Moving Picture World (Jan-Jun 1910)

THE MOVING PICTURE WORLD 509 and there is more than one who will feel a thrill of pity for the unfortunate country boy and will rejoice with him when at last the tangled paths are all made straight. These simple heart stories are strongly told and appeal to the emotions more than some of the more elaborate stories do. "The Village Inventor" (Selig). — A romance of the oldfashioned type with the country boy suddenly lifted into fame and fortune by an invention which wins him the favor of a rich man whose daughter he marries. It is a fateful day for the country boy, however, and eventually he is deserted and makes his way back to his country home and the simple hearted little girl he left behind. Down the vista of the years one's imagination wanders and sees many such instances, or similar ones, eventually, perhaps, recognizing the futility of such weddings. The story is well told, the acting being sympathetic and intelligent. The mechanical qualities of the film would be hard to improve. "A Western Romance" (Edison). — A romance full of the snap and go of the plains, yet made even more interesting by the love story which is interwoven, supplying a deep heart interest. Not always are clauses in wills imposing matrimonial alliances so literally consummated as this one, but it was not the girl's fault. She resisted as long as she could, but when her betrothed won her affections under an assumed name, what was she to do? Real cowboys and real Indians were employed in the production of this film, contributing materially to the interest which it excites. The rescue by the young woman is a thrilling bit of acting, and adds much to the interest of the picture. One's interest is maintained throughout, and there are many little touches which do much to heighten the effect and increase the general attractiveness of the film. Western dramas, or those depicting with accuracy life and conditions on the plains, are popular favorites and this house is to be congratulated for adding another of such excellence to the list. "The Man with the Weak Heart" (Edison). — A choice bit of irony is apparent in this picture. A doctor informs a gentleman that he has a weak heart, and must not exert himself. But as he walks slowly along meditating upon his probable uneventful life he is suddenly confronted with numerous conditions which lead to the exertion of prodigious strength. When he arrives home, however, he is too weak to take the baby and the family rush hither and thither ministering to his wants. Perhaps the producer intended no irony, but it is evident just the same, and adds much to the interest of the film. "The Girl and the Bandit" (Kalem). — A melodramatic story of how a girl single-handed captured a noted desperado for whom a large reward had been offered. It has a swing and dash to it which makes it interesting, and this is enhanced by the setting, which is in the beautiful outdoor scenery of Florida. "The Hand of Uncle Sam" (Essanay).— A lively story, with much of the melodrama about it, based upon the supposed interest of an American in one of the vest-pocket republics of South America. It is chiefly interesting because of the opportunity it affords of learning how the hand of Uncle Sam can reach forth and snatch a man from before "The Wild Coast of Belle Isle" (Gaumont).— A beautifully photographed picture of a wild coast, representing very graphically the rocky headlands and the waves dashed into foam as they beat ceaselessly against the rocks. The operator made selections of viewpoints which convey the impression of grandeur and power. These scenic films, particularly those containing reproductions of breaking waves, are always popular, and where the technical work is as well done as it was in this instance the attractiveness of the picture is greatly enhanced. "Capital vs. Labor" (Vitagraph). — The chief interest in this picture will center in the scenes depicting a strike and the riotous work of a mob. It is much too realistic to be comfortable. It gives a graphic representation of mob violence when unrestrained. It is a good bit of acting when the young minister rushes in, calms the mob, obtains concessions from the capitalist and in reality saves the day for everybody. The soldier with his regiment arrives too late to be of service. Perhaps the picture will have a salutary influence during this season when strikes pervade the air and from almost every section of the country comes talk of industrial complaint. "The Horseshoe" (Pathe). — A pretty fairy story, telling how a horseshoe, presented by Cupid, rescues a beautiful princess from the boredom of loneliness and secures a prince a beautiful wife. It is all worked out with careful attention to details and with the mechanical perfection of the Pathe films. "A Maid of the Mountains" (Urban). — A drama of interest, with a setting of romantic scenery, well acted and beautifully photographed. Like all the pictures that come from this house it has numerous excellencies, and these will be found quite up to the Urban standard. "Over the Appennines in Italy" (Urban). — One of those delightful scenic films, photographed with an appreciation of the possibilities of the subject which brings out the best there is in it. Mountain scenery is difficult to render, since it is often impossible to reproduce the impression of the grandeur of the cliffs and mountain-sides. But in this instance the operator has accurately interpreted the impressions exerted by mountains and has succeeded in producing an unusually interesting picture. The technical work on the film was well done and the entire picture will be certain to please. "Faithful" (Biograph). — Few, indeed, are they who have too faithful and zealous friends, but the hero of this picture seems to be one of the sort that is unfortunate in this respect. True, his faithful adherent is only half witted, which in the nature of things makes his attentions somewhat unwelcome. After resorting to all sorts of schemes to rid himself .of his follower, he finally decides to make the best of it and permit the devotion to continue unmolested. At last the psychological moment arrives. The friend that is determined to stand by is there and carries John's erstwhile sweetheart from the burning house. Then his worth is recognized. The lovers settle their differences and everybody lives happily ever after. The acting is quite in harmony with the subject and the photography is clear and of good tonal quality. the rifles of the firing squad. The picture of the torpedo-boat destroyer coming down on the camera under full head of steam is thrilling. The closing scene, where the condemned man is restored to his wife's arms, with the American flag waving above them, arouses strong emotions. Altogether it is a satisfactory picture and will be seen with interest anywhere. INDEPENDENT FILMS "A Family Feud" (Lux). — A story of a courtship between a son and daughter of two men sworn to maintain a family feud. It has some dramatic scenes and the acting is quite in sympathy with the subject. The photography has a few weak places, but they are of minor importance and could be easily corrected. "The Tenderfoot" (Nestor). — A Western story, based upon a complication brought about by an outlaw holding up a tenderfoot ranch owner, stealing his money and deeds and impersonating him at the ranch, where he was unknown. It worked well until a girl discovered the situation and set about straightening it out, which she succeeded in doing to the satisfaction of everyone. There is an abundance of drama in the story, and the interest is well sustained. It is worthy of note that the story is told without the taking of a life, though guns are often in evidence. "The Sea's Vengeance" (Ambrosio). — A story based upon a lover's desertion and his death by drowning in answer to a supposed curse. The scene where the sea is dashing against the rocks is wild and convincing. A feeling of sorrow is given to the picture by the desertion of one girl, the grief of another and the death of the faithless lover. "The Lover's Embarrassment" (Eclair). — Not every lover admits to stealing a large number of chickens because he wants to shield the girl he was visiting, but here is one that