Moving Picture News (Jan-Dec 1911)

THE MOVING PICTURE NEWS 17 MANUTAC 5YNORSES a THE RAILROAD BUILDERS Thanhoiiser Release, May 9 The construction of a new railroad, designed to bring prosperity to a section of the country, brings sorrow to one home. An aged invalid finds that his home must give way to progress, as the line is de signed to cut through his homestead, which has been in his family for generations. He fights, of course, but the property is condemned and a legal battle ends in defeat. The old man's grief arouses the sympathy of his daughter, who tries to succeed where he has failed. She visits the railroad president, and makes an appeal to him, but he curtly rebuffs her, and she returns home, thoroughly despondent. A young farmer who has vainly sought to win her, sees a chance to win her gratitude and perhaps her love. He arouses the neighbors, and brings them in a body to the girl's home. There they promise their aid, and start off determined to drive the construction gang away from that territory. Their anger is more fully aroused after the girl has told them how she has been warned away when she told the workers to leave her property. When the farmers arrive at the spot they find that the workmen have knocked off for the day. They wreck the work already done, and seeing a big pile of railroad ties, set them on fire. The young engineer in charge of the work, arrives after the blaze is well under way, but speedily sees that he and his men cannot hope to cope with the flames. He rushes to a horse and decides to ride to a nearby town where there is a fire department, and summon the aid of men who can really aid him. But the farmers seize him, bind him, and tell him that no help can reach him. Then they leave nim in the woods. The girl has seen this action. The conduct of her neighbors, a surprise to her, causes terror. She never contemplated arson. And then the young engineer is the only one of the invaders who had spoken pleasantly to her when she had ordered his party away. She decides to save him, and to bring assistance. She mounts the horse, and gallops away, arriving in the town exhausted but still in time to bring the engines before the flames have swept everything away. The engineer realizes that he owes overything to the girl. She sees that her father's objections to a public improvement were imcalled for, and induces him to withdraw his objections. And the fire that was lighted as a torch of vengeance becomes the beacon light of a happy love. THE REGIMENTAL BALL Thanhouser Release, May 12 A prosperous young man, with an independent fortune, receives an invitation to a regimental ball, and there loses his heart to the daughter of the Colonel. He dances with her and pays her most devoted attention. It is love at first sight on his part, and the girl is greatly 1, pleased with his attentions. The young man wants to see the girl often, and in his ignorance of the line of caste that exists in the army, decides to enlist so that he can be near the object of his affections. It never strikes him that by his act he has cut himself off the list of her acquaintances, for a Colonel's daughter moves in an entirely different sphere from that in which a raw recruit uneasily gravitates. There is a lot of hard work in the army, and little time for anything else — that is. so far as the enlisted men are concerned. And the young man finds that life is hardly a bed of roses. His cup of sorrow is filled to the brim when he learns from one of the enlisted men that the Colonel's daughter and her cousin, a Lieutenant, are engaged. While passing the Colonel's quarters one day, the young soldier hears him receive a report that the Lieutenant has been stricken with smallpox, and that his condition is grave. It is impossible to find a man who will volunteer to nurse him, and the Colonel does not like to give orders that may send another man to death. The recruit hesitates for only a moment. Then he thinks of the girl. The man he believes she loves is dying; it is the manly thing to 'do what he can to save the life that belongs to her. He volunteers to nurse the patient, and brings him back to health again. Then, his duty done, and his love hopeless, he decides to leave the army. He buy's his discharge, and prepares to leave the post. First he writes a letter to the girl, telling her why he is going away, and that for love of her he had saved her sweetheart. This letter he gives to his former patient now his friend, and asks him to deliver it after he has left the post. The Lieutenant easily figures out what the note is about. He knows that the girl does not love him and that she does love his brave nurse. So to partially settle the debt of gratitude that he owes the other man, he delivers the note at once, giving a chance for explanations before the recruit can leave the post. j j ' The Colonel's daughter acts with military promptitude. She does not Dropose to have her own life wrecked by any foolishness. She loves the voune man who becomes a soldier for her sake, and is convmced that a sweetheart so unselfish would make a husband worth having. So his sorrows are