The Moving Picture World (April 1907)

90 THE MOVING PICTURE WORLD. Film Review. AMERICAN MUTOSCOPE AND BIO- GRAPH COMPANY. THE TRUANTS. That "Boys Will Be Boys" Is Here Shown With a Vengeance. In this production the bidgraph has hit upon a subject rich with comedy opportu- nities and has taken advantage of them; the result being the funniest film yet pro- duced. The story is that of two mis- chievous youngsters who have a strong aversion for the confines of the school- room, but a lively aptitude for practical jokes. While playing "hooky" and dodg- ing the truant officer, they pay a visit to Biddy, the cook, and during her absence from the kitchen, place two giant fire- crackers in the stove in which she is about to start a fire. She returns and the boys scamper off. Through force of habit, al- though on this occasion entirely unneces- sary, Biddy saturates the kindling with kerosene and then applies a match. There is an explosion, the echo of which we are sure Biddy doesn't hear, for when the smoke clears away we find her reclining beneath a covering of portions of the ceiling, the stove and other portable and importable kitchen furnishings, from which she is res.- cued by her friend, the cop. In the next scene the boys hang a bucket of ashes over the front door, tying a rope from the bucket to the door-knob and then ringing the bell. The lady of the house answering it, receives the contents of the bucket all over her. The boys have hidden in the cellarway, where the lady discovers them and goes to mete out their punishment. Meanwhile they chase off on more mischief bent, and the truant officer takes their hiding place in the hope of their returning, and, of course, gets the pail of water in- tended for them. The following scene is next morning, showing the truant officer still abed, aweary from the arduous day be- fore. Outside his chamber Window the truants are playing in a swing. One gives the other a push that not only sends him high in the air, but clean out of the swing and through the window, taking glass and sash with him, and landing with a thud on the officer's chest, rudely awakening him from his peaceful slumbers. He seizes the boy, while a deputy on the outside captures the other. They are taken to court, where the leader is subjected to a violent paddling at the hands of the truant officer and his deputy. The fortitude of the boy amazes the court until it is discovered that he has placed a board in the seat of his trousers for protection. This film is sure to be one of the biggest comedy hits of the season. WILLIAMS, BROWN & EARLE. The Tell-Tale Telephone. This picture opens with a city gentleman leaving his suburban residence for the office and ,saying good-bye to his wife. A di- vided scene is now shown, with the wife at home doing needlework on the one side and the interior of the office on the other. The gentleman enters the office and is an- noyed to find his typist has not arrived. She enters while he is opening his letters, and after receiving a jacketing for being late, seats herself on the gentleman's knee. The 'phone now rings, and the following conversation takes place: Wife—How are you, hubby, dear? Hus- band-rFirst-class. Wife—Much trade? Husband—Rather. Wife—Can you meet mother? Husband—Can't leave office. Wife—Shall I come? Husband—No; don't Wife—Why not? Husband—Pressing en- gagement (hugging girl). Wife—Are you busy? Husband—Got my hands full. Wife —Can I assist? Husband—Not in the least Wife—You won't be long? Husband— Really can't say. The wife apparently hears something through the 'phone which is not in "the book of words," as she indignantly gets up, puts on her bonnet and cloak, and sails off to the office, where she arrives in time to see hubby hugging the typist After knock- ing over her husband and breaking the table, the two women have a battle royal, pulling out handfuls of each other's hair. The husband interferes and is promptly attacked by both women, who finish by putting him in the copying press, leaving him kicking wildly and shouting lustily. A Woman's Sacrifice. — In Six Scenes. Scene I.—Shielding the Prodigal Brother. The scene opens in a drawing room where a lady is looking anxiously out of the French windows, evidently expecting some- one. Her reprobate brother enters, shabbily dressed. She greets him affectionately, and when he explains how hard up he is, hands him her purse and rings and embracing him he departs. Her husband in the meantime has been a spectator of part of-the scene and de- mands an explanation, but she will not give her brother away. Her husband, mad with jealousy, tells her she can go with the man she is shield- ing, and, in spite of the entreaties of their little girl, turns her adrift. Broken-hearted, she pleads to say good- bye to her child, but her husband remains adamant and sorrowfully she departs. Scene II.