Moving Picture Weekly (1916)

-THE MOVING PICTURE WEEKLY « THE COMEBACK 99 BISON Two Reel Drama, from a story by Charles E. Van Loan. Scenario by Charles J. Wilson, Junior, and production by George Marshall. Some of the staff of real cowboys and character men of Universal City are featured in this picture, which is without a star. CAST. J. Lowell Quackenboss L. O. Pierson Cunningham L. M. Wells Uncle Jimmy _... George Ben-ill "Crying Kid" Jack Walters First Citizen Bud Osborne Second Citizen Pedro Leon Third Citizen Tom Grimes CHARLES E. VAN LOAN story is sure to be a good one, and this Bison two-reeler was made by Charles Wilson, Jr., and George Marshall, from one of Van Loan's inimitable stories of the West. "Opportunity in Optimo" the tale was called originally, and it was read and enjoyed by thousands in the pages of a popular magazine. The picture is unique, in that it was produced without a star. There is not even a "featured player." The seven roles were played by some of the cowboys and the character men of Universal City, with the assistance of a very intelligent burro. Of course, the cowboys of Universal City are a very unusual lot, ami prove the contention of the famous Western player, Harry Carey, who has so often ftp peared with them, that though tors do not make good cowboys, cowboys are often good actors. The absolute naturalness of the worl these men in "The Comeback," their utter unconsciousness of the camera, shows that Carey knows what he talking about. Here is the story: Optimo is a dead mining town, and the remaining six citizens gather at Cunningham's bar daily, where they have a drink and then wend their way sorrowfully home. This has been a habit with them for the past ten years. One day, Quackenboss, a tenderfoot from the East on a prospecting trip, arrives in the town and treats the population to a drink. They notice his wad and plan to get it. One of them discovers that he is a bug on faro. They resurrect the old faro outfit and "frame up" a crooked game with Cunningham as dealer. They give him their combined capital of two hundred dollars and await their victim. Uncle Jimmy, who is always broke and always wanting a drink, arrives in the town during the preparations and watches them fleece their victim. They invite him to help himself to a drink. While the game Crogresses he indulges frequently, and ecomes boisterous. So they throw him out. He is sore and waits outside until Quackenboss comes out after losing a thousand. Uncle Jimmy tellhim of the "frame up." The old man Olltlinei I plan to him. Quackenboss goes on a prospecting t rip and returns to the town tired and weary. The citizens ha\e planned another Faro game, but he explain! that he is too tired to play, and asks them to look over some ore samples. The majority of the stuff is no good, but suddenly they discover the real article in one of the samples and excitedly ask about it. lie explain that he has found a canyon full of it. Cunnii ham quickly gets the others together and they persuade Quackenboss to sell them the claim for twelve hundred dollars. The next day they all start out on a mad rush. The only two who arrive at the canyon are Cunningham and one of the citizens. Instead of the gold they find a note informing them that there are other skin games beside Faro. In the meantime Quackenboss has given Uncle Jimmy his share of the twelve hundred and ridden away, leaving Optimo much sadder but also much wiser for his visit. ALLAN J HOLUBAR is directing and playing the featured lead in a five-act photodrama. "The Reward of His Government." Dorothy Davenport plays an important role in the tilm play. The story has a French atmosphere as the featured player is a government telegraph officer and there tl more or less of the play connected with the present war. DAINTY Klla Hall is being tured at Universal City in a Bluebird five-act feature photoplay, Pawned." Miss Hall plays the role of a little girl in which she is un • lied and is supported by a strong Of players. Many of the scenes laid in I pawnshop. RUTH CLIFFORD, one of the tts featured player, at Uniworking in a fi drama. "A Modem Mona I.i-a " The atmosphere is laid m Pan at id Clifford enacts the role of ■ model, finally falling in love with the artist.