Motion Picture News (Oct 1914-Jan 1915)

MOTION PICTURE NEWS Vol. 10, No, 26. "He Gave Him a Million." (Lubin. Sat., Jan. 2.) — A split reel comedy which depends for its humor on the antics of an insane man. On the same reel with "What He Forgot." "What He Forgot." (Lubin. Sat., Jan. 2.) — Bill played as an extra in a motion picture and was _ much pleased because he had to kiss the leading lady. He forgot that his wife was likely to see the film. When she did so there was trouble. "Uncle Crusty." (Edison. Sat., Jan. 2.) — Produced in co-operation with the National Kindergarten Association, this picture is aimed at the sort of person who seeks to make children unhappy by refusing to allow them to indulge in their natural play instinct. It shows the experiences of a man who nearly has a fit every time he hears a child laugh. UNIVERSAL PROGRAM "Hunting in Crazy Land." (Powers. Split reel. Fri., Dec. 25.)— This comedy which is on the same reel with "The Japanese Silk Industry" belongs to the animated cartoon class and is very funny. A hunter, his dog and a bear are the only three figures that appear. Their antics, such as swallowing bullets and climbing up walls, will call for only the heartiest laughter. The Japanese Silk Industry." (Powers. Split reel. Fri., Dec. 25.) — An interesting educational taken under the auspices of Homer Croy while on his recent trip. Native dances and a few views in Japan are shown toward the end of the reel. This is shown on the same reel with "Hunting in Crazy Land." "For the Defense." (Eclair. Sun., Dec. 27.) — This reel opens with a man on trial for murder, the scene fades out when the girl witness for the defendant states her case, and she tells the story of his past life. He is acquitted on her testimony which seems rather queer when she wasn't present at the killing. But this is no doubt motion picture license. The boy is reunited with his father after the acquittal. "The Manicure Girl." (L. K. O. Sun., Dec. 27.) — This reel shows the scrimmages that take place between a number of rivals for the hand of a manicurist. Billie Ritchie is the leading rival. Quite a number of scenes depict the characters drinking water and then spirting it out of their mouths at each other. Louise Orth plays the name part. Many of the scenes transpire in a barber shop in which the colored bootblack is the shining light (not literally). "Her Escape." (Rex. Two reels. Sun., Dec. 27.) — Not many dramas are as tense and full of action as this. The story shows how a girl raised among crooks broke away from her hereditary surroundings to lead a clean life, ending by marrying happily, with her criminal brother who had attempted to bring her back to the old life, dead. Produced by Joseph De Grasse, this film bears the marks of fine direction. Pauline Bush plays the part of the girl, Lon Chaney is her brother, William Dowlin her lover and Dick Rossin appears as a dope fiend. "The Submarine Spy." (Imp. Two reels. Mon., Dec. 28.) — This is a reissue of the film of the same title released some time ago by the Universal. It concerns the heroic deed of a youn^ naval officer who is in love with a captain's daughter. The spy in the case disables the submarine and it seems as if all would perish, but Billy, the hero, goes out through the submarine tube and brings help to those submerged. By this act he wins the captain's daughter and disposes of the villain. "The Chef's Revenge." (Sterling. Mon., Dec. 28.) — There is slightly too much gesticulating by the principal players of this comedy to be enjoyed. A little less of it and the picture would be more pleasing. The chef of the restaurant is insulted by one of the patrons. He leaves the place, attempting to take with him all the waiters, but after quite a mixup they rebel. He finally blows himself, the proprietor, the cashier and the building up with a bomb. This comedy is better than the Sterlings have been of late, but could be improved upon if the movements before spoken of were omitted. "The Virtuoso." (Victor. Mon., Dec. 28.)— This picture is unconventional and rather disappointing as it is rightfully a drama until the last scene, which in a way transforms the entire story into a comedy. Mary Fuller as a violinist invades the office of Schurman, a man resembling to a great extent a vaudeville booking agent, impersonated by Charles Ogle. After she has plaj'ed her composition, which we see on the screen acted by Mary Fuller and Charles Ogle, Schurman proposes to the young lady and she breaks her violin over his head. The story of the song is perhaps slightly too long. Aside from this the picture will afford fair entertainment. When It Is One of Your Own." (Nestor. Lues., Dec. 29.)