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Show At the Theaters True Heart Susie' Is Shown at Paramount rjAVTO WARK GRIFFITH is responsl-Me responsl-Me for the latest offering, "True Mean Susie," which was shown for the nrst time yesterday at the Paramount-tinprees Paramount-tinprees to oJie usual crowds. Into the rural village for the setting ? a woman's soul for the theme. Crlfnth has gone for his materials for a human drama which he calls "the story of a plain girl." He has selected three characters, typical typi-cal and definite In the domestic life of America familiar to the residents of every small place and most large ones. One is that of a lovable, loyal girl, who never has a chance to marry but one man, and, when that man passes her bv, ases her m W"i.i tears and "'eai-los her days utn waiting. Another is a voung man who goes to college; returns with comical conceit, the premier of swains, as serious to himself as the measles. And the third a. Krl who considers marriage never a union of hearts, but a necessary patron-au. patron-au. Wife of subsldy rather than love. u" these characters Mr. Griffith has arranged a story of charm, piquant in the delightful subtleties of character de-Ineation, de-Ineation, a warm, wholesome story or love won and love denied. He devotes his deep perception of the infinite varieties of each heart to these three young persons, each whetted by doing just what he or she should. I.illian Gish appears as the girl who waits, a repressed role which absorbs the full power of her acting. Robert Harron is the bov who becomes a minister. Clarine Seymour is introduced intro-duced as the merry, young heart-breaking milliner from Chicago. The picture abounds in many atmosiOieric rural settings set-tings and the camera work is a revelation revela-tion to those who revel in new and artistic ar-tistic effects. The story has a happv ending from an audience viewpoint, granting the desirability desira-bility of a happy ending, but It liardlv rings true to the sophisticated. The balance of the new show includes some good local pictures of the Saltalr bathing girl review. It goes again today and tomorrow to-morrow and Is well up to the' standard set by the Paramount-Empress Comedy - Drama at American Pleases j OMEDT plus drama is the basis which makes Constance Talmadge's latest picture, "Happiness a la Mode," a success as a screen entertainment. The picture is filled with complex situations, sometimes emotionally dramatic, but more often of a comedy nature. It appeals, ap-peals, through its diversified theme, to all classes, and furnished many hearty laughs for those who saw it yesterday at the American theater. With "Happiness a la Mode," the American introduced supplementary features fea-tures which in themselves were a complete com-plete program. The Harold Lloyd comedy, com-edy, "Off the Trolley," proved a sketch with plenty of action and humor from start to finish. The scenic, presenting outdoor pictures of many sections of the world, carried a seasoning for the general gen-eral comedy effect of the program. In -"Happiness a la Mode" the author has shown a keen knowledge of the minds of women and the ways of men. He tells of a couple recently wedded and whose notions of domestic bliss and tranquillity tran-quillity are considerably apart. The wife, with her a la mode notions of household affairs, forgets the needs of the husband, who takes her concentration concentra-tion upon domestic affairs as a slight to himself and even indifference to him. He seeks love and amusement through flirtations flirta-tions and thereby beats a trail to trouble trou-ble and tribulation. ' Things move fast and just as the court takes a hand the god of love intervenes and brings the story to a happy climax. The entire program Is on the boards for the American again this afternoon and tonight. Frank Gibney sings "After All" in appealing manner, and both the organ and orchestral programs are up to standard. Blanche Sweet Is Star of Film at Strand PROBABLY the very best film program ever offered at. the Strand theater waa presented yesterday, and will be given again today. The program is headed head-ed bv "Avenging Conscience," a play by D. W. Griffith, in which Blanche Sweet stars alongside of Henry B. Walthall, Mae Marsh, Robert Harron and others of equal note In the world of the camera. In addition, the Strand played a rollicking rollick-ing Keystone comedy, "My Valet," starring star-ring Mabel Norniand. In "Avenging Conscience," which is a dramatic spectacle, big and bounding, a new epoch in the line of film production is noted. In probably no other picture have the uncanny workings and craft of a criminal conscience, the inner conscience con-science of man, been so vividly portrayed. por-trayed. The whole story Is tense and abounds in thrilling situations cleverly interwoven with a thread of love and affection. The photography Is remarkably clear, the scenes and settings extraordinarily superb, su-perb, and there Is not a dull moment in the entire show. The drama is based upon Edgar Allan Poe's story, "The Telltale Tell-tale Heart." It tells of a sinner pursued by, the horror of his crime. |