Moving Picture News (Jan-Jun 1913)

22 THE MOVING PICTURE NEWS NEW YORK CITY OFFICIALS APPEAR IN BIG FEATURE FILM Mayor Gaynor, District Attorney Whitman, Frank Moss, and Canon Chase figure in the sociologic production made by Leon J. Rubinstein, which is to appear in the feature film of the Ruby Feature Film Company of 145 West 45th street, "The Doom of the Gunmen of New York." It embraces an absorbing study of iuvenile delinquency, together with a dramatic story attractive to the general public and the student of life. In it figure an array of noted people. The story proper deals with the careers of two boys, one of whom places himself under the guidance of the settlement workers, many of whom live in the crowded sections for the purpose of studying conditions; -the other allows the street corner to adopt him, and although the result is startling, it is nevertheless founded on fact. The plot and action are the visualization of the actual experiences of Leon J. Rubinstein, who for years lived in New York's great Ghetto. The dramatic action deals with the activities of the gang in all of its phases. The gradual making of the gunman is emphasized, and the boy is shown to develop from a fun-loving, mischievous youngster to a criminal. A romantic thread is woven, which, however," does not occupy the center of the stage. That the broad and evil path is not a paying one, however, is forcibly brought out in connection with an interesting portion of the picture, which delineates the undeniable bond existing between the organized gang and the vicious political campaign. The politician avails himself of the services of the gang on Election Day. Like other gang outrages from time to time, this exhausts the patience of the community, with the result that the matter is brought to the attention of the district attorney., That official loses no time in rounding up the gunmen. A confession is wrung from the leader and this leads to the downfall of the politician after he has been put through a powerful third degree. It is in this situation that the wayward leading character recognizes in the district attorney his pal of school days, and there is a startling result. The man is given a chance for regeneration which he fervently grasps, so that the end of the story leaves a pleasant taste in the mouth. This picture is considered of such sociologic importance that the Mayor of New York, District Attorney Whitman, Mr. Frank Moss, Canon Chase, Supt. Walsh of the Children's Society, Dr. Howe of the People's Institute and numerous other officials and settlements workers posed for the camera. "MATCHES" A REMARKABLE PRODUCTION Under the odd title of "Matches," suggesting illumination or matrimony, the American Film Manufacturing Company has just made a splendid little love story amid some of the prettiest scenes in all California. Jack Kerrigan, as a rare matrimonial catch, arrives at the rich widow's mansion in a snappy roadster with an English chauffeur driving. He is introduced to Jessalyn Van Trump as his logical choice, but with the perverseness that ever characterizes Cupid, promptly falls in love with Miss Oldrock, daughter of a wealthy widower who is pledged to remain single until his daughter marries. Now Miss Van Trump, as the chosen one for Jack, falls in love with her own chauffeur, a horrible situation truly, but wonderfully relieved by the discovery of Jack's English chauffeur that the family driver is the scion of English aristocracy — a condition most appealing to Louise Lester, who plays the mother of Miss Van Trump. Thus the chauffeur and Miss Van Trump are united and fail to tell mama until the happy event is consummated. Needless to add, mama is delighted to find that her chauffeur is an English nobleman. This makes it easy for Jack in his suit for Miss Oldrock. Oldrock, who has been paying hopeless attentions to the mother of Miss Van Trump, is thus rendered happy by having his daughter marry SCENE FROM "MATCHES" Jack, thereby absolving him from his promise not to marry until the daughter marries. From these situations arise much good-natured fun and pleasant intrigue. The entire reel is one long series of love complications. The settings used are the pick of California's most beautiful winter homes. The garden scenes are particularly beautiful and the photography is clear throughout. S. S. HUTCHINSON, president of the American Film Mfg. Company, left for Honolulu last week, after completing a splendid reel on the chicken industry in California. Mr. Hutchinson began the picture on a chicken ranch near San Francisco and traveled to Pasadena to get certain other scenes that will make it a remarkably strong industrial. The camera work was done by R. D. Armstrong. A. E. MORGAN, manager of W. H Crane, was an interested visitor at the plant of the American Film Mfg. Company, at Santa Barbara, last week. Mr. Morgan is a personal friend of Jack Kerrigan, having known the family in Louisville for many years. Mrs. Morgan accompanied him. They saw the making of pictures. . JIMMY HARRISON, one of the American's juvenile leading men, who is rapidly making himself a favorite with picture fans, appeared in a recent Santa Barbara production. When shown at Milwaukee, an excited spectator rushed to the ticket window, inquired the way to the film exchange, and the result was a long lost aunt discovered the whereabouts of the valuable and beloved nephew. Jimmy having discovered some living relatives, now feels like a married man. Harrison joined the American forces about four months ago, and has quickly made good with Warren Kerrigan as an opposite.