The Bioscope (May-June 1912)

_ WA AS Supplement to The Bioscope, May 23, 1912. —e — =e FILMS-WEEK BY WEEK. Pathe. Winter in the Upper Engadine. —A land of snowfields, snow covered mountains, dark pines, merry-makers in white caps and jerseys, and straight roads. Everything is beautiful, from the majestic parks to the sturdy ‘sleigh orses and the laughing faces of the straight-limbed modern girls —real sports, sliding down the slopes on their skis. (Released May 29th. Length 415 ft. The Message of the Arrow.— The film tells the story of a plot between some white men and a renegade Indian to steal certain Indian lands. ‘This is foiled by a cowpuncher, who incurs the enmity of the plotters. One of them attempts to assassinate him, but is shot by an Indian maid. The cowpuncher is held for murder. The little redskin is hidden in a cave by one of her tribe. She escapes by writing a message on a portion of her clothing, tying it to an arrow and shooting it into space. is arrow and its message are found by another Indian maid, who rescues the first one. The latter is able to give evidence at the eleventh hour, and the cowpuncher is released. (Released May 29th. Length 975 ft.) Josette.—Charles Vernecourt will devote himself to art, in spite of his father’s disapproval. Charles falls in love with Josette, who comes to his studio in answer to an advertisement for a model. He continues to love her in spite of the presence of an unprepossessing brother, a regular Parisian apache, who pesters him for money, and does his best to lead him to believe that Josette is a thief and a liar. Josette gives signs of ill-health, and Charles learns from a doctor that her heart is weak. He appeals to his father for funds to give Josette more care and luxuries. Vernecourt’s refusal leads to a quarrel, and Charles breaks with his father. Days of hardship follow, and he is reduced to hanging about stations in search of odd jobs, to get money to provide Josette with necessities. e collapses one day under a heavy trunk. He is picked up and carrie to the address lomud. on him—his father’s. Here his lamentable state leads to a reconciliation, and to his father consenting to help him and to see Josette again. But shortly after Charles’s departure, Josette has suffered the shock of seeing their goods seized for rent in arrears. It kills her, and when Charles and his parents come with the Message of peace, she is beyond all recall. (Released May 29th. Length 1,270 ft.) Jim as Magistrate.—Reginald Lanktly is asked to replace one of his brethren on the bench, and he goes, leaving his daughter alone in their flat. His daughter does not remain long alone, for by means of a secret trapdoor she is able to communicate with Jim, who lives in the flat above. The lovers are surprised by Mr. Lanktly, obliged to return to sign some papers. He and Jim do not agree, and the latter takes to flight. In the street, Mr. Lanktly’s brougham is waiting, and into this Jim hastily steps, he having lost his outer clothes in his hurry. While the coachman is driving him in mistake for Mr. Lanktly to the courts, Jim dons the magistrate’s robes. At the law courts Jim is naturally mistaken for the magistrate. Unfortunately, his conduct on the beneh Tings down a storm of indignation on his head. He is being carried on the shoulders of the liberated criminals im the midst of a procession when Mr. Lapktly, at the Digitized by \ +O IB e head of a detachment of police, arrives to effect his arrest, and to restore the courts to their normal state of quietude and decorum. (Released May 29th. Length 710 ft.) Love versus Avoirdupois.—In his poorly furnished little room, William Bosworth receives a letter informing him that his uncle has left him 50,000 dollars on the understanding that he marries Miss Blossom. William makes his way to Miss Blossom’s house, and is staggered by his future bride’s ample charms. He beats a hasty retreat, but not before Miss Blossom has succumbed to his good looks. She endeavours to reduce her figure, and in this hope takes gymnastic lessons. William reaches the end of his endurance and patience whilst he and Miss Blossom are staying at the seaside. He takes part in a swimming competition, and is outdistanced by a young and pretty bather. A friendship is struck up between the two, and he falls head over heels in love with her, and goes to tell the lawyer that he will not marry Miss Blossom. The lawyer hands him an envelope, bearing the words, “ What is to happen in case my echoes refuses to marry Miss Blossom.” Inside it is a second will, stating, “ As my nephew refuses to sacrifice his beeen for money, | double the amount of the legacy left him William rushes off to make the pretty athe a novel proposal in the briny, while the lawyer endeavours to console Miss Blossom as best he can. (Released May 20th. Length 824 ft.) Lucretia Borgia.—Lucretia Borgia learns from her brother, Caesar Borgia, Duke of Valentinois, that he is preparing to force his vassal lords of Romagna into renouncing their lands and placing them under his rule. This is to take place at a banquet, to which Cesar intends to invite the lords of Romagna, it being arranged that, at a given signal from ‘him, his guests shall be surrounded by armed soldiers. Lucretia falls in with Maffio Riari, one of the lords, on his way to accept Cesar Borgia’s hospitality. She determines to save him from the fate hanging over him. She arrives at Cwsar’s palace just as Maffio Riari, with his fellow lords, is led away to prison. From this prison Lucretia effects his escape. As Maffio leaves her, she gives him a cross, and he takes it as a token from his unknown rescuer. Maffio is instrumental in rescuing two ladies from an attack by bravos. One of these is Lucretia. She recognises Maffio, and her joy knows no bounds. She promises him that if he will attend the Duchess of Ferrara’s ball, he will see her unmasked, and will know her by a bunch of roses, which he plucks at her request. Maffio attends the ball, and learns that the woman with whom he has fallen in love is none other than Lucretia Borgia, the woman excerated by all Italy om account of her many crimes and cruelty. As a penance for what he considers to be his criminal love, he commits high treason by removing the initial letter from the name on a stitue of Borgia, the word “ Orgia”’ so remaining, making allusion to Cesar’s immoral character. He is imprisoned and condemned to death. Lucretia approaches her husband, the Duke of Ferrara, and begs him to give her the prisoner’s life to end it herself. The Duke, whilst complying with her request, remains on the watch. Left alone with Maffio, Lucretia begs him to fly. For the first time connecting Lucretia with the unknown woman who led him from his first cell, Maflio yields to her entreaties, and endeavours to escape by means of a rope from a baleony. But he is shot by the guards as he swings in mid air, and when Lucretia comes to mourn over the mangled body in the courtyard, she sees the malicious, taunting face of her husband smiling over her grief in the background. (Released June Ist. Length 2,310 ft.) ‘Original from NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY