Theatre & Cinema

A screen drama, adapted by Adela Rogers St. John from a story by Rupert Hughes, directed by Alexander Hall and presented by Paramount at the Paramount Theatre, with the following cast:

It was inevitable that the moving picture companies would turn to our newest national disease-kidnapping-as fodder for the fans. The only thing that has delayed pictures dealing with this subject was an edict from the pulpit of Mr. Hays but now that the ban has been lifted you can expect a cycle of films showing in all its unpleasantness, the inner workings of this now popular racket.

“Miss Fane’s Baby Is Stolen” which opened at the Paramount the other night is the first of the kidnapping films. It is done in a surprisingly subdued manner and even though it becomes academic when it should be emotional it is an unusually good picture. Briefly, it tells the story of Miss Madeline Fane, a Hollywood picture star, played by Dorothea Wieck, whose husband has died leaving behind an infant son. Miss Fane, although famous throughout the world as a film star, is in Hollywood best known for her great love for her son. She comes home one day to find him missing and realizes that he has been kidnapped. Her first reaction is to deal directly with the kidnappers but at this point the prevalent official view is given the lead. She became convinced that her duty to the other parents of America is to allow the police to solve the crime. However, it finally transpires that the baby is saved from death by Miss Alice Brady who plays the part of farmer’s wife. It seems that the kidnappers had moved into a shack near her farm and she does the rescuing. There is a happy ending with not a little talk about the sanctity of the law and the vileness of kidnappers in general.

As propaganda for law observance “Miss Fane’s Baby” is a worthy effort, but unfortunately, parents of kidnapped children are interested in but one thing-the safe return of the child. All the pictures and preaching in the world won’t make them see the problem in any other light.

Although Miss Wieck is presumably the leading lady, her part is comparatively unimportant. The honors naturally fall to Alice Brady and this veteran actress takes full advantage of the opportunity. The kidnapped child is none other than Baby LeRoy whose performance is remarkable.

G. J.