Revised list of high-class original motion picture films (1908)

DRAMATIC. view with the country man in tow. He, of course, attracts bis attention to the horse and buggy and the $25 sign, and this price appears to the farmer such a bargain that he eagerly pays the money over to the "Con" man, who beats a hasty retreat. Our farmer friend then takes possession of his newly acquired purchase but is soon undeceived by the real owner, who lgnomlniously drags him from the bug* MYTHICAL. S. P. 800. PUNCHINELLO. Price, Partly Colored, $187.40. Approximate Length, 1,145 feet. One of the most beautiful fairy tales shown through the agency of animated photography, gorgeous in scenery and costumes, and bewildering in trick and magical effects. A considerable portion of the film is appropriately hand-colored. The opening scene is laid in a toy shop, where are seen standing on adjacent pedestals the life-size mechanical doll Punchinello, and his pretty doll sweetheart. The proprietor enters and winds up the figures; when left alone they make love very prettily. The storekeeper returns with a party of would-be purchasers, who inspect both figures and order the female doll sent them, which is done, and Punchinello is left alone, lamenting the loss of his lady love. In the midst of his grief a fairy appears to Punchinello and presents him with a magic wand and bids him oursue and recapture his love. Calling to his assistance a hobby horse from the toy shop he starts on his journey and arrives by night at the hotel of mysteries, but while he refreshes himself and his steed the proprietor of the toy shop, who is pursuing him, enters the hotel with his assistant and orders supper. Punchinello's magic wand enables him to play many pranks, and the guests, food, chairs and table disappear, the pictures revolve on the wall, and finally their clothes disappear from their backs as by magic. In the meanwhile Punchinello makes his escape up the mountain until he reaches a bridge, which he crosses in safety, but which is chopped down by gnomes, called to his assistance by the magic wand, before his pursuers can cross also. Punchinello now falls into a subterranean cavern, where he encounters many strange and mysterious wonders, and is apparently killed and dismembered by the leaf-like demons of the cave. He is rescued by the principal demon, who seats him on a gigantic mushroom, which rises under his weight and lifts him high in the air. Strange to say, he emerges near a spot where his two pursuers are sleeping, and again making use of his wand he attaches his enemies to limbs of nearby trees, and leaves them dangling in the air, kicking and fuming helplessly. And now Punchinello reaches the castle where his love is confined, and the gnomes assist him by setting fire to the walls. All the inmates escape except the unfortunate doll, who is apparently consumed by the flames, but Punchinello to the rescue. He has worked himself through the smoke and flames, and picking up the dismembered parts of his sweetheart he places them in a bag arid escapes down the stairs with them. On his opening the hag it is apparent that the magic wand has not lost its efficacy, for his girl jumps out as fresh and sweet as ever. They leave the burning castle behind them, and crossing the bridge, which the gnomes restore for the purpose, they once more reach their old home, where the fairy queen appears, and amid dances and decorations Punchinello is married to his lady love. One of the prettiest and most perfect extravaganza subjects ever produced on a real or mimic subject. Certain sections of the film are beautifully hand-colored, rendering a very pleasing effect.