Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-04-01


d. W. Grifith has either to return TO his
old form of utilizing short subjects or else
let his productions run their full course with
out regard to the limitations of the technical
program, as evidenced by the usual hour and
quarter allotted for display of the Feature"
He has crowded much establishing of real
ISM and other necessary details into pro-
duction which should have taken more time
to project than was evidenced in the abrupt
manner in which the main idea of the story
was handled. The direction, however, was
at all times artistic.
1t Is not altogether fair to Griffith TO make
him crowd his ideas into a given time, and
his better productions show the benefit of
giving his directing full scope. Here he has
tried TO show n type OF girl who remained at
home while the boy went away He made
her care-free type OF show girl, but she
pales into nothing compared with the
surrounding characters and the big incidents
In the unfolding of the war scenes. 1t is
possible that these scenes had been photo
graphed before the signing of the armistice
and that the director tried to get them out
or the studio as soon as possible. but they
are OF the kind that are good to watch. The
part of the story in which the workings of
the draft board are shown leads the writer
TO believe that this subject was intended for
propaganda material for the government.
Griffith introduces two new players in the
persons OIL carol DempSter ana Clarlne Sey-
nour, both excellent character players
Others who appear Robert Harron, Rich
ard Barthelmess, George Fawcett Kate
Bruce, Edward Peil and Tuly Marshall. Mr.
Bitter shows some now photography filtered
through silk and out of focus recordings
which are artistic, but rather unnecessary.
PAIAHGEn'Ths MiHtls, Poppy Girls Husband Nth Nth
Sullivan and directed BY the star.
In collaboration with the star, the direc-
tlon was done by Lambert Hllyer and super
Nised by Thomas II. Ince. 1t may be due to
this quartet, including the scenario writer,
that the picture is good one or, perhaps.
1t is because the star has portrayed char
acter that is human and full of thrills. Surely
the devotees at the shrine Of the interpreter
of heroes of the West will permit this
player to portray the role of reformed
crook who has unfaithful wife, in asmuch
as she divorced him after he was in prison
for a year.
There Is suspense at the end of the story
when the husband number one, returns from
the Jail and meets his wife, who has tried
TO have him sent back to prison by reason
of her marriage to the man who originally
Jailed him. The hero plans to brand his
former wife, but is stopped by the young SON
who later goes away with the father. Juanita
Hansen is the wife. Walter Long has the
role of the heros pal and the son is played
by George Stone. The settings attrac-
tive.
ARCAD1A-"The Marriage Price" with Elsie
a story by Griswold Wheeler.
Artistic to the nth degree is the sum total
of this production, which has for its star
Elsie Ferguson. who Just belongs in the
atmosphere chosen for the unfolding of a
tale more real than her former vehicles.
Then. too, Miss Ferguson is given part
which permits her to gain the sympathy of
her admirers and to enact role which really
fits her emotional abilities. Her leading man
is Wyndham Standing, and Lionel Atwill
plays the part of an idler.
Eve Unsell prepared the scenario for the
story which concerns the marriage of the
heroine, a poor girl, to rich man. She has
4 difficult time in choosing a husband, how
ever. and it Is the man who has loved her
all the time that finally proves to her that
she has the right The direction is excel
lent and several scenes which show the
palatial residence and the horse stables are
fine examples of movie settings
Man na 1nter bv Tn WS% aS
There is no gainsaying the fact that Will
liam Farnum is one of the most popular
screen actors now appearing ip stories which
show the doings of big, red-jlooded men of
the world. His roles are always of the kind
which permit of some excellent character
studies. and the artist has taken full advan-
tage of his part in this picture.
In this latest picture Farnum plays the
part of a man who has been ruined by the
treachery of a friend. In revenge, Farnum
pursues this man over two continents and
finally corners him on desert island after
a shpwreck.
Louise Lovely and Beatrice JOY the
chief feminine players. The work of the
former has been before in plays of
which she was the star The photography
showed appropriate settings for the locale
of the story.
REGENT-"The Way OF the Strong" with Anna
O. Nesson the star. Story by Ridgewell
Cullon.
There is a similarity of situations and
characters in this story and that OF "rhe
Brand" while the locale is also placed in
Alaska. There is no rejecting upon the
integrity of the authors. Ridgewell Cullom
and Rex Beach, because both of them write
of the men and women who live gin the great
out-of-doors world The picture is good
one.
Two men and a woman again form that
triangle without which many vehicle would
be lost After several years separation the
two men, who met originally in the gold
fields of Alaska, again brought together,
and they fight for love and honor of the
woman who came between them. Anna Nes-
son Is the chief feminine player and her re-
turn to the Metro studio productions finds a n
able part In this piece for the full expression
of her ability. Harry Northrop is once more
cast as a villain and Joe King has the role
of the hero.
The Strand and the Locust Theatres are
showing Billie Burke in Good Gracious
Annabelle :" for their chief attraction.