The Billboard 1909-04-17: Vol 21 Iss 16 (1909-04-17)

The Billboard APRIL 17, 1909. FILM NEWS Gaumont Issues a Series of Harry Lauder Pictures and a Number of Other Subjects Well Calculated to Sustain the Reputation of that Well Known House—Motion Picture Patents Company Arranges to Protect its Licensees with Insurance GAUMONT’S NEW CHRONOPHONE AND FILM SUBJECTS. The Harry Lauder Series.—Series of pictures sung and acted by Harry Lauder, the famous comedian. The subjects of this artist below listed are amongst his most successful numbers. Inverary, Wedding of Lauchie McGraw, Stop Your Tickling Jock, Rising Early in the ‘Morning, Aye Waken O, and We Parted on the Shore. Miss Victoria Monks.—Another well-known vaudeville artist in two of her best numbers. Love Song and Give My Regards to Leicester Square. Will Evans.—The popular star in his screaming sketch, Invasion 1910. Faust.—The great French opera sung by the exquisite talent of the Paris Opera House. Faust—Duet from the first act; Faust—First act, third part; Faust—My beloved; Faust— “Church scene, first; Faust—I greet thee. Carmen.—The great French opera Carmen rendered by the greatest Paris talent. Carmen —Mother I see thee; Carmen—Habanera; Carmen—The duel, Dragons de Villars.—French opera, Moi, jolie. Duet. The Awakening. Hannah, Won't You Open That Door, a funny darky story: Xylophone Solo; Pagliacci, Vesti la Giubba, by Signor Corradetti; O Sole Mio, a beautiful melody by a great artist; Every Little Bit Helps, funny darky songs and says; and others. ‘LARGEST M. P. LIABILITY INSURANCE POLICY. The largest policy of liability insurance ever issued has just been taken out to cover the 5,000 or more Motion Picture Theatres located throughout the United States licensed by the Patents Company and the policy will cover a risk of $5,000,000, The company issuing this policy is the New Amsterdam Casualty Company of New York “ City, and the assured will issue certificates to the licensees of the Patents Company covering them in case of damages for which they may be liable, by reason of bodily injuries or death sustained in any way whatsoever including panic or fire by any person or persons including patrons or employes in their theatre. This is the first time in history that all motion picture theatres have been allowed insurance, and is the result of the Department of Inspection formed by the Patents Company, which will report any "not safe, well ventilated, clean and light during performances, LUBIN’S BASEBALL CLUB. Mr. J. T. Hennegan, manager of the Lubin when he nods assent, she takes a knife from the table and slashes the painting of herself into shreds. The artist is furious and roughly pushes her from the room. tic room and is brooding over her love affair when a paper on the table catches her eye, and the first item she reads is one announcing the wedding of Antoine on the morrow. At the time appointed the ceremony takes place and as the wedding party is leaving the church a police officer pusues his way through the crowd, calls Antoine aside and imparts the sad news that his little model has committed suicide, She goes to her at * A TAX ON BACHELORS.—Mr. Piffle is busy dressing himself, his valet assisting. when a newsboy passes selling ‘‘extras."’ Piffile sends his servant out to purchase a paper. When he returns the master grabs it and notices the cause of the excitement. The bachelors’ tax bill has been passed. Piffle hurriedly finishes dressing and starts for his club, where he shows the item. His fellow club members talk over the matter, decide to pay the tax and rush from the room, Piffie leading. The newsboy goes further down the street, where an old maid is sweeping her door-steps. She buys a paper, reads the same article, gathers some of her friends and they start from the club-room of the Suffragettes. All are deeply interested in the news item. De termined to find husbands for themselves, they rush out of the room, only to meet the bachelors running madly in the same direction. The men win out, run into the tax office and slam the door after them. The old maids try to enter, but find the door locked. Presently the bachelors walk out, triumphantly waving their receipts, while the Suffragettes stand aside downhearted. BIOGRAPH. THE WINNING COAT.