Motion Picture News (Oct 1913 - Jan 1914)

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THE MOTION PICTURE NEWS 39 SPECIAL FILM REVIEWS "Over Niagara Falls." (Sterling Camera and Film Company. Four reels.) — Though newcomers, comparatively, in the producing line, the Sterling Camera and Film Company are here to stay. The fact is emphasized by this four-reel drama. Although melodramatic in character, with plenty of hairbreadth escapes, there is not a sign of anything throughout that could be construed as obnoxious or disagreeable even to the most sensitive minds. Good direction in every scene, the avoidance of anything inconsistent with a clever story, and capable acting will get this picture "over" with any audience. Tom Wright and his cousin, Bob Farrell, go to college together. Bob is expelled for gambling and on his way home meets an unscrupulous lawyer, who engages him to smuggle in Chinamen. The method used is rather original. Tom, in the interim, has graduated, a full-fledged doctor. While in an automobile he runs over a woman, whom he carries to her home — a gambling house. While there the house is raided, and a policeman is shot. The blame falls on Tom. He is sentenced to twenty years at hard labor. King, a Secret Service detective, is watching some men, in an attempt to catch them smuggling. There are some excellent fights, one man being thrown off a high roof. And then comes the thrill of the production. An automobile containing the lawyer is actually hit by an express train and smashed to pieces. Tom's sister is caught by the thieves, and after being placed in a barrel, is sent over the falls. Bob is killed and his body floats over the falls, after a desperate, hand-to-hand encounter with King. Bob's previous confession" vindicates Tom of all blame for the murder.of the policeman. Among the players who deserve credit in the production were James Ailing, Augustus Collette, John Mahony, Arthur Donaldson and Violet Stewart. A. D. M. "Miracle Mary." " (Victor. Two parts. Dec. 26.) — An excellent Christmas release which incidentally extolls one of the virtues of the motion picture. Glenn White and Fritzi Brunette, the principals,' play with their usual talent. The story is not allowed to become at all conventional at any time. A very commendable picture for this season. "Miracle" Mary, a member of the Salvation Army, is called upon to testify at the trial of an alleged burglar, whom she had known for some time. She tells his past history and how good a record he has had since his release from prison, but despite this the man is sentenced and sent to prison. The testimony of the various characters in the court scene are shown as they talk, in fade-away scenes making it more realistic. A good vision of the manger in Bethlehem with the Virgin and the Christ Child is also shown with good effect. Christmas day in the prison arrives, and the kind warden and his helpers have arranged for an entertainment for the prisoners. It is during this performance that the innocence of the boy is proven. A motion picture film is projected on the screen showing him at some aeroplane races. He is freed when the reel is proven to be genuine. After his release he becomes a member of the Salvation Army, with his affianced wife, "Miracle" Mary. "The Blind Power." (Lubin. Dec. 20. Three reels. General Film Company Exclusive Service.) — Somewhat similar to "The Evil Eye," released some time ago by the same company. This story deals with mental suggestion and is appropriately termed a "mystery story." Romaine Fielding plays the lead and deserves commendation. He has the power in the story to absorb anything he wishes, through his tremendous will power. He goes blind, and takes away the sight of his nephew that he may see; he steal's his sister's wonderful brain that he may write; he steals an inventor's mind that he may become famous, and then he meets the girl he learns to love, and rather than steal her voice, he commits suicide in a spectacular manner. In places it is as creepy as though from the pen of Edgar Allen Poe. "Uncle Tom's Cabin." (Kalem. Two parts. Dec. 17.) — There is a possibility that there is no one, even in the most rural sections of this country, who has not seen this beautiful dramatization of the work of Harriet Beecher Stowe. But there are many who have not seen it since childhood, and to these this production of the Kalem company will appeal strongly. To children it will be a boon. This is the second time it has been produced in the pictures, but this attempt is far more perfect than the first, and is accurate in every detail. There are summer and winter scenes, the action covering a considerable length of time. There was no attempt to try to equal the death scenes as represented in the original drama. That would have been impossible without the voice, and so they were but lightly touched upon. In this way there was no chance of making an unfavorable comparison. The escape of Eliza, on the other hand, was much more realistic than THE FILM PROVES HIS INNOCENCE Scene from "Miracle Mary." (Victor — 2 reels.) /