Motion Picture News (Apr-Jul 1915)

June 5, 1915. MOTION PICTURE NEWS 71 is another clerk in the office, a part taken by Frank McGlynn. The newspaper man, for whom the clerk steals money, is portrayed by John Sturgeon. Charles Sutton appears as his employer, and Bessie Learn as his niece. Because he has already drawn some salary in advance a clerk in a lawyer's office does not wish to ask for more money, but needs it for a friend who has to go West to save his life. He steals the money and is detected. On telling his story the employer gives him a year's probation in which to return it and dismisses him. Later another clerk of dishonest habits is discharged. He reaches the Western town where the first man has succeeded in making good, partly through the help of his former employer's niece, who lives there. The newspaper man, now recovered, is the editor of a local paper, and helps his friend in his campaign for the office of district attorney. Having stolen the signed confession made by the candidate at the time of his theft he attempts blackmail, but the girl cleverly obtains the paper before it can be published. The hero is elected to the office, and wins the hand of the girl, who has helped him to win out. "HOW CALLAHAN CLEANED UP LITTLE HELL" (Essaaay — Three Acts) REVIEWED BY T. S. MEAD CORRUPT municipal politics furnishes the plot for this Selig Diamond Special, which will be released on June 3. Thomas Santschi is the predominant character, and his interpretation of the role of John Callahan, a fearless, upright police captain, is most realistic in its strength and virility. Although the brunt of the acting falls upon Mr. Santschh, he receives suppor from an able cast which is increased as occasion demands, by a large number of supernumeraries who add realism to the politic rally, dance hall and other scenes characteristic of the part of a large city represented in the picture. Captain Callahan incurs the displeasure of the machine by A BARROOM BRAWL refusing to release one of the boss' henchmen, who had been arrested for pocket picking. His punishment is a transfer to Little Hell,, the toughest district in the city. Making the best of the situation, he sets out to do his duty by cleaning things up, seemingly against unsurmountable odds. His efforts are bitterly contested by the boss of the ward, who, failing to"bully or to buy him into submission, purchases the mortgage which Callahan had laid upon his home to meet the expense of a costly operation necessary to save the life of his only daughter. The boss is only prevented from turning the family into the streets by Callahan's friends, who loyally come to his assistance. Soon after an unsuccessful attempt is made to assassinate Callahan, he wins the loyal friendship of one of the worst characters in the section, and the story ends with the defeat of the boss. Callahan is now supreme in the ward which is known no longer as "Little Hell." "THE BLACK BOX" (Universal Special — Episode Thirteen) REVIEWED BY PETER MILNE THE plot undergoes little development in this chapter, entitled "Tongues of Flame." The locale is still the cowboy camp and the Mexican saloon, where Craig has taken refuge from Quest. The action is very interesting despite the short halt in the story's progress. The mysterious pair of hands is still at work. Who they belong to is yet to be discovered, but the professor seems to be the most likely owner. GUEST AND CRAIG COME TO AN UNDERSTANDING It will be remembered that in the preceding chapter, Lenora sustained a severe fall from the half sawed bridge. It develops, when she has been brought back to the camp, that she will be confined to bed for a long time. In the meantime, Craig, across the border, is living more or less of a peaceful life among the Mexicans. A telegram comes to the camp for Craig, in care of the professor. It reads that his (Craig's) sister has died leaving him the care of her daughter, who is to join him in New York. Quest takes this message to Craig and informs him that he will allow him to go and meet his daughter, safely establish her with some friends, if he will then turn himself over to the police. Craig agrees to this plan and starts for New York. Quest also attempts to catch the same train, thinking it safer to keep the other man within his sight, but through the treachery of the armless hands, which set his alarm clock back an our, he is too late to make the train. "THE WIVES OF MEN" (Biograph — Two Reels) REVIEWED BY PETER MILNE THIS is one of the Biograph Western offerings concerning life in a construction camp. In addition to a wealth of interesting scenes the picture contains a heart-interest story very well acted by the cast. The picture is melodrama and should be classed with the better subjects of this variety. The blast superintendent of the construction gang is a confirmed inebriate, and mistreats his wife and the men under him. On the arrival of the new engineer matters are somewhat altered. Through the kindness of the man's wife the sufferings of the wife and child of the drunkard are slightly alleviated. Then a time comes when both the women give birth to children. The child belonging to the drunkard is healthy, while the other soon dies. In gratitude to her benefactors, and to shield the child from the brutalities of her husband, the woman consents to part with her baby so that the engineer's wife may recover with possession of her normal faculties. When the inebriate learns of this he attempts to kill his boss, but when about to shoot him, he himself is shot down by a man whom he had terribly mistreated. This is rather gruesome but fully entertaining.