—It is said that the coat does not make the man, but it must be admitted that it goes a long way toward working out his destiny. So it was that the aforementioned article of wearing apparel brought | about justice on the one hand and future hap picture houses that are | piness on the other for the young courier upon whose shoulders it hung. This gallant youth, hardsome, ambitious and brave, mild in manner, but quick to resent an insult, engages in a duel with another of the Court, and is surprised by the King, who has issued a strong edict against duelling. For the offense he is arrested, but paroled. Now, the young fellow is deeply enamored of one of the ladies of the Court, to meet whom he breaks his parole. He is caught, | stripped of his regalia and banished from the Amusement Co., Cincinnati, O., has granted his | employees the privilege of organizing a basebal) | his woe by entering the game, but he has only team to be called the Lubin Baseball Club. Mr. Lubin will furnish the suits, bats, ete., for the club. The following r.. > are the players in their po8 ons: os Stanley Hennegan; C., Wm. Thorn1-B., John Miller: 2-B., Harry Schwartz; *8-B., Ed, Walker; S.-S., Walter Patton; C.-F., Tom Cunningham; R.-F., John Schottler; L.-F., John Shaefer. Substitutes—Walter Kimmerlie, Claude Orme, Joe Gorman, Joe Meehan, Chas. Delehanty, Allen and John Wolf. Umpire—Mr. Richard Weir. Mr. A. Dresner, the manager for the Lubin Film Service Co., captain, and Mr. J. T. Hennegan, manager. A good time is promised to the employes during the summer months. Following is a list of late films, by leading manufacturers and dealers, for early release: VITAGRAPH. A MARRIAGE OF CONVENIENCE.—The Story opens in a studio of Antoine Leroy, a young Parisian artist. Busts and pictures in various stages of progress are hung about the room while upon a platform Fantine, a model, is posing in the dress of a Gypsy girl. Antoine is painting and talking to her at the same time. A letter is delivered to the young artist, who, upon opening it, finds it to be from his uncle, chiding him for his wildness and also mentioning that he has arranged a marriage for him with a wealthy girl: Later, while Antoine is busy at his work, there is a knock at the door and the uncle enters. He talks earnestly with his nephew, then looks at his watch, intimating that it is time for them to go. The artist tacks a note on his door to the effect that he is called away for a few days on business. The next morning Fantine mounts the _ stairs, smiling and happy until she sees the note; then with a look of pain on her face she departs. Meanwhile Antoine and his uncle have reached the country home of the young lady who has been selected as the young man’s wife. The young people are introduced and we find the artist making ardent love, Fantine being entireiy forgotten in his new infatuation. After his visit Antoine returns to his studio, where Fan tine is overjoyed at his return, although inquisitive as to where he has been To questions she receives evasive answers. takes her position on the platform and the artist is absorbed at his work until the chime of the clock reminds him of an appointment. Fantine is dismissed, goes out one door, while the artist goes out another. The model, suspicious at her sudden dismissal, enters again and hides behind a screen. In a few moments the uncle with the artist’s fiancee and her father enter. Anteine welcomes them warmly. points out the various pictures about the room, which they admire, particularly the unfinished one of the Gypsy girl. After their departure Fantine comes from her place of concealment, asks An ‘ toine if he Intends to wed the young lady, and Court. There is among the courtiers a party of conspirators who have plotted to abduct the Queen and hold her hostage for ransom. At the tavern, the leader is given a letter setting forth their plans, which he cautiously reads and thrusts into his coat pocket, and sits down to while away the time gambling. Our hero enters, and being despondent, wishes to forget his hat and plume to wager, still this is accepted. The fates are with him; he wins again and again until he has the party—cleaned the conspirator even of his sword and coat. Putting on the coat, he feels the letter in the pocket, and reading it learns—‘‘climb to the balcony hall at midnight. We seize the Queen then.’’ He decides at once to save the Queen and hurries to the balcony hal: through the window and has barely time to hide in a large clock when three conspirators enter. At this moment the Queen appears on the way to her apartments, and the conspirators creep out to perpetrate their foul design, when our hero leaps to the fore, and taking them by surprise menages to hold them at bay until assistance comes. For this deed he is not only released from his parole, but is given the hand of his sweetheart and dubbed Knight. + CONFIDENCE.