Moving Picture News (Jul-Dec 1912)

THE MOVING PICTURE NEWS 31 also assured his mother that she need not fear he was bringing an upstart into the family, as his wife was of ancient lineage. The mother prepared to receive her son in state, gathering together for his reception the friends of his youth. To her horror, he entered accompanied by a hated Oriental (.poor little Taqu) whom he sarcastically introduced as his wife. The mother was chagrined, but in the joy of getting her boy back, she excused him even the awful folly of his marriage, and proceeded to enjoy his company, simply ignoring the pathetic little wife. Realizing that she was detested by her husband's friends and family, and often neglected even by him, little Taqu quietly slipped from the house one summer night, leaving behind her a message that of her own free will and realizing their mutual mistake, she was returning to her people. Her husband, on receiving her message, decided she was right and plunged into a life of gaiety, which seemed great fun after his long absence in a foreign land. But the old friends, the old pleasures, did not seem the same. Lonstantly before him rose the pathetic little figure of Taqu. Taqu took up her residence in a little home near Tokio that she had once entered as a happy bride, and there to her one day came her husband, repentant and humble, telling ner that she and her baby and their little corner of Japan were more precious to him than all the rest of the world. CEOSS YOUE HEAET (Nov. 22).— A little boy. inmate of an orphan asj'lum. wearied of the life there, ran away. He fell in with an itinerant knife grinder, and for some time happily accompanied him in his wanderings through the country. The boy had had no home life, no proper bringing up. Right and wrong were all the same to him, and when his companion suggested that they steal some chickens from the hen-house on a farmyard, he did not strenuously object. The farmer was alert, however, and although the knife grinder escaped, the boy was made a prisoner and locked in a closet in a sitting-room awaiting the arrival of the constable. The farmer had two little children, a boy and a girl. They had gone to bed, but when they heard the excitement, came down to investigate. They were sorry for the tiny prisoner and when father was out of the room, released him. The little girl lectured him on his conduct, made him swear, "I promise never to steal, cross my heart," and then assisted him to escape through a window. When the farmer returned the children gravely told him what they had done and urged him not to pursue the child for he would never be wicked again, and the farmer, who loved his children, consented. The little orphan, whose childhood was friendless and unhappy, later came into good fortune. A wealthy real estate broker saw him, took a fancy to him, and finally adopted him. The boy, when he grew to manhood, was taken into partnership by his benefactor. One day the firm engaged a new stenographer, and the junior partner did not know the youth was one of the children who had aided him years before. The stenographer, a weak character, took up with vicious associates, squandered his money and ran heavily into debt. Brooding over what he called his misfortunes, he saw a chance to take a sum of money from the safe, and yielding to the impulse did so. Hardly had he left the office before the theft was discovered by the junior partner, who was morally certain that the stenographer was the guilty party. He followed him to his home, and while waiting in the sitting-room for him to appear, noticed on the mantlepiece a picture of two children. He recognized them as the ones who had saved him from imprisonment years before, and on questioning the stenographer's pretty sister, found that she was the little girl who had made him swear to be honest. When the boy came downstairs prepared for flight, he was shocked to see his employer there. The junior partner, however, did not have him arrested. He explained how he had been given a second chance, and because of it had made good, then to the stenographer he repeated the pledge he had taken in his childhood. "Promise never to steal, cross your heart," and the weak young man with tears in 'lis eyes swore he would make good in the future. ECLAIR HIS DETEEMINATION EEWAEDED (Nov. 19). — Guy Olliver, a married man, has fallen into the company of a certain Adolp, who lives by his wits and scheming. He induces Olliver to gamble with the usual result of losing. Olliver then begins his peculations from his employer, is caught and sentenced to prison. He leaves behind him a wife and child and dear old grandmother, who nightly pray for his redemption when he shall be released. His sentence expires. He is back among his wife and family determined to live straight and keep away from the old associates. He secures a position. Adolp discovers hira and tries to persuade him back to his old life. Olliver refuses and Adolp begins an underhand persecution. He tells OUiver's employer he has an ex-convict in his employ and Olliver is discharged. Adolp keeps this up till Olliver discouraged of ever getting back into respectability agrees to join Adolp and his gang in a house-breaking job. They are about to depart upon their depredation when 011iver"s little girl comes to the saloon, where is their rendezvous, and begs her papa to come home with her. The good in the man awakens at the sight of his own child. He determines to make one last stand for decency, law and order. Hastily he writes a note of warning to the man whose home is to be robbed. This note he gives nis child to deliver to the man who is to be burglarized. Adolp, Olliver and the men are in the home and preparing to gather up the valuables when the door opens and a shot is fired. The child has delivered the note in time. The owner of the mansion secures policemen and all the gang are captured with the exception of Olliver, who is allowed to go free as a part rewara for his act. He is given a position, his determination has been rewarded. THE BLACK HAND (Nov. 21).— To many people that title suggests a tragedy with pistols tiring, knives flashing and bombs roaring, but to those who see this picture, those three words will forever after mean a hearty laugh. Mr. Bodkens reads an account in the paper of different people receiving black hand letters and warnings, to him it is a joke until one of his fellow clerks impresses on hira the fact that they really are dangerous and mentions that even he, Bodkens, is liable to receive one. Bodkens is a trifle nervous when he arrives home, and finding an imprint of a black hand on his door jamb, does not help matters, added to this w'hen he and his wife and four friends, sit down to dinner, and the hand once more appears, this time on the table cloth, his consternation is complete. The search for the owner of the hand, and the final finding of him, are amusingly shown and must be seen to be enjoyed. On the same reel: MOTHEE'S BANKEOLL.