Moving Picture World (July-Dec 1910)

244 THE MOVING PICTURE WORLD "A Child's Faith" (Biograph). — Inten pie faith of a child who believes in the efficacy of prayer, and when a shower of gold comes down the chimney shi it as a gifl from heaven. The miser to whom it belongs is the father of the little one's mother, from whom shi nged years before. The faith of the child touches ti man's heart and a reconciliation follows. The principal feature is the little girl's faith, and that alone makes the picture notable. Its influence is wholesome and it might make a difference in the viewpoint of some of the men of the world who may see it. "The Adopted Daughter" (Lubin). — A melo-dramatic picture depicting the troubles of a young girl who i treated like a slave by her foster parents, and endeavors unsuccessfully to escape the caresses of a Mexican. Enter now the ler, who chases away the Mexican, incurs the usual hatred and in the end takes the girl home, where all the evidence tends to show that her troubles are over. "The Golden Secret" (Meltes). — Even an Indian may communicate valuable information, and if one falls at your feet in the desert, imploring you to give him water, don't kick him. lie may repay the kindness with telling you where to find a gold mine. The interesting feature of this film, the race of the young wife for the land office, is exciting. To see her go down the mountainside, swinging far out on a lariat, is startling enough to arouse the most jaded consciousness. It is a good picture, and one feels like extending personal congratulations when the sheriff arrests the villain and the wealth belongs to the young couple. "A Vacation in Havana" (Edison). — A love comedy quite out of the ordinary. The scenes are laid in romantic Havana, and as the liners go about from place to place the audience has opportunity to see a great many of the interesting sights. Of course these two never seem to see them. They are much too busy with their own affairs to know much about Morro Castle, or any other features of scenic interest. A troublesome father intervenes very persistently, or the crowds of sightseers are more than ordinarily strenuous. The climax comes, however, when they succeed in thrusting the father into a dungeon, where he is left to his own devices for an hour or two. When they return a ring glistens on her finger, nor will they release him until he consents to the marriage. The sympathetic acting and the picturesque background combine to make a picture which is realistic without being dull, and lively without being silly. Altogether it is an excellent picture, worth}' of the house from which it comes. "How Bumptious Papered the Parlor" (Edison). — The same Bumptious who had an adventure with an owl a while ago. The audience that can sit through this picture without roaring must be composed principally of dead ones. The numerous difficulties encountered by Bumptious are too laughable to be adequately described. Rut if you can imagine a room after a well developed cyclone had cavorted through it you can gain some conception of how this parlor looked after Humptell off the ladder. These Bumptious comedies are funny and will give a lively touch to any program. "A Political Discussion" ( Pathe). — A curious end of a supposed murder. Here are two friends engaged in a political altercation. One hits the other and apparently kills him. Then follows some lively complications, including the revival of the supposed dead man. and finally both are placed in the same cell in prison. Mutual recognition and reconciliation follow. The interesl Ins in the unexpected ending rather than in any material strength in the Story. "Please Take One" ( Pathe). — Bbnehead gives evidence of returning intelligence in this picture, changing a handbill sign "Take One" from bills to a fruit and veg land. The result is about what might be expected, and when the rietor calls for the police they distribute the various articles to the crowd, and finally arrest him when he continues to complain. That Bonehead should exhibit a spark of intelligence is the interesting feature, and the way he makes it manifest adds to the fun. "Corporal Truman's War Story" (Kalem). — Scenes incident to the observance of Memorial Day by the veterans are followed by a dinner at which Corporal Truman is asked to tell the story of his empty sleeve. The story is told in pictures. and told so graphically that one almost rises at the end to cheer the gallant veteran. Perhaps no more exciting war pictut n the screen, and apparently every one feels like joining in the outburst of applause which fol to the Stars and Stripes. "Her Uncle's Will" (Vitagraph). — A clever society comedy drama, telling : ow the snobbish father of a young man was pulled down by a clever heiress who he mistook for a dairy maid. It is a love comedy, with more than the ordinary ded throughout its entire length, of practically i. it hasn't a dull moment. Acted with the snaj dash which characterize the work of the Vitagraph play< will fill a half hour very pleasantly. "Trailed to the West" (Essanay). — A story of grim ven| iic. Perhaps it would be unwise to say that either nun did right, and yet there is a sympathetic feeling the breast of every man which would influence most of ther to condone an offence against the laws, which had a bas like this. When a home is wrecked in this way one some times feels that almost anything is justifiable. The effec upon an audience may not be altogether desirable, but ther can be no epiestion about the interest the picture excites. Some how such a scene touches one's heart and there is more or less sympathy with the man who inflicts his own punishment instead of appealing to the law. "Jupiter Smitten" (Gaumont). — Representative of a little joke by Jupiter who, because things are dull in his domain, impels. mates another man and goes to his wife. Some excitement ensues when the real husband returns and objects to Jupiter's presence. Then Jupiter changes back, and frightens the couple. But being in a joking mood he forgives the husband the blows and leaves the reunited pair to their own devices. "The Jolly Whirl" (Gaumont). — A trick picture purporting to exhibit the marvelous powers of a medium. The way he mixes things is a caution. The excellence of photography under the circumstances is remarkable. A good many amusing combinations result, adding to the merriment of the audience. "A Good Loser" (Pathe). — An interesting love episode, in which a young man's desire to help his friends without their knowing it is frustrated bv a telltale letter. At any rate, the fellow who helps the mother and daughter in their need gets the girl, while the other young man proves himself a gooj sport, and even though he loses congratulates the couple i heartily. While the picture can make no claims to any special dramatic strength it is not disagreeable. The acting is sympathetic and pleasing and the scenes seem natural and convincing. "Algerian Stud" (Pathe). — A good picture maintained in Algeria by the French government. It is a record picture, intended to convey accurate information of what the gover: mint is doing in the development of thoroughbred hors< The photography is remarkably good. The difficulties of t subject were all overcome and every figure is clear and cle; cut. "A Broken Symphony" (Vitagraph). — A dramatic love episode, depicting very graphically the hopeless, unspoken love of a poor, deformed tiddler, who ultimately marries another. The character of the fiddler, pathetic in "its reprB sentation of misery and utter hopelessness, will attract by its power. It stands out sharply from the others, yet the remainder of the company give good support. It is a picture which will linger in the memory, whether one chooses 9 have it or not. "A Flash of Light" (Biograph). — A strongly dramatic picture, yet not altogether pleasant. A love story represent^ a man sorely deceived, and after an accident depriving hifi sight and hearing cruelly deserted by his wife. Then she is induced to come back as the bandages are removed fr<B his partially restored eyes so he may not know the tn» The climax, when the former wife pulls down the curtauB and lets in the blinding (lash that destroys the partially re1 sight forever, is not pleasant, and vet it adds a strcH ending to the play. Acted with the ability shown by the bB| : h players, this picture will be popular, even though dfl' ■able, because it arouses the emotions. Xo matter if they arc depressing, the fact that the emotions are stirred fe sufficient to make the film popular. "Rosemary for Remembrance" (Lubin). — A love story with a disappointed girl grieving her life away, i and eventually falling dead as her lover returns, and he eating his heart out alone grieving over something for which he inally to blame. The strength of the storv cand, and this is perhaps proved bv the distinct dt <s which follows the film. The dramatic] opportunities are made as much of as a capable company canj do, and one is quite willing to compliment them upon the interpretation of the piece. The memorv of the pic re,