"The Serpent's Tooth," featuring Gail Kane with an unusually competent cast, is one of those good-bad types of pictures that are somewhat baffling to the reviewer. It is a five-part melodrama, so well made, so artistically interpreted, that one hesitates to shelve it as unwholesome screen food for the masses. Yet this is entirely true of a production which deals in a spectacular fashion with the drug and alcohol habits, and presents a number of despicable types. The work of Gail Kane in this production is especially pleasing, and she dresses the role of the unhappy wife delightfully. In fact the picture is a singularly well-dressed one. William Conklin as the husband exhibits great dramatic power and makes a repulsive role stand out with fine individuality. The actress playing the role of Hortense, the vampire of the play, does an excellent piece of work. Jane Pascal and Edward Peil are also noticeable for their fitness for the roles entrusted to them. The story centers about the home of a wedded pair between whom a coolness arises on account of differences in taste. The husband, who has been an artist, loses his moral balance in mixing with the smart set, and becomes infatuated with a fascinating woman of the vampire type. A child born to the man and his wife dies and because of the nervous condition of the wife her doctor administers a drug with caution. One day, however, the bottle containing the drug drops from his satchel, is found by the husband and his affinity, who plot together to convert the wife into a drug fiend. By the time that this is accomplished the husband has degenerated morally and mentally from the excessive use of alcohol to such an extent that he becomes subject to hallucinations and falls dead. The only fault to be found with the construction of the story is a matter of consistency. For instance, the wife who has become addicted to drugs becomes apparently instantaneously detached from her affliction. This of course is beyond reason.
Reviews
12,375 Reviews
Romeo and Juliet
(I) (1916)
Moving Picture World, November 11, 1916
20 April 2022
It is better to be young and Juliet than to.be a Sarah Bernhardt trying to be young when the cold screen refuses to be deceived. Theda Bara is young and her long dark curls make many a beautiful picture as she enacts in this Fox version of the great Shakespearean play, the fairest girl in all Verona. Harry Hilliard, as Romeo also has the bloom of youth and an engaging personality that goes well with his role. It is a very worthwhile picture that any one might be glad to see. If it doesn't reach those heights of beauty that give to the critic who has seen great presentations of the richly magnificent play, it is beautiful enough to inspire many and give delight to them. It tells the story clearly. The story is full of suspense and that suspense remains in the picture. The scenes in which it is told are often glorious and hundreds seem to have been employed in making the full-manned scenes on street and in market place and in the funeral procession which was very impressive till marred for one unhappy moment by the levity of one rose girl. The set scenes give a good suggestion of an Italian city and the chosen backgrounds are just about what was desired. The nurse is a "rich" part and a hard part to play even in the spoken drama with all the aid of the poet's wit and humor. In the picture, the humor has largely to be created. Alice Gale deserves credit for her presentation of a humorously grumpy, but motherly old soul. Both Glen White, as Mercutio, and John Webb Dylan, as Tybalt, are as the real thing in the gentlemanly swashbuckler way and fill the bill to perfection. Helen Tracy, as Lady Capulet, is acceptable and more pleasing than the too stiff Lord, her husband, played by Edwin Holt. Lord Montague, by Elwin Eaton, has but a momentary part to play. Victory Bateman's Lady Montague is effective in the trial scene. Walter Law as Friar Laurence carries his part of the picture well. The film stands as a pretty presentation of the "world's sweetest story." It is a valuable offering that would please any audience. The director, J. Gordon Edwards, deserves more credit, perhaps, than any one else interested in it. The scenario, by Adrien Johnson, ought also to be mentioned as economical, clear and able. It has drawn the story through many lovely scenes. It departs from the Shakespearean ending and follows the even more dramatic close of the original Italian.
Bonjour Paris
(1926)
Elaborate and spectacular ballets
18 August 2020
The film consists in elaborate and spectacular ballets performed by the dancers of two leading Parisian music halls. The gorgeous and fantastic dresses are embellished by vivid colouring, and a striking effect of stereoscopy is achieved the use of of a dead black background, from which the twirling figures of the dancers stand out in bold relief. Though they are extremely lively and sometimes even grotesque, both dancers and costumes are entirely inoffensive, and the film should prove an attractive novelty interlude for practically any house, especially if the musical accompaniment be carefully synchronised with the screen action. As a complete three-reeler the film is too long and tends to become monotonous. For most theatres, it would probably be a more convenient booking if it were released in installment form. The exploitation possibilities of the production are excellent.
