Motion Picture News (Jan - Mar 1914)

4Q THE MOTION PICTURE NEWS man is sent to prison, where he is visited by the girl. On Christmas day, during the entertainment that is given the prisoners, a motion picture proves the man's innocence. A scene "depicting Christ in the manger is verj well done. Glenn White and Fritzi Brunette play the lead-. "Until the Sea." (Selig. Dec. 18.) — Similar to some hundred others. A man goes to sea, is believed drowned. and on his return finds his fiancee married to another. "The Power of Light." (American.) — The American Film Manufacturing Company has scheduled this photoplay for release on January 5, L914. It is rich in scenes of mountain life as it is lived in the remote regions where the hand of learning has not reached. The inhabitants of these wilds gain their livelihood by making whiskey. How they are taught that their occupation is wrong is not done by the strong arm of the law, but by the efforts of one of their own kin. Sydney Ayres plays the part of Cliff Jackson, son of a mountaineer, who for eighteen years has lived in the heart of this lawless country. Tom Jackson, his father, is played by Jack Richardson, who is at the head of the gang of mountaineers whose sole source of income is from the making of whiskey. The story of this film is interesting and full of good situations. The usual high-class American photography is evident throughout the entire two reels. Cliff Jackson, the eighteen-year-old son of a mountaineer, is possessed <>f a Ntrong determination to conquer his father, who operates an illicit still, as also his confederates, by love and kindness rather than through the strong arm of the law. He realizes that the moonshiners are such because of misdirected effort rather than because of a wilful disregard of the law The father interprets the boy's feeling as personal animosity. The son leaves home to go to the city to secure an education, so that he may return and aid his people to live honestly. In the city he fornix the acquaintance of a family, which, although poor, takes him in and gives him his first taste of learning. This awakens in him a stronger desire for knowledge. A kindly pastor interests himself in the studious young fellow and sends him to college to become a minister. The daughter of the poor family and the minister's daughter become rivals. After his ordination he marries Jennie Bentley. the poor girl, and she returns with him to his home. When Cliff rides up the mountain trail he is struck by a stray bullet which is fired by the fighting moonshiners and officers. He is taken to his home and the officers at his request leave him to handle the situation by teaching love and kindness. Cliff's ambition is soon realized and he is privileged to demolish the still in the presence of those who for long years had offered defiance to the law and had now resolved to observe the law because of the power of the light that had been brought to them by the ambitious son of their leader. C. J. V. "Giovanni's Gratitude." ( Reliance. Two reels. Dec. 27.) — A very beautiful story by Russell Smith, played by a capable cast. A little Italian boy, Giovanni, is the sole support of his mother. He tries to sell papers but his companions rob him at every chance. It is during one of these fights that he meets Rankin, the superintendent of some engineering work, and his fiancee. The man helps the boy and gives him some money and his card. Later when Giovanni is really in need of work he applies and receives a position from Rankin. He is able to save the boss and man}' others by discovering a plot, through which he earns the enmity of some Italians. In an attempt to stab him the two Italians kill an old man, the blame for the murder falling on Giovanni, who takes to the woods. Here he hears another plot and frustrates it. The bomb which had been set in the house of Rankin kills the two plotters. Much action throughout and some excellent settings. Irene Hunt, Jack Pickford, Ethel Kauffman and George Siegman play the important roles. "The Great Game." (Essanay. Two parts. Dec. 26.) — A very fine political story, which also deals strongly with the stock market. From the pen of Maibelle Heikes Justice. Intrigue in all its forms runs through the action. The piece makes a most acceptable offering. Having been elected Mayor Cluett is naturally strongly opposed by his adversaries, and enlists the aid of the press. A railroad franchise must be put through, and this can only be accomplished by the mayor. Hence every influence is brought to bear on him, but he proves he is not to be bribed nor coerced in any manner. Cluett has dabbled heavily in stocks and Pelham now tries to force the signing of the paper by causing these stocks to fall. Cluett suddenly finds himself penniless. Pelham then turns his attention to his wife and becomes insulting to her. The wife pawns all her jewelry and thus redeems the value of the stock. The political machine for once fails and the dastardly actions of Pelham are exposed by his own son, Cluett's broker. The part of Hennessey, a political ward heeler, was excellently taken care of by Henry Martin Best. Thomas Commerford, Irene Warfield, E. H. Calvert and Richard C. Travers complete the cast. "THE REVENUE OFFICERS ARE COMING" from "The Power of Light" (American). "A Modern Jekyll and Hyde." (Kalem, Dec. 20). — A very clever title, that's good For the story. The action i must melodramatic, yet fails to apI Smith is. at the same time, a most respectable man with a daughter and large home, and a thief of the lowest sort His daughter does not suspect anything at all about this. lie i^ killed in a duel with a member of his gang.