Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-10-05
RUSSIAN HISTORY
TOLD IN PHOTOPLAY
"Rasputin," Valeska Suratt and
Vivian Martin in New
Film Releases
BY the Photoplay Editor

PALACE-"BasputIn, the BLACK Monk" Cast
BERT Wilfe Henry Huh. Irving Cummings,
Jus Dean. June Elvidge anrd. excellent f, sun
rScted by Arthur Ashley.
II there is any doubt in the minds Of
the skeptical as to the worth of motion
photography then they should see what It
has done in this chronicle Of events in the
history of Russia The doings of years have
been condensed into an hour and half
of animated history. And at its conclusion
the spectators applauded a rarity in the
photoplay theatre of today The actors
who have endeavored to portray the leading
roles have given the screen types that are
easily understood, but as to fidelity Of the
portraits the reviewer cannot Judge. They
are. however, convincing and hold the at
tention. The introduction of the actors is
clever, although not new. They are in real
life and then i'm their Slavic costumes. The
company has been we'll selected and is ex-
pert, although there is no outstanding star
Rarely has the supporting cast of a World
production been Of such fine caliber.
1t is unnecessary to go into details about
the story, for the newspapers have been
telling it for the last few years. Every
one should see this production IL he would
know the story of the new Sav republic
The scenes were carefully planned with the
streets of a village especially worthy of
note. While the photography is clear and
good, 1t does not show all that could have
been done in an artistic way with the use
of wel-directed lighting. The leaders were
easy to read, and their drawings symbolic
of the text The film is a real lesson in
history.
VICToRIA-"A Rich Mans Plnythirs," with
N2esS Syrs stGrY To- by Ra1doph Lewis and
George Benoit Fox production
II Is well that the program calls attention
TO Valeska Suratt as being "the empress of
fashion," for her work in this production is
not notable. There is too much time taken
up with unnecessary details to make up
what is technically known as "footage." Two
children and an intelligent collie dog hold
the few bright spots in this story. Briefly,
the theme deals with the humble country
girl who is thrown into the life of a finan-
cier who temporarily lives incognito at a
fishing village. He allows her to think that
she is an heiress and she goes to the city,
where she attemps to clean up the tene-
ments owned by her unknown benefactor
The distinguished fnancler fears that she
only loves him for his money and puts her
TO the test, from which she emerges vic
torious. The supporting company was COM
posed OF such sterling players as Edward
Martndel as the financier. John Dillon.
Charles Craig, Robert Cummings and
GlauyS Kelly. Inc children were not pro-
grained. but their work will soon bring
their names before the public in other films,
sTRAND-"The Sunset Trail" with Vivian
Martin. Story by Alice McIver and scenario
by Beulah Marie Dix. Directed by George
Melford and photogra phed by Percy Hllburn.
Paramount production.
This is worthwhile Offering, with
Lasky settings and lighting, entertaining
and novel story and delightful character
portrayed by Miss Martin The love of a
daughter for her mother furnishes the main
theme, and it holds the interest until the
very end. Not content with merely one
ah.c artist, the directors have supplied a
supporting company of players who are ex-
perienced in film acting, The story con-
cerIs the efforts of a mother to induce her
dau ghter to associate with new-found
friends, but after a month the daughter
DOES not care for them and returns to her
father with her true lover. Carmen Phil
lips is the mother and Charles Ogle the
father, each giving fine character types.
Halrrison Ford, Billy Elmer and Henry A.
Barrows are others involved.