—Pining for Mother—The Doc- tor's Warning. Here the child is shown reclining on a couch, evidently very unwell and pining for mother"; but in spite of the child's appeal, backed by the doctor's advice, the father will not think of the recall of his apparently erring wife. Scene III.—The Shadow on the Blind—I Must See My Child. The exterior of the house, showing the shadows of father, child and nurse on the blind, is now seen. The misjudged wife comes on the scene, and the sight of the shadow of her child so overcomes her that she decides to knock at the door and asl^to see her child. Her husband, however, who is called by the maid, peremptorily orders her off the prem- ises, turning a deaf ear to her entreaties. Scene IV.—The Triumph of Love. The child is here seen in bed, seriously ill and constantly clamoring for her mother. The doctor says; "Bring her mother or she will die." The grief-stricken man at last gives way, and to save his child's life consents to fetch his wife^the child meanwhile kneeling in bed praying for their speedy return. , Scene V.—Explanations. The -wife at the breakfast table of a mean-looking room is still heart-broken and weeping bitterly. She is comforted by her brother, who has entered the room, wtc a knock is heard at the door. Her husbaarf enters and explains .the child's illnea When he notices the brother, explanation ensue, and all leave for the sick child. Scene VI.—The Little Peacemaker. Arriving home, the anxious parents hum to the sick room and are gratified to fa- the child better, and the scene ends witi the reconciliation of the parents over tie; sick child's bed. LUBIN'S NEW FILMS NOV/ READY OR IN PROCESS OF COMPLETION. The Borrowed Ladder. The wind blows a man's ha$ to the te of a tall lamp-post He goes for a ladder; unfortunately, stops on his way back fo- some drinks. The result is, he knocks into some harmless individuals with the ladder, finally comes into contact with the polio, is taken to the station, and there dreams o! all kinds of ghostly ladders, which dana over him. Extremely funny and fine qual- ity. Traced by a Laundry Mark. A very exciting story in several dramatic scenes. The villain pays unwelcome atten- tion to the girl; she refuses him. Ht swears revenge; procures two accomplice to abduct her. Frustrated by the girTs lover, a terrible fight ensues. The villi stabs the lover and flees from justice. Th detective on the track traces, through a a£ he leaves, and by means of the laundrj mark, to the possessor. Exciting chasi Villian attempts to shoot detective; over- powered; finally commits suicide, and bep forgiveness from the girl. The lover re- covers. Thus virtue is triumphant Grand quality. Exciting interest Beautifd scenery. The Vision of a Crime. • A man dreams a terrible dream, in wbM he sees a whole ghastly tragedy. He wake- up thoroughly frightened. In the mornis he goes to where he imagines the place ei the murder and, sure enough, discovers th corpse of the victim. Very exciting inter- est all through. The Animated Pillar-box. The men have just erected a pillar-boi, but not too securely. Two rogues coEtj along, see this, and move the box. f" gets inside, placing it at different poi The public and postmen are mystified, are finally joined by a policeman to the rogues. In the end the policeman beautifully hoaxed. Very amusing creates great laughter. ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENT C. J. Perkins writes: I am about to < a moving picture theatre. Will you kind! inform me who to rent the very best f and song slides from? I also want an rator, singer and piano-player. In re Write to our advertisers, giving them ticulars of your requirements, or, better sti call on them and see for yourself what (" have, and: select accordingly. We 1 given you names and addresses from list of operators. You will no doubt be i suited, as we made careful selection bete listing them. Williamson Buckman writes: Will kindly tell me who is the agent or sells Hale's tour films? In reply: C I Kleine, 662-664 Sixth avenue, New Y<s City, controls the entire output of Patf Hale tours. Your other question is swered in editorial.