Cinema News and Property Gazette (1912)

October, 1912. FILMS. —Supplement to THE CINEMA. 25 COSMOPOLITAN, Film House, Gerrard Street, \V. "THE LEAP TO DEATH." — Released October 27th. Length 2,800 feet. Kate Holborn, a society woman, and her friends visit the photographers. Amongst the specimens in the photographer's case is a photograph of a young man to which Kate takes a great fancy. She purchases a copy and gives it a prominent place in her handsome boudoir. The picture is that of Jack Morton, a swell mobsman. Kate has a valuable pearl necklace which she sends to the jewellers to be repaired. Whilst her man is in the shop, Jack and his confederate arrive outside and decide to commit one of their smart thefts. The thing is very cleverly done. Jack's friend enters the shop and engages the attention of the shopman by purchasing a jewel. The necklace is lying on the counter against which the thief has hung his umbrella. He deftly twitches the pearls into the umbrella and gets on his dignity when the loss is discovered and questions asked. He gives the shopman his card and stalks out, leaving the umbrella which hangs unnoticed. The man immediately hurries to Kate's house, relates the loss, and she goes at once to the jeweller's. The jeweller is explaining matters when, according to the plan, Jack enters to take away the umbrella. It is a case of love at first sight. Jack cannot find it in his heart to rob her. He turns the umbrella upside down and hands back the pearls. Jack and Kate leave the shop together, she recognising the original of the photograph, but not knowing his character supposes the affair an accident. The jeweller communicates with the police, re-enacts the scene and gives the officers the forgotten umbrella. At headquarters they continue investigations, and soon trace the crime to Jack and his companion. Next day Jack and Kate lunch together and we have a pretty love scene. On leaving their quarters next morning, Jack and his friend part company. Silhouetted in an archway is the figure of Jack's friend as he stops to buy a newspaper. Beyond him is the vista of a sunny street, down which the police, on his track in a motor-car, approach rapidly. Dropping his paper, the man dashes quickly into the building, races through its gloomy courts to an upper balcony, where he believes himself free. The city stretches in a vast expanse far below. He has only just recovered his breath when the detectives pounce upon him. He draws a revolver, which is struck out of his hand ; he is captured. The detective's next task is to seize Jack. Kate and he visit the aeronaut ground. A balloon is about to go up and a crowd of spectators are interestedly watching it. A detective, hot on the scent, arrives on the scene and makes a dash for him. Jack, ever alert, eludes the rush, and Kate, thinking only of him, flings herself on the detective, preventing him following. The balloon is rising. Jack makes straight for it, springs into the basket, and sails aloft. Landing later on, he sends a carrier pigeon to Kate telling her all is well. Returning from the scene she receives the message, the pigeon alighting in the bushes as she approaches the house. Some months later Kate is giving a garden party at which some Russian dancers will perform to amuse the'gue'sts. Jack has returned, and, seeing the dancers, bribes the leading man to let him take his place as he longs for a sight of Kate. The exchange is effected. In the beautiful gardens a gay crowd watch the Erl dance. Jack, the leader, is surrounded by a bevy of girl dancers, the whole going through a very pretty performance. At the conclusion Jack flings himself at the feet of Kate who recognises him. When all is over, the lovers have a few precious moments together, but Jack dare not stay for fear of the police. Indeed, they are already on his track and follow him home. They force an entrance to his rooms. It is a thrilling episode. Jack, smoking and dreaming of Kate, is startled by the noise of the police. Quick as a flash, he hides behind the curtain. Then as the officers dash into the room he rushes out, they hurrying after him. Breathless Jack flies to Kate's house ; together they go to the stables, mount a horse and take flight, pursued by the police in a motor. After narrow escapes from capture they board a steamer, taking the horse with them. Full of resource, the police dash -to the wireless station. We see them arrive, then the picture gradually ascends the transmitting pole and we see the flashes leaping out from its apex. The message is received by the captain