Cinema News and Property Gazette (1913)

January 22, nnj. Supplement to THE CINEMA. ESSANAY FILM MANUFACTURING CO., 148, Charing Cross Road, W.C. Phone : City 2129. "THE SCHEME." (Essanay.) Featuring : Old Hickley Howard Missimer. Hcitha, his daughter Lily Branscombe. The widow Eleanor Blanchard. Her nephew " Billy " .Mason. Old Bickley refuses to allow his daughter Bertha to attend a ball with Bert Brisk, her sweetheart. Now Bickley intends to take Bert's charming aunt, whereupon Bertha has an idea to bring her father to terms. Taking Bert and his aunt into the scheme, Bertha proposes to attend the ball dressed as a man, declares she will flirt with the widow, arouse father's jealousy, and trap him into fighting a duel. Then, having scared the old man to death, she will reveal her true identity, and have the laugh on him. The plan is carried out and old Bickley is forced into the supposed duel to the death with his disguised daughter. In the bright moonlight, at tho edge of a wood, they meet, and Bickley is now put through a farcical "third degree," when a group of friends, made up as undertakers and gravediggers, measure him for his grave and stalk around him with solemn visages and uplifted spades. Bickley nearly dies of fright, and frantically pleads with his seconds to call the duel off. Meanwhile, Bertha and Bert are nearly exploding with laughter, and the widow is enjoying the scene immensely. The two duellists are finally placed back to back, each with a huge revolver in hand, and, after several copious drinks of whisky, Bickley gains enough courage to die, if need be. Of course, as they are about to fire the widow throws herself between them, and pleads with Bertha to " spare " her father's life. This is the cue for Bertha to throw off her disguise, and old Bickley is so astonished and happy that he readily consents to the marriage of the young people, after planting several resounding smacks on Bertha's upturned face. "THE IRON HEEL." (Essanay.) Cast : Old Abner Wiley Norman Macdonald Robert Gregg, sen 1 . Robert Gregg, jun f "ancis X. Bushman Robert's Mother Helen Dunbar Laura, Gregg's war-time sweetheart Mildred Weston Wiley's butler Wm. Bailey The Maid Beverly Bayne Ross, the Detective Harry Cashman Old Abner Wiley, a wealthy and crabbed miser, is rescued from some tormenting boys by the son of his bitterest enemy, Robert Gregg. Back in the Rebellion days Wiley and the elder Gregg both loved the pretty Laura. Gregg won her and Wiley has nursed his revenge long after Gregg's death. Discovering the identity of the younger Gregg, Wiley concocts a fiendish plan to bring about his vengeance. He makes Gregg heir to all his possessions. In his excitement young Gregg leaves his heavy walking stick in Wiley's library. Next morning Gregg is arrested at the breakfast table for Wiley's murder. An investigation of the miser's library reveals the walking-stick clotted with blood, and the entire room showing evidences of a struggle. Detective Ross discovers pieces of Wiley's personal belongings in the ruins of a burned house near by, and Gregg is further accused of having disposed of the body after the murder. He is tried, convicted, and sentenced to death. On the morning of the execution Ross is at headquarters, when one of the attendants passes him with a tray of empty dishes. Instantly Ross recalls seeing Wiley's maid coming from the second floor of the old house with a similar tray of dishes. His brain working rapidly, Ross rushes to the Wiley home, places the maid and butler under arrest, then lights a smoke torch, places it in the hallway, and shouts "Fire!" loudly. Suddenly through the dense smoke a panel in the wall slides back, and old Wiley, trapped like a rat, staggers out in a paroxysm of fear. Captured by Ross, and realising his dastardly scheme has come to naught, Wiley dies while Ross reaches the gaol in time to stop Gregg's execution. Released February gth. Length 971; feet. "BRONCHO BILLY'S MEXICAN WIFE." (Essanay.) Broncho marries a Mexican girl at the earnest entreaty of her dying father. Later a Mexican singer wins her love, and, to get Broncho out of the way, she has him arrested and gaoled on the charge of having assaulted her. In a frenzy of rage, Broncho secures the sheriff's revolver, escapes from gaol, and tracks the pair to his shack. Meanwhile, the Mexican singer's sweetheart, jealous of his attentions to Broncho's wife, reaches the shack first, and when Broncho bursts in, gun in hand, he finds the pair dead on the floor, her knife having found both their false hearts. Released February gth. Length ggo feet. "THE BOSS OF THE KATY MINE." (Essanay.) Joe Benson, foreman of the Katy Mine, breaks the rules one day by taking a drink of whisky while at work. He is seen by Bushnell, the mine boss, who lectures him severely. At noontime Mrs. Benson brings Joe's dinner. Starting home, she is called into Bushnell's office, and the scoundrel attempts to force his love upon her. Looking through the window . Benson discovers the situation, bursts in, knocks Bushnell down, and takes his wife home. A few days later Mrs. Benson calls on Bushnell and begs him to put Benson back to work. Bushnell agrees to do so if she will leave her husband. Desiring to get Benson away from the mine, Bushnell has one of his men attempt to intoxicate him. An hour later Bushnell leaves a note at Benson's home, advising Mrs. Benson he will await her answer at his office that night. Staggering into the house, Benson finds the note, secures his revolver, goes to Bushnell's office with the intention of killing him, only to find the mine boss dead on the floor from a stroke of apoplexy. Seeing that Providence has stayed his hand, Benson returns home and joins his wife and little one in a prayer of thanksgiving. Released February 13th. Length g39 feet. "THE PENITENT." (Essanay.) Cast : Bob Arling Francis X. Bushman Hugh Thompson Wm. Bailey Professor Danville Howard Missimer Alice, his daughter Beverly Bayne Mrs. Danville Helen Dunbar Dorothy, Alice's Cousin Mildred Weston Doctor Hardcastle Wm. Walters Bob Arling and Hugh Thompson, two chums, are rivals for the love of pretty Alice Danville. Hugh wins her, and Bob, although heartbroken, wishes them life happiness. A few days later Professor Danville, a noted scientist, is experimenting in his laboratory when Alice enters. In spite of his precaution, she causes an explosion of chemicals that renders her blind. Hugh now shows the despicable side of his character in tiring of his blind sweetheart, and transfers his affections to Dorothy Haddon, Alice's cousin, who is paying her a visit. Bob notices Hugh's fickleness and upbraids him angrily, but Hugh refuses to listen. Still loving Alice with all his heart, Bob gives her every kind attention. Doctor Hardcastle, a noted specialist, now examines Alice's eyes, and agrees to perform an operation he believes will restore her sight. This operation is successful, and Alice is overjoyed. Hurrying out into the bright sunshine to find Hugh and surprise him, she discovers him and Dorothy together, and realises his perfidy. Pretending to still affect her blindness, Alice approaches them, then suddenly reveals the truth just as Bob comes on the scene. Stricken with remorse, Hugh leaves while Dorothy humbly asks Alice's forgiveness. A few hours later, in the quiet of the conservatory, Bob again asks Alice to be his wife, and this time does not ask in vain. Released February 13th. Length g86 feet.