Kathryn Osterman (1915) 🇺🇸

Kathryn Osterman, who is known in the theatrical world as the laughter-loving comedienne, has joined the World Comedy Stars Film Corporation and will be featured in a number of one-reel comedies. Miss Osterman’s career on the stage has been a most interesting one. For several reasons she starred at the head of her own company in Mark Swan’s clever comedy. The Girl That Looks Like Me, and also The Night of the Play, which afterwards became Lillian Russell’s starring vehicle under the title of The First Night. After this she played under A. H. Woods management in Modest Suzanne and The Girl in the Taxi. She was also an important vaudeville feature as the co-star with Louis Simon in A Persian Garden, which was successfully presented for two years in all the principal vaudeville theaters.

Miss Osterman’s last appearance in New York was at Hammerstein’s in her own one-act play, True to Nature. She has often been spoken of as the queen of comedy, possesses talent plus vitality, and her ringing laughter is an inspiration to everybody she comes in contact with. Miss Osterman has a splendid sense of farce, a legitimate method of laugh provocation and a radiant and smiling face that will surely get over the screen as it does over the footlights.

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“After Five”

Five-part Lasky comedy contains amusing situations and is well played.

Reviewed by George Blaisdell.

There are situations that move to mirth in After Five, the five-part modern comedy in which Edward Abeles has the leading role. Mr. Abeles is finely supported by Theodore Roberts and Succo Hayakawa. The script is founded on the play by William C. and Cecil B. De Mille, and it is fair to assume that these men made the adaptation. The story deals with the efforts of Ted Ewing, a guardian, to reimburse through a life insurance policy the ward whose money he has been responsible for losing. Ewing previously has laughed at blackmailers who demanded money. Later he comes to the conclusion that these men may be of service in accomplishing the destruction which, by the suicide clause, he is proscribed from personally bringing about. For a long time he is in terror, awating the expected “accident.” Later, when he discovers that his investment has doubled, he is in a worse panic, as he endeavors to get word to the blackmailers that he will pay them an increased price to cancel the agreement.

The story proceeds logically from a beginning that may strain the credulity of some — i. e., that a young man in good health will undertake to sacrifice his life in order that he may by that means raise money to restore to his ward and sweetheart money he had lost. New York City and Maine are supposed to be the localities in which the action lies. As to the latter there are many picturesque snow scenes, finely photographed.

After Five will rank as good comedy. The work of the players is commendable. Mr. Abeles has now had considerable screen experience, and his portrayal indicates it. Mr. Roberts gives a fine interpretation of the polished chief of the blackmailers. Young Hayakawa is a finished actor, and is strong either in light or serious moments. Betty Shade has the role of the ward. If, in the beginning, she impresses as being a bit theatrical, the feeling is measurably lessened as the play proceeds. Jane Darwell is Aunt Diddy, in love with Ewing, but quick to transfer her mobile affections to the handsome leader of the S. S. S. Monroe Salisbury is Sam Parker, the broker who induces Ewing to place with him two fortunes, and then proceeds scientifically to double it.

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Scene from After Five (Lasky)

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Prize Beauty in “The New Wizard of Oz”

In The New Wizard of Oz, which is the latest feature to be announced for release on the Alliance program, Miss Vivian Reed appears as the Princess. This will be of interest to many, for Miss Reed in a recent beauty contest won the much coveted honor of being acclaimed one of the most beautiful young women appearing in motion pictures. But she merely considers her attractive appearance as a fortunate accessory in her life’s work.

Like so many other picture performers, Miss Reed served a thorough apprenticeship on the legitimate stage. For several seasons she played opposite roles to Mrs. Leslie Carter and Miss Nance O’Neil.

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“The Vampire”

Episode number six of “The Exploits of Elaine,” the Pathé-Hearst serial.

Reviewed by Hanford C. Judson.

There is never much doubt who is the center of this sixth of the Exploits serial; it is Pearl White. Miss White has genius when it comes to playing before the camera. She really acts; she has full command of her expression and seems to the spectator to be filled with the emotion she portrays. What is more she takes a remarkably good picture.

This episode, The Vampire, has a situation that fairly makes the nerves creep at the uncanny ability of the terrible band and the blood boil at the audacity of the leader of it. This is an unusual situation and we suspect that no one ever used it before — be it remembered that no one sees all pictures. We are sure that it will be fresh to spectators and will be counted as a very thrilling offering.

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Fritzi Scheff Starts Work Before Camera

Fritzi Scheff, the prominent favorite of the legitimate stage, whose signature was recently secured by the Oliver Morosco Photoplay Company to appear before the motion picture camera, has arrived at the Bosworth-Morosco studios to star in a screen version of her winter’s hit on Broadway, Pretty Mrs. Smith. Work has been begun in earnest in the filming of this hilarious and artistic comedy, written by Oliver Morosco and Elmer Harris, and an elaborately spectacular production is assured.

This is the first appearance of Miss Scheff in pictures, and it was with great enthusiasm that the lovely star of the footlights commenced her work at the studio. Each day affords her new surprises in the art of motion picture production, and every morning finds her among the first at the studio, eager to commence the day’s work. Supporting Miss Scheff are Owen Moore, Forrest Stanley, Loyie Bennison, Myrtle Stedman and a score of other screen favorites in important roles.

Collection: Moving Picture World, February 1915