Moving Picture World (April 1912 - June 1912)

72 THE MOVING PICTURE WORLD ECLAIR. LETTER WITH THE BLACK SEALS (April 2).— When Uncle Bill passed away in the little cabin out West, all his old comrades and friends mourned his death, especially his little pal, "Kid," whom he loved as his own child. Before he died, the old man entrusted to "Kid" the delivery of his will to his niece, Kittie in New York. This will disinherits an ungrateful nephew and leaves the old man's wealth to the girl. The nephew, learning of his ill fortune, tries to marry Kittie and when she refuses, carries her off to the rendezvous of the "Silk Mask Band," where she is finally traced by "Kid" and his pal "Kit" who have reached New York with the will. By a clever ruse, the boy hero places a decoy and rescues Kittie, the Silk Mask Band escaping in an auto, which, owing to a disengaged brake, plunges into the Hudson river. WHITE APRONS (April 4). — A domestic science school boasts of its pretty teacher and prettier pupils. Ralph Brown, the superintendent, falls victim to the charms of Miss Beth, the teacher. Ralph becomes a dyspeptic from eating delicacies made at the school and his doctor prescribes a change of diet. Still the products of the school pour in and the distracted superintendent decides to quietly bury them in the back yard. Miss Beth, unfortunately, uses the same plot of ground to promote the growth of celery plants and when she and her class go to inspect them, finds on digging up the celery, a stack of the school's best mince pies adhering to the roots. Then the fun begins and Ralph's troubles with it. The doctor's prescription is called in to save him from the ire of the pupils and tearful Miss Beth, who finally accepts the inevitable and Ralph. THE LAND OF DARKNESS (April 7).— Realizing that she is about to die, the mother of Claire Lenoir writes a pathetic letter to her sister, Mme. Drouard, who is a widow and lives with her only son, Louis. a workman in the mines. She implores her sister to take care of her daughter. The mother and son are inclined to welcome the poor child with tenderness. Louis is deeply Impressed with the charm of his cousin. He has a friend. Charles Marcourt, a miner like himself. He, also. Is charmed by the beauty of Claire. Although he is confident of Louis* love, he cannot resist the impulse. He makes love to her in very ardent manner, asking her to marry him. She repulses Charles. Louis will be her husband. The engagement day arrives. Charles cannot endure the happiness of his rival. Suddenly he rises and goes in the direction of the river He wants to die. Claire pursues the young man and reaching him at the water's edge, stops him from carrying out his fatal intentions. In a sisterly manner, she pleads with him. Louis observes them while thus engaged, and misjudges the presence of his betrothed near Charles. Jealousy arises between the two men and a spirit of hatred is engendered. The hate engendered in the hearts of the two rivals continues to the bottom of the mines. The company's engineer, in making his daily tour of inspection detects the presence of fire damp and warns the workmen to leave the mine. He further advises them against opening their lamps. Following his departure, the miners are shown leaving the mine. However the two rivals engage in an altercation and In the struggle which ensues a lamp is broken. A terrific explosion follows. Louis is uninjured but Charles is rendered helpless. Louis picks up Charles and desperately struggles on in an effort to reach a haven of safety. The frantic miners dart here and there through dark passages and holes, while -many are overcome and left dying behind. Louis is impeded in his progress by the helpless burden he carries and makes little headway. Suddenly an underground lake bursts through the shattered walls of the mine and the passageways are flooded with water. The only opening to the stairs is cut off by the deluge before Charles and Louis can escape and they are left alone with the rising tide. The wounded rival Is tenderly supported by Charles who, swimming through the muddy water, succeeds In reaching a ledge where for a time they are safe. Meanwhile the town Is thrown into confusion. The dead and wounded are placed In one of the buildings nearby and there tears of joy for the living mingle with grief-stricken sobs of anguish for the dead. Claire and her aunt are among those who search the faces of the dead. The engineer bravely volunteers to take a body of men to the bottom of the mine. After penetrating many dan* gerous passageways the engineer finally reaches the walled-in cavity where