The Bioscope (May-Jun 1915)

Tue Bioscore, May 20, 1915. 737 THE EDISON FILMS. The announcem=nt that Thomas Alva Edison has been awarded the Civic Forum Medal of Honour at the Carnegie Hall, New York, for distinguished public service as a world benefactor, will be hailed with gratification, not only by those who have benefited so largely by the scientific and commercial value of his great inventions but by that even vaster majority to which his name is chiefly familiar as the symbol of a brand of films to which has justly been accorded a predominant position in the public estimation. Though we can hardly suppose that Mr. Edison has the leisure to give much individual attention to the production of the films which bear his name, it is obvious that those who are responsible for this output are inspired in a great measure by the wonderful personality of their chief. For it can truly be said that, just as the Edison inventions may [ij be applied to the advantage of | every class of the community, | ~ so can the Edison Films be accepted by every class as a standard of the best kind of entertainment, unequalled for variety, artistic and technical } quality, for dramatic interest | without undue sensationalism [ and for wholesome humour f with no taint of vulgarity. 4 No better example of the varied interest of the Edison programme could be cited than the films shown during the last week. Of these the most important is the two-reel drama entitled “A Tragedy of the Rails.” Belle is the pretty telegraph operator at a small country station and her swectheart Bob is an engineer who runs a local train, making his headquarters in the same town. A masquerade ball is announced, and Belle is naturally anxious to attend. Without stating her intention beforehand, Belle decides to go in a suit of her brother’s overalls, and with his engineer’s cap she makes a very handsome and attractive boy. Bob, who, though worthy, is something of a prig, is suitably attired in the robes of a monk. During the evening Belle’s girl friends, who have been let into the secret, incites her to go into the men’s smoking room. A cigar is forced on her, and in her brave endeavours to prove her manliness Belle begins to feel extremely unwell and at last collapses utterly and drops her mask. Bob is shocked at the idea of his sweetheart appearing in overalls and smoking cigars and Digitized by Goc gle reads her a lecture which, however appropriate to his cleric garb, se2ms to Belle a premature assumption of authority which she immediately resents, and she spends the rest of the evening flirting desperately with Tony Malone, who is allowed the privilege of escorting her home, while Bob is very properly allowed to cool his heels. outside the dressing-room door. Unfortunately, Malone attempts to improve his advantage and next day he calls at the telegraph office and tries to kiss Belle. There is a scuffle and Malone retires hurt, but nourishing thoughts of vengeance. His opportunity comes when he finds. himself on a light engine which he and Bob are preparing to take out. He makes a statement as to his conquest with Belle, which he imagines. will effectively widen the breach between the two lovers. Bob, however, with all his notions of propriety, is very much in love, and a fiercer fight takes place which soon develops into tragedy. Malone receives a fatal wound from his own revolver. Bob is thrown senseless on the floor of the cab and the engine starts a wild rush up the line. The news soon spreads that an engine is running wild, the express is nearly: due and disaster is imminent. Belle is the first to grasp the situation. A light hand-car is on the track parallel to that of the runaway. She hastily boards it and starts it running and as the engine overtakes her she gains the cab with a flying leap and eventually succeeds in bringing it to a standstill. When Bob recovers his gratitude is in no way abated by the fact that to. save his life Belle has again assumed the objectionable overalls and the reconciliation of the lovers is complete. The story is exceedingly well told and affords very pleasing variety, for it opens with some Original from NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY