Moving Picture World (Mar-Dec 1907)

THE MOVING PICTURE WORLD. 237 Film Review. THE PONY EXPRESS'. KALEM. A cowboy and his horse are usually inseparable companions, and an affection grows up between them rivaling that of a dog for his master.. This is fully shown in the scene, where the pony, Silverheels, is receiving the caress of his cowboy master, and, as well as he can do so, returning it. The post-office of a prosperous settlement, and near by the mines of a prosperous claim, are seen, around which diggers with machinery are busily engaged. The owner of the mines appears with his daughter and is respectfully greeted by the group of men, who are preparing to leave work for the day. An express boy mail carrier on his pony is seen advancing; he throws the bag of mail to the postmaster and, dismounting, turns towards the girl, who, advancing with delight, is clasped in his arms, by way of welcome. Disengaging himself, he hastens into the post-office to finish his duties, leaving the girl with the employees of her father. A Greaser leader rides rapidly towards the group, and, dismounting, staggers round. Seeing the girl, he makes advances toward her, which she resents. This reception angers him, and he seizes her in his arms, attempting to kiss her. Her screams bring her lover to the scene. He punishes the insult and knocks the man down, who on rising draws a revolver and causes the men to hold up their hands. The cowboy is being overpowered when the father of the girl comes to his assistance and the Greaser is driven off, vowing vengeance as he goes. The cowboy express is now ready to depart on his return journey with the mail, and is bidding an affectionate adieu to the girl, which is interrupted by the father, who tells the boy he has a sealed packet for him to take back. The Greaser, who has returned and is acting as eavesdropper, learns of the errand, at the same time, to his intense chagrin, learning the love of the boy and girl. The father now reappears, bearing a packet, which he hands to the boy, bidding him be cautious, and promising him the hand of his daughter if his mission is successful. Mounting his trusty pony, the boy, with the blessing of the father and the kiss of the girl, departs on his mission. A band of Greasers are seen at their quarters, awaiting the return of their chief, who, advancing in their midst, tells them of the pony express, carrying a sealed package, in the mail, containing $10,000 worth of specie. They mount their horses and are seen hurrying across country to intercept the carrier, forming an ambush in a bend of the road. A spy, who has been posted to inform them of the advance of their prey, runs up to the ambush with the information that the cowboy is near. Round a bend in the bush the cowboy approaches, careless and unconcerned, until at the bend he suddenly sees his danger. Too late to turn and flee, and before he can do anything to defend himself he is overpowered, dragged from his pony, fighting and struggling in vain; he is thrown down and bound. The chief of the Greasers searches him and steals the package. The cowboy, unconscious and bound, is thrown over his pony’s back and led off to a lonely part of the bush, where, recovering consciousness, he is bound to a tree, insulted by the Greasers, and left to starve. To his great relief, his pony bites and loosens the thongs that bind his hands to the tree. His hands free, it is only a few moments of time ere he unties the other thongs, mounts his pony and returns to the ranch, where, bandaged, battered and bruised, he tells the father and daughter of the attack and robbery and the subsequent release by the pony. Hastily summoning his help, the rancher explains to them the robbery, and sends them off in pursuit of the Greasers, promising the cowboy if he regains the package he shall have his bride without further waiting. After they have ridden off, the daughter begs her father to join them. Yielding to her persuasions, they mount their horses and follow the cowboys. The trail of the Greasers is struck, and after a while they are sighted. At the same time the pursuers observe they are discovered, and a sharp race is run. Gradually the pursuers draw near, firing as they come, dropping one after the other of the Greasers until the chief alone remains. Dismounting, he plunges into the thicket. Onward dash the cowboys, led by the pony express. Seeing the riderless horse, the cowboy dashes into the thicket after his enemy, who, seeing him approach, fires at him until every chamber of his revolver is empty, missing the mark, and before he has time to reload, he is gripped by the cowboy and struggles for freedom, trying to get his knife, but is foiled; a stumble gives him the advantage, which he is quick to grasp, and he is about to draw his knife on his victim when the others appear, disarm and bind him, a prisoner. The cowboy regains possession of the precious package, and as a reward receives from the hands of her father his girl sweetheart for a