Motography (Jan-Jun 1918)

1016 MOTOGRAPHY Vol. XIX, No. 21. Kleine Broncho Billy's Squareness — (One Reel)— Essanay) — May 10. — With Broncho Billy, Marguerite Clayton and Fred Church. Earl Briggs, a ranchman, and Carl Underwood, are in love with Grace Woodward. Earl is the favored suitor and in time Grace becomes engaged to him. Some time later A scene from the Strand-Mutual comedy, "My Lady Nicotine. the stage is held up by Broncho Billy, a notorious outlaw. A fierce battle ensues in the woods between the posse and the bandit, in which Broncho Billy is wounded. Briggs returning to his home finds the wounded man and takes him to his shack, where he administers first aid. A few weeks pass and Broncho Billy regains his health. Before departing from Briggs, he gives him a gold locket in appreciation of his kindness. The sheriff's sister recognizes the locket as her own and informs her brother, who places Briggs under arrest. Broncho Billy sees Briggs being led away to jail and promptly gives himself up to the law, saving the innocent man from disgrace. Grace marries Briggs, and Broncho Billy is left to face the court of justice. Broncho Billy's Secret — (One Reel) — Essanay — May 17. — Broncho Billy, sheriff of Cheyenne County, in love with Marguerite, is accepted by her. Marguerite's father approves of the engagement. Little did Broncho Billy know the father of the girl he is going to marry is a notorious outlaw. After holding up a stage one day, Clayton is pursued by the sheriff and his posse. The chase ends by Clayton being shot, and crawling on 'his hands and knees, he reaches his home. The sheriff trails him by the blood tracks. Clayton dies, leaving a confession in full, with the sheriff. Broncho Billy realizes that if Marguerite is told about the life her father had led, it would break her heart; so he burns the confession in the stove. Broncho Billy takes Marguerite into his arms and claims her for his own, and promises himself that she will never know the terrible truth. Broncho Billy and the Greaser— (One Reel) — Essanay — May 24. Broncho Billy, the mail carrier, ejects a Greaser from the post-office for pushing a girl out of his way. The halfbreed is thoroughly angered and swears revenge. Broncho then goes home, and on his way loses his mail bag. He does not miss it, so goes to bed that night unaware of his loss. The girl he protected at the post-office finds the mail bag, and when she approaches Broncho's shack to return it, she sees the Greaser prowling about. She hastens to a dance hall where she tells her friends of Broncho's danger, and she leads the way back to his shack, where they arrive just in time to save him from being stabbed while asleep. Metro Cyclone Higgins, D. D. — (Five Reels) — May 13. — Featuring Francis X. Bushman and Beverly Bayne. Every minister who has ventured into Yellville, a Southern mountain town of the roughest kind, has been speedily discouraged by its lawless element. Then Cyrus Higgins, D. D., an itinerant preacher, and his faithful Chi nese servant, Johnathon Moses Chi Wu Lung, arrive on mule-back. The women at once show interest in the stranger, who although he toes in and wears goggles is enough of a Beau Brummel to satisfy Yellville. One of the first girls he meets is Sally Phillips, the belle of Yellville. The deputy sheriff, Jasper Stone, annoys Sally with his attentions. Higgins interferes. Stone watches for a chance to get even. Robberies have been on the increase in Yellville, and the sheriff visits Jasper Stone, his deputy, demanding an investigation. Stone, realizing it is "up to" him to produce a criminal, forces the weak-minded Abner Phillips to pose as a robber, and then arrests him. Then he goes to the Phillips home to abduct Sally. She has fled for safety to the minister's house. Higgins and the faithful Chinaman spend the night wrapped up in blankets sitting on the bench outside. Next morning Stone spreads through the town the news of Sally's presence at the minister's house, and a scandalized group of citizens calls on Higgins. The widow Pryor is the first to arrive, and she is at once convinced of Sally's innocence. Stone demands that the minister come out and fight, and Higgins finally does so. Slowly he removes first his glasses and then his coat, to make ready for the fray. Stone knocks him down twice before he gets ready for action, but then the tide turns. The parson completely wipes the earth with Stone, and then offers up a prayer. To his question, "Do any of you gentlemen care to continue the argument?" there is no answer. An old settler remarks, "Now I know what C. Higgins, D. D., means. It is Cy-co-lone Higgins, Damn Dangerous!" And henceforth he is known only as "Cyclone." "Cyclone's" Sister Mary comes and takes Sally away with her to give her the advantages of schooling and society. Cyclone's loneliness is lessened by Dorothea, a little child who is left on his door-step. She follows him everywhere, imitating his walk, believing everything about her "Cy-kone Papa" perfect. Higgins now realizes that he is in love with Sally, and she finds that the polished youths of the city fail to interest her. Jasper Stone, filled with "Dutch courage," determines to have his revenge on the minister, and starts for his home brandishing a revolver. The Chinaman rushes for aid, but before anyone can arrive Higgins is in peril. "Cyclone" never flinches. With the revolver held at the pit of his stomach, he says "Shoot! I am not afraid 'to die." Aid comes in time, and the minister's first action is to force Stone to get down on his knees and thank God that he has been spared from committing murder. Stone's badge of office is removed from him, and he is taken away to jail. Sally returns from school and she and "Cyclone" lose no time in coming to an understanding, while Dorothea, "the gift of God," places a chubby, loving arm around each. Mutual Time— (One Reel) -Strand — May 14 Her Terrible Featuring Billie Rhodes. Mary goes to visit a school friend and falls in love with the friend's brother. The romance develops with alarming rapidity and is approved heartily by the family. Jack is sent away to close a contract for his father and his unexpected departure makes Mary lovesick. She steals away from the family to suffer alone and accidentally, then sentimentally, enters Jack's vacant room. At his desk she begins to write in her diary, thoughts about Jack intended for her own eyes only. The family's arrival forces her to make a hurried exit. She remembers that she has left her diary on Jack's desk. Her efforts to get into the room unobserved fail, and when she finally does, her exit is prevented. Jack returns unexpectedly and finds Mary in his clothes closet. Her scream awakens the family. Difficulties increase and finally father, mother and sister enter. Jack says they are married. After the family has departed Jack and Mary make their way out the window in search of a nearby minister to make good on Jack's story. My Lady Nicotine — (One Reel) — Strand — May 21. — Starring Billie Rhodes. Jack had to swear off smoking when he became engaged to Mary, but broke his pledge after the honeymoon. Mary put some Nico Not, a cure for the smoking habit, in his coffee, and Jack thinks he has an acute case of the falling sickness until he discovers the dope in the kitchen ca'binet. He substitutes sugar for the Nico Not, and leaves an article on the dangers of patent medicines where Mary can find