Motion Picture News (Oct 1913 - Jan 1914)

36 THE MOTION PICTURE NEWS this wonderful story of Grimm's? And were you ever tired of it, or of hearing your mother read it to you in the evening when you were to be put to bed? And then in the night, didn't you dream of fairies and goblins? Well, I am sure that I can remember that time, and it wasn't long ago, either. Don't you remember the witches, and the gingerbread house? That part should never be forgotten. The story, as played by the above company, is thoroughly comprehensive, though perhaps a little "spooky" for the "wee sma' bairns." But it is thoroughly good and clean, and will be enjoyed by thousands of tots before long, I hope. Back to Life. Rex. — A two-reel Western drama, introducing J. Warren Kerrigan and others, formerly with the American Company. The part played by him, however, did not seem suitable. Kerrigan makes a wonderful hero, if he has the part exactly fitted for him. He is best as a matinee idol, and where he performs wonders in bravery and skill. In this picture he has to become a man hated and despised by all for his alleged cowardice, until one day he kills a man in self-defense and is forced to run away. He is wounded and is doctored by the wife of a gambler whom she had left because she believed she was no longer wanted. They fall in love with one another but the marriage vows keep them apart, until the gambler is killed. When the cowboys arrived and saw him dead they hastened away. Someone in the audience remarked that it was the first time "the boys had not lifted their hats and stood reverently near the body." But that is true. There is too much of that sentimentalism introduced and the Rex Company are doing good work in setting a precedent. The photography was very poor in places, being apparently underdeveloped. The Rivals. Kinemacolor. — The Kinemacolor Company cannot receive too much credit for their work in placing before the public in such a form this wonderful creation of the brain of Richard Brinsley Sheridan. Although the play has been active for the last half century, it is surprising how many people there are, who, although they have read the play, have never been able to see it because of the almost prohibitive box office rates. Now there is no excuse, and the writer, who has seen both the legitimate and the production by the Kinemacolor Company, personally prefers the latter as it covers the field, he thinks, in a more complete manner than the legitimate was capable of doing. Of course the great acting of Joseph Jefferson as Bob Acres is missed. William Winter Jefferson, his son, however, carries the part through very well. The story is so well known to all that it would be but waste space to detail it. The costuming and the scenery throughout was perfect, and the acting certainly left nothing to be desired. Cast of characters: Bob Acres, one of the rivals, William Winter Jefferson; Captain Absolute, another rival, Gaston Bell; Sir Lucius O'Trigger, another rival, Gilbert Coleman; Sir Anthony Absolute, the captain's father, George Staley; David, Bob Acres' servant, Samuel Hines; Fag, the captain's man, Dallas Anderson; Faulkland, Milton Boyle; Doctor, David Young; Mrs. Malaprop, Florence Stanley; Lydia Languish, Lorraine Frost; Lucy, the maid, Rae Ford. Father John; A Ragpicker of Paris. World Special. — Typically a French picture, with the French love of the risque, and with a sufficient touch of spice to make it interesting and not objectionable. The character of Father John is one which enlists the sympathy and love of the audience, despite the fact that he is a hard drinker. The story opens with the adoption of Marie, who is the daughter of a bank messenger. The latter was k lied by the villain, Garouse, and his money stolen. With this money the man is able to obtain the title of Baron Hoffman and is comfortably wed. Marie has become a dressmaker, in the meantime, and is enamored of Henry de Berville, a wealthy young man, to whom the Baron wishes to marry his daughter, Claire. In order to do this he hires a midwife to get rid of the illegitimate child of his daughter. Mme. Patard does this, but places the baby in the care of Marie, afterwards stealing it again. The police are informed, and throw Marie in prison because they think that she has killed the child. Through some clever detective work John secures a confession from the Baron and the midwife of their complicity in the affair, and Marie is freed to wed Henry. A clever picture, which will not offend the most aesthetic taste. Cast: Father John, Mr. Duquesne; Garousse Hoffman, Mr. Paglieri; Henry de Berville, Mr. Maupre; Marie, Mile. Renee Sylvaire. A Romance of Erin. Domino. (Oct. 16.) — A two-reel feature of the Mutual program, which, although possessing but a cut and dried plot, pleases everyone by the number of beautiful scenes and the clever acting. The class of audience to which sensational and melodramatic endings appeal will like this picture, which is on the lines of the old-fashioned "blood and thunder" and "penny dreadful," possessing, however, the redeeming features of real Irish wit and strategy. The story originated in the mind of William H. Clifford.