Cinema News and Property Gazette (1912)

52 THE CINEMA. November, 1912. RIP VAN WINKLE ON THE FILM THE VITAGRAPH COMPANY SCORE AGAIN. W2J THOSE who are old enough to remember the many versions of Rip Van Winkle which have been given us either as ballet, comic opera, or play, in the years that have long since been numbered with the past will, we feel confident, hail with satisfaction the announcement that on November 28th the Vitagraph Company are releasing two reels of 1,053 ^eei an<^ T>046 feet respectively portraying this charming legend. It is hardly necessary to dilate upon the manner in which this picture has been produced. Everybody knows that the name of Vitagraph is synonymous with quality, and Rip Van Winkle is but another example of the excellent work turned out at this company's studios. Seldom have we seen finer rendering of the character of the jovial old reprobate with a penchant for liquor, whose forte was the toasting everyone, everyone's wife, and everyone's family, not forgetting, of course, his invariable desire that they might live long and prosper, than we have in this film, which without a doubt, is enacted in a manner true to life. The scene in which Rip meets Hudson's merry crew in the Katskill mountains is an exceptionally fine one, and gives striking evidence of the care which has been lavished upon this production. Rip's awakening, after his twenty years' slumber, gives the actor responsible for the part plenty of scope for the display of his talents, of which lie was not slow to avail himself. Nor is the picture without its touch of pathos, especially in those scenes in which Rip finds how soon is forgotten when one is believed to be dead. This legend written by Washington Irving in the time of George the Third, when America was occupied by the English, is one peculiarly adapted to the silent stage, and the wonder is that it has been left to the Vitagraph Company to give us a film dealing with it, for the story is so well known to lovers of literature as to make the picture popular amongst all classes. We must confess that we are glad that it has fallen to the lot of the Vitagraph Company to take advantage of such a golden opportunity, for they have given us a film which is entitled to rank amongst the best of their efforts. As doubtless all our readers will remember, Rip Van Winkle was a happy go lucky sort of fellow. Idle and shiftless, spending most of his time at the George Tavern, Rip's wife is obliged to work hard to support herself and daughter Steenie, while Rip is at the inn or hunting and fishing. Lena does not spare him. He, with imperturbable good nature, gives little heed. In despair she drives him from the home in the midst of a raging thunderstorm. Bidding Steenie and her playmate Petie good-bye, he makes his way to the mountains and meets a strange little creature, carrying a keg filled with liquor. The dwarf, calling up the spirits of Heinrich Hudson they all indulge in pins. He draws liquor and gives it his usual toast he imbibes the draft. The beverage tastes good. Rip is overcome and he falls into a deep sleep. Rip sleeps for twenty years. He awakens and finds he has grown a long grey beard and heavy growth of hair. He is in rags. He reaches tor his musket ; it falls in pieces in his grasp. He makes his way back to the little village. So greatly has it changed, it is unrecognisable and so is he. His old home is deserted and gone into decay. The old Inn is remodelled, and the face of King George is replaced with that of George Washington. Rip's family has prospered. His wife, supposing Rip dead, married a wealthy man, who died and left her a widow. His daughter Steenie marries Petie. Rip tries to make himself known and learn about his family. He is directed to his wife's luxurious home. Here he meets Lena and his daughter with her husband. He succeeds in making himself known. Lena pours him a glass of wine which he raises offering the old toast, " Here's to your health and your family's: may you all live long and prosper." He does not drink the wine ; he lays it aside, with the good resolution, never to drink again. and his crew, a game of nine a cup of the to Rip. With