— Mrs. Tompkins decides to invest in a new piano, trading her old upright. The day the trade is to be consummated, she draws her mongy from the bank and, fearing to carry it w'ith her on a short neighborly visit, she decides to hide it in the house. Several places suggest themselves, but she makes the kitchen stove her temporary vault. Papa Tompkins has been using some oiled rags. Taking them to the kitchen he opens the stove and finds the roll. He imagines who has hidden it there and feels that he can find a much safer place. He does, in his daughter's room, in one of her dresser drawers. Daughter Agnes has received a present that morning by mail. Wishing to show it to her beau, she runs up to her room, opens the drawer, and under the little box finds the bankroll. Rather at a loss to account for its presence there, she imagaines that it is mother's. "Poor place." says she, "I will find a really safe place for it." She does, in brother Billy's room, in a hat on the closet shelf. Son Billy breaks his hat. Remembering that he has a "hold over" that is fairly good, he repairs to his room for it. He fin3s the roll, imagines the owner, and decides to place it where it will be perfectly safe, the piano in the parlor. The piano company sends for the old piano, Agnes allows the men to take it, then leaves with her beau for a soda. Bridget, the hired girl, returns, although it is her day off, builds a fire and Mrs. T. returns to find her depository a blazing furnace. The father arrives, reassures her — money gone — Agnes happens in — she reassures them both — nothing doing — Billy found on the lawn, laughs at their foolish fears, he shows them where it is — not. Then comes the race for the piano, the frantic unwrapping of same when found, and the final restoration of mother's bankroll to her, to the surprise of the piano movers. INSECT HUNTING (Nov. 22),— This very curious scientific film initiates the spectator into the secrets of insect hunting, so dear to students and collectors. One will be able to follow with interest the hunting of insects in meadows, the hunting for insects on branches by means of umbrellas, searching under stones and in the trunks of trees, on carrion, etc., cic. Then in an extraordinary way, one will learn how to hunt the aquatic insect. Next some very curious specimens will attract the spectator's attention by their ugliness or ferocity, such as the praying mantis, the cnrysomelis or the green beetle, the ferocious carabis and so on. He will be able to also notice the dytiscus (swimming beetles), the enemies of fish culture. It is very instructive and interesting to behold the voracity of this infinitely small insect feeding on its prey. On the same reel: GONTEAN, A KIDNAPPEE.— On this day, it is certain that our friend Gontran is unlucky. On turning a street corner, he amuses himself by watching two women who are quarreling over an enormous head of cabbage. One of them carries a child. She abruptly puts it into Gontran's arms, who did not know^ what to do. The women quarrel until the policemen take them to the police station, and, of course, Gontran remains with the child in his arms. He does not know how to get rid of it. He tries to deposit it in the entrance of a house, but the janitor forces him to take it back. He endeavors to leave the child at the foot of a wall, but the shouts of a policeman remind him that it is forbidden to deposit anything at that place. Seeing a group of policemen, he wants to give it to them, but they are satisfied to take his name and give him back the embarrassing package. Gontran, discouraged, goes home. He is received by the janitor, who says, "No children in this house." He finally reaches his apartment, where his wife becomes furious because he brought home a child not their own. Meanwhile the infant's mother comes out of the police station and begins a search for her child. She reaches Gontran's home just in time to add her beating to that of his wife. And, of course, Gontran cannot protest. What can he do against two women? THE INVISIBLE (Nov. 24).— A wealthy farmer, Michu, refuses to allow Tom to call on his daughter Mabel. Tom notices a "quack" who is selling a powder which makes people invisible. It is even experimented on a farmer in the crowd who, by the means of a trick, becomes invisible. Tom buys a box so he will be able to see Mabel without being seen oy Michu. He takes the powder. On the way to Mabel's house he meets twolovers who, being deeply interested m each other, do not see him. The schoo''.master has dropped his glasses and when he passes does not see Tom either. Naturally he thinks he is invisible. He reaches her home and climbs up a ladder, when the father sees him and tries a pitchfork on his legs. He does not ask for permission to run away. The two friends have seen everything, and, of course, are laughing. They decide to carry the joke further. When he speaks to them they do not answer, making believe they cannot see him. Disgusted, Tom hopes to find consolation in a glass of wine, and while he is drinking the good friends take the bottle and glass because they do not see him. Tom grows more nervous. The two jokers enter Tom's house and unload his gun, and take everything which can reflect his own image and wait. Tom arrives. His friends take his money. For a moment, taken aback, Tom jumps for his gun and fires, but of course without effect. This time Tom becomes real frightened and tries to commit suicide. The two jokers explain everything to old Michu, who laughs heartily at seeing Tom's bag of money. He decides to allow his daughter to marry Tom and they all go to Tom's house. On seeing them, Tom runs away in order to jump into the river, but he only falls into Mabel's arms. On the same reel: SEVILLE AND ITS GAEDENS,— The popularity of good scenic, educational films is growing by leaps and bounds everywhere. One of our camera men in Spain has secured some wonderfully artistic views in and about the beautiful old city of Seville. Some especially fine views are given of the famous gardens about the city, the Giralda and the Cathedral, the Fairpark and the Alcazar Palace. The photography is splendid.