The Mysterious Mrs. Musslewhite (1917) User Reviews

Care, good taste and artistic perception

[deickemeyer · 1 February 2015]

Like the other screenplays with which the name of Lois Weber has been connected, the five-reel Bluebird, "The Mysterious Mrs. M.," involves in its making a commendable display of brains. Adapted by the director from a magazine story by Thomas Edgelow, the photoplay depends largely upon the enigmatic character of the plot. This is sufficiently baffling to defy solution by the average spectator in advance of the proper moment, and is an interesting theme in itself. A wealthy young fellow, who has become morbid from much wrong living, is prevailed upon by his club friends to visit a mysterious fortune teller. The seeress foretells of an accident to the young man, which takes place, according to schedule. When he returns for further evidence of her ability, she obliges him by stating the exact day and hour when he will cease to live. Thoroughly convinced of the woman's occult powers, and now, deeply in love with a charming young girl. The poor chap is in a bad way, as he awaits the moment of his taking off. The solution of the difficulty is in the nature of a "surprise finish," and comes at the very end. Such a story has the advantage of a somewhat different plot, but labors under the handicap of having but one course of action. To sustain the interest at undiminished tension through five reels, under this condition, is no easy matter. Director Weber has nearly accomplished the feat. There is a slight slacking up at a few points, but the movement generally carries the story forward at a rate of speed that rivets the attention. The manner in which "The Mysterious Mrs. M." has been prepared for screening, by Lois Weber, is a fine achievement. The care, good taste and artistic perception shown all through the five reels was to be expected from so capable a director. The selection of the cast is another example of her ripe judgment. Harrison Ford as Raymond Van Seer, the young millionaire, gives a flawless performance of the part. He looks and acts the type of man demanded by the author with notable ease and convincing skill. Mary MacLaren makes a winsome figure of young Von Seer's sweetheart, and Evelyn Selbie, Willis Marks, Frank Brownlee, Bertram Grassby, and Charles Mailies assist in the success of the drama. – The Moving Picture World, February 3, 1917