Cinema News and Property Gazette (1913)

March 5, 1913. NIK CIN'EMV 59 REALISTIC PRODUCTION OF A WORLD-FAMED NOVEL. WESTERN IMPORT COMPANY RELEASING ANOTHER THANHOUSER WINNER. Dora Thorne, which the Western Import Company are releasing on March 29, length 1,000 feet, is a realistic photo-production of the world-famous novel by Charlotte M. Braeme. Like all Thanhouser pictures, this film has been produced with a lavish hand ; the photography is excellent, and the picture has the added advantage of convenience of length. The story is a powerful one, and there is just that vein of pathos running through it so beloved by picture patrons. We shall be surprised if it does not figure largely as a top-liner in forthcoming playbills. The story runs as follows : — The runaway marriage between Dora Thorne and the young Lord Ronald came as a terrible blow to his aged father, for whilst the young lord was heir to the Earle estates, Dora was merely the daughter of one of his lodge keepers. The young people met for the first time in romantic circumstances. It was on a glorious summer's day, and Lord Ronald was in the act of painting a landscape. Love joined their hearts at first sight, and Dora gave him a bunch of violets. Returning home, Lord Ronald was introduced to Lady Valentine, whom his father wished him to marry, but he steadily declined, and immediately proposed to Dora. The lodgekeeper and irate Earl came upon the scene at the moment the lovers were pledging their troth. Lord Ronald begged his father's consent, but the latter was implacable, and ordered his son to leave the house, much to the distress of his affectionate mother. The elopement at night was duly arranged, and the next day Lord Ronald and Dora were married. The couple journeyed to Italy, and there Lord Ronald employed his talent as an artist to earn a living. A year had passed away, a baby had been born, and the young husband was given to fits of anger when the child's cries disturbed him at his work. Taking a finished picture to the house of one of his patrons, he was surprised at meeting Lady Valentine. He invited her to his lodgings, humble though they were, but when she met Dora jealousy crept into the wife's heart. Dora ordered Lady Valentine from the house, then left a letter for Lord Ronald, saying, " Your wife and child will never live with you again. — Dora." Returning to England, Dora once more reached her old home, and Lord Ronald secretly advised his mother of this, but the lodgekeeper's daughter repelled her mother-in-law's advance. Fifteen years passed away ; Dora's child had grown into a beautiful girl, and Lord Ronald had become a great and successful artist. One day he received a cable from his mother telling him of his father's death and of his succession to the estates. Arriving back in England, he begged his wife's forgiveness, but to no purpose; not even their child could move her mother's purpose. On the same spot where he had first met Dora Lord Ronald a few weeks later met his daughti 1 . In ,irt went out to her father, and in trying to procure some violets for him she fell down a < liff. Dhe dead body was carried to her father's house, and when the distracted mother turned and saw her : stricken husband her heart once more went out to him, seeking protection and loving consolation. THE NUCLEUS OF A CINEMA MUSEUM. INTERESTING PROJECT FOR THE COMING EXHIBITION. One of the many attractive features at the forthcoming International Cinematograph Exhibition at Olympia will be a museum of curios connected with animated photography. It seems remarkable that so young an industry should be able to supply so many relies; but there are, in fact, some extremely interesting mementoes of the earlier days of the cinematograph. They are to be on view next month. This museum is being formed by Mr. Friese-Greene, the inventor of animated photography. It was in 1885 that this gentleman first showed an apparatus for photographing and reproducing movement, and two years later he exhibited in his window at Piccadilly some pictures taken on glass. This early idea of the " living picture " caused such a sensation that crowds gathered about the window, until the police suggested that the traffic of the street would be facilitated if Mr. Friese-Grecne withdrew the display. He acquiesced. Photographic and other learned societies became interested in the new phase of photography, and at the photographic jubilee celebrations at the Crystal Palace in 1889 a length of celluloid film was revealed for the first time. The Olympia Cinematograph Exhibition, by far the largest the world has known, will be attended by some 50,000 people associated with the trade all over the world, and every effort is being made by Mr. Ernest Schofield, the organising secretary, to provide attractions for the general public. For instance, Olvmpia will not only be as ornal the King's official decorator can make it, but each country running a section will have its own scenic effects of built-up houses, such as old English homes, a Dutch village, a French chateau, a view of Hberg, and so forth. An endeavour is now being made to gather together even moving and still picture taken of the late Captain Scotl and his colleagues in the Antarctic. These photographs will be shown in one or other of the fifteen cinema theatres in the great hall, and a lecturer will tell the immortal tale of how the five brave Bi died. In order that the younger generation may reap the fullest value from these pictures and recitals, school children will be admitted at a nominal fee. Visitors to Olvmpia, if they wish, may be einematographed, and, half-an-hour later, see the films 1 duced on a scree.,. Samples of films, th< ige stamps, will be given away, and famous actors and actresses will demonstrate how a picture play is -e-managed.