Moving Picture World (Jan-Mar 1914)

172 THE MOMXG PICTURE WORLD Comments on tke Fil ms Licensed "A CHRISTMAS. STORY" (Vitagraph). December 22.— We reviewed this pleasing offering on page 1418, issue of December 20, 1913. "THROUGH FLAMING PATHS" (Lubin), December 22.— A picture for the gallery with scenes that will please those in that part of the house. A more unconvincing melodrama would be hard to make. That scene where they are carrying women like so many sacks from the smoke of burning woods looks anything but plausable. Emmett Campbell Hal! is the author and Joe Smiley produced it. "TEACHING HIS WIFE A LESSON" (Edison). December ^2.— The judge, himself, couldn't tell 'em apart when their backs were turned and he turned the prisoner loose. The man was in trouble because he didn't like to see his wife carry her bag so carelessly and to teach her a lesson, stole a bag just like hers from a woman with a suit and hat exactly like his wife's. The men will sympathize with him and the women ought to get a good lesson. But. we may note in passing, that the wife in the picture wasn't taking any advice. Robert Wells Ritchie is the author and the producer is Charles Seay. The offering is above fair and seemed to please the audience a good deal. "PRODUCTS OF THE WEST INDIES" (Edison). December 22.— Bananas and cocoanuts are the theme of this clearly photographed short offering on the same reel. The wages of the laborers are given, but the amounts don't mean anything. Work is apparently not a necessity with the natives down there; living is too cheap. "GILT-EDGED STOCKS" (Kalem), December 22.— A picture with no center of interest, or to be more correct, a shifting one. At fir?t we are watching to see whether a certain sharper will be apprehended or not. He is a swindler and the police are shadowing his office with a dictaphone. They don't learn much until near the close, when a new story begins, and they wake up in time to catch the wrong end of a conversation and accuse the wrong man of murder, but the girl who shot in self defense, confesses and the victim also makes a confession before he dies. "PATHE'S WEEKLY NO. 78."— There are some automobile thrills in this number that excite the spectators. The rest of the items are not of any special interest. "BETWEEN D.A:NCES" (Lubin). Dec 23.— The boldness of the young man in taking the advice of his elderly friend — i.e., that women like to be mastered — will hardly serve as a safe example for others to follow. One might meet up with a young woman who is pretty strong on the mastering stuff herself. However, the picture is well put on and will interest. "A COLLEGE CUPID" fLubin), Dec. 23.— There is a new kind of a chase in this short comedy, which will make some fun. "HER FAITH IN THE FLAG*' (Vitagraph), Dec. 23.— Pigott and Schwarz are the authors of this single-reel drama, which contains more of real drama and pathos than most of the multiple-reel subjects we have seen lately. Robert Thornby directs, and to him also credit is due. Dolores. Brown, as an Italian immigrant, does good vrork in a story of a peasant woman's faith in the flag of her adopted country. The plot at first seems too simple, but before the picture is half down you realize that you are gripped; and you are held right to the last. "A VAGABOND CUPID" (Essanay), Dec. 23.— A good story and a pretty finish. Richard Travers and Irene Warfield have the leads. Eleanor Kahn has the part of Little Tim, a waif, and aside from the fact that a girl in boy's clothing invariably spoils the illusion — for which of course she was not responsible — she was most interesting. "THE UPWARD WAY" (Edison), Dec. 23.— This picture is well put on and will interest. It is beyond human belief, however, that a man would insist on the arrest of another for the theft of a loaf of bread taken to save the life of a starving mother and that he should be taken to jail from the side of the dead body and then sent to prison. In so far the picture is improbable. There is a large cast and a good one. "MOTHER LOVE VS. GOLD" (Selig), Dec. 23.— William Duncan produces and plays the lead in this picture, which is a Western, and it will interest. Myrtle Stedman has the role of a widow. There are moments of suspense when the miner goes for the doctor to attend the child of the widow. By the way, it is possible some of the women who see the picture will be inclined to think the widow who remained single but a month was hurrying matters, but why should not the widow have been the best judge as to that? "A DIP IN THE BRINY" (Selig). December 23-— The origin of the joke which forms the basis of these thousand feet of film may be traced by archaeologists to the period before the great flood. Two old men, go in bathing and their clothes are stolen in jest by three young women who have been carrying on a flirtation with the sons of the old men. The selection of the outdoor scenes in which this story is laid is about the only merit in the film and makes it more acceptable than it would be otherwise. "The HONORABLE ALGERNON" (Vitagraph). December 23.