Moving Picture World (Jan-Mar 1915)

220 THE MOVING PICTURE WORLD January 9, 1915 Comments on the Films Licensed OLIVB IS DISMISSED (Edison). Dec. 22.— Fifth of "Olive's Opportunities" Series. Written by Mrs. Wil.son Woodrow and directed by Richard Ridgely, featuring Mabel Trunnelle. Edward Earle, Mabel Dwight, William Post, Bliss Milford and Duncan McRae (in a silly part) with their clever acting bring this picture to a rather rc^asonable finale, despite its shortcomings as a release. THE VOLUNTEER BURGLAR (Essanay), Dec. 22.— Adapted from a Munsey Magazine story, telling how a young author became a burglar to assist a strange girl in gaining her ambitions. Richard C. Travers, as "Tommyrot," is the hero, and author, who accidentally assists the girl and obtains a good plot tor a story, also the girl, after a series of thrilling incidents, which are quite interesting and entertaining. THE WINNING WHISKERS (Kalem). Dec. 22.— A burlesque comedy on a weird dime novel which is foolish but is extraordinarily tunny and excellently produced by Marin Sals, Lloyd V. Hamilton, Marshal Neilan and Bud Duncan. This comedy is received with great laughter by the audience and is deserving of all it gets. HIS SUICIDE (Lubinl, Dec. 22.— Written by Epes Winthrop Sargent and produced by J. T. Hevener, in which he plays the leading comedy roll. Bill Bogs, ably supported by Mae Hotely and others. On the same reel with "Flossie's Daring Loyalty." FLOSSIE'S DARING LOYALTY (Lubin), Dec. 22.— A burlesque on a melodrama by Edward Ray Coffin and produced by J. A, Murphy. This is received with many laughs by the spectators and is well played by Mabel Paige in the leading role, supported by a good cast. On the same reel with "'His Suicide." WADE BRENT PAYS (Selig), Dec. 22.— A rather good story concerning a son imbued with reckless habits, to whom a fortune is left by his father, with certain restrictions, in the hand of a guardian. The story is very interestingly worked out by director F. J. Grandon. written by Marie Wing, and all in the cast of principals do excellent work. The photography also deserves mention. A good release. 'TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS (Edison), Dec. 2.3.— T'his' caption brings back recollections that are dear even to the old residenters, and Annie Hamilton Donnell has written a heart reaching story which Ashley Miller has beautifully produced, with the old-time actor, Harry Eytinge, well known to thousands, as Santa Claus. It is a peculiar story in which are gathered little individuals from all countries, to pay their respects to Santa Glaus in his home toy shop, and Cll his stockings which he has hung up to dry, with their most sacred treasures that he has given them on previous Christmas Eves. THE TIP OF THE DARK CONTINENT. CAPETOWN, SOUTH AFRICA. AND ITS VICINITY (Edison), Dec. 23.— An educational that is beautiful in conception, illustrative of the discovery of diamonds in 1.S67. Many scenes in Capetown are shown, panoramically, and stretches of the remarkable abundance of flowers. A view is given of the home of Cecil Rhodes, the "Father of South Africa." now residence of the Premier, especially interesting. THE FABLE OF THE HUSBAND WHO SHOWED UP AND DID HIS DUTY (Essanay). Dec. 23. — A Getrge Ade comedy which gets a little over the brink, although it is well acted by Richard C. Travtrs, Helen Dunbar and Gerda Holmes. THE PROFESSOR'S ROMANCE (Vitagraph), Dec. 23.— William Addison Lathrop has written a very funny comedy which Sidney Drew has produced and in which he plays the part ot the Professor. The bouse next door is an attraction, occupied by a widow, with a couple ot children (Bobby and Helen Connelly) who makes things lively for the Professor, but everything ends serenely for everyone concerned. This is a most edifying and laughable comedy. THE SUFFERING OF SUSAN (Biograph), Dec. 24.— An old idea worked out in a new sort of a way, regarding a girl who has a great ambition to become an actress. Her sweetheart cures her of her folly, with the assistance of a leading lady ot a stranded professional company. It is quite entertaining to see how Susan succeeds in making lierselt ridiculous and realizes that a stage career for her is impossible. This contains a good lesson to girls with foolish ambitions. A very good number. HOW SLIPPERY SLIM GETS SQUARE (Essanay), Dec. 24.— Another ■contest between Slippery Slim and Mustang Pete for the hand ot Sophie Clutts. It certainly gets over for laughs and contains no ridiculous impossibilities, except where Slim was forced to jump home in a gunny sack. It is a finely produced comedy. A HIGH OLD TIME (Mina), Dec. 24.— A comedy that mixes up white and colored people in a peculiar sort of a way and contains some remarkable stunts, which are not only original hut awfully strenuous for the actors. This picture made an excellent hit with the audience, and If the future releases of this new brand are equal in production, they will certainly become very popular. Exhibitors will do well to try them out. HEARST-SELIG NEWS PICTORIAL. No. 80 (Selig). Dec. 24.— An interesting series ot scenes in different cities ot the world, ending with the latest data of war. showing some very thrilling occurrences the mobilization of troops in the different countries, etc. A fuller description can be found in another department of this publication. THE K.VIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS (Vitagraph). Dec. 24.