Motion Picture News (Jul-Oct 1914)

THE lAIOTIOX PICTURE NEWS 47 -A ROMANCE OF THE SAWDUST RING" (Domino — Two Reels) BEVIEWED BY J. BURROTTGHS NOELL IT was always a deep mystery to us what went on back of the big tent of the circus until certain literary folk and scenario writers found interesting material there. After all, the life of the canvas and sawdust world has its own pretty romances, its own heartaches, its own intrigues and base treacheries just as life has everywhere. All is not highly colored and brilliant as it seems, nor is it all base and sordid and degraded. J. H. Ince and W. H. Clifford have given a pretty story in this picture of the love of an animal trainer for a pretty, dainty little equestrienne. Jack Dorn is the trainer's name and Polly DORX IS WELCOMED BACK TO THE CIRCUS Wells, reminiscent of "Polly of the Circus," is the sweetheart. A wicked ringmaster is jealous, and he steals the monej^ from the circus owner's safe and lays the crime on the shoulders of the young trainer. He is arrested, but escapes from the detective. The ringmaster has been discharged for drunkenness, and in revenge hires an accomplice to set the wild animals loose while the show is going on. The spectators and performers flee in wild disorder. A lion pursues Polly to the barn where Dorn is hiding, and when she is about exhausted with fighting the beast off, he hears her cries and rescues her through his power over beast nature. The death of the ringmaster with the money upon him establishes Dorn's innocence and he is taken back to the circus. Just a plain tale of the circus is interesting enough ; it touches a weak spot in almost every breast, carrying us back to the days when we could not get to sleep waiting for the circus to come to town. But this might not be enough for blase audiences, so unusual thrills are given them when the tigers and lions and leopards escape from their cages and dash for the panic-stricken spectators. Even more than this, we are shown the poor Hindoo, who was hired by the ringmaster to open the cages, receiving the fruits of his own misdoings in a death grapple with a leopard. "THE AVENGER" (Greene's Features — Five Reels) REVIEWED BY J. BTTRROTJGHS NOELL DO you like a picture built around a good storj^ of love and intrigue, concerning a bewitching adventuress, set in beautiful surroundings of marble villa and Venetian gardens, over which, for the purpose, the moon sheds a soft light, and these scenes caught cy the camera with the utmost accuracy of detail and mellowness of tones? And then, that there may be no possibility of monotony during the unwinding of the five reels, there is given just a dash of excitement in the capture of a band of criminals, probably a Camorra society, by breaking into their den. "The Avenger" is just such a picture. Made in Italy, it has the advantage of lovelj Italian landscapes and country dwellings, furnished in exquisite taste, for its setting. Played by Italian actors, the complicated story is interpreted clearly and sympathetically, and with that emotional expression which these people, on account of their temperaments, are capable of putting into their work. The language of facial expression and gesture is entirely intelligible and there arise no difficulties in realizing the exact relation of one character to another, and in following the developments of a story that depends in some parts on conflicts of emotions and reversions of feelings. It is the story of a middle-aged artist, a widower, who becomes infatuated with his model, and marries her against the wishes of his son and his brother. After the marriage, she plots with an old lover for his ruin. This is accomplished through laying the crime of the brother's murder on him, a dastardh' deed which the lover, the leader of the criminal gang, does not hesitate to commit. But an ex-criminal, whom the son has befriended, steals into the den, learns all the secrets, gets away after a desperate run for his life, and leads the police into it, revealing the true facts just in time to save the artist from execution. "AT THE END OF A PERFECT DAY" (American — Two Reels) REVIEWED BY C. J. VERHALEN THE cast interpreting this photoplay includes Winnifred Greenwood and Ed Coxen in the leads. These players are familiar to the motion picture world and their splendid work has brought them many friends. They interpret their respective parts in a pleasing manner. Throughout the entire production they create an atmosphere that lends a certain human interest to the entire play. Special comment is due the splendid outdoor scenes. The interior settings are also commendable. THE END OF THE DAY Miss Greenwood, in the leading role, shows a versatility that places her in the foremost rank of photoplayers. Ed Coxen playing opposite her lends valuable support, and also stands out because of his own merits. There are plenty of good original situations. The story is strong in its appeal. A love story of course twines its way throughout the entire production. The daughter of a widow in a small town refuses to marry Orin because of her great love for her mother. Orin departs for the West, but his love is still ardent, and he writes Dorothy that he will return if she wishes. The letter is delivered by his rival during the absence of Doroth}^ The mother asks him to read it. He does away with the address of Orin. Orin not hearing from Dorothy, marries. Years after he returns to the town with his daughter, whom he has named Dorothj in honor of his old sweetheart. His wife has been dead several years. A perfect day finds a big picnic going on at the sea shore. Orin takes a small boat and goes fishing. A storm arises, and he is caught in its furies. Dorothy, his old time sweetheart, goes in search of him and finds the overturned boat. Orin finds her mourning his loss and the two are finalh reconciled.