Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-08-13
NEW TALMADGE FILM
AND A GRIFFITH PLAY
Stanley Has ''The Safety Curtain,
and the Arcadia Shows Famous
Directors First Aircraft

sTANLEY-"The Safety Curtain" with Norma
Talmadge. Directed by S. a. Franklin from
the novel by Ethel NJ. Dell. Select play.
1t makes little difference what the story
may be- the fact that Norma TalmadGe Is
enacting role in It is sufficient to brini' out
her many admirers. In this actress there IL
to be found all of the elements which go to
make up n star. She has few equals as an
emotional player and in this character OF a
waif who later becomes the wife OF Brit
ish officer. although she already has nus
band. there Is found n new note in her work.
Paul West and Director Franklin have
made good adaptation from Miss Dell $
book, with the interest Of the spectator
aroused at the very start with a dramatic
thrill in the rescue OF vaudeville artists from
q burning theatre. Then again comes the
moment when the heroine learns of her first
husband and the solution to the problem IS
brought about by his convenient death. Movie
demises are frequently as opportune as they
are in grand opera.
Eugene OBrien not only hooks the part
of the British captain, but he acts Well
Anders Randolf is well cast as vaudeville
strong man. while in GLADDEN. James there is
found a good character study OF an unprn-
cipled bounder. In the photography OF the
tropical rainstorm the camera man mas
shown some skillful work.
ARcAD1A-"rhe Great Love" with an all
star cast Of PLAYERS Pireeted Pr nI R;,vsr ny d.
craft play.
"The Great Love" is hardly up to the
standard which has marked the many screen
productions of D. w. Griffith. One of its
greatest faults Is the nordinate time devoted
to the establishment of the atmosphere. He
is prone to do this in his productions, but
never has he retarded the action to the eN-
tent that is to be found in this play.
Advertised as the successor to THE Birth
of a Nation" and Hearts of the World" It
falls very short Of these masternieces, but 49,
however, an addition to the Griffith products
and for that reason will find an eager audi
ence The eXpertness in the direction Is to be
seen at several places, however. where scenes
which were taken in England showing mum.
ton plants Paris streets and the members or
the British royalty have been dovetalled win
several made in California. OF the trade
marked animals without which no Griffith
product would be genuine, there Is but one
shown-a sheep. The use OF the pedal ex-
tremities of Lillian Gish as a means of ex-
pression to her feelings is an added touch in
direction.
An air raid on London furnishes the chief
dramatic punch to the story which also intro.
duces the love of a soldier for a girl and the
ultimate solution Of the problem which pre-.
vents their true love running smoothiy until
they find "the great love-
Much of the success Of this play Is due to
n veteran camera man, Billy Bitter, who has
utu,zed ssyeral double exposures. toy models
and soft-toned photography throughout. Ihe
settings as a whole were OF satisfactory
nature
The women of English society who appear
in the unfolding Of the story do so In the
manner of the news weekly pictures except
as before noted. Henry b. Walthall Is again
under Mr. Griffith's direction and he gives n
GOOD emotional performance. Robert Harron
is the hero and Lillian Gish has the chief
feminine role. George Fawcett, Gloria Hope
Rosemary Theby, Sarah Crowell, MaXheld
Stanley and George Segman are other inn
portant players
prcENT-"The Demon" with Edith Storey.
Injected by George Baker from the novel by
e n and A. NJ. Williamson. Metro play.
"Tbe Demon" is the name given to Edith
Storey because she Is so wild In this story.
Tba director made the adaptation from the
Williamson novel and he has fitted the lead
,ng feminine role around the personality of
the star The director introduced several
comedy situations which brought forth de.
served laughter while his ability to supply
easing settings for the script is already
we'll Known.
Two American men go to a sale of slaves
In Corsica and bid on little white girl whose
adventures UP to the final happy ending are
,oany and interesting There is introduced
the old standby of movie plots-coincidence.
Edith storey has rarely appeared to bet.
Tor advantage than she does in this movie.
law Cody is the rescuing hero and Charles
cerard his friend. Virginia Chester. Mollie
Mcconnell Frank Deshon and Fred Mala'
testa are in the supporting roles.
ITO Hell With the Kaiser" holds over for
n secord week at the Victoria. while the
poI.ce ia offering THE Service Star" with
Madgs Kennedy as the featured player. The
strand is presenting Fedora" with Pauline
frederick, while at the Locust there is Ru'
nert Hughess story, I'VE Can't Have Every
thing"