Motion Picture News (Jan - Mar 1914)

THE MOTION PICTURE NEWS 23 "Absinthe" King Baggot, at His Best, Gives Marvelous Characterization of Absinthe Fiend in Four-Part Imp Feature Produced in Paris — Leah Baird Plays Female Lead KING BAGGOT is seen at his best in "Absinthe," a wonderful four-reel picture, which will be released under the Imp brand on the Universal program on January 22. And Mr. Baggot's best is not likely ever to be overshadowed either. After seeing him as Jean Dumas, the young artist, who becomes a slave to the terrible green drink, one feels that it is foolish to go outside of the ranks of the experienced motion picture actors to secure stars for film productions. After cudgeling the brain for several minutes no actor can be thought of who can better hold attention and give a better LEAH BAIRD AND KING BAGGOT interpretation of a most difficult role than does Mr. Baggol in parts three and four of "Absinthe." When Jean's brain succumbs to the effects of the drug and he goes stark raxing mad, Mr. Baggot is most convincing. This is not the only high light in the picture, though Mr. Baggot gives a tense, sincere, sympathetic interpretation throughout. Yes, he is at his best and King Baggot's best is not lightly to be estimated. Opposite Mr. Baggot plays Miss Leah Baird, formerly of the Vitagraph Company. She, Mr. Baggot and Director Herbert Brenon spent several months abroad last year, and "Absinthe" was taken in and around Paris. The Champs Elysees, the Seine, Montmartre and several Paris street scenes are shown in the action. Miss Baird is at her prettiest in the picture. A French actor and actress from a famous Parisian stock company, who plays the father and mother of Jean Dumas, complete the list of principals. Their work is excellent, especially that of the mother. "Absinthe" is all the more remarkable in that it is practically a "one man" picture. The man is King Baggot. TO give an idea of the thoroughness with which Mr. Baggot attacked his unusual part one instance may be cited. He frequented cafes for some time and studied "types" in them, especially the habitual absinthe drinkers, before attempting the part. This may account for the strength and realism of his work. Jean Dumas, played by King Baggot, is the son of middleclass parents. Against the wishes of his father he courts a pretty laundress, an absinthe drinker. Through her he becomes familiar with the insidious green drink. Here again is shown Mr. Baggot's care in little things. When preparing the absinthe the drink is not thrown in a "pony" glass as it might be served over an American bar. The absinthe is "dripped," as it is prepared in Paris, a slow, tedious involving letting it fall drop by drop into water. While under the influence of absinthe Jean is induced by the girl to steal back into his father's house and rob him of his savings. Naturally the old father and mother are heartbroken. Jean is driven from the home and bidden never to return. With his stolen gains he establishes a menage in which to house the laundress, now his wife. When his money is gone his wife leaves him for a fresh source of income. Jean goes straight along the downward path, and becomes better friends than ever with the absinthe bottle. Intoxicated he is followed by apaches who seek to rob him. Instead he joins their gang. His degradation is complete. Jean's apache friends scent prey in a rich couple they see dining in a cafe. The persons are Jean's former wife and her companion. They plan to rob the woman, and all unwittingly Jean plays the part of a cab driver. The woman enters the cab and Jean drives off at a furious rate. When he finds that his fare is his former wife, loaded with jewels, he is inflamed with unreasoning anger. Then follows a terrible ride. He drives along the Boulevard, out into the woods. Many times he beats and chokes her. The realism of these scenes is intense. Jean and his former wife exchange real blows and inflict real bruises. As they fight the cab lurches from side to side. Jean drags her from the cab, and, leaving her in the woods for dead, flees, escaping his pursuers. JEAN returns to his haunts and his absinthe. So deeply does he drink that he goes into a delirium. At this stage Mr. Baggot does his best and most convincing work. For several minutes he is alone on the screen, and so strong is his acting that he is bound to hold any audience spellbound. The next morning he awakens, a wreck. He staggers back home, an absinthe fiend. First he meets his mother. Then his father comes in. The old folks do not know what to do to rehabilitate their son when the rataplan of a passing drum gives them an idea. Soldiers are marching by, volunteers going to war. The father puts his old gun in his son's hand and sends him out. The picture closes with Jean, his gun dragging, following the volunteers, determined to enlist and make a man of himself amid new surroundings. King Baggot IS the picture. And, as he shows himself a wonderful actor, so the picture is a wonderful thing. ' G. D. P. DAVE MUNSTUCK— FROM EXHIBITOR TO IMPORTER Dave Munstuck, who was better known as the M. in the M. & F. Feature Film Service, last week announced his entrance into the importing of features, with temporary offices in the Imperial Hotel, New York City. Dave has had all the experience any man could wish for in the motion picture business. For several years previous to going into the exchange business he owned several motion picture theatres. It was in this line of the business that he learned the wants of the exhibitor. This knowledge served him well in the feature exchange which he conducted, and now that he traveled from the bottom, the experience he has gained will prove very valuable to him in his new venture. Mr. Munstuck is aggressive and discerning, and it is expected that his success in the importing game will be even bigger than was his feature exchange venture. In time, it is said, he intends opening branches in all the important cities of the country.