of the steamer on which the pair travel. Hequestions Jack, who, his suspicions aroused, mounts the horse, and before those on board realise what is happening, leaps over the side into the water followed by Kate. Dripping from their plunge they reach the shore, again mount the horse and set off on their desperate ride for safety. But the police are too many for them. In a tragic and passionate scene Jack insists upon Kate remaining behind whilst he makes one last desperate dash. Horse and rider struggle gallantly up a steep hill, but the hunters are close on them and there is nothing for it but a last leap down a sheer precipice — a leap to certain death. Horse and rider disappear over the edge ; the officers arriving just after peer awestricken into the abyss, where far down below they see the lifeless body of the rider. Kate, discovered, is led to the precipice, afterwards assisted down, where we leave her with all that remains of her lover. CRICKS & MARTIN, 101, Wardour Street, \V. Ltd. -Released October 10th. Length "OH ! WHAT A PEACH 960 feet, Miss Tottie, a manicure, rents a shanty at Blue Creek, where she captivates all. Bill the boss, is hit worse than the rest, and it is not long before he has proposed to, and been accepted by, the la'ly. Tottie visits Bill and is shown the latter's store of nuggets, which she persuades Bill is not properly safeguarded. Accordingly the nuggets are transferred to Tottie'shut, and later arrangements are made for the wedding. Every one of the boys presents Tottie with a most expensive present. The great day arrives and all attend at the church but the bride, who fails to put in an appearance, A visit to her hut is paid, and it is found that Tottie has flown, taking with her the wedding presents and Bill's nuggets. "THE DANCING GIRL."— Released October 17th. Length 2,000 feet. Nina, a Spanish Sefiora, i; an accomplished flirt as she is a Dancer and when she had finished her tambourine dance outside a native cafe, Bernardo cannot suppress his secret but deep rooted love longer and he rushes to her side and tries to caress her. His wish might have been granted had not Nina seen Filippi approching and she at once slights Bernardo and walks off in the arms of her lover. Bernardo's love for Nina immediately turns to intense hatred of his rival. He vows vengeance and resolves to follow them. The lovers, unaware of his presence, stroll leisurely along the cliffs and are about to rest when they are parted by Bernardo who immediatelv unsheaths his long bladed native knife. In defence, Filippi does likewise and the terrific struggle between the two infuriated men is closely watched by the terrified Nina. Bernardo is disarmed and attempts to make his escape but is driven to the edge of the cliffs and, in warding off a blow, loses his balance and disappears. Nina rushes to the spot horrified and pursuades her lover to leave the island before the body is discovered. This he does, and after watching his boat well out, Nina returns to the village where her excited manner and terrible story alarm the natives who go in search. On reaching the shore they find a priest attending the wounded man and they carry him back to the villiage. Nina is somewhat relieved to find Bernardo slowly recovering, and seeing her bending over him on completely regaining consciousness he again pleads for her love and is again refused, whereupon he renounces the world and enters the monastery with the priest. Nina in vain tries to forget the awful sight of the fight, but her memory is refreshed while walking along the sea shore by the sight of Filippi's boat, a wreck having been washed ashore by the relentless waves. This almost unhinges her mind, and she falls on her face in utter despair, assuming that her beloved Filippi is no more ; but the gentle hand upon her shoulder of Bernardo, now a priest, arouses her passion, and she again repulses him, and accuses him of her lover's downfall and death. Meanwhile, Filippi has been rescued from the sea and taken to the monastery, and upon Bernardo's return he is sent to wait upon the unconscious man. The sight of his former adversary upon the bed startles Bernardo, but under the sacred roof they swear friendship and forget the past. Filippi recovers, and his old enemy sets out to find Nina. Reluctant and distrustful at first at his story, she ultimately agrees to follow him to the sea shore, where Filippi is anxiously awaiting their arrival, and the picture ends with Bernardo leaving the lovers embracing on the happy reunion of Filippi and Nina, " The Dancing Girl."