Moving Picture World (Jan-Mar 1914)

THE MO\IXG I'ICTL"RE WORLD 59 Manufacturers Advance Notes Bl "THE CAST OF THE DIE" (Essanay). This Western, two-part drama is unusual inasmuch as two rats play the leaJing roles that are the foundation and plot of the story. Frederick Church, a young chap from the country, secures a position in a grocery store. His employer, somewhat of a miser, keeps close watch on Fred. From time to time the employer misses sums of money from the cash drawer and feels certain that Fred is the guilty party The truth, however, is that the two rats have been stealing the money and making a nest of it. Fred is accused of the theft and is about to be arrested when he makes his escape. The rats, in their nibbling, get into a box of matches and set the store afire. Fred is accused and Scene from "The Cast of the Die" (Essanay). leaves town. Five years later we see Fred as a prospector in the West, married and happily so. He receives a letter from his father saying that the authorities have discovered his whereabouts and that detectives are on his trail charging him with robbery and arson. True Boardman, a notorious outlaw, wounded by the sheriflf's posse, falls unconscious at Church's door. The prospector administers first aid. Fred, fearing foi his own safety, shows the letter from his father to his wife. The outlaw secures the note and places it in his pocket, dying shortly thereafter. The detectives, sheriff, and posse arrive and find the outlaw dead. Thinking the outlaw is Church, and that their mission is ended, they depart quietly from the room. Church and his wife kneel at the bedside of the outlaw, and offer a prayer of thanksgiving from saving this happy family from almost certain separation and imprisonment. This production is booked for release Friday, January i6th. VITAGRAPH FILMS W. R.,, HEARST'S FAMILY. Mrs. William R. Hearst an.d h^r three sons were filmed by the Vitagraph Company ' art the studies, on Saturday. December the 20th. This film w-as espe'cially made for Mrs. Hearst aiid" intended for a surprise for Mr. Hearst for Xmas. There were about ten scenes made; one showing the boys playing foot ball on the lawn, several family groups, some very novel effects of animated portraits in frames and another showing the whole family in their limousine leaving the studios, biding a fond farewell to A. E, Smith and thanking him for the courtesies extended and the .good time they had going through the plant, prying into the man)' wonders and marvels of the Vitagraph mysteries. "THE POWER OF LIGHT" (American). An intensely dramatic production illustrating in a forceful manner that transgression of the law is frequently not because of deliberate intent to infringe upon the rights of others biit through misapplication ahd lack of understanding. The story provides excellent opportunity for portrayal of life and conditions in a moonshiner's camp. Sydney .\yres e*Ttctively portrays the boy, who through a mixed sense of fear and devotion, aids his father and the latter's accomplices in operating an illicit still, yet prompted by an alert innerconsciousness, resolves to seek a remedy other than through the aid of the law. His determination enables him to succeed Scene from "The Power of Light" (American). in that he brings intellectual light to a people blinded by ignorance. Jack Richardson does splendid work as the moonshiner and Miss Cook is commendable in her excellent interpretation of the timid subservient wife of the moonshiner and the solicitous and devoted mother of .\yres. Vivian Rich and Charlotte Burton, as rivals for the love of Ayres, lend a realistic touch. Human interest and thrilling situations abound and the subject will undoubtedly be well received. Lorimer Johnston is the producer and Clarence J. Harris the author of the scenario. "MADAM SATAN" (Film Releases of America). "Madam Satan" sets the river on fire — figuratively and literally. She trains a cannon upon the side of a distant oil reservoir and shoots a nice hole through it'. Then she fires a second shot — a shell. It explodes the works. The oil has poured down upon the river's bosom, and becoming ignited sets the stream ablaze from bank to bank. It's quite a sight. A revengeful person is "Madam Satan." While her relationship to Satan is probably only nominal, her conduct quite merits her sobriquet. She has had a sinister and eventful career in which her steps upward in position and finances were not chosen to accord with recognized ethics. She marries men mercenarily, kidnaps daughters, ties them in burning cabins and makes the lives of her enemies entirely free from monotony. Where Madam Satan is, mischief is rife. Not all her own way does she have things, however, as it happens that her opponents are not noncombatants and thej are sufliciently able and militant to keep her malevolent wits working hard in an effort to destroy them and their property.