Herschel Mayall – MRQE

War Is a Racket

Sat, 30 Aug 2025 04:00:00 +0000

War is a Racket was described as “a newsreel complication in story form” — or what would nowadays be designated a “docudrama.” Troubled by headlines of the crises in Europe and Asia, a crusading newspaper editor sends a roving reporter out to ask the public if war is merely a “racket,” created to line the pockets of bankers, industrialists and munitions manufacturers. The reporter asks quite a few people in high places, as well as a humble “Gold Star” mother and a former soldier. As each interviewee relates his or her answer, the film dissolves to newsreel footage of WW I, the Roaring Twenties, the Wall Street Crash, etc. The answer to the editor’s question is twofold: Yes, war is a racket, but the populace must be properly prepared for war nonetheless.

Civilization

Sat, 30 Aug 2025 04:00:00 +0000

Count Ferdinand, a submarine commander and secret pacifist refuses to torpedo a defenseless passenger ship during wartime. His submarine is sunk in the following fracas. In the spirit world, Christ commends the captain, and returns to earth in the commander’s body to promote His message of peace.

Patriotism

Fri, 19 Sep 2025 04:00:00 +0000

During World War I, Robin Cameron transforms her home on the Scottish seacoast into a hospital for convalescing soldiers. Sidney Carson, who owns the adjoining estate, and Dr. Hyde both love Robin, but she gives her heart to John Hamilton, an American soldier whose ship was sunk off the coast.

The Bargain

Tue, 02 Sep 2025 04:00:00 +0000

After the bandit Jim Stokes robs the stage he is wounded fleeing. Recuperating at a ranch, he falls in love with and marries the daughter. Now wishing to go straight he tries to return the money but is recognized and captured. When the Sheriff then loses the recovered money at a crooked roulette table, he and Stokes strike a bargain.

Cleopatra

Sun, 24 Aug 2025 04:00:00 +0000

The story of Cleopatra, the fabulous queen of Egypt, and the epic romances between her and the greatest men of Rome, Julius Caesar and Antony.

Kismet

Sun, 28 Sep 2025 04:00:00 +0000

Hajj, a rascally beggar on the periphery of the court of Baghdad, schemes to marry his daughter to royalty and to win the heart of the queen of the castle himself.

Thirty Days

Tue, 26 Aug 2025 04:00:00 +0000

John Cadwalader Floyd gets himself into a lot of trouble when hot-headed Italian Giacomo Polenta finds him in the arms of his wife, Rosa.

Bonds of Honor

Mon, 25 Aug 2025 04:00:00 +0000

In this picture, Sessue Hayakawa is in a dual role, playing twin brothers. One of them, Yamashiro is serious and hardworking, while the other, Sadao, is a playboy. There is a girl, Toko-Ku, who loves them both, but really prefers the bad boy. Sadao encounters Paul Berkowitz in a gambling den and borrows far more money from him than he can ever pay back.

Madame Du Barry

Fri, 22 Aug 2025 04:00:00 +0000

The picture shows Jeanette (Thelda Bara) becoming the mistress of the ambitious Jean DuBarry (Herschel Mayall) who marries her off to one of his cousins so that she has an entree to the court. She soon becomes the favorite of the King (Charles Clary) and Jean DuBarry becomes a regular around the Court too. But all this is disturbed when Madame DuBarry falls for Conte Brissac of the King’s Guard (Fred Church). DuBarry’s attempts to expose her affair only get him banished from the court.

The Road to Love

Sat, 23 Aug 2025 04:00:00 +0000

Hafsa, a beautiful Arab girl (Lenore Ulrich), wants the right to choose her own mate, instead of the husband picked out by her father, Malik (Herschel Mayall). Naturally, the man she falls in love with is unacceptable, since he’s an American.