User Reviews

In "The Victim," a five-reel Fox photo melodrama, Valeska Suratt, who has always been identified with the worldly-wise type of ladies during her connection with the screen, has combed her hair back, donned a simple frock and is introduced at the opening of the picture in the character of a heroine whose line of conduct is as straight as her hair. This radical departure from her previous line of impersonation is accomplished with earnestness and a creditable amount of skill. "The Victim" is a melodrama of the obvious sort that has a large following among picture patrons that prefer an appeal to the emotions and the stimulation to be derived from witnessing a rapidly moving crime play. Valeska Suratt impersonates a young girl whose father is a criminal, and who is forced to pay the price of her parent's sin. she becomes entangled in a robbery and, although innocent, is convicted and sent to prison. On her release she meets and is eventually married to a wealthy young doctor, but is again accused of crime, and her past record is used against her. This leads to a third-degree scene which somewhat overtaxes the star's emotional powers, but which, nevertheless, gives the story a vigorous finish. The robbery of the bank is a well-sustained incident, and Will S. Davis, who wrote and directed the picture, has handled the entire cast to good effect. Herbert Heyes, Claire Whitney, John Charles, Joseph Granby, Charles Davis and Oscar Nye are the leading members of the support. It should also be stated that during the latter portion of the picture the star is afforded an opportunity to wear a number of the striking and expensive gowns that have always been an important item of her screen creations. - The Moving Picture World, January 6, 1917

Film for Roman Catholic Propaganda

FOR those of Romanist faith a film produced and pre- sented by the Catholic Art Association, entitled "The Victim," will be found pleasing and interesting in theme. The picture was directed by Joseph Levering and has a strong human appeal, as well as containing authentic church scenes. Special attention has evidently been paid to the proper costuming of church officials, and to the maintain- ing of the dignity due the portrayal of the ceremonies of any religious body.

"The Victim"

Joseph Levering Produces Interesting Roman Catholic Propaganda Story for Catholic Art Association.

Reviewed by Margaret I. MacDonald.

IT IS a well-known fact that clergymen in general have been none too well pleased with the manner in which their "cloth" has been made to serve the moving picture. Direct- ors with little knowledge of and less regard for the etiquette of the church have repeatedly made annoying mistakes which have been held as just grievances by the clergy of different denominations. The producing of "The Victim," a multiple- reel picture, directed by Joseph Levering, appears to be not alone a matter of propaganda for the Roman Catholic Church, but an effort of the church to set itself right in the eyes of its people after a long line of such grievances.

The picture, which as exhibited at Aeolian Hall on the even- ing of Dec. 6 requires considerable cutting for the purpose of concentrating the action, is based on an interesting story of a priest at whose door a friend was found murdered, stabbed with a knife belonging to the priest. The secret of the story, cleverly withheld for a disclosure at the end, is that the knife, dropped on the lawn by a child to which it was given to whittle a wooden plaything, was picked up by the real murderer and used to slay the victim. In terror the murderer, having avenged a supposed wrong, rushes to the priest at sight of approaching policemen and confesses to him. The priest, bound by honor of his faith not to disclose what is told him in- the confessional, allows himself to be dragged to the electric chair on circumstantial evidence. The news of the dying confession of the murderer reaches the prison just in time to save him from death.

Prominent in the cast are Robert T. Haines, Joyce Fair, Inez Marcel, Harry Benham, and Armand Cortez.

Moving Picture World January 1917.