There are pirates and pirate ships, chests of gold and man-to-man battles in "The Slave Market," the Famous Players release for January 1. The subject is a stirring melodrama of the Spanish Main, and for the semi-tropical land backgrounds Director Hugh Ford took his company of players, headed by Pauline Frederick, into the field of the special activities of the old-time pirates. The Cuban scenes in their richness of setting are ample compensation for the journey. Miss Frederick has the role of the convent-bred daughter of a governor of one of the West Indian islands. On her way out from Spain to meet her father she is captured by pirates, and by the leader of them is declared to be his slave. It is a strongly emotional role, that of Ramona, one suited to the talent of Miss Frederick. A great majority of the situations in which she figures are of stress, but there are others that are tender, when she is thrown into the company of the man whom she loves and who eventually rescues her and escorts her to the priest. Thomas Meighan is John Barton, the adventurer into whose hands falls the chest of gold buried by the pirates and who with the contents buys the freedom of Ramona. Albert Hart is Firebrand, the big pirate who attempts through fear of his lash to win the submission if not the love of Ramona. Firebrand is as fierce as anyone would wish him to be, as convincing a pirate as ever scuttled a ship. Wellington Playter is his chief of staff. Ruby Hoffman is the discarded favorite of Firebrand. "The Slave Market" will make a strong subject for any house; it is a well-made melodrama. – The Moving Picture World, January 13, 1917
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