—Nellie Burton is the orphan girl of the rancho, who, budding into womanhood, realizes her position and appreciates the low, brutal character of the habitues of the place even discerning the true nature of her fancied sweetheart, Jim Colt, who was an unconscionable villain. Tiring of her environments, she decides to leave the place and seek a nobler and higher life. She makes her way eastward and applies for a position as nurse at a New York hospital, and we next find her “ministering to the sick.’’ She is untiring and soon becomes a favorite with all, and re garded a ministering angel. Her mild manners and pure nature impress the heed surgeon and he finds himself in love. He proposes marriage. which she at first mildly declines, feeling the awful disparity of his position of eminence and her lowly one. He at length dissuades her from her qualms of conscience and they are married. Were is a new life indeed for her. She has all her heart may desire, and above all the confidence of her husband. However, there must come a cloud, and this is In the shape of her girlhood sweetheart, Colt, who has migrated East, and living on his wits. He runs across Nellie with her husband as she enters her own home. The low conniving nature at onee asserts itself and he immediately plens a scheme of blackmail, nsing as capital her pure, innocent love letters, which really tell the truth of the irksome environment of her past life. Waiting a favorable opportunity Colt ‘visits’? her and with a threat of showing these letters to her husband, extorts money from her. This gone be comes for more, and as she has no ready cash he takes her jewels The money raised on these goes the same way, so he calls to make another demand This the poor, helpless girl finds unable to meet, and during their argument the surgeon enters. Colt then hands the missives over to the husband, who, taking the packet throws them Into the fire and has Colt ejected forcibly from the place with the positive injunction never to return GAUMONT. (George Kleine.) CHARLIE FORCED TO FIND A JOB.— “Father is rich and mother don't care,’ is adequately demonstrated in this series of views. Accustomed to having all expenses paid and “painting the town" to his heart's delight, Charlie is “stung’’ when, after an unusual carousal, the parental remonstrances to his rapid pace are so marked and effective that he finds himself on the outside of his heretofore “Garden of Eden.”’ Various efforts are made maintain a living, but Charlie is end from bad to worse. manages to make his several when his parents are humiliation and disgust, What was intended for a Charlie has a reactionary effect upon his family and they sue for peace, All possible concessions are made and every inducement offered if he will only return. + IN THE LIMELIGHT.—This subject is a novelty of highest order and will not fail to pro duce wholesome amusement A street fakir is seen to extoll the virtues of an improved mech anism for which he claims unlimited qualities. He induces a maiden to look into the apparatus with a view of seeing her future husband. A young hopeful wishes to see his prospective wife. Another desiring to prove his pedigree calls for views of his ancestors. A fourth person has a yearning to see what his children will be like and finally an inquisitive man is imbued with the desire to see his mother-in-law. All are satisfied so far as the mere satisfaction of their curiosity is concerned, but far from being pleased with the realization of their ideals. The caricatures of the crayon artist order are grotesque and highly amusing. + UNDER SUSPICION.—This story in a very effective manner the anguish under to secure funds to unsuccessful However, he attempts at times present, much to their goes punishment for gone by a person of jealous disposition. The devoted wife and child are planning for a celebration on the event of papa’s birthday. Father is requested to go on an errand while the two lay their plans; later he surprises the daughter writing a letter: a gold handled cane, intended as a gift, carelessly left on the lawn by the servant, who hurries away at the sound of his master’s approaching footsteps and unexpectedly coming upon his wife picking a boquet cause jealousy to arise in the man’s heart. Never dreaming that what he deems evidence of infelicity is really evidence of love and devotion. When the morning of his birthday dawns his demeanor is sullen. The surprise awaiting him in the demonstrations of affection is overwhelming and he shame-facedly accepts the offerings and vows never again to permit distrust to dominate his actions. POLICEMAN IN ACTION.—A illustrates | rip-roaring | comedy is rendered in the specific action brought | about by a policeman, who, in answer to an advertisement, secures a pair of electric boots. Unfortunately the appliances are put in connection with a trolley wire and gemferate an | Nancy, enormous power and the officer loses control of | himself. The funny incidents are too numerous to permit description. URBAN ECLIPSE (George Kleine,) A BACHELOR'S PERSISTENCE.—That sistency conquers” is very aptly demonstrated in this series of views. A confirmed bachelor, possessed of all the attributes and characteristics of a charter member of his class falls a victim to the unerring darts of Dan Cupid and with the same persistence with which he previously sought to evade the meshes of matrimonial entanglements he now strives to enter the realm of connubial bliss. He serenades the object of his affection, of fers gifts of every description, and seeks by every possible meang to ingratiate himself with the roung lady. All efforts are unavail ing, he is ordered from the premises, expulsed and subjected to all manner of humiliation, but instead of his ardor being dampened he is spurred on all the more to accomplish his purpose. Finally fate smiles kindly upon him and he | pulse The Chaperone evades all the old man's ad vances and causes great consternation to Charley when the young lady's dress arrives, and | she insists on The Chaperone helping her put it on. Charley has to contide in her who **The Chaperone’’ really is, and she flees from the room hastily. The Chaperone makes merry with Gruffe, and Charley tella ‘The Chaperone’ to get Gruffe's consent to his daughter's marriage to Charley. The Chaperone agrees, and when Gruffe begs for a kiss, The Chaperone tells him that for his written consent to his daughter's marriage to Charley he can take it. Gruffe gives it and claims his reward. As he embraces “‘The Chaperone’’ the wig falls off, disclosing his identity. Gruffe in anger demands the return of the agreement, but ‘The Chaperone” gives it to Charley, who takes his sweetheart in his arms, and the friend doffs his female garments, laughing at Gruffe's rage. THE RUBES AND THE BUNCO MEN.— The opening scene of this comedy shows the arrival of a typical rube and his daughter from the rural districts, Leaving the depot of a well-known railroad in a large metropolis, they are spotted by two bunco men on the outlook for victims, and cautiously trailed. The sharpers, laying their plans en route, take a short cut and secure material for their game. They happened upon a magnificent team of horses attached to a carriage standing alone in front of a residence, and after placing a sign upon the carriage, “For Sale, $25.00,"" they await the coming of their victims. The rubes, much taken with the splendid turn-out, immediately purchase the outit and drive off in state. The sharpers again head off the rubes and place a large sign in a conspicuous place upon a swell mansion. The sign reads, “‘This property in exchange for a team and carriage and so much cash to boot.”” One of the sharpers disguises himself, makes the exchange, secures the cash, and they both drive off in the vehicle. The robe and his daughter are thrown out of the house by a footman, and hurry away in search of their team. The sharpers drive the team back to its orig inal stand and hurriedly disappear just as the owner and his coachman come out of the house. As the owner is about to step into the carriage, the rube and his daughter rush upon the scene demanding the return of the rig. After considerable struggle, the rubes are ejected and the team drives away. A sudden revelation comes to the victims that they have been bun c EDISON IN THE DAYS OF WITCHCRAFT.—We of to-day can not realize the terrible sufferings inflicted upon the innocent in bygone days, when the belief in witchcraft prevailed. Our picture is a contribution to better under standing of the fearful events of that period, when nO man or woman was safe from false accusation. and Jack, her sweetheart, start merrily enough for the May dance on the village green, where they encounter Lord Craven, a dissolute rone, who loys a wager with his roystering companions that he will succeed in get ting a kiss from Nancy. During the May-pole dance Craven attempts to win his wager, but meets with a hearty reand retires discomfited to the White | Horse Tavern, vowing vengeance, to the amuse ““per| is given the opportunity to prove himself a hero | in a thrilling rescue scene. For this he is re celved with open arms and both live happy ever after. + A PLOT FOILED.