Motion Picture News (Jul-Oct 1914)

THE MOTION PICTURE NEWS 6i UNIVERSAL PROGRAM "Love and Lunch." (Sterling. Two reels. Thurs., July 23.) — This comedy, although sidesplitting in parts, is not as good as some of the Sterling one-reelers. Ford Sterling plays the lead. He has to work to win his girl and gets a job as waiter behind a one-man lunch counter. Jealousy causes him to become very rambunctious and the lunch wagon starts to roll down hill. In the end it goes over a cliff. "A Beach Romance." (Sterling. Thurs., July 16.) — Billie Jacobs supported by the other Sterling juvenile players appear in this comedy. Children will be more apt to enjoy it than older people. Billy and another are rivals for the same girl, but in the final scene affairs turn out in a favorable manner for both. "Almost Married." (Sterling. Mon., July 13.) — The abundance of slapstick work that appears in this one reel is enough to cause any audience to roll of! their seats with laughter. A man is almost married to the wrong girl, but is saved in time. "The Ranger's Reward." (Frontier. Sun., July 19.) — An unconventional and absorbing drama. Joe Franz appears in the leading role. Jim is assigned to catch an outlaw and not to return to the town until he has done it. He gets his man, who tries to play upon his sympathies, but is unsuccessful. He turns him over to the sheriff. He is rewarded by the hand of the girl he had long desired. "An Old Rag Doll." (Imp. Thurs., July 9.) — The temporary loss of his children who were frightened by his unruly temper, results in the reformation of the husband of the family. Leah Baird and William Shay play the leads in this drama, which all will enjoy. "Getting Vivian Married." (Crystal. Tues., July 21.) — Neither of her parents favors Vivian's suitor, and she decides to elope with Charlie, but is caught and at last marries one of her father's friends. Charles De Forrest and Vivian Prescott appear. There is a lot of slapstick work which keeps one in a continual laugh. "Value Received." (Victor. Two reels. Mon., July 20.) — A J. Warren Kerrigan drama which is sure to get across anywhere. A splendid finale is registered. The picture is clean throughout and has many very commendable moral points. The De Vere players arrive in town and Jack sees the girl, the wife of the manager. The latter beats her and Jack rescues her, bringing her to her own home for recuperation. The husband is killed later by the father of a girl he had ruined. "The Polo Champions." (Joker. Sat., July 25.) — Written by Captain Leslie T. Peacocke of the Universal scenario staff. One of the very best burlesques yet seen. The picture, although slapstick, has a fine sense of humor throughout. Of its class the best that Capt. Peacocke has produced. As a laugh producer it is a wonder. "When Death Rode the Engine." (EclairUniversal. Sun., July 26) — The outlaw seeks revenge on the sheriff and locks up his wife; he then sets fire to the house. She is rescued and the sheriff pursues the outlaw. He jumps on an engine and the sheriff takes another. When they near each other the sheriff jumps to the other engine while at full speed. The two men fight and fall off, then roll down an embankment and into a stream. The sheriff finally kills his opponent. This is a story that will keep one op edge every minute. "An Awkward Cinderella." (Rex. Sun., July 26.) — Robert Leonard and Ella Hall play the leads. Most of the picture is comedy of the best variety. The story is the same as the original, only Cinderella is a servant. Everyone will be amused by the picture. "The Sob Sister." (Rex. Two reels. Thurs., July 16.) — The much heralded newspaper story played by Anna Little and Herbert Rawlinson. A number of very interesting views of the interior of the composing room of a large daily paper are shown. The sporting editor and the "sob sister" are in love with each other. The daughter of the editor runs away from school and meets with an unscrupulous man who attempts to ruin her. She is saved at the last moment by the sporting editor. The editor declares he wants the story used, but on finding out it is his own daughter, he kills the "scoop." "Vivian's Four Beaus." (Crystal. Split reel. Tues., July 14.) — Vivian Prescott and Charlie De Forest. Three of her beaus have wigs, so naturally Vivian is suspicious of the fourth. His hair is pulled pretty hard. On the same reel with "What Pearl's Pearls Did." "What Pearl's Pearls Did." (Crystal. Split reel. Tues., July 14.) — Pearls are mistaken for pills with disastrous results. A burlesque on a doctor's consultation. Pearl White and Chester Barnett play the leads. Same reel with "Vivian's Four Beaus." "The TTniversal Kid." (Imp. July 16.) — The first of the series entitled "A Day in His Life." His life in the studio is shown, after which he telephones to go to the ball game where he meets McGraw and plays ball with the mascot of the New York Giants. Coming down Broadway he meets Annette Kellermann. "When Eddie Went to the Front." (Nestor. Fri., July 17.) — One of Al Christie's clever comedies. The cub reporter is sent to Mexico to cover the war. He finds, however, that the Mexican is rather fond of large knives, and although the girls seem very pretty and nice, he prefers the society column. "At the Foot of the Stairs." (Rex. Thurs., July 23.) — Robert Leonard plays the lead in this drama. The maid installed in the house to rob it brings about the reconciliation of husband and wife. Some of the action takes place in the dark, which lends a mystifying atmosphere. The plot is old, but will appeal to any audience. "The Gateway of Regret." (Imp. Thurs., July 23.) — The picture is quite suggestive, and some, especially the women, will be displeased with it. Numerotis plots add to its value. Gwendolene's mother is in a forbidden business. The girl becomes an actress and the leading man is in love with her. When he learns her connections he