Moving Picture World (July-Dec 1908)

3°4 THE MOVING PICTURE WORLD SWAAB never endorses anything unless It has merit, witness: Power's Cameragraph and the Motiograph for which he is sole agent here. There have been many Choke Coils offered as Electric Savers recently but you can build that yourself for a few dollars. If you want a REAL Current Saver, buy POWER'S INDUCTOR. Price to anybody $70 00 each for 1 10 or 220 volts. Have you tried the SWAAB Film Service? LEWIS M. SWAAB 340 Spruce Street PHILADELPHIA, PA. Length 675 Feet RELEASED OCTOBER 25 A striking story of a young gifl's bravery Full of Heart interest and lively action COMING A BIG DOUBLE REEL RELIGIOUS FEATURE JERUSALEM in the TIME OF CHRIST Kalem Co., Inc. 131 West 24th Street New YorK City Stories of the Films. THE VAQUER0S VOW (Biograpbj.— The Undying Love of a Mexican Cowboy, — How often does a handsome, smiling countenance, a gorgeous attire and an affable manner conceal a black heart. Beauty is only skin deep, raiment Is purcbasable, and good manners are often artifice; but tbe heart is the governor of our inward being. Such tbe case, it is small wonder that the incidents of this Biograph story should be so true to life. Manuella, a beautiful Mexican girl, is the object of the pure, honest affections of Itenaldo, a poor Vaquero, and while she is touched by his tender attentions, she shows a decided preference for Gonzales, a dashing young musician, who, being the bean ideal of the senoritas' round about, hence Manuella feels immeasurably flattered by his advances. Little does she realize that his attentions are induced by selfishness, for he knows that her father Is well provided with earthly possessions, which he hopes to share. Rejecting Renaldo, she marries Gonzales. At the ceremony Renaldo, though an unbidden guest, approaches and, acquainted with the true nature of the musician, warns him to be faithful to his bride or beware. Gonzales treats this with extreme sangfroid, and when the guests have departed insists upon opening the marriage-box, expecting a goodly sum of money, but his rage is unconfined when he finds it yields but a sheet of paper, on which is written: "Her husband's love is the bride's best dowry." Throwing his wife from him. he departts for the wine shop, where he plunges into a whirl of dissipation with his ribald associates. To this place the poor wife comes to beg him to return home, but she is thrown out. Lack of funds sends him home to demand his wife's rings and bracelet, on which to raise money for drink. This she refuses, but is beaten and choked into insensibility and the valuables taken. Back he goes to his despicable companions. Renaldo learns of this, goes to the tavern to remind Gonzales of his warning, and a terrific battle ensues. With rapiers they start, but as the fight progresses these are discarded for more deadly weapons. About the room they struggle, wrecking the place, until at last Gonzales is bested by Renaldo. who, at the intercession of Manuella, spares his life, and leads her from the place. Length, 805 feet. EX-CONVICT NO. 900 (Edison).— Synopsis of scenes: A New Lease of Life. — Convict No. 900 is released from prison — Handicapped by poverty, disgrace and weakness — Resolved to begin life anew — Hastens homeward to see his wife and child. Man's Inhumanity to Man, — He finds a position as shipping clerk and does well — Wife's and child's happiness his incentive — Works hard, but detectives spot him, and he is discharged. "Trying Again," — Undismayed, he starts to find another position — Without friends or influence, it is a hard task — Returns home to find his child sick — Unable to get medical assistance. "Nil Desperandum." — Every hand against him — Everywhere refused work — Is well-nigh discouraged — Fight on, bravely, hoping against hope. A Hero at Heart. — Wild excitement on the street — -Runaway team about to dash a child to death — No. 900, at the risk of his life, saves the child — Modestly retires, a nameless hero. Back to the Old Life. — After a weary struggle, rebuffed everywhere, he gives up the fight — Determines to return to thieving — Gets his tools and starts — Locates a house and enters. Caught in a Trap! — In a banker's house — Old instincts revive — Finds plenty of loot — Starts packing— Surprised at work— Covered, he is helpless — Banker confronts him. A Friend in Need. — Banker calls up police — House surrounded — Banker's only child enters the room — Looking for "Dollie" — Recognizes No. 900 — Man who saved her from the horses— Gives him a cordial greeting — Banker amazed— Sends police away. The Helping Hand. — Guided and assisted by the banker, No. 900 obtains work; his wife, food: his child, medical attention— And we leave him in a happy home, with life well worth living. Length. 1.000 feet. THE EFFECT OF A SHAVE (Essanay). — It is conceded that we have produced some of the most ludicrous comedy film sold, but we consider the above named film the most excruciatingly funny subject we have had the pleasure of offering. It shows a well-to-do business man leaving his home for his office. After dictating his letters and transacting his business, he lenves his manager in charge, and visits his club, ne is a baseball fan of most pronounced type, and a firm believer that the "White Sox" will win the pennant. ne has made a wager with a fellow club member his favorite team would beat the "Tigers" — the loser to have his hair clipped and his beard and moustache shaved. This they consider a great sacrifice, as both are inordinately proud of their hirsute adornaments. Our friend is informed at his club that he has tost and must pay the wager. He leaves the club in a cab for the barber shop, and after a great comedy scene with barber, emerges hairless. The cab driver does not recognize him. refuses to allow him to enter cab. and after various ludicrous ad ventures he reaches home, where he is greeted as an insolent intruder. His wife sets the dog on him, who chases bim down street. After many trials and tribulations, and being ejected continually as an impostor, he returns to the barber shop, and between threatening and beseeching, he induces the barber to apply a magic lotion. Scene shows how the particles leap from the floor and adhere to his smooth face and his bald pate, and so triumphantly he returns home and Is welcomed by his wife and children. Length, 400 feet. THE IMPERSONATOR'S JOKES (Essanay).— "The Impersonator's Jokes" will undoubtedly add to our reputation as "the house of comedy hit6." A fair decision from anyone will give us the name of being the greatest comedy producers in the moving picture industry. It is a well-known fact that such pictures as "The Soul Kiss" and others turned out by us, have created more laughter and innocent fun than any humorous pictures produced. We now offer "The Impersonator's Jokes," an innocent fun-making travesty. We open our picture with the impersonator being ejected from his boarding house for failure to pay rent, and being of an easy-going spirit, he packs his few belongings, consisting of wigs, beards, clothes, etc.. such as he uses to do bis Impersonations. He starts out to have a little sport, and incidentally collects a few spare nickels in this manner. An automobile owner has just left his machine, to go into a friend's home. The impersonator comes along, takes a look at the man, makes up his mind he will have a machine ride, and quickly makes himself up to look like the owner. He then walks out of the house, jumps into the machine, and the unsuspecting chauffeur takes the orders of the impersonator, thinking he is his employer. When the owner comes out and sees his machine leaving in the distance, he gives chase, and the impersonator, after having his ride, leaves the machine. Next he impersonates a dude, thereby getting the benefit of two sweethearts kissing. His fun continues in this manner, until he sees a notice in the paper that a foreign nobleman is going tobe honored at a reception. He impersonates the gentleman, thus getting the honor of the multitude, who think they are showering their plaudits upon a celebrity, when it is only the impersonator. While they are seated at the banquet, a telegram comes from the real nobleman, saying it will be Impossible for him to attend, and immediately everyone jumps upon the poor impersonator, tearing off his beard and wig and giving him a quick exit by the boot and shoe route. Length, 550 feet. Geo. Melies issues: HONEYMOON IN A BALLOON,— The fairest maiden is crowned queen of the May Day festival and the dignitaries of the town, surrounded by the cheering populace, music and decoration, are on the huge platform to do her honor. She Is entitled to marry the man of her heart with public celebration, and the next scene shows the joyous parade of the gaily attired townsfolks. The bridegroom, apparently beside himself with the joy of the grand occasion, soon after signifies a strong Intention to accompany an aeronaut who is to make an ascension in a balloon. He makes his way to the fair grounds and jumps into the basket. Just as he is ascending his bride comes to the scene and attempts the hazardous task of joining her loved one. But she is a few seconds too late, for the air craft goes with a jerk, and she finds herself caught by its dangling anchor, and thns she rides, struggling and squirming. The balloon goes high into the clouds and is seen sailing serenely along with what now seems a mere white speck hanging below. The people on terra firms realize her plight and try to keep up with the balloon, but find it impossible, after suffering many laughable mishaps. Now the scene changes, and the mavor and dignitaries of the town are seen gathered round the festive board in a large banquet hall. All Is joy, the mayor bombastically proposes a toast and the others raise their glasses, when crash, the ceiling caves in and the bride comes tumbling in on the diners. Another greater crash, and the balloon has found its way in. The young couple fall in each other's arms, she is given her crown of blossoms again, and everybodv is happy. INCIDENT FROM DON QUIXOTE.— Always dreaming. Don Quixote ts found fighting reptiles of bis imagination: when he has disposed of them, his armor which he has laid aside seems to have become inhabited by a peculiar being with limbs that stretch yards in length. The armor then falls to tbe ground and a beautiful maiden is disclosed. She suddenly becomes a butterfly, and as i lie knight approaches her. the wings of the butterfly give way to the huge tentacles of a giant spider or octopus, which reach out for Don Quixote and try to grasp him. He reaches for his spear, hut it fades from view, and he awakens only to find himself savagely attacking Sancho fanza. his faithfot hut luckless man-servant. Pathe Freres issue: A LOVE AFFAIR.— A fisherman leave's his little cottage ami starts out on a long journey over the sea. nis daughter, a beautiful young girl, accompanies him as far as the dock and watches him set