— Plain drama of the variety that makes one think. Murdock MacQuarrie leads the cast. Agnes Vernon plays his (laughter. The old waiter sees many a girl led astray in the restaurant in which he is employed, but when it comes to his own daughter things end abrupty. A Study in Scarlet" (Gold Seal. Two reels. Tues., Dec. 29.) — A detective story adapted from Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's popular work. Francis Ford is cast as Holmes. Jack Francis gives rather a weak impersonation of Watson, and Harry Schumm plays the criminal in his usual style. The plot is for the most part the same as the original. The story has of course been condensed, but will provide ample entertainment for the lovers of the detective picture. "The Romance of a Fat Girl." (Crystal. Tues., Dec. 29.) — This film far exceeds its predecessors of the same brand that have been appearing the past few weeks. It is a burlesque on the greatly exaggerated melodrama with the mortgage holder and one. Sir Charles, as the villain and hero respectively. The locale is supposedly .Scotland, and the scenery and fake settings correspond with the general burlesque atmosphere of the whole picture. Charlie De Forrest appears as the gallant Sir Charles, and furnishes rnost of the fun. There are a number of laughs in this, and although the humor is of the rough variety it is not exceptionally vulgar, as it often is in this brand of pictures. "Within an Inch of His Life." (Eclair. Two reels. Wed., Dec. 30.) — This is an adaptation of one of Eugene Manlove Rhodes' short stories, and presents a very enjoyable photoplay. It is convincingly played by a cast which is headed by Norbert Miles as Wildcat Thompson and Edna Payne as the girl whose lover has been falsely convicted of murder. Wildcat takes pity on the girl and starts to work on the case, and in the end frees the lover of the girl. While this story is plain in plot it is really most pleasing to witness. The. acting and direction throughout is of a superior quality. The scenes are carefully chosen, and are supported by photography of unusual excellence. "The Village Postmaster." (Joker. Wed., Dec. 30.) — The rivalry of two country grocers for the position of postmaster and the subsequent inconvenience of the winner owing to the parcel post is the theme of this reel. It is cleverly acted by Ernest Sheilds, Eddie Boland and Phil Dunham. Excruciatingly funny from start to finish. "Hounded." (Rex. Two reels. Thurs., Dec. 31.) — Not very pleasing but absorbing. The story of the released convict who was innocent, being hounded everywhere he goes, is the theme. This time the bounder is his father-in-law. The wife and child of the man die and he himself seeks oblivion. "Love and Water." (Sterling. Thurs., Dec. 31.) — Jealousy is the cause of a great deal of trouble between two couples who appear in this reel. There is a lot of action that takes place on and in the water, which is fairly funny. "Winning the Prize." (Imp. Thurs., Dec. 3.) — An old theme treated in a pleasing manner, with Charles Hutchinson in the role of the millionaire, and Elsie Albert as the girl he eventually marries. When the moneyed man declares himself bankrupt, all the other characters of the story except Elsie, true to motion picture convention, turn from him ; Elsie, however, remains loyal. When it is discovered that the man is as rich as ever all the others return, but he prefers Elsie. Interwoven with this is the story of a fishing contest, which Elsie causes the man she loves to win by placing a huge fish on his line. On the whole this will please, although the conclusion is well apparent at the start. "Pruning the Movies." (Nestor. Fri., Jan. 1.) — A little knock is given by this picture to the state and city censor boards. Very humorously put, and a strictly unconventional idea. "In Jungle Wilds." (101 Bison. Two reels. Sat., Jan. 2.) — These two reels are full of the trials that beset a family living in the wilds of an African jungle. The wild animals introduced keep up the suspense continually. The foolish jealousy of the husband leads to a thrilling adventure toward the end in which animals of various species play prominent parts. Some of the artificial jungle scenes are rather poorly set up, and really give the director's devices away. Aside from this fact and a few jungelistic inconsistencies the picture is powerful. Marie Walcamp, Sherman Bainbridge and William Clifford are seen in the leading parts. "The JBeautiful Unknown." (Victor. Three