Under False Colors

“Points of Interest: An interesting story of the struggle between love and patriotism. The delightful combination of Frederick Warde and Jeanne Eagels in characteristic roles.

“The chief merit of Under False Colors is that it provides charming and characteristic roles for Frederick Warde and Jeanne Eagels, who hold the interest and suspense of the play through their sympathetic and convincing acting. The combination of this delightful young heroine with the distinguished and kindly old gentleman who is her guardian, is a particularly fortunate one and carries an unusual and piquant appeal. Miss Eagels is a new and refreshing type of ingenue who does not indulge in soubrette tricks to get her effects, but who behaves like a very real and appealing young girl whose youth is not without dignity. Frederick Warde’s restrained and compelling work is well known on the screen and the honors are equally divided between one of the oldest and the youngest stars in the films today.

“The story follows the adventures of the Princess Olga, a Russian noblewoman who, in an effort to help her country’s fight for freedom, reluctantly poses as the ward of an elderly American millionaire who is believed to be assisting the reactionary party. The old gentleman soon discovers that she is an impostor but he has grown so attached to her that he puts the most charitable interpretation on her position. The film ends with a thrilling scene in the secret meeting place of the revolutionists where the news of Russia’s freedom dissolves the band and the old man is revealed as one of the chief backers of the revolutionary party. A pretty romance between Olga and the old man’s nephew runs as a counterplot to her action as a spy. Although the play is well staged and directed its success rests primarily with the actors who have raised it far above the somewhat mediocre lines of the plot. The combined names of Frederick Warde and Jeanne Eagels are its best medium for advertising.—A.G.S.”

“Under False Colors is of the Thanhouser brand that has been taken over by Pathé for film distribution. The featured players are Jeanne Eagle [sic] and Frederick Warde. The picture is up to date as far as the scenario theme is considered.

“A Russian countess is assisted by a young American as she flees from Russia under an assumed name. On the way over a torpedo sinks the ship, but she and a young American girl take to the same boat with lifesavers. The American girl dies from exposure and turns over some valuable papers to be delivered to a very rich American named Colton. The Russian lady of nobility passes as the other girl and is adopted by Colton. She is in league with a Russian band that is led by a scoundrel who is finally unmasked after trials and tribulations for the countess and her guardian, Colton. As Colton Mr. Warde gives a finished portrayal of the rich man who despite his immense wealth wasn’t such a bad sort after all. Miss Eagels plays Olga effectively. There are a number of dramatic climaxes with the submarine’s action and the torpedoing of the liner commendable; Under False Colors, while a conventional picture will hold its own on the service program of multiple-reeled subjects. The photography at times appeared off color, the players and scenic investiture appearing indistinct.—Mark.”

“On September 23, Pathé will release another Gold Rooster Play, in which Frederick Warde and Jeanne Eagels have the leading parts. It is called Under False Colors, written by Lloyd Lonergan, directed by Emile Chautard and produced by Thanhouser. The last time these two stars appeared in the same production was in The Fires of Youth, which was more than ordinarily successful and was very well received by the critics. The story is most timely, dealing as it does with Russia just prior to the dethronement of the czar.”

“On September 23 the Pathé Company will release a Gold Rooster play, in which Frederick Warde and Jeanne Eagels have the leading parts. It is called Under False Colors, written by Lloyd Lonergan, directed by Emile Chautard and produced by the Thanhouser Company. The last film those two stars appeared in was The Fires of Youth, which was well received by the critics. The story is timely, dealing with Russia just prior to the dethronement of the Czar. Mr. Warde plays the part of John Colton, an American millionaire. The house obtained for use as his ‘residence’ in the picture is the home of Henry M. Flagler. All the outdoor scenes were taken on the Flagler estate at Orient Point, Mamaroneck, N.Y. Jeanne Eagels plays the Countess Olga, a Russian nihilist. Fleeing to this country to escape arrest in her own country, she impersonates the daughter of a Polish friend of Mr. Colton and so gains his confidence. He and his wife practically adopt her as their daughter. She makes use of the intimacy, thus created to get tips on the stock market. These tips she conveys to her nihilist friends in New York. They make use of them to enrich themselves. Eventually she finds that she has been the innocent tool of a band of up-to-date crooks who have imposed upon her loyalty to the Russian Revolution. But when the truth comes out she finds that her sweetness and amiability have gained for her true love in the Colton family, and she leaves her faithless old friends for the new.”

“A story having to do with the Russian Revolution. The use of newspaper items and photographs of actual scenes during the revolution would be good stuff to use in the lobby. Headlines from the papers telling the story of the Czar’s overthrow would be bully good material to paste at the top of lobby frames in which the stills of the Revolution scenes are displayed. The name of Frederick Warde should be featured and his photographs used in the lobby and in any other places where such stuff can be displayed. The name of Jeanne Eagels should also come in for some boosting. The house staff might be costumed as Russian peasants and a man so dressed sent around town to distribute advertising matter. He should be on horseback if possible.

“General Advertising: Stories can be worked up dealing with the way in which the young Russian helped her country gain its freedom. Also mention should be made of Frederick Warde’s stage career. For cards, circulars, throwaways follow this wording: ‘She was helping Russia gain its freedom. The police were on her trail but a young American helped her escape to this country. Here she sailed under false colors but saved the life of the man who befriended her and helped the Secret Service men to round up some revolutionists. There are scenes that will thrill you and acting that is exceptional in Pathé’s latest feature, Under False Colors with Frederick Warde. See this dramatic story of downtrodden Russia at the BLANK theatre today.’

“Headlines are: ‘Russia is Free,’ ‘Frederick Warde—A Real American,’ ‘She Helped Her Country,’ ‘In the Throes of Revolution.’”

“The five reel production of the week [in the Pathé program] is Frederick Warde and Jeanne Eagels in Under False Colors. It is an original story by Lloyd Lonergan, produced by Thanhouser under the direction of Emile Chautard, with one of the best starring combinations ever seen on the screen—the best known Shakespearean actor in America in the role of a modern financier, the most charming young leading woman on the American stage in the role of a beautiful Russian countess, forced to take refuge in United States under a false passport.”

“Under False Colors, a five part Gold Rooster Play produced by Thanhouser that is bound to please your audience. Sensationally dramatic, it shows how the devotion to her cause of a fair young Russian revolutionist does not prevent her from falling in love with a fine young American.”