bride, the father himself tying the knot which binds the happy couple. Receiving the blessing of the parent and the plaudits of the cowboys, the party commences the return journey to the settlement and home. THE MASHER. SELIG. The “Masher” is a product of no particular time or place, but known everywhere, and least thought of where best known. The adventures and misadventures of one of this type as presented in this film make a very laughable comedy subject. The usual line of front-window dudes are enjoying themselves in a big down town hotel and following their regular practice are carefully scrutinizing each pretty face that passes by with a view of making the much-desired “mash.” Some of the young lady passers appear unconscious of the “admiration” they inspire, while others seem not unwilling for a little flirtation themselves, and finally one of the mashers, thinking he is “on,” leaves the hotel followed by the others, all pursuing the disappearing female. We next encounter one of these sporty fellows in a city park. He is certainly arrayed for conquest and on the lookout for chances. The combination of a park bench and a pretty nurse maid seem to afford the desired opportunity and our friend loses no time in entering conversation with the fair one who is by no means averse, but when his attentions become too pressing, repulses him and leaves him in the lurch to look for other opportunities. Another nurse maid, but this time with two babies instead of one, appears and taking the other end of the seat proceeds to give the infants what they need from a large nursing bottle. Mr. Masher has been getting near the scene of operation in order to ingratiate himself with the lady, but she slyly directs the contents of the bottle and the unfortunate fellow gets it “in the neck” and is only too glad to be rid of the “heavenly twins” as quickly as possible. Another charmer appears on the scene apparently with every grace of form and figure, but heavily veiled, and this time the masher appears to make a good impression and is soon carrying on a vigorous flirtation with the veiled stranger. The love-making getting warmer, the lady is persuaded to remove the veil which hides her charms but, horrible to relate, it transpires that the dude has been pressing his ardent attentions on a lady of very decided color and he makes a get-away, seeming to have had enough of flrtation for a time at least. The animal house is the next scene of Mr. Masher’s adventures, where he is seen lingering Caruso-like and dividing his attention between the caged animals and the ladies who come, to inspect them, when by a strange coincidence, he encounters his various lady friends whose acquaintance he made on the park seat and from whom he endeavors to escape. They pursue him and a lively chase is on. Out of the animal house and through the park, running, jumping, rolling and all but flying, now on foot, now in a pony carriage which he “borrows” for the occasion, and for some time evading all pursuers, but at last his wild career is brought to a full stop by a cop, who arrests him and who, after listening to the various accusations of the pursuing ladies, leads him off to durance vile to reflect at his leisure on the undesirability of “Mashing in Lincoln Park.” WHOSE HAT IS IT? GAUMONT. The wind, one morning, started out for a frolic, and in the street scene before us he is evidently enjoying himself immensely. Hats go flying and are chased and captured, but one (the one causing all the trouble) flies upward into an open window of a lady’s dressing room and lies unnoticed. A fiery French gentleman, who seems to be thinking things unutterable, comes down the street with coat tails flying, gripping his hat which the wind seems bent on stealing. He escapes the fury of the wind and dashes into the room of his wife still out of humor with himself, but smiles wreathe his countenance at her loving reception. Suddenly noticing the man’s hat in the room, he picks it up and all his fury returns.. Demanding an explanation from his wife, which she cannot give, he looks out of the window and, seeing a man hatless, looking up at the window, his suspicions are fully aroused. He accuses his wife of haying a visitor, which she indignantly denies. Thrusting her from him, he snatches a sword from the wall and sallies . forth. The hatless individual, still looking up, is suddenly assailed by the husband and flees from his wrath. A cyclist coming down the street is knocked off his wheel by the husband, whom he attacks fiercely. After his pummelling the husband, catches sight of the hatless one and again goes after him. Several loafers are playing craps on the sidewalk and are scattered by the husband, who falls over them.. They give him rough usage, take off his coat, hat and vest, and run away. The husband, minus these garments, resumes his quest for the cause of his wrath, who flies to a cafe. His pursuer; in his haste, knocks . over the customers seated at tables outside. They begin to punish