Moving Picture World (Jan-Jun 1910)

-1-'' THE MOVING PICTURE WORLD "Marriage in Haste" (Lubin). — Numerous stories of elopements have been told, but here is a novelty in the fact that the girl's lather, pursuing the eloping couple, is mistaken foi the eloper because he lias a little girl with him, and only timely return of his new son-in-law he would have been lynched by the mob. There is a long list of incidents, each funnier than the last, and each one good for a laugh. m harmony with the mixed-up story, and the phot. is clear and good. This is one of the best com edies Lubin has releasee! recently. "Tragic Idyl" (Pathe). — A simple love story, involving a broken promise, a maddened father and a tragedy, but the film is a marvel of beauty, color, light and shade. Perhaps the si' ry it tells may Mem hackneyed, but the beauty of the pictures presented more than compensates for any lack of strength in the story. It will long be remembered for this when possibly the somewhat commonplace story will be forgotten. "Strenuous Massage" (Pathe). — Maybe few would care to take such vigorous treatment for rheumatism as this unfortunate individual received, even though the twinges were severe. A shower bath from an overflowing gutter, a plunge bath in a bucket, massage from two policemen and a roadroller. These all combined make what might be termed very vigorous treatment; yet the patient testified that he felt better after it. "Told in the Golden West" (Sclig).— The Western pictures coming from this house are remarkably good interpretations of the life they are supposed to depict; in fact, one can obtain an accurate impression of some interesting phases of Western life by looking at a Selig picture; and the series of recent releases makes a wonderfully good record. This one is no exception to the rule., and, in the opinion of experts, will undoubtedly add to the already high reputation of the house. , "The Right Decision" (Edison). — The story opens with a scene on the battlefield of Waterloo, very graphically presented, giving a clear view of the horrors of war. There is a complication of difficulties arising from the attempt of the son of a captain who was assisted on that field to find the one who aided him. A love story is interwoven, showing how the captain's son finds a beautiful girl while engaged in the search for the benefactor, who, to make the story still more complicated, turns out to be a thief. The picture is well acted and beautifully staged, with photography quite in keeping with the subject and the careful manner in which it is worked out. "My Milliner's Bill" (Edison). — A comedy in which the extravagance of a young wife for elaborate hats is effectively i ured by the husband, who is a good amateur actor. The fun is of the subtle type that amuses without offending and the attractive complications which arise are all satisfactory add.itions to the play, making it as delicious as possible. The acting is clever, the photography is excellent, and the entire picture is satisfactory. "A Brother's Devotion" (Vitagraph). — A story which illustrates in a very dramatic way how one brother made a heroic sacrifice to help another. It is a well-told tale of brotherly love, which perhaps would have more strength if it were more common in everyday experience. It is well acted, with much attention to details, and the story is worked out with care. Photographically, little improvement could be desired. A few weak places appear, but they are insufficient to mar the picture. It is, on the whole, satisfactory and is strong enough to play on the emotions more than some of them do. "Interrupted Honeymoon" (Essanay). — Here is one of those snappy comedies, played in the liveliest way by the company'^ capable actors, certain to amuse any audience. The numerous startling situations and complications into which the honeymooners plunged, one after another, never fails to keep the people who see the picture thoroughly interested. "Her Soldier Sweetheart" (Kalem). — After seeing this picture twice one feels constrained to say that it will probably rank as one of the best among the many good ones the Kalem people have turned out recently. The dramatic possibilities are many, and are carefully and consistently worked out, with no forcing of scenes to secure an adequate climax. The photographer rose to the requirements of the subject and did his work even better than he has been doing lately. There are passages where the dramatic strength of the picture is unusual and the actors have imbibed the spirit of the scenes and do some remarkable work in interpretation. With all the elements in its favor the prediction is made that this film will prove exceptionally popular; and it is certain to enhance the reputation of the producing company. "At the Bar of Justice" (Urban). — A strongly dramatic picture, acted with sympathy and with the attention to details which characterizes the work of the Urban players. The photographic department satisfactorily performed its part of the work, and the result is a picture which will appeal by its development of human sympathies and it -Hong telling of a dramatic story. "The Water Flyer" (Urban). — A scenic record film, prepared with the care which characterizes the work of this company. The operators understand how to select the most picturesque viewpoint, adding much to the attraction of the films in so doing. So much depends upon the proper selection of a viewpoint for scenic pictures, particularly when rapidly moving objects arc included, that a firm is to be congratulated who has as good an operator as Urban. "A Victim of Bridge" (Edison). — The consequences of overindulgence in this fashionable diversion are clearly portrayed m this picture from the Edison studio. The acting is good and convincing and the photography is clear, and the picture keeps the audience interested throughout its length. "His Fears Confirmed" (Gaumont). — A bit of good dramaticwork, supplemented by good photography. Some of the scenic effects are very beautiful, showing a mass of picturesque features which add materially to the picture and what it represents. "The New Partner" (Bison). — The interest in this picture will center chiefly in the strike scene, which is probably one of the greatest strike pictures ever put upon the screen. The stirring scene is adequately staged and admirably acted and the surroundings seem interpretative of what the subject suggests. To be able to reproduce a scene of this character is an achievement worth noting and emphasizes the fact that the Bison Company is doing some excellent work. The company which acted this film had special training for the work and the results are quite in keeping with the care which is apparent in the firm's recent output. "The Electric Bathtub" (Pantograph). — This farce from a comparatively new company is boisterous, but contains some novel features certain to please. The experiences of the unfortunates who undertake to use the tub are amusing enough to keep the audience laughing throughout the entire length of the film. The photography is quite satisfactory, showing only occasional weak places. But it is the kind of comedy which older concerns have mostly discarded. It has had its day, and that day is past. There is enough of such stuff on the market now. and a new producer, to claim attention and patronage, must of necessity work on more original and progressive lines. "A Wedding During the French Revolution" (Great Northern).— Here is a drama by Sophus Michaelis, the famous Danish playwright. It is being produced at a well-known New York theater under another title, with a favorite actor in the title role. It is a strongly dramatic production, and as acted by the Great Northern company it is certain to attract much favorable attention. The photographer has performed his part of the work to perfection, and the finished film leaves nothing to be desired. The adequate presentation of films of this character does much to overcome the adverse criticism aimed at the motion picture theater by ignorant and misguided critics. The Great Northern people deserve commendation for their good service in producing this film. The author of the book, at present in this city, warmly comnlimented the Great Northern representative on the excellence of the production. "Supreme Recognition" (Itala). — A picture possessing marked dramatic qualities, sympathetically acted, and telling a beautiful and touching story of a mother's love for her children.. "The Cage" (Eclair). — A story of a buccaneer's love for a young woman whose guardian has other plans for his ward. However, the elopement would have got on famously, only the guardian discovered the plot and imprisoned the chief. He is released by his fellows, the marriage is consummated. and all goes well ever after. The acting is sympathetic there is plenty of lively work, and the photography is quite satisfactory. Withal it is an interesting film. "The Indian and the Cowgirl" (Bison). — A Western picture, breathing the rough life of the plains and developing a story of interest and power. The most thrilling scene is where the cattle rustlers fasten the child on the horse's back and send the beast careering over the plains. But the mother has befriended an Indian, rescuing him from this same gang of rustlers, and when she gives the alarm he is first to respond. Then come some wild riding, ending by the dis