Charles and Louis were last seen. Here they begin to dig. Louis and Charles, deprived of food and water are becoming slowly exhausted. Suddenly a faint tapping sound Is borne to their ears and a wild hope that rescue is near at hand takes possession of them. With all his remaining strength, Louis picks up a piece of timber and pounds on the walls of their prison. Then they wait for an answer. They hear the responsive signal of the rescuers. In vain does Louis implore his dying friend to bear up a little longer. Charles has passed to the Great Beyond praying that Louis might be saved. The rescuers approach nearer and nearer the imprisoned miners. Meanwhile Louis is becoming weaker and weaker. No longer is he able to answer the signals of the engineer. Outside, the rescuing party finally succeed in breaking through the wall. The engineer Is the first to crawl through the opening and by the light of his lamp finds their task has been for naught. Charles and Louis are still in death. Sadly and reverently their brother miners remove the bodies to the surface where they are tenderly laid in the chapel surrounded by lighted candles and flowers. Carefully the sad newB is broken to Claire and her aunt. At the little chapel all is still and quiet save the sobs of the sorrowing. Here the young orphan comes to mourn those who loved her too well. The engineer tenderly assures Claire of his respect and friendship and she feels a sense of protection stealing over her as she looks into his brave and honest face. That he proved a loyal and devoted husband to the orphaned girl In after years Is a fact no one can deny. LITTLE HANDS (April 9).— An escaping prisoner is befriended by a kind old lady whose little grandchild wins his heart. After struggling against the world's prejudices, to make an honest livelihood, he yields to the temptation of two old cronies. They burglarize a house, which proves to be that of his benefactress. The little child, as he enters, recognizes him with glee and through the "little hands" stretched out to him he is raised to a better manhood, and resolves to prove his worthiness for freedom and success. A LUCKY HOLDUP (April 11).— Two brokers, partners, have a quarrel over some trivial matter and separate; they meet at a dance. Their son and daughter who are very fond of each other, are dancing together when their parents see them and forbid them to talk to one another. They plan to elope. With very little money, they go to the mountains: after two weeks they are broke. They engage with a stage driver to take them to his cabin till they are ready to go borne. The driver holds them up. He finds only a dollar and turns away in disgust. The young couple conceive the idea of sending a letter to their parents to send a sum of money to the stage driver as a ransom, which is done. The two partners agree to unite in an effort to save their children. The story is carried on to a laughable conclusion. MAJESTIC. A DANGEROUS MODEL (April 7).— John Gray finds himself in dire need of two thousand dollars, and, by the irony of fate, he and his wife are about to attend a masquerade ball. Mrs. Chesterfield, a rich friend of the Grays, lends Mrs. Gray a diamond necklace to add to the attractiveness of her costume. Overcome by temptation. Gray takes the necklace and pawns it, being sure that he will need the money only for a day. Gray's speculations prosper, and when his wife misses the gems, he confesses that he has borrowed them. Unfortunately he drops the pawn ticket, and it is found by Chester Devoe, an artist, who is devoted to Mrs. Gray. The wife goes to the ball, expecting her husband to come, with the necklace, and there she meets Devoe, who, with the pawn ticket as evidence, threatens exposure if she does not accept his attentions. When Gray appears, he Is infuriated by Devoe's devotion to his wife, which she dares not resent. The next day the artist summons her to his studio, a summons she obeys. In hope of recovering the pawn ticket. Devoe is absent, for the moment, and a hasty search fails to reveal the ticket to the distracted woman. To further her search she hastily takes the place and assumes the costume of a model, which Devoe has been sketching. Devoe enters, the worse for liquor, and resumes his sketching of the snpposed model. Gray, who has learned of his wife's visit, comes to the studio. Devoe denies that Mrs, Gray is there. Gray attacks him, and, in the combat that ensues. Is about to be shot by Devoe, when Mrs. Gray, losing her character of a model, wrests the revolver from the artist. After a hasty explanation, Devoe is forced to return the pawn ticket, and the husband and wife depart, leaving the befuddled artist to his reflections. A WARRIOR BOLD (April 9).