Motion Picture News (Jan - Mar 1914)

THE MOTION PICTURE NEWS 4i INTERESTING FILM REVIEWS Educational — Industrial — Scenic — General "The Adventuress." (Union Features.Three reels. Jan. 10.)— It has often been said that the technique of the French players surpasses that of our own. Their care for the small details of a picture, their conception of what will appeal as a pleasing situation, and the clever grouping effects are more developed than ours. This picture, were a test possible, would do very well as an exponent of this theory. In detail work it is practically perfect. Laugier, a middle-aged widower, marries an adventuress, not knowing her character. She and her lover plan to obtain possession of his wealth. Laugier's daughter. Adrienne, arrives home and is apprised of her father's remarriage. She learns the relationship of the woman and her lover and denounces them. Her father entering at this moment, she takes the blame for the presence of her stepmother's lover and is disowned. Adrienne meets Henry, and in a short time they are engaged. The father, at last rinding out the extent of his wife's guilt, shoots both her and her lover, but is stricken with paralysis himself. Hearing that Henry has succeeded in obtaining a good position for himself he joins the impatient lovers together with his last breath. "Emancipated Women." (Kalem. Split reel. Dec. 26.) — An impossible comedy that fails lo make an impression. Three women capture three men whom they compel to do their work while they take the men's place in the field and wood pile. They soon tire and marry the men. "The Master Rogue, or the Dumb Accuser." (Features Ideal. Three reels.) — A strong drama containing a most desirable moral. There aVe some very emotional scenes, which are excellently portrayed by Mile. Yvonne Pascal and M. Roussel. Although melodramatic in character the action at no time is allowed to become overdone. Edward, an inveterate gambler, returns to his home one night in his usual drunken condition. He sees a letter from his aunt, Mrs. Wilson, announcing the fact that he is cut off without a cent. He determines to rob her, but is discovered and forced to leave the country. He goes to Colorado where he and a partner find gold. He strangles his friend, but in the fight leaves a locket in his hand. He returns to his home secretly and meets his wife. He drugs her and fatally wounds his aunt, thus making himself the sole heir to her fortune. Tom, a poor helpless deaf and dumb boy, is accused of the crime, and is found guilty. Edward's wife, hearing this, confeses her husband's part in the murder, and the locket proves his complicity in the murder of his pal in Colorado. Knowing that the "game" is lost he commits suicide. "A Snakeville Courtship." (Essanay. Dec. 27.) — A neat, clean comedy that will amuse. Many unique situations. Sophie Clutts, in search of a husband, arrives at the ranch. She has no luck until she receives a large fortune, when she has her choice of many. "A Waif of the Plains." (Warner's Features. Three parts.) — Made by the Miller Brothers 101 Ranch players, directed by H. C. Mathewson, and featuring Baby Early and Master Miller, two of the cleverest child actors on the screen. The action supposedly takes place in about 1860, just following the gold rush to California. The Indians at that time were constantly on the warpath, and the party of which the two children are members are captured and all but them killed. The little boy had just presented the girl with a deer's tooth on which he had engraved their combined initials. The boy, having escaped the Indians, becomes a soldier. The girl in the years that have gone by becomes an Indian princess. Myers, now a lieutenant, meets the Indian girl and seeing that she is partly white induces her to escape with him. They are followed, but finally, through the devotion of an Indian, make their escape. The Indian dressed in the Lieutenant's clothes, rushes through the camp and is shot. The final sub-title is, "Greater Love Has No Man Than This, That He Lay Down His Life for His Brother." "The Doctor's Romance." (Lubin. Dec. 27.)— There is something indefinable about this story that to a certain extent detracts from its real worth. A doctor, having become very successful, realizes at last that he is lonely and needs a wife. He meets the girl he would like to marry, but she is engaged. Finally he marries his secretary, a youthful widow. This is brought about through the cleverness of her little son. "Golf and the Bonnet." (Vitagraph. Dec. 26.) — A comedy of unusual excellence. One of the class that amuses everybody. The antics of John Bunny in a "loud" golf suit, trying to learn the game is enough to make anyone hilarious. Having disobeyed his wife, John, with the help of a friend, pacifies her and even gets her sympathetic. A new hat and a black eye do the trick. Flora Finch and Wallie Van were also members of the cast. "His Sister." (Selig. Dec. 26.)— A pathetic drama, which is very true to life. The boy gives up everything in order that his sister may get an education, only to be rewarded by her THE PROOF OF HIS GUILT Scene from "The Master Rogue" (Features Ideal — 3 reels).