Motion Picture News (Oct 1913 - Jan 1914)

50 THE MOTION PICTURE NEWS FILM REVIEWS (Continued from page 48) by George L. Tucker, wrio also carries the leading part successfully. The Queen's Jewels. Itala Threereel. Poor old Dumas, Sr., has surely turned over in his grave within the last few days. Imagine his wonderful story, "The Queen s Necklace," which is a continuation of the "Three Guardsmen" series, turned into a modern drama, with the application of all things modern, and yet not in the least a burlesque, rather, in the opinion of the writer, a more fascinating story. Can you imagine anyone being able to beat Dumas at his own game? Yet 1 would wager that the above picture by the Itala Company would create more of a sensation than the original, in drama, of the same sort. The story is almost identical, excepting the modern effects, such as an aeroplane, an express train, a bicycle, automobiles galore, and other odds and ends too many to mention. When the Queen, as in the original story, finds that she must have her brooch (in this case) she sends the lover ©f her maid, who is an aeronaut, to recover it from the lover (who represents , the Duke of Buckingham), to whom she had given it. He starts with an aeroplane but is waylaid on the return journey and, having but a short time to make connections, tries an auto, then a freight train, and then a passenger train, from which h© makes a wonderful leap for life. Then the bicycle, and finally on foot he enters the city. But here he is captured again and held. His hiding of the pin while the searchers are at work on him is something the Itala Company are to be proud of. His final escape from the prison and hand-over-hand walk on a thin rope, which gives way, are excellent. For genuine thrills one ought to see this picture. Finally he lands at the palace, just in time to give the queen her brooch, which she has to wear at the ball. The introduction of the difference in time is also a good idea. The whole film is fine. A. M. A Life for a Life. Film Releases of America. Three reels. The story has to do with the time of the "little general," Napoleon the first, whose army of devastation in its march through the heart of Europe probably caused more graves to be dug than any other one affair in modern history. His conscripts were drafted from the universe, the world was his suppliant, and his name the terror of all. Such was the great Napoleon as history brings him to us. In this case, Peter, a youthful German, is fighting against the invader, having been dragged away from his home and sweetheart to fight for his fireside. He is wounded and captured by the French and manages to write a letter home telling of his capture. The girl determines she will join him and sets out on a horse. After a series of adventures she arrives at the enemy's camp, and through a mighty clever and original ruse, succeeds in getting part of the uniform of the French to Peter, and in this disguise he makes his escape. The wonderful scenery shown throughout could not have been "caught" anywhere but in the Alps, where the story is laid. The pair go to an inn, where they are surprised by the French and the girl is captured. In escaping by a rope she is recaptured and her lover is taken at the same time. He is sentenced to be shot the following morning. The girl, by giving herself to the Captain, obtains his permission to substitute blank cartridges for the ball. The Captain, however, unknown to the girl, changed the order and Peter is really killed. This part is pathetic and one can hear the sympathies of the audience in repressed "sniffles" and eye wipings. The idea is an old one and has been successfully worked abroad before. The girl, finally, when she realizes that she has been "double crossed," kills the Captain and surrenders herself. The Gambler's Ruin. Gaumont two-reels. It will not be overestimating the value of this picture if I say that it is by far the best picture that I have seen in a very long time. This refers in general to photography, scenery, and all the mechanical ends, but especially to the story. The picture in itself is a strong object lesson against the terrible vice of gambling, the curse that has brought many families to poverty, and will undoubtedly bring many more, so terrible is its hold on humanity. Six months after Cecilia and Peter are married the gambling craze commences to show itself in their daily life, and it is not long after that before they are separated and the man is on his downward path to oblivion. However, after a time when he has become penniless, he seeks his father's aid for money and meets with a refusal. The setting in the father's rooms are very good. The father is an old inventor and the camera shows him seated among his instruments. He bears a remarkable resemblance to Thomas A. Edison, the American genius. Cecilia also refuses to help Peter, now that he has become such a wreck. (Continued on page 52) "FLYING A" SPECTACULAR FEATURE "IN THE DAYS OF TRAJAN" Written and Produced by Lorimer Johnston. A Two Part Historical Creation. Featuring J. WARREN KERRIGAN, supported by an Immense Cast. Stupendous Settings and Most Gorgeous Costuming. Atrractive, One, Three and Six Sheet, Four Color Lithographs. Release, Monday, October 27, 1913. IN THREE HOURS Release, Thursday, Oct. 30, 191 3 THE FOLLIES OF A DAY AND A NIGHT Release, Saturday, Nov. 1, 1913 AMERICAN FILM MFG. CO., Chicago In writing to advertisers please mention "THE MOTION PICTURE NEWS"