swept away and his devoted love rewarded. A CALIFORNIA LOVE STORY American Release, May 1 The scene of this picture is laid in and around the historic mission of San Juan Capistrano, in lower California, and tells of the love of a simple and trustful Mexican girl. Pequita, a beautiful Mexican girl, is greeted by the padre of the mission, given a morning blessing, and goes gaily on her way. Melton Porter, an artist, lately arrived at the mission, is seated at his easel, and glancing around, spies Pequita beneath a bower of roses. He is interested, and rising, approaches her. At first she feigns indignation, but he eventually engages her in conversation, and within a short time they become fast friends. Later we find them before the mission, Pequita introducing her newly found friend to the padre. Next she leads him to her home that he may also meet her mother and brother. Her infatuation for the artist grows rapidly, and Pequita trusted Porter, trusted him with her honor. She loved him, and, like other trustful girls, she soon realizes her error, and going to the artist, entreats with him to save her honor. This he refuses to do, and, leaving him in despair, goes to the padre, making a full confession of her guilt. He bids her go tell all to her mother, and Manuel the brother, always distrustful, follows, overhears the conversation, and swears revenge. The poor girl, on the verge of distraction, determines to again entreat with Porter, goes to his home, and together they go for a walk by the sea. Here she makes a final appeal. Again he refuses to protect her and bids her to go. Manuel (who has been following and watching all the while) intercepts her, and again hears the story of her shame. Porter, apparently deeply moved by his dishonorable action, remains standing on the beach, when Manuel, who has been watching him from the cliff, takes aim and fires. Porter falls, badly wounded. Hearing the shot, Pequita and the padre hasten to the spot, the latter just in time to prevent Manuel, who has rushed to the scene, from completing his work of revenge. Manuel leads his sister away to their home and the padre has Porter taken to the mission. Pequita is broken-hearted, and going to the padre for consolation, learns that the wounded man will live. With careful nursing, at the end of two weeks. Porter is convalescent, his heart has softened, and he decides to atone for his wrong doings. The padre unites them, gives them his blessing, and they go thoughtfully on their way, the padre looking tenderly after them, saying, "She loved not wisely but too well." An uplifting story — one of every-day life — superbly enacted; one that cannot but appeal to the masses. UNITED STATES CAVALRY DRILL American Release, May 1 En route to California our western company stopped over at San Antonio, Tex., and secvired the various drills and camp scenes of the army mobilized at that point, preparatory to advancing to the Mexican border. The intricate formations so perfectly executed by our soldiers during the process of this drill silently portrays how well Uncle Sam is prepared to protect the interests of the nation. CRAZY GULCH American Release, May 4 "Bad pill" Crawford is a character in Crazy Gulch, and cowpunchers from the IXL ranch are wont, whenever they are in town, to urge Bill to display his eccentricities. On this occasion they are loafing in front of the "Red Log" saloon when B'ill rides his broncho boldly into the front door, shoots up the place and routs, the Ijartender. The latter brings the sheriff to arrest Bill, who immediately begins shooting, whereupon the sheriff' flees in terror. The cowpunchers are hilarious, and suggest to Bill that they go to the San Juan Sanitarium, located a short distance from the town, and have some fun at the expense of the patients. Accordingly the boys mount their horses and are off at break-neck speed. Arriving at the sanitarium,* ail dismount, and Bill boldly enters the grounds. Seated on a bench in front of the sanitarium are a number of the patients— an old maid, Mr. Prouty, afflicted with the gout, a haughty young woman, and a dude with a mania for manicuring his nails. Bill comes boldly forward, and first tackles Mr. Prouty, who, when Bill begins to shoot at his feet, forgets his gout, drops his crutches and rapidly disappears. He next endeavors to make advances to the old maid, who walks indignantly away. Bill following. She leads him to the rear of the building, where he encounters a Chinaman at his laundry work. More fun for Bill. When the shooting begins the "chink" beats a hasty retreat. But Bill is destined to meet his Waterloo. Returning to the bench, he finds Percy still busily engaged at his manicuriiig. When Bill begins to talk Percy strolls leisurely away. Bill follows him to the lawn, and drawing his six-shooter, demands that Percy dance. B'efore he can shoot, however, Percy seizes the gun, tosses it away, calmly removes his coat, and is ready to "clean" the bad man. Bill attacks him, and Percy with a few well placed blows, has him completely cowed. The cowpunchers who have been watching from the gateway come up, salute