Motography (Apr-Dec 1911)

270 MOTOGRAPHY Vol. VI, No. 6. What Can He Do With Two Turkeys But No Clothes? over a basket on a doorstep which contains a six months' old baby, deserted by some unfortunate mother. Grouch takes the little one to his home, puts it in charge of his housekeeper and returns to join the Goodfellows. It is midnight before he and his friends return to the club. Grouch has entirely reformed and proposes a toast to "the death of old man Grouch and the birth of a jolly 'Goodfellow.' ' The picture closes with a view of Grouch at his home before the fire with his adopted baby on his knee. The "Goodfellow" film was made at the suggestion of the Chicago Tribune, which originated the Goodfellow movement, making its appeal especially for universal individual charity. The film is elaborately staged and excellently played. The Essanay western company has produced an excellent story of Christmas on the ranch which,' released just two days before Christmas, will prove a splendid holiday feature. It is another of the Essanay's well known "Broncho Billy" stories with G. M. Anderson in the title role. The story tells how Broncho Billy, offered immunity by the local authorities, provided he surrenders and promises to reform, scoffs at the idea and determines upon one last bold hold-up. It is Christmas eve, and knowing that the overland coach will be heavily loaded with rich gifts on the morrow he plans a hold-up. In the meantime the sheriff of the county, with his wife, has written to their daughter, a young woman in college, to come home for the holidays. It so happened that the girl is the only passenger on the coach that crosses the mountain on Christmas day. At the halfway house, a mile above Broncho's ambush, the old driver leaves the seat for the purpose of wishing a friend a Merry Christmas', when several roystering cowboys leave the tavern firing their guns in celebration of the holiday. The horses become frightened and dash down the pike with the girl madly tugging at the reins. Imagine Broncho's surprise when the coach, with the foaming horses running at breakneck speed, dashes by him before he has time even to draw his weapon. Realizing that the girl's life is in danger, Broncho Billy forgets his criminal intentions, and mounting his horse starts in pursuit of the flying coach. After a desperate race he pulls up beside the coach, grabs the handrail and pulls himself up beside the girl, grabs the reins and after a great effort brings the horses to a standstill. The girl has fainted, but is soon revived and takes Billy's hands while her eyes tell him how much she admires his bravery. There follows an invitation for him to go on and take Christmas dinner with her folks. After a little hesitation Billy accepts. It is Billy's turn to be surprised when he finds himself at the home of the sheriff, whom he has always considered his enemy. But no one suspects who he really is until all the guests seat themselves at the table, when Broncho backs water and declares he "ain't fit company for such peaceable folk." The confession follows, after which Broncho surrenders his gun and promises the sheriff that he will lead as clean a life thereafter as any man. There is a thrilling episode connected with the making of this film, which, however, will not be seen by those who view the picture. It was a narrow escape for Miss Edna Fisher, the girl in the stage coach. During the supposed runaway, the horses became unmanageable and a real "sure-enough" runaway resulted. A thrilling ride followed which resulted in the overturning of the coach. The fair driver was thrown about twenty feet. Seemingly unhurt she sprang to her feet and asked excitedly : "Did the camera get it? Won't it be great?" But the camera did not get it. Anderson, on horseback, dashed up and inquired if she had sustained any injuries. The girl, taking a step forward, winced. Examination of her foot revealed a broken ankle. Broncho Billy Promises to be Good.