reels. rn., Jan 1.) — Reviewed at length elsewhere in this issue. "A Mixed Up Honeymoon." (Joker. Sat., Jan. 2.) — This is a hilarious offering. All the fun is due to hubby and wifie coming home to find their house occupied by a newly married couple. Humorous situations are numerous until at last the four people pause and explanations follow. William Franey, Gale Henry, Milburn Moranti, Elsie Cort and Ralph McComas are the principals. MUTUAL PROGRAM "Shadows and Sunshine." (Princess. Fri., Dec. 18.) — A delightful little drama featuring the Thanhouser twins, Marion and Madeline Fairbanks. Two orphan babies are adopted, one by a rich family and the other by poor people. Years later, the poor child has grown up to be a thief. On the night that she and her father enter the house of the other, the man is killed and the other twin is adopted by the rich family. The scenes in the home of the well-to-do family are attractively real, and the scenes in the squalid tenement offer a striking contrast. The climax is well led up to and equally well played; The photography is good. "The Beat of the Year." (Reliance. Two reels. Sat., Dec. 19.) — A conventional newspaper story in that a cub reporter succeeds in getting at the facts of a murder mystery which has batfled everyone else. However, the story of the murder is a good one. A millionaire's son has masqueraded as a poor factory employee. He had won a workman's sweetheart away from him, and as a result was followed by the girl's lover, who discovered the truth about him. As he was about to marry the girl under an assumed name the workman stopped him, and in the quarrel which followed killed him. The young reporter discovered part of this and then captured the fellow and induced him to confess the rest. Francelia Billington is seen as the girl, and Sam De Grasse and Eugene Palette are the rivals for her hand. "A Colored Girl's Love." (Keystone. Sat., Dec, 19.) — The antics of two colored swains for the hand of a dark brown chicken, with a lot of feathered chickens on the side are very funny as interpreted by the able comedians who appear in the principal parts. This comedy will not give oflfense and will afford a number of laughs. "Bill and Ethel at the Ball." (Komic. Mon., Dec. 20.) — Number 13 in the Bill series featuring Tammany Bill and Fay Tincher. It is an entertaining comedy, in which several strange situations are brought about by the fact that the stenographer's "steady" and her employer both wear the same costume at a masquerade ball. Fay Tincher continues to show her natural ability at comedy. "The Sower Reaps." (American. Two reels. Mon., Dec. 21.) — After years of blackmail an old man is killed by his victim. The killing is actually in self-defense, but fearing to face an investigation he shifts the blame to the local schoolmaster and his criminally inclined brother. His better nature finally comes out, and he confesses. The indications are that he will not be prosecuted. Jack Richardson, William Garwood, Vivian Rich and Harry Von Meter play the principal roles. "Our Mutual Girl, No. 49." (Reliance. Mon., Dec. 21.) — This reel is almost entirely taken up with a story of the adventures of an ex-cavalry officer from the U. S. A. who goes to a small European kingdom in search of a princess of the realm, _ whom he has met while she is traveling incognito in this country. The story is told by George Barr McCutcheon, when Norma Phillips, as the Mutual Girl, meets him and asks him the sort of story he likes best to write. His answer is the tale which fills the rest of the reel. "Wild West Love." (Keystone. Mon., Dec. 21.) — Chester Conklin is always funny, but wearing cowboys' clothes in the same rakish ' ^yle as he wears his others, he will cause laughter when one merely looks at him, and then when he starts his antics. He plays the part of Droppington. Droppington is in love, but desperately penniless. Droppington waxes brilliant and robs the stage, but he steals his own money, so "he should worry." Droppington wins the girl, he does, and everyone will be convulsed. "Brass Buttons." (Beauty. Tues., Dec. 22.) — The story of two rivals in love made to appear very funny by the acting of the players and the comical situations conceived by the scenario writer. The girl in the case favors men in uniforms more than others. One of the rivals dresses as a cop and the other as a fireman to satisfy her. But the former is arrested for masquerading as a guardian of the law, while the latter is permitted to go and consequently wins the girl. The photography is fine. (^Continued on page 60.)