-—A little shepherd lad en gaged at his work in the pasture overhears a plot to rob his master. He is delected by the conspirators, but feigning sleep is not molested. After the men have left to carry ont their dlabolical plot he hurries back to the-house and through the window he sees the men at work. He quickly secures a shotgun from the store room and firing through the window he > of the men in the safety in filght. liberates his employer alarm, whereupon the police sue the fleeing culprits, who hended. The lad wins the well-merited praise of his master, and the latter also appreciates that in the boy he has a very desirable employe. and sounds the arrive and pur are s00n appre ESSANAY THE CHAPERONE.—O. Howe Groffe, a busi ness man, ig a widower with a beautiful daugh ter. A young college chap, Charley has fallen desperately in love with the dangh ter, and she with him Gruffe, finding them making love in his house, throws Charley ont, and unmoved by her tears, Informe that she must never see Charley again without a chaperone. The daughter phones Charley and tells him he must secure a chaperone, then ev erything will be all right. Charley, at his quarters § in the college grounds, ig in the blackest depths of despair when his room mate pounces Into the room, and Charleye conceives the idea of dressing his friend up in woman's clothes and passing him off as “*The Chaperone."’ Charley's friend con sents to help him out of bis dilemma, and langhs with glee as participating in such a good joke. After much difficulty the and they proceed to the home heart's desire. Arriving there, ence angers 0. Howe Gruffe, but upon presented, leaves the young people to selves, as he falls desperately in love “The Chaperone."’ friend is dressed, of Charley's Charley's pres them hits | foot and causes them to | ment of his comp.nions. Jack, learning of Craven's misconduct, seeks him out, and a desperate fight ensues, in whicS Jack is rendered unconscious by a blow from Craven's heavy walking stick. When Jack recovers his mind is a blank. Craven denounces Nancy as a witch, claiming that she has bewitched Jack. A warrant is issued and Nancy is arrested, tried and sen tenced to be burned at the stake unless she vees her alleged art of witchcraft to restore Jack's reason. She fails to do so. Jack re covers his reason, learns of his sweethheart’s great danger and reaches the public square just as the torch is abont to be applied. Nancy Is saved, to the delight of the villagers. Craven, hidden in the crowd, is seen and recognized by Jack. who drags bim forth. The truth comes out. The Governor orders the arrest of Cravan, who is taken away, while Jack and Naney return home to give thanks for their providential delivery. + THE INTERRUPTED JOY RIDE.—Mr. Simp kins decides to buy an automobile. After In specting several, decides on a large car. While driving home in the machine, his chauffeur Is arrested on account of overspeeding. The question presents itself as to who will drive the ear the balance of the journey, and Mr. Simp kins is prevailed upon by his friends to run the car. He consents, and they start on the “Joy Ride.’’ Having no knowledge automobile, Mr of the handling of the Siropkins has his own troubles. | His first encounter is with an old farmer push Duncan, | her sternly | being | with | ing a wheel-barrow, and the farmer barely e*capes with his life. He enlists the services of a police officer who attempts to follow the fost disappeariag car. A tramp lying in a nook by the roadside barely escapes. Two lovers hammock are upset into the car In ite drive. Simpkins’ troubles are not ended, for a ie party having lunch In the woods is scat. A nurse pushing a baby in a carriage is next target, and the carriage upsets. She chases the automobile, and, as it stops, climbs aboard, but they manage to shake her off. The chase of the joy riders is brought to @ sudden stop by another automobile, and thus Mr. Simpkins ends his trip by being arrested and placed in Jalil. PATHE MOONSTRUCK.—This artistically colored picture shows harlequin wending his crooked way to hia humble abode after a big night with the boys. After many difficulties he at last reaches his room, where, tired and exhausted from the effects of too much wine, he falls asleep on his bed. Suddenly there is a great transformation scene; he dreams that he fe out in the street, end we see him napping on a bench at the edge of the sidewalk. Wakin up he esples the moon and makes up his min that he ix going to pay the man in the moon a visit, so he starta to climb up the side of @ house and eventually finds himself on the roof. After prowling around for a while a big wind | storm arises and blows everything away, and | Ilariequin, realizing his danger, grabs a stove