Cinema News and Property Gazette (1913)

9o l:ILMS.—Siipplenirnt to THE CINEMA. January i, 1913. WESTERN IMPORT CO., LTD., Ropert Court, Ruperi Street, W. T'hone : Gerrard 3080. Releasing: MAJESTIC, RELIANCE, THANHOUS ER and ANNEX Films. •■ BABY HANDS." [Thanhouser.) A well-to-do young man imagined he was verj much in love with a certain actress lit lavished presents upon her, and expected that shortly thej would be married. Much to his surprise and grief, however, he found that she was only mocking uim, and in rage and disappointment he forsook his old friends. and determined to live a simple life in the country. Being young and impressionable, his grief did not last, and, meeting a sweet girl in his rural surroundings, he married her, and decided he would be happy after all. Five years later the actress and a ■ arty of gay friends who were on a yachting trip happened to land at the little seashore village, which was now the home of the once man about town. The actress met her old heart, and the fascination she once exerted was again experienced by him, for it must be admitted that he was growing tired of his quirt, uneventful life. At the suggestion of the girl, he took her out for a sail in his little boat. She flirted with him, and he had no desire to withstand her fascination's. Suddenly in the midst of one of his impassioned speeches he experienced a feeling that someone was looking at him. Gla'nc,'. lie saw his four-year-old daughter, who, unknown to her father, was aboard the boat, gravely regarding him, and evidently not knowing what to say or do. The actress was pettishly angry, because the third party had spoiled her afternoon. The man was humiliated and conscience-stricken. Still. under the spedl of the fascination the woman exerted, he tried to remove the baby hands that were tightly clasped around his neck, but she clung to him, and he realised that the ties that bound him to his simple life were as tender, yet as firm, as the clasp of the child he loved. Roverentlv he kissed the little hands, and. without another word to the woman, he turned the boat, and put back to shore, the spell of the siren being broken for ever. •' BELLIGERENT BENJAMIN." [Map tlic.) Benjamin Kenton, a quick-tempered bully, comes home and finds his wife in tears. She tells him that while out walking an unknown stranger kicked her beloved poodle, Toodlos. On her resenting the kick, the stranger was extremelv rude. Some weeks later the Bentons go for a walk. Mrs. Benton sees the unknown, and points him out to Benjamin, who immediately 1 h,:n 1 1 1 _: J 1 words follow. Benjamin slaps the stranger, who then pro eeds to unmercifully beat Benjamin, and the latter in short time is stretched out on the ground unconscious. The stranger then takes a card from his pocket, and pit,, it on Benton's chest, then walks away. Mrs. Benton walks to hei ate husband, and reads the card : " Jim Brannigan, LightLi Champion." She lifts Benjamin's head, and shows him the card, whereupon he looks about wildly, and faints again. " LOVE'S MIRACLE." [Thanhouser.) II. altih does not always brinr; happiness. The girl was young, rich, but an invalid, and the noted physician who cared for hook their heads wisely, and gravely pronounced her case as one of general ill-health, a gradual wasting away. Her one trouble, although the physicians did not suspect it, was that she did not really care whether she lived or died. Life was tiresome; she had no one to care for, nothing to be interested in, and whether the end came sooner or later did not seem to her to be a matter of much concern. Then there came a startling change. The girl, in her invalid s chair, was seated on the beaoh one pleasant morning, when a convict, hunted by dogs and men, swam ashore at her feet. He first threatened her, then begged her protection. The girl* listened with interest. She realised that here was a fellow invalid, for, while hex ailment was physical, his was moral, and it struck her that while no one apparently could cure her, she would and could cure him. So she provided a hiding-place for him, supplied him with food, clothing, and money, and aided him to elude hi pursuers. All she asked of him was that he lead a new life, and this he solemnly promised that he would do. Time passed on, and, much to her surprise, she heard from her '• patient." He was not as bad as she thought; in fact, he had been sent to gaol for another's crime, and was able later to to establish bis innocence. Other letters told of his making a new place in the world, and steadily forging ahead, and breathed a message that he owed everything he had or expected to h ive to her. Not many months after the hunted and dis heartened convict had stolen from her presence the girl met him again. But this time he came to her a free man, his head erect, and the joy of living in his eyes. lie told her he had come t>> pay his debt of gratitude for the new life she had placed within his hands by showing her that the future held nothing but happiness for them both. He asked her to become his wife, but the girl, feeling she was a confirmed invalid, refused him, although he had grown to be her whole life. Then the miracle transpired. With her hands clasped in his, and his eyes looking into hers, he told her she was no longer ill, that she was to grow well and strong for his sake. Standing a few paces away, he held out his arms to her, breathing the one word, " Come." Scarcely realising what she was doing, the girl struggled tremblingly to her feet, and stood alone, as she had not done for years. Then, smiling and confident of her power to conquer death, she walked into the arms of love. •' BIRTH OF THE LOTUS BLOSSOM.' [Thanhouser.) One of the prettiest legends of old Japan concerns the birth of the lotus blossom. It tells how, many years ago. a bravo warrior fell under the displeasure of the Mikado, and a troop of soldiers were sent to capture him. He fought them off singlehanded, and made his escape, although sadlv wounded. Realising that his end was near, he painfully made his way to the shrine <>f Hachiman, the Cod of War, to die there. Upon his arrival the temple was deserted, except for one of the priest who bound up his wounds, hid him when rhe soldiers appeared, and told him she would aid him to escape. When he feebly I away, she decided she could not let him go alone. Kneel