Motion Picture News (Oct 1914-Jan 1915)

84 MOTION PICTURE NEWS Vol. 10. No. 24. rnost of the other events will strike all as humorous. The east includes Florence Lee, Madge Kirby, D. Morris and Walter Coyle. On the same reel with "Red Dye." "When the Blind See." CLubin. Two reels. Thurs., Dec. 17.) — The "practical" son of a farmer inherits the farm and orders his studious younger brother oflf the place. He goes to the city where he works his way through a medical school with the help of his sister. Years later he has become a great eye specialist and is called in to operate on the eyes of a wealthy oil operator who turns out to be his brother. At first he refuses to treat his hard hearted relative, but his sister induces him to do so, and on the successful _ restoration of his sight the brothers forget their past hate. L. C. Shumway and William Parsons are seen as the brothers, and Velma Whitman as the sister. "Snakeville's Blind Pig." (Essanay. Thurs., Dec. 17.) — A good Snakeville comedy showing the dreary existence of the male population after the women have obtained the vote. A little joy enters the men's lives with the opening of a blind pig, but Sophie, the sheriff, discovers it and puts kerosene in the whiskey. Poor Slim, deathly sick, is dragged home by the ear. "His Prior Claim." (Biograph. Fri., Dec. 18.) — This is a pathetic offering in which an elder brother refuses to recognize the younger, after he has married a frivolous girl. After the birth of a baby girl, both the parents die, and in time the other brother learns he has a niece. He is captivated by her and urges his right to adopt it, but the child prefers to go with the woman who had adopted her before. "The Comedienne's Strategy." (Lubin. Fri., Dec. 18.) — One of the type of silly old "gay boys" is annoying an actress by his constant proposals of marriage. To get rid of him she shows had a photograph of an acquaintance who is her husband according to her story. About that time the old man's daughter elopes and sends back the same picture as that of her husband. Trouble follows fast and heavy. In the cast are Rosemary Theby, Harry Myers, Ruth Bryan and Bartley McCuUum. "Who's Who in Hogg's Hollow." (Vitagraph. Fri., Dec. 18.) — The amusing adventures of an automobile party who are stranded in a remote town by the breaking down of their car. They discover that Phineas Hogg is the main guy in the place. In fact he holds every public and most of the private offices. As they have incurred his displeasures their lot is not a happy one. Sidney Drew is seen as Phineas. "Girl from Thunder Mountain." (Essanay. Two reels. Fri., Dec. 18.) — This is a story of the transformation of a ragged, ignorant Virginia mountain _ girl into a beautiful debutante of New York society. A young engineer, who holds the poor Southern white trash in contempt, fails to recognize the girl whom he had met in the Virginia mountains after her year in New York. Of course, he falls in love and upon learning the truth is very much ashamed of his previous prejudice. The scenes are good and the photography is_ excellent. It is well acted by a. cast with Richard Travers and Ruth Stonehouse as principals. "The Tale of a Coat." (Selig. Fri., Dec. 18.) —An amusing comedy depicting the futile attempts of an impossible new rich family to enter society.^ The suitor for the pretty daughter's hand loses_ his coat-tail in a disagreement with father, but in spite of this succeeds in secretly marrying the daughter, and the marriage is hilariously celebrated. In the cast are John Lancaster, Elsie Greeson, Lyllian Leighton and Sidney Smith. 'The Birth of Our Saviour." (Edison. Sat., Dec. 19.) — A Christmas picture which handles the first Christmas in an efTective and reverent manner. It shows the appearance of the angels to the shepherds and the coming of the Wise Men, and carries the story of the Saviour's childhood up to the departure of Mary and Joseph for Egypt. Gertrude McCoy appears as the Virgin, and effectively portrays this exceedingly difficult role. "The Bond Sister." (Biograph. Sat., Dec. 19.) — This picture is aptly termed by its producers "melodrama with a moral," and it is certain that all will agree with them after once witnessing it. A member of a band of crooks attempts to reform for a girl's sake, but he is killed by his old confederates before he has had a chance to show his worth. This is played exceptionally well by Charles West and Claire McDowell in the principal roles. W. J. Buter, Frank Evans and Sidney D'Albrock supporting. "Mr. Santa Claus." (Vitagraph. Two reels. Sat.. Dec. 19.) — A touching story of the lonely Chriitmas which faced the widow of a French soldier killed in the European war, and the way in which her sorrow was turned to gladness. A young fellow who has just inherited some money is responsible for heVliappiness, although at the start he thought that he was merely helping out an unknown and disappointed little girl. The little girl turtled out to be the daughter of the pretty widow. Lillian Herbert and Arthur Ashley are the principals. "Who's Who." (Lubin. Sat., Dec. 19.)