Moving Picture World (Jan-Jun 1910)

THE MOVING PICTURE WORLD 427 covery of the horse bearing the child and his capture by the dextrous use of the lasso. It is thrilling and redolent with the true plains spirit. Photographically it is an improvement over some previous Bison work. "The New Minister" (Imp). — The subject offers a clue to the picture, but, of course, it does not disclose the many interesting details. Very much of human nature is depicted in this film, and it is so well done that practically everyone who sees it is ready to applaud vigorously. Like all Imp films, it has an element which appeals strongly to the alert mind, representing the peculiarities of humanity in a very graphic way. The acting is lively; perhaps, in some scenes, too lively. The photography is clear, and good tonal qualities ar.e reproduced in the film. The pictures sent out by this house are improving steadily. That they are popular admits of no doubt. The intensely human, and therefore satisfying subjects, appeal to a large number of theatergoers and insure interested audiences wherever they are shown. The firm is to be congratulated upon the increasing popularity of its output. "On the Little Big Horn" (Nestor) was the title on a lavish poster display that attracted us into a theater on Sixth avenue. The picture on the screen when we entered was an Eclair. This was followed by another European film with no imprint, and then by an old Pathe. A good .projecting machine did justice to the good photography and steadiness of all these pictures, so we patiently awaited the headliner of the day. "On the Little Big Horn" at last had its inning. The story, if there was a story, seemed to seize upon every available plot on which a drama could be based. There was love, jealousy, heroism, infidelity, revenge, mistaken identity or false accusation, and the inevitable happy ending. This was put on with an attempt at a fire scene, a rescue and some fast riding' and display of cowboy attire to give it a Western flavor. Much of the acting was good, but somehow it failed to convince, as the jumbled situations had little in common and the producer failed to carry his story over the footlights by endeavoring to crowd in too much. The film will no doubt please many theatergoers. The bravado and the skillful riding of the cowboys, the chivalrous sentiment that prevails, will satisfy the average audience. But the story, as a specimen of the straining after effect in the modern picture drama, leads us to ask elsewhere, "What of the future?" "A Father's Patriotism" (Lux).— War pictures are apparently increasing in popularity. At least they are increasing in number. Here is one of those touching pictures that somehow go straight to the heart and arouse the same impulses they depict so graphically. The dramatic qualities of this film are excellent, heightened, perhaps, in some degree, by their appeal to the imagination, which helps one to see beyond the pictures and observe something which stirs emotions otherwise dormant. All these things help, and the effect is to create a favorable impression of the picture. "He Knew Best" (Lux). — A picture calculated to chase care away and develop the risibles in almost anyone. It is a story of what may be termed borrowed plumes and is strongly amusing as it runs. "The Actor's Children" (Thanhouser). — A most excellent beginning for a new concern. The story is clear and clean and the acting very good indeed in some scenes. There is, however, too much evidence of the production having been put on by a man whose experience has been gained on the living stage. Cutting out one or two scenes and substituting printed titles would improve the film and less time should be given to the supposedly speaking parts. No doubt this is also evident to the producer after seeing the story on the screen, where action speaks louder than words, and the fault will be remedied in the future. In fact it has already been much corrected in "St. Elmo," the second picture of the new company, to be issued this week. In photography the work ranks well with that of older concerns and is far superior to some. "The Actor's Children" is a film that will please. "Governor's Pardon" (Imp). — A rather incongruous story but carried by good acting and good photography. If there is one thing in particular on which the Imp Company is to be complimented, it is that their stories are clean, and while the dramatic element, is not lacking, there is not the straining after lurid scenes and exciting situations favored by others. Another excellent Imp film is "Mother Love," which deserves all the praise it has received. We have sat beside a censorship committee inspecting the Imp productions and heard the remark that no films required less pruning. One of the Imp dramas of early release will have on the same reel a short but wonderfully good exhibition of ice skating and obstacle jumping by one of the champion ice skaters of the world. "Foolshead, Chief of Reporters" (Itala). — Foolshead appears again in a film certain to cause everyone who sees it to laugh. Foolshead is a character that appeals to the average person as irristibly funny and creates a long laugh, lasting from the time the film starts until it closes. "Town Traveler's Revenge" (Itala). — A film of rather broad humor and somewhat addicted to the rough house order, yet quite likely to be popular with most audiences. It is recommended as a welcome addition to the list of live humorous productions. OF INTEREST TO THE TRADE. From G. Gennert, 26 East Thirteenth street, New York, we have received samples of the Temporary Film Fastener, a useful and much needed little device which we do not hesitate to commend to our readers. It is a fiat strip of aluminum or brass the width of the film, with four prongs which are inserted into two sprocket holes on each side and then turned down. In the event of a break or in the assembling of a film 'we can conceive of no more useful aid, or more economical, as it does away with the waste by the clumsy method of pinning the ends together and also the danger of blood poisoning from pin pricks. When ready to cement the joints the prongs are easily bent backwards and the picture is not damaged. It is a contrivance that will save time, temper and money and received the instant endorsement of a film exchange proprietor to whom we showed it. Manufacturers will also find it very useful in the joinin~ room. We understand that the film fasteners are furnished in aluminum at $3.50 per 1,000, or brass at $4 per 1,000. One of the latest improvements for the moving picture theater is an invention by V. C. Seaver, proprietor of the Alcazar Theater, 108 East Madison street, Chicago. This is a compound combined with a specially prepared cloth for a screen which tends to heighten the luminosity value of the picture. Even at a throw of 120 feet the picture stands out with wonderful brightness. The inventor has been experimenting upon this for the past six months, which has entailed upon him a large amount of money to get it to this state of perfection. He has applied for a patent both in this country and Europe and, if successful in securing it, he will be in a position to give the exhibitor a screen that will exceed some of those at present in vogue, at the low price of 50 cents per square foot. Oshkosh, Wis. — The Colonial is the name of a new moving picture theater, at 153 Main street. Jesse V. Hogan is the manager. The films are supplied by the Laemmle Film Service, which disproves the old saying that a prophet is not without honor, save in his own country, for Mr. Laemmle hails from Oshkosh. The new theater has a seating capacity of 365 and is of substantial construction and beautiful design. The system of ventilation is specially good. » The Arcanum Theater, at Jackson and Clinton avenues, Jersey City, was sold under the hammer recently to satisfy a judgment for non-payment of rent. There can be no sympathy in this case as it is a repetition of the old story. The parties interested had no knowledge whatever of the business and squatted into a neighborhood that was already overloaded with picture shows. They were going to set the world on fire and commenced under overwhelming expense in the matter of vaudeville, reels, help and rent. As is always the way in cases like this, they did themselves no good and hurt the. old exhibitors, consequently there is no one to mourn the loss. Moral — Don't butt in. LECTURES on Suitable Subjects in Moving Pictures are a pleasing and attractive feature and always appreciated by your patrons. The peer and pioneer of lectures or "picture readings" with moving pictures is acknowledged to be W. STEPHEN BUSH Pleated to correspond with exhibitors 44 North I Oth Street Philadelphia, Pa.