— If Dick had not been so fond of Helen, and she had not been so fond of soldiers, he probably would have escaped an embarrasing, if humorous predicament. But it certainly was trying when he had called and was monopolizing Helen's attention to have Tom and Joe appear, Tom in his militia lieutenant's uniform. Of course Tom received all of Helen's attention and was not slow to take advantage of the situation. So Dick sadly took his leave, followed byJoe, and went to Tom's room, there to await the conquering hero. Dick bewailed his fate to his two friends, and a brilliant Idea came to Tom, by which Dick could gain favor with the lady. So Tom suggested that Dick borrow his uniform, present himself to Helen, on the morrow, tell her he had joined the militia, and after winning her, trust to her love to forgive the deception. The next evening Dick presents himself at Tom's room, where Tom and Joe await him, arrays himself In the uniform, and starts gaily forth on his quest. Then the wicked Tom writes a note, saying that he is called to the armory, and must have the uniform at once and intrusts It to the husky janitor, with instructions to return with the uniform at all hazards. Dick duly presents himself to Helen, who Is surprised and delighted at his warlike appearance. But as he Is regaling her with the deeds of daring he Is going to perform, in comes the janitor, with the fatal note. Naturally Dick demurs at shedding his new-found glory, especially as there Is nothing flse on the premises for him to wear. He begs Helen to leave him with the janitor for a few minutes. He protests to that worthy, who loses his temper, and proceeds to divest Dick of the uniform and poor Dick is forced to take refuge in an ornamental suit of armor in the room. From this moment Dick's troubles come thick and fast. Helen returns, is surprised at his absence. while he remains rigid in the armor. Tom and Joe call to see how their ruse has succeeded. They are apprised of his presence in the armor by receiving a kick and a punch from the supposed ornament. They turn to the unconscious Helen, ask if they may borrow the" armor to wear to a masquerade and proceed to carry poor Dick out and roll him Ignominiously down stairs, there to wait until called for. Fortunately for Dick, a burglar, or "second-story" man appears shortly on his nefarious mission. Dick promptly throws his arms around the burglar, and at the point of his own revolver, forces him to exchange his shabby clothes for the armor, telling the burglar that all will be well with him if he follows instructions. Dick returns to Tom's room, secures the uniform and returns clad In it, to Helen's house. He returns the burglar's clothes, instructs him to make a noise presently, whereupon Dink will appear and engage him In combat, la which Dick is to be the conqueror. When Dick reappears in the drawing-room, In the uniform, and explains that he has been called away on riot duty. Tom and Joe are dumbfounded, and Helen is greatly pleased. When a noise is heard below, Dick assures the others that he will protect them, dashes down, and engages in a furiousfight with the burglar. He Is the victor, but refuses to take advantage of a conquered foe, gives him money, and allows him to depart. Helen turns adoringly to Dick and Tom and Joe congratulate him heartily, although they do not know how he has tricked them. POWERS MEETING HIS MATCH ( April 91.— Nelson is peevish in nature, and has always been a tyrant In his own office*. He discharges stenographer after stenographer for one trifling reason after another and all in his employ fear him. with the exception of Jimmy, his office boy, who is as fresh as green paint and has a skin like a rhinocerous. Then Mary Blake comes to work for Nelson and, being the sworn enemy of all tyrants, both large and small, she proceeds to give him a practical lesson In the proper way to treat one's help. It is needless to say that she Is aided in her endeavors by the ever ready Jimmy. The result is that Nelson soon loses his job as tyrant and becomes a slave — and Mary's slave at that, and Jimmy does not lose his job either, although he richly deserves it. kWiViVilV TWE. P\\_N/\ >A/\-T\H TMC \ND\O.N MEPkD Indisputable originators « cowboy films. WE CONTINUE TO OFFER EACH WEEK MR.G.M. ANDERSON, '(POPULARLY KNOWN AS*BRONCH0 BILLY")IN THRILLING STORIES P J7i : ti> '\>i j<wiarji'fiiMia:nfii.if:wa»iii:i>]i:ii;ia^a;H«jjj<i productions in this paper SUPERVISION^ MR.ANDERSON.ASSISTED BYACAREFULLY TRAINED COMPANY