— A blackface comedy in which a colored doctor is mistaken for a negro who-4*a.s-been runing am.uck. On the same reel with "Shall Curfew Ring ToNight?" "Shall Curfew Ring To-Night?" (Lubin. Sat., Dec. 19. — A burlesque of the famous story_ of similar name. Mabel Paige is seen as the heroine. "Who's Who" is on the same reel. "Broncho Billy's Christmas Spirit." (Essanay. Sat., Dec. 19.) — A touching Christmas story, well done by G. M. Anderson, Lee Willard, Evelyn Selby, Eugenie Clinchard and True Boardman, Jr. A poor prospector steals Broncho Billy's horse in order to buy some toys for_ his expectant children. Broncho Billy learns the identity of the thief, and on Christmas day comes to his cabin with a posse to hang him for the crime. On seeing the happy children and learning the motive behind the theft, each member of the posse contributes some money, and leave without carrying out their original intention. UNIVERSAL PROGRAM "Her Higher Ambition." (Frontier. Sat., Dec. 12.) — While the termination of this picture is supposed to depict a great sacrifice on the part of the hero of the story, it is not apparent just what the sacrifice is, due to insufficient explanation in the preceding scenes. An actor, on his vacation in the West, meets a girl who is laboring under the impression that she can sing. He knows she can't, but gives her money with which to go to the city and have her voice tried. She soon returns, much disappointed to find the actor dead. Fred Church and Edythe Sterling are in the principal roles. "The Rural Demons." (L. K. O. Sun., Dec. 13.) — A slapstick comedy in which the profuse use of bad eggs occurs. The comedy is interrupted when at its height, to introduce scenes showing the manufacture of automobile tires, which is most interesting but seems rather out of place. It would have been better as a separate subject. Billie Ritchie and Henry Lehreman are the lovers seeking the hand of Gertrude Selby, supposedly a dainty rural maid. Lehreman has a small cyclecar in which and out of which he furnishes a lot of laughter. "The Mountain Traitor." (Eclair. Sun., Dec. 13.) — A spicy drama of the West, concerning the life of a group of moonshiners, the treachery of one of their number because of jealousy, ending with the happy scene of two lovers reunited. Photographically and scenically the picture leaves little room for improvement, and the theory is clear, concise and well built. Altogether an excellent one reeler. Stanley Walpole and Irma Earle are the lovers. "The, Mill Stream." (Imp. Two reels. Mon., Dec. 14.) — This production is noticeable for the artistry and appropriateness of its scenes, which are laid in the country about an old mill. The young mill owner, in protecting the girl he loves from a new friend, is accused of murdering him, when in reality he is killed by a thief. Evidence is brought to light that clears his name and all ends well. King Baggot plays the leading part and is ably assisted by Arline Pretty and Robert Hill. "The Wayward Son." (Victor. Mon., Dec. 14.) — This picture brings into the limelight Daddy Manley, as he is called by his co-actors, who, directed by H. C. Mathews, has been given a role exactly suited to his personality. As an old man he expectantly awaits for the return of his prodigal son, whom a young girl is making into a man before she allows him to return. Elsie Albert is the girl. This offering will draw on the sympathies of all and will not fail to make its mark. "Lizzie's Fortune." (Sterling. Mon., Dec. 14.) — Three boarders in a tenth rate boarding house dislike the maid-of-all-work until they see half a letter which says she has inherited a fortune. Then they all proceed to make love to the young lady. One is accepted, and then it is discovered that all the fortune was used in paying the lawyer's fee. The accepted gentleman tries his best to free himself from the girl, but she pursues him, even into the water. Louise Fazenda is the girl, and Max Asher plays the part of one of the lovers. The reel is rather dull. ^^►'Such a Mistake." (Crystal, Split reel. Tues., Dec. 15.) — The Crystal company seems to be inflicted with the malady of producing pictures without a point, and