— Elaine Sterne has written a most beautiful Christmas story which Mr. Tefft Johnson (Daddy Jim), has produced wonderfully. Little Bobbie Connelly is the peculiar bright star of a good cast. The story, while a simple one, is very effective, showing how Sonny Jim proves himself a Knight by assisting others to be happy on Christmas and being rewarded in the end with what he wished for more than anything in the world — a little baby brother, which he judged to be worth, on inspection, aliout five cents. A beautiful release in every respect. DOC YAK AND SANTA CLAUS (Selig), Dec. 25.— A Christmas cartoon concerning Doc Yak. which is really one of the best of the series. THE WAY HOME (Biograph). Dec. 2.'j. — A story that possibly conveys a lesson, though it is not exceedingly pleasant in theme, but, nevertheless, it is well acted and splendidly photographed. While it is a little morbid in places it holds attention and the ending shows selfsacrifice on the part of one character, from whom you would least expect it. A very touching number. THE REFORMATION OF HAM (Kalem). Dec. 23. — A comedy picture written and produced by Marshal Xeilan, in which he mixes up Lloyd V. Hamilton in peculiar straights in the Orient. It is productive of much laughter. Most of the scenes take place on the good ship Phillalloo, anchored off Kulangsu, China. It is a most strenuous comedy of the burlesque order and the audience seemed to take to it very kindly. THE LURE OF THE GREEN TABLE (Lubin), Dec. 25. — A story of a man afflicted with the gambling mania, which is of a highly melodramatic order, with the scenes laid in the west, amongst rough characters. There is rather a pleasant ending where the young man's sweetheart save him from the lure of gambling. William E. Parsons, Al. Ebrite and Dolly Larkin do some very good work in the leads. Attractive scenes well photographed are the redeeming features of this picture. SWEENEY'S CHRISTMAS B'IRD (Vitagraph), Dec. 23.— Flora Finch, Hughie Mack, W'illiam Shea and Kate Price are certainly well cast in this Christmas comedy. They finally get a Christmas feast, but not of the quality they anticipated, which simmers down to pig. It is full of human nature in a comedy way and no doubt many such happenings occur on Christmas Eve in the environments where raffles occur for turkeys or something else. The audience thoroughly enjoyed this Christmas comedy ottering. HIS UNWITTING CONQUEST (Biograph), Dec. 26.— A picture made up of an unusual display of human passions, which is strong in a temperamental consideration but, perhaps, beyond the reasonings of the usual picture play goers. It is finely acted and in all other respects splendidly produced. THE MAN WHO VANISHED (Edison). Dec. 20.Made from the Felix Boyd series "Below the Deadline," written by Scott Campbell, in which Robert Conness is being featured as the famous detective. It is all very interesting to the casual observer and the star is supported by Eigelow Cooper, Robert Kegerreis and Yale Boss in the principal roles. It is a strange sort of a story and m places somewhat puzzling, but the end is satisfactory and reasonable. BRONCHO BILLY AND THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE (Essanay), Dec. 2G. — One of Mr. G. M. Anderson's vigorous western dramas, in which he is again the sheriff of the county, but is asked to resign for various reasons, and Lee Willard is elected to take his place, which he fails to fill satisfactorily. The story is not bad, but the characters are shifted around unreasonably. THE ESCAPE ON T'HE LIMITED (Kalem), Seventh of the "Hazards of Helen" Series, featuring Helen Holmes. This sensational series certainly excites, but unreasonable things are creeping into it, that will eventually arrive at a point that will ruin it. Miss Holmes certainly takes some great chances and her acts hold the audience spellbound. J. P. McGowan deserves credit for some fine work in this release. It is of a thrilling and exciting nature. BRANNIGAN'S BAND (Lubin), Dec. 26. — A comedy of a rough and tumble sort, concerning a band, an organ grinder and a baby, which mix about like oil and water. It fulfills its mission as a laugh producer. E. W. Sargent is the author and J. A. Murphy producer. On the same reel with "A Troublesome Cat." A TROUBLESOME CAT (Lubin). Dec. 26.— A Vincent Whitman animated cartoon picture which is reasonably funny. On the same reel v/ith "B'rannigan's Band." THE CHAMPION BEAR SLAYER (Selig), Dec. 26.— An amusing sort of a picture, showing how a man, who delighting in telling of his prowess as a bear slayer, got mixed up with some real ones and lost hia reputation. The best part of the picture is the introduction of several bears, grading from the cub size to one enormous one. The animals CO their parts finely and in places it is productive of much laughter. THE HOUSE OF SILENCE (Biograph), Dec. 2.S.— This picture has been icviewed at length by Mr. George Blaisdell, in the Moving Picture World and can be found on page 13,'1<), issue of Dec. 12. MR. DALY'S WEDDING DAY (Edison). Dec. 28. — A comedy release featuring .Augustus Phillips, assisted by Bigelow Cooper and Edward