The Lure of Mammon
(1915)
An elaborate production
21 January 2020
This "Broadway Favorites" Feature Drama, with Fania Marinoff in the leading part, has been given an elaborate production. The introduction of the heroine is startling, and the scenes on the yacht and in the home of the millionaire are reproduced with convincing fidelity. The story is melodramatic, and crowded with thrills. Miss Marinoff plays Dorinda Ladue with much emotional power, and is well supported by John E. Mackin, Robert D. Walker, James B. Ross and Ellen Farrin. - The Moving Picture World, June 5, 1915
Overflows with humor
21 January 2020
Anna Karfunkle is responsible for this one-reel comedy, which overflows with humor born of an intimate knowledge of the Hebrew character and customs. Nitra Frazer, Wally Van, Anna Brody, Albert Roccardi, Edward Elkas, Lillian Burns and Mrs. Beck play their roles with artistic naturalness. - The Moving Picture World, June 5, 1915
Just Retribution
(1915)
Realistic to the last degree
21 January 2020
A one-reel George W. Terwilliger drama, with an interesting plot and a fire scene that is realistic to the last degree. Earl Metcalfe, Ormi Hawley and Kempton Greene give the film the benefit of thoroughly capable impersonations. - The Moving Picture World, June 5, 1915
Otherwise Bill Harrison
(1915)
This two-reel photoplay is so good
21 January 2020
The dramatic portion of this two-reel photoplay is so good that it is difficult to accept it as the day dream of a newsboy. At any rate, the youngster is advised to give up selling papers and devote his entire time to day dreams; they will find a ready market as scenarios. Joseph Byron Totten, the author of the drama, is capital in the leading male role, and Ruth Stonehouse plays opposite to him with her accustomed reliability. - The Moving Picture World, June 5, 1915
The Closed Door
(1915)
Interest is kept at white heat
21 January 2020
Interest is kept at white heat in this two-reel drama through the efforts of an unscrupulous doctor to place his wife in an insane asylum. The situation when the Girl Detective takes hold of the case is worked up with skill, and the climax meets the entire approbation of an audience. Marin Sais, Thomas Lingham and Ollie Kirkby are the leading members of an excellent cast. - The Moving Picture World, June 5, 1915
The Awakening
(1915)
Scarcely up to the mark
21 January 2020
This two-reel drama, although quite entertaining, is scarcely up to the mark which James Oliver Curwood generally sets for himself. It tells a pleasantly conventional love story, and has been produced in Ralph Ince's usual thoroughly artistic manner. Earle Williams and Anita Stewart have no difficulty in realizing their respective roles. William Dangman and Dorothy Leeds also deserve honorable mention. - The Moving Picture World, June 5, 1915
The Rivals
(1915)
Especially well produced
21 January 2020
An unusually amusing children's comedy-drama. It has been especially well produced, and the clever youngsters who make the fun are George Stone, Violet Radcliffe, Carmen de Rue, and one other little boy whose work is also worthy of mention but whose name we do not know. - The Moving Picture World, June 5, 1915
The Cliff Girl
(1915)
The story is not exceptional
21 January 2020
The story of a young geologist who meets a girl of the woods. Her father meets with a fatal fall and when the fiancée arrives she becomes jealous of the young girl. The geologist learns to love the latter after saving her from his fiancée's brother. The story is not exceptional, but is well pictured and entertaining; the settings are attractive. - The Moving Picture World, June 5, 1915
The Stay-at-Homes
(1915)
An interesting and comic manner
21 January 2020
This film tells in an interesting and comic manner how two young people of similar tastes accidentally run across one another in the most unheard-of manner. Later they surprise their respective relatives by acting just like other people. The picture is one that is evidently warranted to please. - The Moving Picture World, June 5, 1915
The Two Natures Within Him
(1915)
Keeps a tight hold upon the interest
21 January 2020
Jules Eckert Goodman has utilized the "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde" psychological contrast as the theme for his two-reel drama. A clergyman, wounded in the head during an encounter with a thief, becomes a criminal himself, until restored to his former self by an operation. The play keeps a tight hold upon the interest. Thomas Santschi brings out the dual natures of the Rev. William Morris very effectively, and Lafayette McKee, Franklin Hall and Bessie Eyton lend strength to the cast. - The Moving Picture World, June 5, 1915
A Decision of the Court
(1915)
A story which compels attention
21 January 2020
Revenge is the theme of this two-reel drama by Paul M. Powell. The author has written a story which compels attention, and produced it with his usual care and skill. Velma Whitman makes a strong figure of the woman who seeks to be revenged upon the judge who sent her son to prison. Melvin Mayo and L.W. Shumway are prominent members of the cast. - The Moving Picture World, June 5, 1915
In the Dark
(1915)
The play is finely mounted