which have no real result ; this is an excellent sample of that variety. Charlie and Vivian are both jealous of each other and proceed to flirt with their servants, finally compromising and making love to each other. On the same reel with "The Glass Pistol." "The Glass Pistol." (Crystal. Split reel. Tues., Dec. 15.) — Slightly funnier than its mate, but falling way short of real humor. A tramp procures a glass pistol from two boys and proceeds to hold everyone up with it until he is captured by the police. On the same reel with "Such a Mistake." "The Boy Mayor." (Nestor. Tues., Dec. 15.) -^This picture is put out with the idea of giving a portrayal of the methods of which the Junior Municipal Organization of Portland, Ore., does its work, and is a very entertaining reel. A gang of thieves is captured through their efforts in this film. "A Game of Wits." (Eclair. Two reels. Wed., Dec. 16.) — This is a fascinating story of love and politics, which holds one's attention every minute of the way. The stolen treaties by an under secretary, who desires to give them to a spy ; their recovery by a secret service agent, who pardons the secretary, form the basis of the story, which is alive with action all the way through. In the cast are Ernest Evers, Carol Halloway, Stanley Walpole and Will Sheerer. "How Father Won Out." (Joker. Wed., Dec, 16.) — Rather an old theme, that of dad beating out his son for the hand of a young girl, but cleverly played by Ernest Shields as the son and Ed. Boland as his rival. Shields' eccentricities, which are forever cropping out in the parts he plays, are of the funniest sort, and will not pass without creating a lot of laughter. "The Fatal Hansom." (Sterling. Thurs., Dec. 17.) — Two cabmen are rivals in love as well as business, and their antagonism leads them into many a quarrel. When one of them is seated in the cab with the object of his and the other's affections, and the other is perched aloft driving the vehicle at great speed, the chances are that the spectacle will strike many on the humorous side. All the principals end up struggling in the water in the finale. "Gates of Paradise." (Imp. Thurs., Dec. 17.) — This picture affords a striking contrast in the homes of the rich and the poor before Christmas. A pretty store is presented full of the Christmas spirit, and although slightful old, will surely be enjoyed by all Violet Mercereau., William Shay and William Welsh are the principals. "Ambition." (Rex Two reels. Thurs., Dec. 17.) — An engaging offering produced by Ben Wilson. The theme is not new by any means but is entertaining as one could desire. The scenes in the theatre, behind the scenes, and on the stage are undeniably realistic. An artist's wife deserts her husband, taking with her her child, with the former's permission and returns to the stage, in which profession she reaches the topmost notch of popularity. She neglects her child and it dies. Then we have a little touch of the melodramatic when her husband dashes through the orchestra in the middle of a performance and denounces his wife before a crowded house. She relents and the subsequent reunion of husband and wife is very touching. "Heart of the Hills." (Victor. Three reels. Fri., Dec. 18.) — A Mary Fuller picture that deserves more than average praise. Supporting Miss Fuller is Charles Ogle, who seems a little too old to play the lover. A land grabber learns through his son that he has swindled the father of a wild mountain girl whom his son loves, he then gives the land back. In the city the girl is the victim of the jealousy of the man's sister, but when she meets her old friend all ends well. "His Dog-Gone Luck." (Nestor. Fri., Dec. 18.) — Ed Lyons as the penniless actor-boarder robs his landlady of her dog, and then to receive her good graces he returns it. This is a humourous offering that contains no rough wor':. "His Doctor's Orders." (Joker. Sat., Dec. 19.) — This comedy has such an unconventional conclusion after the everyday beginning that it is truly refreshing to witness. William Franey, Ralph McComas and Louise Fazenda are the chief comedians, and all three appear at their best. In order to escape from his mother-in-law the husband feigns illness and is ordered to take an ocean trip by his friend, the doctor. Instead they both journey to the seashore_ where their wives also decide to come. News is brought to the hotel that the ship the two men were on has gone to the bottom, so they pretend to be shipwrecked and arrive at the beach on an upturned boat. Then comes the startling surprise that the ship wasn't wrecked at all, and then mother-inlaw and wife get busy.