Moving Picture World (Jan-Mar 1914)

THE MOVING PICTURE WORLD 267 ''Pickles, Art and Sauerkraut" Two-Reel Vitagraph Farce. Reviewed By Louis Reeves Harfison. THIS lively and entertaining cartoon is very largely the work of versatile James Young, author and director, and Sidney Drew, though animated Louise Beaudet and shapely Ada GitTford contribute materially to the fun. There is nothing ridiculous about the physical appearance of the characters — it is not the material but the spiritual side of human nature that falls below the normal and furnishes the comic side of this picturing — hence the farce is ideographic, a cartoon. There is also an underlying idea that may not be visible to all, one relating to the incompatibility of a full stomach and the mind's creative moods. Thia motive, however, is barely suggested and does not interfere with the obvious purpose. What might have been a running commentary on the triumph of hunger over art, simply affords Sidney Drew abundant opportunity to amuse the crowd. but it will enliven the average program and give relief to a monotony of red vengance and manslaughter. It is to amiise, and "the passion of laughter is but a sudden glory arising from conception of our own eminence." Scene from "Pickles, Art and Sauerkraut" (Vitagraph). Drew is enabled to caricature one of those moth-eaten theatrical traditions that have come down to us like an ancestral taint, the idea that true artistic achievement is unappreciated and unrewarded because early efforts are often associated with poverty. He depicts the hungry painter in conventional form, while making it amusing by exaggeration, and finds relief for his situation by marrying a comely widow who owns a delicatessen store. He abandons art for the material gratification of waiting on customers ana that supreme joy of small souls, ringing up the cash register. The revelation of an inferior side to his nature is intensified by imitation of all that is mean and low in human nature as we observe it in everyday life. His artistic aspirations become a joke. In due course of time the jealous attentions of an overfond wife begin to pall on the artist — his hunger satisfied, he begins to long for the freedom he has lost. Bohemian by nature and training, his sex tendency to variation acquires stimulus from an accidental encounter with a former model, a lady of symmetrical proportions, delightfully obtrusive, and about this time his wife is called away by a telegram stating that her mother is seriously ill. She misses hei train, as a matter of course, but, during her temporary absence, the artist establishes his former model in her place and prepares for a high old time with the best liquid and solid refreshments to be found on the store shelves. Before he can arrange to exclude all visitors, a lady leaves her baby on his hands while she finishes her shopping. On her heels comes the artist's mother-in-law and her family for an ex tended visit, but he proves equal to all desperate emergencies. He paints dots on the baby's face and announces that the child has small-pox. The visitors hurry out, report to the police, and a quarantine is established. The situation grows more and more complicated when his wife returns and is refused admission, and a report of a doctor who discovers the trick does not mend matters. Throughout all that happens, and there is a riot of incident, the artist preserves a resourceful equanimity and manages to extricate himself at desperate moments. The object of the story is not a profound one — it is merely to excite one laugh after another — "The Younger Sister" Miss Florence Turner Is at Her Best in a Single-Reel Comedy That Sparkles with Humor. Reviewed by George Blaisdell. THOSE old-timers among picture followers who remember Florence Turner in the early days will enjoy this picture. Very plainly the English climate has had no injurious effect on the health of this popular screen artist. Certainly in this sparkling, vivacious comedy she is as youthful as ever; she displays all the old Turneresque quirks in facial elasticity, the thousandth-second transformation from glee to gloom, and altogether is as lovable and charming as ever. Even more so; and why not? She puts into this subject all her ripe e.xperience as well as inherent ability. She is supported. by a competent cast and directed by Larry Trimble. "The Younger Sister" is written by Miss Turner. It is a story of an English girl whose parents object to her sweetheart. The girl does not mope and weep. She determines to make things interesting for everybody in her way and incidentally for any others who may come in the way. In the latter category are Professor Dinglefritz and his son Algy, who come to visit Peggy's family. Father Wright is called away from home, but he directs Peggy to take good care of their guests. The brother also adds his warning against any tricks. Peggy, however, in shorter skirts and altogether with the manner of a skittish maiden introduces herself to the old professor and his son as Peggy's younger sister. ."Kmong the pranks is to throw into a stream under the window the end of a garden hose the nozzle of which is safely secured inside the house. By the bank is left a bit of the younger sister's personal belongings. As the two are taking life easy in the garden they are startled by cries of "Help!" Rushing to the water they find the bit of apparel. In the stream there rises a steady series of bubbles. The younger sister is in the house blowing into the nozz'e for dear life as the two guests and her brother rush frantically for a boathook with which to save her dear life, more so to the brother perhaps than to the guests. As the winded trio return to the water's edge she calmly inquires from the window: "Are you going fishing?" It is such capers as these that convince the poor old professor that he is in the wrong house. As he descends the stairway determined to take himself and his son away from such an inhospitable household he is met iiy the older sister — the demure young woman so describes herself — and the two men need no second invitation to remain. Father and son fall in love with the older sister. Each proDOses. When they come to the old tree at night at 10 o'clock to get the answer father meets son and the younger sister. Peggy takes advantage of the confusion to elope with the accepted lover. The work of Mr. Ricketts as Professor Dinglefritz is unusually good. Mr. Ricketts is nossessed of a countenance that lends itself to comedy. Complementing this factor is real talent for funmaking. Mr. Flemming is an acceptable son of the professor and Mr. Davis does well as the brother. "The Younger Sister" will delight any house on account of its story alone: it will have greatly added value by reason of the presence of Miss Turner and she at her best. January 0 is the release date. Mr. Blinkhorn, who has the agency for Turner Films, is also showing a two-reel Hepworth, which will be released on January 19, entitled "Motherhood or Politics." It is a drama in which the suffra,gette question is treated from a new angle. STOLEN FILMS— WATCH FOR THEM. The ofiice of the Consolidated Film & Supply Co., 914 Gravier Street, New Orleans, Louisiana, was entered by a ^neak thief, December 12, and while the night clerk was in the rear room, a fibre reel case containing three film subjects consisting of three reels was stolen. The pictures taken were "Penrl's Hero" and "Baldy is a Wise Old Bird," a sulit reel by the Crystal Co., released December 9, 19x3, and "A Dread Inheritance," a two reel Victor subject released December 8, 191.^ No doubt these subjects will sooner or later be oflfered for rent or sale at some theater or exchange, and any exhibitor or exchangeman should communicate with the Consolidated Film & Supply when the reels turn up. Exchange managers are requested to post this notice in a conspicuous place in their offices.