Motion Picture News (Apr - Jun 1914)

THE MOTION PICTURE NEWS 75 SPECIAL FILM 'REVIEWS "A Warning from the Past." (Edison. Two reels. June 12.)— Mabel Trunelle in a dual role; Herbert Prior and Yale Benner play the leads in this drama, which might be called reminiscent. Anne has a premonition that her husband will be thrown from his horse and killed — he was. Her great-granddaughter has the same premonition that her husband would die if he rode with his friend in his biplane; she pleads with him not to go, he doesn't — his friend is killed. The beholder is always expecting to see Trevor thrown from his horse, and to see the other man throw-n from his biplane, and he is somewhat disappointed when neither of these incidents happen before the camera. Otherwise the production is perfect. "The Baited Trap." (Imp. Two reels. June 1.) — A drama featuring King Baggot. This piece formerly ran at the Republic Theatre, New York, where the last few scenes were acted on the stage. Dennis leaves old Ireland and comes to America; he plans to send for his sweetheart, Nora, when he obtains enough money. Dennis is presented with some money by a white slaver and told to send for Nora. On her arrival she falls into the hands of the white slavers, but after quite a struggle her sweetheart rescues her. "The Forbidden Room." (Bison 101. Three reels. June 6.) — The feature of this picture is the mystery which throughout sustains the interest of the audience. The wonderful make-up of Pauline Bush will make an impression. Murdoch McQuarrie surpassed himself. The child of a crazy woman is taken away from her by her brother, a doctor. Claiming to be a hypnotist, the doctor makes his niece attempt to kill a man she hates, while in a trance. Later the man is killed by the mother and the girl is blamed The death of the mother proves the daughter's innocence. "The Air Torpedo." (Warner's Features. Three reels.) — Excitement abounds in this story, which gives a fine idea of the superiority of the airship over the fastest water craft. The scenes brought out in the production are some of the most beautiful that have ever appeared on the film, and this is said without exaggeration. The photography would be perfect if it were not for the light, which is noticeably poor in some spots; the picture at times seems light-struck. The pic;ure contains a thrilling chase. An airship is following a motorboat, and finally when the air craft is just above the boat, the aviator drops a bomb on the boat and it is seen no more. The plot is lively and natural. Young Crawford, heavily in debt, robs his father of the secret of his air torpedo. He gives the plans to a spy, who flees in a motorboat. He is pursued by his father, who, to save his papers, kills the man. "The Soul of Honor." (Majestic. Two reels. May 31.) — A story of civil war times with none of the usual fighting and bloodshed. It is refreshing because of this, and the story will appeal to that large class who believe in upholding the honor of the family and the nation, at any cost. Henry Walthal, Blanche Sweet and Ralph Lewis form the cast; .there are only two others. The photography is clear and the Southern scenes are remarkably realistic. The young Southern soldier delays in delivering a message, in order to see his wife. Because of this the battle is lost. The father learns of it and tells the young man that the only thing for him to do is to take his own life, which he does. The old man reloads his gun and his comrades think that he died a hero's death. "The Doctor's Testimony." (Victor. Two reels. June 5.) — A twopart drama featuring Florence Lawrence and Matt Moore. There is the interesting spectacle of a short circuit occurring in a room that is otherwise dark. The effect given is a thriller of the best sort. The story is partly detective, though no detective appears; the criminal is really the detective. The photography is up to the standard. Most all of the sets are interiors. Ralph Dean dies of heart failure. His doctor has the cane of John Preston, which if produced, will convict him. He tries to induce Mrs. Preston to elope with him, threatening to expose her husband, but he is accidentally killed by touching an electric wire. "A Tragedy of the Orient." (Broncho. Two reels. June 10.) — California affords ideal scenery for pictures supposed to be enacted in Japan. The scenes, action and characters of this picture would lead one to believe that he was in the heart of the Cherry Blossom Kingdom, instead ' of our own California. A capable Japanese cast performs, which lends added realism to the picture. An American marries a Japanese girl. Kato, her former lover, causes him to be mobbed and killed. But Kissmoia avenges her husband's death and stabs Kato. ^ -W :#^ <il^#^ w^^^^^^^^^l ■«^4CiX;^uah: H^^^^^^^B ^m^anw^^K^gPit'^'^i^ M * i #^&» ...J^ .. ''■ '^S^v X a ^B. . .&.^^HHII^^^I^I OWEN URGES PAULINE TO ATTEND A BALLOON ASCENSION Scene from "The Perils of Pauline," 0th Episode — Two reels