Cinema News and Property Gazette (1912)

August, 1912. FILMS.— Supplement to THE CINEMA. vii. temptation in the future, throws the flask away. Then Jack and Esther exchange vows of eternal constancy. He gives her a ring, and she takes a locket and chain from her neck which she gives him in exchange, and after a fond farewell Jack tears himself away to start his new career. Once in London, Jack is not long in making a good start. He gets a good position and is appointed manager to a large business. But in the midst of new and gayer companions Jack forgets his promises to Esther, and his old fault assumes full sway again. He neglects to write to her, and she, although deeply hurt by his neglect, which she is at a loss to understand, still loves him as much as ever, and continues to believe in him. One day Jack arrives at his office drunk, and taking more drink on his arrival is soon in an almost helpless condition. This state of affairs is observed by the man below him, who has long been anxious for Jack's position, and he calls in the directors of the Company and points out to them the condition their new manager is in, with the result that Jack is dismissed. The poor fellow sinks lower and lower until we see him reduced to a common lodging house, and finally tramping along the roads clothed in rags and entirely destitute. In the meanwhile, Esther, trying to crush down her sorrow by hard work, has come up to London, and is working as a typist in an office. Her employer. Ralph Stanton, has fallen in love with her, and writes her a letter offering her marriage, but Esther, whose love for Jack is quite undiminished, refuses him. The refusal raises all the evil nature of the man, and he tries to trap her by means of a despicable trick. He gets hold of a letter to Esther from her father, and imitating the handwriting sends her a forged letter in its place, which leads her to think that her father has been taken ill at a house on the roadside whilst journeying up to see her. Esther sets oft in haste immediately on receiving this summofts, but on reaching the spot finds nobody there but Stanton, who immediately tries to take advantage of the girl's defenceless position. HISPANO. European Film Agency. Esther struggles with him and for a time keeps him off, but just as she is getting faint and worn out with the exertion, an unexpected champion comes to her rescue. Jack, who has been lying tired and weary by the roadside, hears her cries, and dashing in soon manages to account for Stanton, who, after a desperate struggle, receives a sound thrashing and leaves the place a beaten man. Jack and Esther, left face to face, are at first equally surprised to find each other in such a plight, till Jack, ashamed after all that has passed to meet the gaze of the girl he has so deeply wronged, and fully conscious of his miserable plight, turns sadly away. Esther however, stopping him, shows him his ring which she has always worn, and he, in his turn, produces her locket, which in spite of all his poverty he has never parted with. Taking him in her arms, she tells him that all is forgiven, and together the two return to the village, where Esther, persuading her father also to overlook the past, Jack makes a fresh start, determined to show himself worthy of the girl by whose love he has been redeemed. EVERYBODY'S DOING IT ! WHAT ? Why rnnning Walturdaw s ExclusiYes, with a Power's Projector. "A FISHERMAN'S SACRIFICE."— Released August 10th. Length 1,143 feet. A young man named Jack, not satisfied with the humble life of a fisherman, decides to leave his native village and seek his fortune in Chile. He tells his sweetheart, Marie, of his ambitions, which, however, do not at all meet with her approval, and she earnestly endeavours to dissuade him from going away — but all in vain, for his heart is upon it. The farewell scene is very touching. Jack's poor mother is distracted with grief at losing her only son, and Marie is equally unhappy. During the next five years no news is received from Jack, who is therefore supposed to be dead. His old mother is lovingly tended by Marie and Charles. The latter has loved Marie for a long time, but knowing her to be engaged to Jack has refrained from speaking of his feelings. Ultimately Jack's mother becomes seriously ill, and on her death-bed sends Marie to fetch her wedding ring. Believing her son to be dead, and knowing the loyalty and devotion of Charles she places the ring on the girl's finger and tells them to marry. At the moment when she is joining their hands she. suddenly sees a vision of her son stretching out his hands to her as if in protest. Appalled by the vision, which is seen by her alone, she sinks back on the pillow and breathes her last. Soon after their marriage old Thomas receives a letter which considerably disturbs him. It comes from Jack, who informs him that he has succeeded in making a fortune, and is coming home to take his mother and Marie by surprise. Laboriously Thomas writes to him telling him of his mother's death and Marie's marriage, and strongly advises him not to complicate matters by returning. Jack, however, on receipt of the letter, at once proceeds to realise his share of the mine which has made him a rich man, and hastens back to his native village. On his arrival he hurries along, exchanging hasty greetings with old friends, and finally reaches the hut of old Thomas, whom he finds engaged in mending a fishing basket at his door. He is soon put in possession of the facts, and then, the news of his return having quickly spread, Charles comes to welcome him home, but Jack refuses to shake hands with him. Angry words follow, but Thomas prevents them from coming to blows. Then follows the meeting between Marie and Jack. She begins by begging for His forgiveness, but he is obdurate. She then pleads Charles's cause, telling how lovingly he tended his dying mother, taking the place of her absent son at her bedside. She shows him the ring, and explains that in marrying Charles she carried out his mother's last wishes. Jack is torn by conflicting emotions, but in the end his better feelings triumph, and then old Thomas and Charles appear. With, considerable effort, for it costs him much to make the sacrifice of his love, he exonerates them from all blame, and with as much heartiness as can be expected from him under the circumstaTices, joins their hands together, and gives his sanction to their union. IMP. J. F. Brockliss, New Compton Street, \V. "THE LAND OF PROMISE,"— Released August 14th, Length 985 feet. Jose and his wife Juanita, Mexicans, turn their faces westward, but are quickly disillusioned. The little house they have taken for their home is on a ranchman's property, and he must be compensated. This drains Jose's meagre purse. Then comes the climax of their misfortunes; Jos£ is injured in an explosion, and is forced to lie useless in his bed. Then the woman plays her part. She makes her way to a neighbouring ranch and, seizing the halter of a tiny calf, flies homeward. Soon the ranchmen are after her. Seeing that she is pursued she abandons the calf and flies. Anxiety for her injured husband brings her back to the little hut they call their home. The little woman-thief sobs out her distress, both at what she has done and at the wretchedness of her and her husband's lot, and there is no thought of punishment, but only one of pity. Some atonement must be made to these two strangers who have been left to starve, and the bluff old ranchman holds out his hand with the offer of a post as foreman for Jose. Raise your Summer receipts by showing the great Asta Nielsen Exclusive Picture Play Dramas (Walturdawj.