Moving Picture News (Jan-Jun 1913)

THE MOVING PICTURE NEWS 23 Manufacturers' Synopses of Films AMERICAN ASHES OF THREE (May 26).— Born in shame, knowing no father and only an indifferent mother, Bud Halworth sat about the '.little cowtown of Center Gulcn, stupid, sullen, despised of men, accepting the jibes and insults of both man and woman with like taciturnity, a thing of shame with every vestige of manhood long ago dead. Such was Bud Halworth, neither quite man nor quite beast. But a short distance from the charity cabin in which his mother eked out a tiresome life, stood the home of good mother Brown, whose only son, Ed, was a straight, manly boy, the apple of his mother's eye, the pride of Center Gulch. He was the idol of men. Two types of huma.'iity more opposite could not exist. A time came when a man rushed frantically into the one street of the town, coatless, breathless, with the tale of the murder of a villager in the mountains by that much-feared ■"Terror,'' who now for three weeks had taken life and property on every side. Center Gulch in all its wild career knew no character whose name and deeds were blacker than the "Terror." The town assembled in the roadway. The village ''boss," with star in hand, headed a delegation that went to Ed Brown and pinned the star upon him. Then, with revolver handy, be headed for the dreary hills which hid the human viper, more deadly than its many rattlesnakes. And Bud Halworth, despised of men, sat sullenly by the open saloon door, neither seeing, heeding nor caring. Out into the hills went Ed, and they brought him back with a bullet hole through his heart. And the mother of Ed grieved as few people grieve and live. Her mind tottered — she threw herself upon the prostrate form and babbled into the silent ear of her beloved dead. That afternoon Bud Halworth went home to see his mother die. It was his first contact with death and the horror of her white features -unnerved him, stirred his sluggish brain and gave him a peculiar numbness in the region of his heart. He did not understand its significance. He went back to the saloon and brooded dully in the sunlight by the open door. Then, actuated by some strange impulse, he hurried to the cabin where lay the body of the idol of the town. Again, in the presence of death, he felt a strange stirring in his breast as though a long dormant emotion moved him. On his way back h~ passed an aged cripple whose particular deligVt was to taunt Bud. This time Bud stooped and gave more heed to the ancient masculine Mother Grundy. Grief had shattered a mother's mind and the mother of Ed wandered alone to the great precipice on which the town was built. Bud, strolling dully through the hills, saw her, followed her and caught her in his arms just as she topDled dizzily over the brow of the mountain. She rested in his arms and her confused brain thought him Fd, her beloved son. And in the days that followed, the motherless son lived with the worshipping mother and she thought him, in her crazed gentle way, her Edward. She showered love upon him, and a mighty change came over the dull and stupid brain. One day he arose quickly from the doorstep and rushed into the room, hearing news of the "Terror." In a confused way, hardly knowing what he did, Bud tore the guns from the "boss's" belt and rushed away into the zone of death. From the high top of a tree Bud fell with terrific force on the "Terror," bound him and brought him in triumph into town, his won brain buzzing, his heart beatine in response to a new feeling — pride. And then they pinned the star upon him and he rushed hurriedly home to show the badge to his mother. That star stirred vague memories in the shattered mind of the woman — she reeled and fell dead in his arms. When he had buried her the villagers saw, silhouetted against the setting sun, the beautiful form of Bud Halworth, despised among men, standing at the brow of the dangerous precipice. The stoop in his shoulders was gone — fire had come into the big, handsome eyes — a new being had been born — from the Ashes of Three a Man was Made! ON THE BORDER (May 29).— Chiquita danced merrily to the sound of her tambourine and the soft twanging of guitars. The dance finished, a rippling clapping of hands greeted the performance. Bill Reeves, a handsome cowboy, fresh from the range, applauded with extraordinary fervor and then called the matron. An introduce followed and between intermissions the young couple chatted gaily. But tragedy hovered over them. Pedro, the dark-skinned Mexican waiter, nursed a hatred of all "gringoes" and a deep love for the gentle Chiquita. As he passed to and fro beside the table, his eyes glittered with hatred and he swore an oath that the handsome ranger should not have his Chiquita. In the days that followed Reeves was a daily visitor at the Mexican cafe. Love sprang up between them and blossomed rapidly. One night Pedro traced them home and witnessed the good-night kiss. The next day Pedro plotted. A bottle of poison, carefully tucked into his sash was poured into Reeve s drink. Then, panic-stricken, he sneaked down an alley, chattering with fear. The hand of fate Veld Reeves' in its grasp. Only the continued dancing of Chiquita prevented the draining of his glass. And then she came and sat bes de him, and he, forgetful of everything, even forgot to drink. The keen-eyed sheriff, strolling leisurely about, spied the slinking Pedro. On his knees fell the craven wretch until the sheriff jerked h'm to his feet and rushed him to the cafe. -And then Reeves, with cup raised to drink Chiquita's health, was stunned into speechlessness by having the cup dashed from his hand. GAUMONT A PASSING CLOUD (June 5).— Dickie Dear and his Duckie Darling, newly married, are in blissful happiness. Dickie is an inveterate smoker. This offends the sensitive nerves of Duckie Darling and one day, when he happens to blow a particularly large cloud of smoke in her direction, she coughs and waxes crossThis leads to hard language, which couldn't be broken with an axe. They become distant, distant in manner, inasmuch as they forsake their common bedroom, each going to separate rooms. Duckie Darling, in going to bed, had left loose some candies. These candies attract mice. They proceed to nibble Duckie Darling's corns and they have a little bunion Pilgrim's Progress of their own. Duckie's screams arouse Dickie Dear, who chases the marauders. They have a fine little chase which leads to the d:scovery that they cannot happily be separated. THE HONOR OF LUCRECE (June 10).— Collatinus, a Roman noble, leaves his wif;, Lucrece, to join his emperor, Tarquin, the Suoerb, at the siege of Ardea. During a lull in the siege, Sextus, son of Tarquin, suggests to several companions that they should ride to Rome and surprise their wives. They find their wives in the midst of revelry, wining and dining and disporting themselves hilariously. They are evidently not thinking of the perils of their honorable husbands at the scene of war. Lucrece, of all the wives, is absent. They find her amongst her maids, busy at her spinning wheel. Her calm and serene beauty deeply impresses Sextus. Her image so preys upon his mind that, after the men have returned to their camp, Sextus rides back to the home of Lucrece. He pretends to bring news of her husband. It is necessary that Lucrece show hospitality to her regal guest. He wines more than he dines and becomes riotous and insulting in his familiarities, whereupon Lucrece leaves him and goes to her honorable couch. In the night Sextus arises from his bed. His mind, inflamed with wine, he steals to the door of Lucrece's room. Before daybreak Sextus flees from the house. Later in the morning Lucrece, having sent to her father's house for Brutus, one of her husband's kinsmen, tells him of the visit of Sextus. With life then no longer holding sweetness for her, her honor taken from her, she takes her dagger and plunges it into her ravished breast. Snatching the dagger from the wound, which still flowed red from the cold bosom of the dead and outraged wife, Brutus calls upon the crowd to follow him. They raise a revolt to restore the republic and do away with the monarchy. KINEMACOLOR HER SON (2 Reels). — A strong story told in a simple, direct manner that grips and holds. The mother, with her baby in her arms, discovers that her husband is a thief. For the sake of their child she begs him to reform, ne is finally arrested and sent to jail, but his loot is undiscovered. The wife leaves her baby on the doorstep of a rich, childless couple, and the baby is adopted. They advertise for a nurse, and the mother secures the position. Years pass; the child shows all the bad traits inherited from its father, but the mother shields him as much as possible. The father is released from prison and meets his son, not knowing it is his boy. Soon the son is partner in his father's crimes. The adopted father places a large sum of money in the safe in his library; the boy sees this and tells his real father. The boy opens the window, the thief enters and, while breaking open the safe, is caught by his wife. Horrified, she tells her husband it is his own boy he is ruining. The rich people enter. To save her son the woman says she let her husband in. Out of regard for this woman so long in their service, the pair are allowed to go. The boy overhears the confession and later tells his adopted parents the truth. They hasten to the thief's house, but it is too late; the mother dies with her secret safe, the husband having sworn the boy shall never know v/ho his real parents were. Full of fine acting, heart interest and beautiful Kinemacolor photography. MADRAS, MYSORE AND GOA. — Three historic and important cities of Southern India are visited in this attractive Kinemacolor subject. The film opens with a view of the main street of Madras. The most notable buildings of the city are shown, including the Government House, the High Court and t^e Cathedral. Post Cards of Popular Photo Players The cheapest and most appropriate souvenir ever devised for picture theatres. Our plan of distribution will pack your houses and keep them coming again and again. Over 200 Mutual, Universal and Association actors and actresses to select from. The Finest Photography and Best Quality of Photo Players Post Cards on the market. 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