Motion Picture News (Oct 1913 - Jan 1914)

THE MOTION PICTURE NEWS 4i INTERESTING FILM REVIEWS Educational — Industrial — Scenic — General "The Girl at the Lunch Counter." (Vitagraph. Dec. 19.)— A splendid comedy, with such pleasing players as John Bunny, Lillian Walker, Flora Finch, Willie Van and Kate Price. The College Widow, loved by all, marries the unexpected, one, but the chap with the cash. "The Stigma." (Essanay. Two reels. Dec. 19.) — A very good drama, the action of which is very clear and makes a good offering. Francis X. Bushman plays the lead. A girl leper escapes miraculously and is adopted by a farmer. The son learns to love the girl, but she will not tell her reason for refusing him. The truth finally becomes known and they both commit suicide. "Who Stole Jones's Wood?" (Lubin. Dec. 19. — General Film Company Exclusive Service. Split reel.) — On the same reel with "When Cupid Took in Washing." A fairly humorous comedy in which a trap catches the one that set it. "When Cupid Took in Washing." (Lubin. Dec. 19. Split reel. General Film Company Exclusive Service.) — A comedy love story that should get across. Because she can't get the fellow she wants, she takes in washing and so wins him. "A Scandinavian Scandal." (Patheplay. Dec. 19.) — A roaring good slapstick comedy. One of the month's best. A servant and her unknown lover get entangled with her mistress arid a jealous husband. Many unique and origina1 situations. . "The Lure of the Road." (Selig. Dec. 19.) — A gypsy story which deserves commendation. A wanderer finds it difficult to abide a cross wife, but later returns to her. Good costuming and splendid atmosphere. "A Christmas Story." (Vitagraph. Dec. 22.) — Very well named. Tefft Johnson so closely resembles Earle Williams, that many are . confusing them. The story . of. Christ in • the manger causes three little tots .to look in their own barn and there they discover something ■ similar. .Good grouping and fine winter scenes are a great help to this picture. ' "Through Flaming Paths." (Lubin. Dec. 22.) — Very similar to "Ninety and Nine." A huge forest fire must be gone through in a trolley car and the girl acts as motorman when the coward won't. The latter becomes ashamed of his lack of nerve and forms an electric circuit with his hands. "Products of the Palm." (Edison. Dec. 22. Split reel.) — On the same reel with 'Teaching His Wife a Lesson." Showing the methods of picking cocoanuts, bananas, etc., and loading same on steamships for the markets in this country. Good photography. "Teaching His Wife a Lesson." (Edison. Dec. 22. Split reel.) — Same reel with "Products of the Palm." A very clever comedy which will be well received by everyone. Hubby warns his wife against pickpockets, ,then tries to teach her a practical lesson with disastrous results. "The Open Door." (Selig. Two reels. Dec. 22.) — A good finale in this picture takes away any thoughts but those of the best. A little boy is lost as a child and after a number of years, in which he has many adventures, he lands back in his home town. He is tempted and steals the purse of a man in the public library, but decides in remorse later to return it. He does so and finds out that he is back in his old home. One inconsistency does not mar the picture. "Pathe's Weekly No. 78." (Pathe. Dec. 22.) — An unusually interesting number of the weekly. The finding of the Mona Lisa forms an interesting item. The thrilling automobile races at Acheres, France, was also good. Photography throughout ex "A Dead Man's Papers." (Gaumont. Two reels.) — Not a very good offercellent. ing. The story is good, but an attempt by the Gaumont Company to imitate the American "Western" rather spoiled it. Some spectacular shooting and a huge fire are its best features. "Ancient Order of Good Fellows." (Vitagraph. Two reels. Dec. 20.) — Litle Audrey Berry, when asked how she was able, in this picture, to love big Hughey Mack, answered, "Because I. really love him," which has nothing much to do with the story. Mack is a big policeman who gets in "bad ' with the ward heeler and is given a short time in which to make good. He does this, arrests a man who is badly "wanted," and gets his promotion. Just a good-natured comedy, that is pretty sure to make everyone interested. "The Haunted Bed Room." (Edison. Dec. 20.) — The story seems to resemble something we have seen before. A man dies, leaving some money SCENE FROM "A MILITARY JUDAS" (Broncho — 2 reels.)