denounces her, but later returns. MUTUAL PROGRAM "Star of the North." (Domino. Two reels. July 16.) — An average Western. Black Cattle wants the hand of Star of the North and buys her from her father. She escapes from him, has an experience with a drunken white man and then returns to her true lover. "The Sheriff of Bishee." (Kay-Bee. Two reels. Fri., July 24.) — A novel drama, the locale of which is the West. The old sheriff is recalled, as he cares too much for his whiskey. The new sheriff offers a reward for the capture of a certain man. The old sheriff captures him, but hearing his sad story lets him go. Later he is reinstated. "The Feud at Beaver Creek." (Kay-Bee. Two reels. Fri., July 10.) — An entertaining drama in which a long-standing feud between two families is ended by a little child. Plenty of shooting, riding and brawls occur, which stamp the picture as a true melodrama. It will be received well by those who admire this kind of a story. "A Gentleman for a Day." (Thanhouser. Friday. July 17.) — A poor boy dreams he's r'ch, but on waking up prefers his own life. The contrasts between the I'ves of the rich and the poor are striking. Children will enjoy this comedy-drama more than grown-ups. "Wrong All Around." (Komic. Sun., July 12.) — The mother-in-law is to visit her daughter for the purpose of chastising her wicked husband. She gets in the wrong house and attacks the wrong man. Finally matters are straightened out. This comedy is not as good as the usual Kom'cs. Tod Browing appears as the husband and Fay Tincher as his wife. "Youth and Art." American. Wed., July 1.5.) — A film picturizing Browning's poem of that name. It is rather veiled, and those who have not read the poem will hardly appreciate it. Ed Coxen and Winifred Greenwood appear in the leading roles. The picture ooens with the young artist, who has attained fame and wealth. He is painting the picture of a woman he used to know when he was poor and she was poor. She is now married to a rich nobleman. She thinks of what might have been if she had married the artist. "Love and Salt Water." (Keystone. Split reel. Sat., July 11.) — On the same reel with "The World's Oldest Living Things." One of two rivals thinks he has killed the other and a large number of comical events follow. A great deal of slapstick work appears, which is exceedingly humorous. "The World's Oldest Living Things." (Keystone. Split reel. Sat., July 11.) — On the same reel with "Love and Salt Water." The giant California red wood trees form the subject of this half -reel. "Mistakes Will Happen." (Royal. Sat., July 11.) — A number of events somewhat disconnected, but very sidesplitting occur in this reel, which furnishes amusement for all, young and old. Sam leaves a glass of milk containing, what he thinks rat poison, on the kitchen table. A hungry tramp drinks the milk and after loads of trouble it developes that sugar was in the glass instead of poison. "A Girl of the Seasons." (Princess. Fri., July 10.) — The girl has a different beau for each season. At the end of a year they all come to propose, and she introduces them to her husband. Some very beautiful scenes appear in this reel. The picture is a new kind of comedy. "Our Mutual Girl, No. 26." (Reliance. Mon., July 13.) — Practically all of this reel is devoted to Penrhyn Stanlaws, who draws Margaret's picture. Kid Joseph, the man who married Ada, denounces Dunbar in the presence of Margaret, but her faith in him remains unshaken. "A Wife from the Country." (Reliance. Fri., July 10.) — A dissolute young man is given a large sum of money to marry a girl of his father's choice. He does this and falls in love with her later. She is the means of reforming him. Years later she finds his father's note asking him to marry her with the promise of the money. She thinks for a time that he doesn't love her, but he convinces her to the contrary. This is a pleasant drama, but it contains^ nothing unusual. "A Joke on Jane." (Beauty. Tues., July 14.) — Hubby tries to play a joke on his frivolous wife, but he turns out to be the "goat," and his joke ends seriously. He avows never to try to fool her again. Margarita Fischer and Harry Pollard play opposite in this highly pleasing comedydrama. , "The Defaulter." (Domino. Two reels. Thurs., July 23.) — A picture that will hold one with its lightning action and absorbing situations. _ Jim is a good-for-nothing, he loses his job and then robs his former employer. He deserts his wife and leaves for the West where he becomes a common crook. His wife is married happily to another man. Jim returns and attempts to rob the house in which his wife resides. She shoots him, discovers who it is, but says nothing to her husband. "Love and Bullets." (Keystone. Sat., July 4.) — Not as good as most of the Keystones. A man is lovesick and seeks advice from a trouble mender who causes a lot of trouble without mending it. Plenty of slapstick action appears. "A Rowljoat Romance." (Keystone. Mon., July 6.) — The unwelcome and the welcome suitor form the story, told in a sidesplitting manner in one reel. The enmity of the two men leads to a general mix up in the water, and the right comes out victorious. "How Izzy Stuck to His Post." (Reliance. Wednesday, July 15.) — Izzy is a grocer's clerk in this picture. He sits on a chair covered with glue and is unable to get up. A burglar tries to rob the store, but is caught by Izzy, so his misfortune turned out to be his good luck. Max Davidson continues in the role of Izzy. This adventure is far better and funnier than the preceding ones. "The Old Derelict." (Majestic. Tues., July 14.) — The old father, who has wanjered away from his daughter, sinks lower and lower. Many years later he meets his daughter's child. He saves him from an explosion, but is vinable to get out of the way himself. He dies unidentified. Francelial Billington, Elmer Clifton and F. A. Turner play the leading parts.