The Pleasantville press. (Pleasantville, N.J.) 1912-1929, 1917-05-12
EXTRAORDINARY FEATURE AT
THE STRAND THEATRE
NEXT WEDNESDAY.

-
Common Law, featuring Clara K.
Young, in seven big acts, the first of
the Lewis j.. Selznick productions,
will be the special attraction at the
Strand on Wednesday. The Common
Law" has not been over publiciZed.
And anyone who has read the trade
journals or strolled about Longacre
Square with his eyes open knows that
the production has received more than
the average amount of publicity ex-
of the opinion that "The Common
Law" is a picture quite far above the
average. First, because it was orig
inally written by Robert w. Cham
bers, and Mr.. Chambers novels are
not in the least quiet or ~retreating;
rather are they inclined to be sensa-
tional and outstanding. Second, the
picture is in seven reels, and is quite
worth it. Perhaps, though, the main
factors in %elevating 'The Common
Law above the average were the su-
perb presentations given it by Direc-
tor Albert Capillani and the brilliant
performance of Clara Kimball Young
in the role of Valerie West.
Mr.. Capellani is something of an
artist, More of his caliber and pro-
auctions containing real artistic merit
would be on the increase. He is a
master in the art of suggestion-that
technique which permits the telling of
a portion of incident, and only part
of 1t; allowing the spectator to sense
the rest of it himself. His staging of
the story is quite perfect. The real
ism Of his scenes seems ~unbounded by
the celluloid-there is nothing denot-
ing the motion picture studio about
them. The lighting and photography
supplement well the directors good
work. Mr.. Chambers story has many
box office assets which may well be
taken into consideration. Probably it
has been more extensively read in this
day than any other work of fiction re-
Gently pictureized. And it was read
because of the boldness and fearless
ness of the authors style and the top
les upon which he wrote.
The spirit that permeated "The
Common Law" in novel form has been
most successfully transferred to the
screen. The picture calls a spade a
spade, and by its undeniable frank
ness will undoubtedly create consider
able comment. But it is here in its
very frankness that the art of sug-
gestion is employed so successfully.
Delicate situations are thus made del
icate pictures. The story itself ION
Germs the life of an artists model,
Valerie West, who, because she be-
lieves she will ruin the career of the
man she loves if she marries him, de-
cides to be his wife according to the
Common Law" Her attitude chang
es finally when she discovers that it
vas the selfshness and ignorance of
others who m~isjudged her just be-
cause of her profession, and so she
consents to become the artists wife
according to the Law of God. Mr..
Chambers did not write his novel for
the screen. And while it may be
thought that its climaxes lack some
thing of the power of the usual pic
ture, this is more than made up for
by the ultimate effect created by the
whole.
Miss Young as Valerie acts with
rare skill and gives her work an ap-
preciable touch of refinement. In the
person of Conway Tearle, who plays
opposite as the artist, Miss Young has
an excellent leading man. Mr.. Tearle
whose expressive performance wins
the heavy. Lillian Cook has an i'm
portant role, which she handles skill
fully, while others are Edna Hunter,
Julia Stuart, Edward NJ. Kimball,
Lydia Knott and D. J. Flanagan.
Added Attraction: Shorty Hamilton
in a Pact comedy, "Shorty Bags the
Bullion Thieves"
Matinee 2.30. admission 1Oc; Eve
ming Z and 9, admission 10 and Is
cents.
Misunderstanding Arbuckle
in a roaring two-act comedy, 1.-THE
Butcher Boy" first of the Fatty Ar
buckle comedies.
s.nuEn TUIE .nrInNTUN,