— This is a very creditable attempt at refined comedy and is sure to please. The types as in most Vitagraph productions are selected with rare judgment and the acting is good from beginning to end. Some of the situations are contrived with great cleverness and is finish is most amusing. "TWO UP A TREE" (Pathe), December 23. The use of an insane asylum and of insane persons to build a comedy with is rarely successful as a laugh-getter. This film is no exception to the rule. The situations are shockingly improbable and what little humor there is seems spread over too large a surface. "AT THE OLD MAID'S CALL" (Essanay). December 23.— Whatever notion of fun and humor may have existed in the director's mind when he made this film died utterly on its way to the screen. It is inane and "draggy" and the situations are forced. "GLIMPSES OF RIO DE JANEIRO" (Essanay), December 23.— This short scenic picture shows interesting parts of the great Brazilian city and gives one a good idea of the life in the chief city of our sister republic to the South. "MARY'S NEW HAT" (Edison), December 24.— A bright little farce well acted and freshly amusing. Its author is S. W. Bunting and it was produced by Charles H. France. Elsie MacLeod plays a young matron who wants a new hat she has seen and Edward Boulden, her husband who won't come across. Her father takes the young husband's part; but she is too clever for them and their scheme to fool her justifies her by which she gets the big feather and it is all quite acceptable. "THE JANITOR'S QUIET LIFE" (Edison), December 24.— Sharing the reel with the foregoing, this picture was especially designed for boys, but will amuse grown-ups. It is very slight. Dan Mason, who plays the janitor, is exactly the same as in his former role in "The Thrifty Janitor." The sketch is by Charles M. Seay and he also produced it. "THE SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS" (Vitagraph), December 25.— A well named offering. It is filled with Christmas spirit, is emotionally satisfying and wholesome, especially in the new and beautiful way in which at its close the heroine's contrition wins forgiveness for her weakness in keeping the dropped bill and then lying about it. Anyway, the audience fairly ate the picture up. The comments heard around this tough old reviewer almost made him weep. Its theme is Christmas among poor and rich in the city and it has some delightful snow scenes and some fine Christmas tree scenes. The acting is sweet and natural. William Humphrey, in his role of bored man of wealth, gave a convincing touch to the story's natural contrasts by his unconventional acting, which to the people around me seemed at first burlesque — it is good character drawing. The author, Elaine Sterne, deserves credit, as do the producers, William Humphrey and Tefft Johnson and all concerned. "DOC YAK'S CHRISTMAS" (Selig), December 25.— Good holiday stuff, clever. Christmasy and with some good drawing (pen and ink). It is better than most of Sidney Smith's Doc Yak offerings. "PATHE'S WEEKLY^ NO. 79,'* December 25.— Not seen by our reviewer, "RUINS OF ANGKOR-THOM" (Melies), December 25.— Views of a magnificent ruin, one of the wonders of Asia and one of the most marvelous buildings in the world. For a long review of this remarkably interesting offering see page 1552 of the December 27, 1913, issue of the Moving Picture World. "THE GOLF GAME AND THE BONNET" (Vitagraph), December 26. — Another of the inimitable Bunny series, with John himself and Flora Finch as the married couple. Bunny's antics on the golf field were laughable; also the manner in which he convinced his wife that she gave him the black eye. Willie Van "assists very capably. A full reel comedy of the better type. "THE DEATH TRAP" (Lubin), December 26.— Good photography and splendid scenic effects combine to hold the interest in this story, which gets a very natural and convincing start. The detective and counterfeiter looked so much alike as to be confusing in one or two places and the situations at the close were a little weak. As a whole, however, the production will render a good account of itself with the average audience. •■EMANCIPATED WOMEN" (Kalem). December 26.— In its entertaining plot and clever handling throughout, this rises above the ordinary halfreel comedy in interest. John E. Brennan and his associates have a lot of fun in this triple romance. A merry little satire on the prevailing woman's rights question, with nothing of an offensive nature. "TALCUM POWDER" (Kalem). December 26.— Showing how the soft rock from which this product is made is taken from the mines; also something of the manner of treatment afterward. The manufacture of the familiar toilet article proves very instructive. This, with above, makes a good split reel. "HIS SISTER" (Selig), December 26.— This film story, written by W. E. Wing, has a rather slow development and numerous scenes seem unnecessary, but it gets under the surface of things and presents an interesting phase of life. It shows the way in which a pampered girl imposes upon her good-hearted brother, until he finally rebels and the other man comes to his aid. The close is a happy one and the film holds the interest. "CORFU, AN ISLE OF THE IONIAN SEA" (Patheplay), December 27. — This, on same reel with abo\-'e, is picturesque and pleasing throughout.