21 January 2020
This three-reel drama, by Adrian Gil-Spear, is of the highly-colored, ultra-romantic school, in which a brilliant young artist, his wife, a wealthy roue, and a beautiful French actress who repays the artist's scorn by blinding him with etching fluid, are given wide scope for their emotional powers. Joseph Kaufman, as the artist, rather overdoes several of his strong scenes, and a little less "acting" on the part of other members of the cast would improve the performance. The play is finely mounted and will please most moving picture patrons. - The Moving Picture World, June 5, 1915
A Lesson in Romance
(1915)
A very romantic tale
21 January 2020
H.S. Sheldon has departed from his usual realistic dramas in this three-reel photoplay, and related a very romantic tale with the disguised hero, rescued heroine, and all the proper adjuncts of such diverting fiction. The play is an excellent example of its class, and has been entrusted to the skilled acting of E.H. Calvert, Lillian Drew, Eugene Acker, Marion Skinner and Jack Meredith. - The Moving Picture World, June 5, 1915
Felix Holt
(1915)
Commendable fidelity
21 January 2020
A two-part version of George Eliot's forceful novel of English life, the salient points of the story have been skillfully retained, and the atmosphere reproduced with commendable fidelity. Charles H. Mailes is an earnest and mentally adequate Felix Holt. Jack Drumeir makes a lovable and convincing Rev. Rufus Lyon, and Vola Smith is a winsome Esther. - The Moving Picture World, June 5, 1915
A Rightful Theft
(1915)
New and different
21 January 2020
An original story, which did not seem developed to its most satisfying conclusion. It concerns an old coin taken from a contribution plate; it proves sufficiently valuable to raise the church debt, but it seemed the children who found it should have some share in the reward. This is new and different, though not strongly worked out. - The Moving Picture World, June 5, 1915
Reprisal
(1915)
Something original about it
21 January 2020
Edward Coxen, Winnifred Greenwood, John Steppling, George Field and Lizette Thorn comprise the cast of this excellent one-reel picture. The story has something original about it and holds the interest well. It is the story of how an unscrupulous politician tries to buy up the newspaper belonging to the man whom he enjoins bis daughter not to associate with. A maid in the politician's household is bribed to call on the young man late at night, for the purpose of establishing a scandal which he is to be forced to sell his paper in order to hush up. The arrangements, overheard by the daughter, are frustrated by her locking the maid in her closet, and impersonating her herself. The result is comical and satisfying. - The Moving Picture World, June 5, 1915
The Deadly Focus
(1915)
Not very pleasant
21 January 2020
The villain in this fixes a revolver in a vice, to be exploded by a magnifying glass at a certain time. He fails to allow for the change in sun time and himself becomes the victim of the device. This is well constructed and makes an interesting, though not very pleasant, production. Raymond Wells, Alfred Paget and Claire Anderson are in the cast. - The Moving Picture World, June 5, 1915
It's an Ill Wind
(1915)
A good novelty
21 January 2020
A good novelty, in which two mischievous children cut loose a line full of clothes. It is blown across the river and all over New York City, double exposure being used to accomplish this. The photography contains shadows in places, but on the whole this little offering makes good. - The Moving Picture World, June 5, 1915
Little Dick's First Case
(1915)
Slight in plot
21 January 2020
Three children become interested in detective stories and start out to find some sort of crime to work upon. They think they have discovered a murder, but it turns out to he an Italian celebration of a new baby. This is slight in plot and only fairly entertaining. - The Moving Picture World, June 5, 1915
The Jest of Jealousy
(1915)
The action progresses steadily
21 January 2020
There is good red blood in this one-reel drama, and the action progresses steadily up to the climax. Frances Marion, Frank Mayo, Bruce Smith, Frank Erlanger and Philo McCullough make the performance a spirited one. - The Moving Picture World, June 5, 1915
The Jaguar Trap
(1915)
A meritorious story
21 January 2020
A Jungle-Zoo drama for which Emma Bell has supplied a meritorious story. Thomas Santschi has produced the offering with his customary care and praiseworthy result. Thomas Bates, Marian Warner, C. B. Murphy, Edith Johnson and Lefayette McKee acquit themselves admirably. - The Moving Picture World, June 5, 1915
The Club Man
(1915)
Gathers speed from the start
21 January 2020
The expression "pantomime farce" exactly fits the most of Billy Reeves' work in this one-reel offering. After a night at the club, Billy takes his familiar jag home with him and meets a surprising number of comic adventures. The fun gathers speed from the start and ends in a whirlwind of merriment and flying feathers, as the clubman battles with the contents of his pillow. - The Moving Picture World, June 5, 1915
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