Motion Picture News (Oct 1913 - Jan 1914)

40 THE MOTION PICTURE NEWS should see this picture. Robert takes Mary to a motion picture theatre. The interior is the cheapest imitation of a theatre imaginable. The settings are very poor. "The End of the Circle." (Essanay. Two Parts. Nov. 21.) — A "Western," with less than the usual amount of action and possessing a good story. Two rivals want the same girl. The villain puts the favored one in a compromising light and the girl in anger marries the other. A Mexican girl plays a large part in this. The time passes and the girl, thoroughly unhappy with her drunken husband, is forced to submit for her child's sake. The husband is killed, the news being brought by her former lover. She drops dead from exposure, having time, however, to ask forgiveness of the man she hurt. He adopts the child. No names are mentioned in any of the sub-titles. Lois Ingraham, as the child, was very camera-shy and hurt the effect. Frederick Church, Eleanor Blevins, True Boardman and Evelyn Selbie completed the cast. "A Dutch Love Story." (Pathe. Two Parts. Nov. 19. General Film Co. Exclusive Service.) — In this picture, though long spaces of time elapse, the women are just as youthful. Hans and Minna are married, both for the second time, against everyone's wishes. Jan, Hans's son, enlists for six years and goes away, his grandmother also leaving her son's home. Katrina, Minna's daughter, loves Jan, though never having met him. Hans and Minna are very happy together. Jan returns after his enlistment and marries Katrina, and so all are reconciled. Some needless trick photography is introduced. "A Railroad Wooing." (Kalem. Nov. 19. General Film Co. Exclusive Program.)— Engineers and firemen in full-dress, silk hats, etc., are an odd combination. Helen and her girl friend meet Bill and Joe, engineer and fireman, respectively. They save the girls' lives and are suspended thirty days for neglect of duty. During that time they again meet the girls and become engaged. Considering they acknowledge they are paupers, where did the money for the rings come from? On their way to the wedding (in the aforesaid costume) the engineer and fireman of the train they are on are hurt and they take their places. They marry the girls at the station and then proceed. Why the remorse on both sides later? They act as though they are all sorry for the marriage. and Marguerite Clayton play together very well. Billy is made sheriff. He is engaged to be married to Tess when a stranger arrives who is dressed very well. He is also supposedly a pianist of note. Tess takes to him and leaves with him for the city. Billy learns that he is a crook and "wanted." He rides after him, catching him on the train. The girl returns to Billy's arms. "Primitive Man." (Kalem. Nov. 22.) — A peculiar story. Good directing and photography. A girl of the mountains is forcibly kissed by a young hermit. She forsakes her other lover and marries the hermit. The rival returns and she attempts to drive him away. The "primitive ma " sees this and. misunderstanding, leav. s her. The arrival of a baby brings them together again. "The Nihilist's Daughter." (World Special Film Co. Two Reels.) — A strong, gripping story, manufactured by the Savoia Company. The scenes are very good, and the action of timely interest. A Russian nihilist is captured while bidding adieu to his family and taken to prison, from whence he escapes. He goes to his home again and then reaches the State line in safety. The police follow him, and, while he is hiding in an aqueduct, the water is turned on and he escapes through blind luck. The police tell his familv tbat he is rfpTd and the shock kills his wife. The child, adopted by the police captain, later marries an officer. She sees her father occasionally. One day the chauffeur informs her husband that she is carrying on an affair, and her father is shot as an affinity. He is but wounded and, after recuperating, goes on his way. "Toils of Villainy." (Eclectic. Three parts.) — One of the natural color pictures made by this company. There is plenty of opportunity given for a good display of tints and the effects are very beautiful. The story is French and abounds with excitement. With the usual love of the melodramatic, a clever escape is staged, the girl walking over a telegraph wire from the window, when she is locked indoors. Marvin, a circus-owner, hates Tom, a jockey of the circus, and discharges him. He obtains work with a racetrack man and rides the winning horse in the races. Marvin attempts to shoot him at a lonely stretch of the track, but is frustrated by Alice, Tom's sweetheart. "The Golden Pathway." (Vitagraph. Nov. 29. Two reels.) — James marries an artist's model and is cut off from his uncle's will. A clause of the will leaves him the entire estate if he will divorce the girl. She goes to Reno, but later they are reunited, deciding that happiness together is better than riches apart. A codicil made later gives them the fortune in either case. "To Err Is Human." (Gaumont. Three reels.) — The story is clearly and well told, and points out a wife's du'">' to be' husband. Meral, a composer, is fascinated by a dancer. His wife, despite his liason, is true to him, and finally manages to bring him back to her and his work. "Broncho Billy's First Arrest." (Essanay. Nov. 22.) — G. M. Anderson ELEANOR WOODRUFF AND IRVING CUMMINGS IN "THE FINGER OF FATE" Pathe — Two Parts.