hs the commission of writing the
fenario for the motion picture version
his brain-child the audience is almost
ire to see good product. providing
10 film is directed by a capable hand
lch is the happy combination to be
und in ''rhe Land of Promise" That
Be star of the spoken version appears
the silent play is also n factor of
bme interest. Billie Burke Is this
reen player.
The production Is rich in contrasts. In
e beginning is shown the handsome
bounds of the Wickham residence. and
len the honey surroundings of the
rm where Miss Burke finds happiness
I'D content The beauty of the photog-
phy. together with the general "atmo-
heric" excellence is a credit to the ar
its who make the Paramount pictures
successful.
1t is the supporting cast that shows
best in the acting line in this film, as
hs the case in other Billie Burke sub
cts. Chief of these players is Thomas
eighan,- whose vast screen experience
ves him a mastery of film acting that
possessed gy few actors. OF course,
hry~ Alden gives her usual good char
ter study, as does Walter McEwen
the part of Wickham His wife is
mirably portrayed by Grace Van Stud
ford. ]. w. Johnston. Margaret Sed-
n. John Raymond and others lend
pable support The smile of Miss
hrke is her chief asset In films. al
bugh at times she shows promise I'm
bre serious dramatic moods.
.ToRIA-"Syivia Of the Secret Service"
fraut and scenario by Philip Bartholomae
Directed by George Fitzmaurice. Pathe
Mrs Vernon Castle has left the cast
miss 1917" because the management
uld not let her appear upon the stage
an early hour in order that she might
some rest for her movie duties in
day time. The stage has lost good
ncer and the screen gained a good
Syer. sylvia of the Secret Service"
- the third picture she has made with
Pathe company and her work i'm
bves with each production. The rapid
with which the director has chosen
unfold this tale of the Washington
bret Service Is amusing There was
yer any doubt as to the so'ution of
- problem solved by Mrs. Castle, for
was obvious from the start. The
Insfer of a large diamond from one