The Billboard 1909-09-25: Vol 21 Iss 39 (1909-09-25)

— sto eva aes? i, Sure 14 The Billboard SEPTEMBER 25, 1909, New Films Reviewed Obstacles, Seemingly Unsurmountable in the Past, Now Overcome Through the Aggressiveness of Manufacturers—This Week's Releases Deviate not an Iota from the Standard Consistently Maintained—-A Discerning Public Will View with Apprcbation. VITAGRAPH Tragic stories are best when possessing 4 happy ending, and in The Unspoken Goodbye this requirement is met through perfectly natural means. The reality of the story, its simplicity and directions are added to by the art of the stage manager, and one of the scenes is truly sensational, involving the premature explosion of a quarter of a ton of dynamite in a mighty blast. Tom Jennings is a quarryman, sober, industrious and prosperous. He is happily married, and little Lilla, their daughter, a child of six, makes complete their happiness. a happiness marred only at times by Ruth Jennings’ impatience. The scene opens in Jen mings’ comfortable home, where he lingers over the breakfast table until the clock warns him that he must be starting for the quarry unless he would be late. Ruth asks him to get some coal before he goes, but her request has been too long delayed, and Tom explains that he is late as it is. Piqued, she refuses him a goodbye kiss, but even as the door closes she repents her temper, and sends little Lilla after him with her good-bye. Arrived at the quarry, just in time to escape a fine, the foreman details him to a new task, and Tom gives his coat to Harry Somers, who slips it on as the easiest way of carrying it to where Tom will spend the noon hour with him. But before Harry can rid himself of the garment there is a premature explosion of a huge blast, workmen, fleeing from the danger, are caught under the mighty mass of rock. Willing hands quickly begin the task of freeing their companions, some of them with bodies so badly mangled that only the clothing permits identification. Among these is Tom Jennings, and word is sent to his home. Poor Ruth rushes to the scene, but is gently drawn away vy sympathetic friends, and is led back to the cottage, where she is tormented with thoughts of that last farewell of the morning. But little Lilla has followed her mother to the quarry, and her sharp eyes discover the fact that while the coat is that of her father, the other garments are not. She tells the foreman, who recalls having sent Tom Jones to another part of the quarry, and Talla runs to him, taking him home to assure the weeping Ruth that the unspoken good-bye was last farewell, the picture ending with a pretty tableau, in which the happy Tom sits with his wife and daughter beside him, giving thanks that it was not he who was caught in the cruel grasp of the explosion. Though a tremendously sensational secene, the explosion is but incidental to the story. which is of vital and absorbing interest. It is a remarkable film in every respect. + THE SIRPN’S NECKLACE.—Jean Perthe, one of the best-looking young fishermen of the little village of Kuban, seeks to win the love of Susette, the belle of the community. With his scanty savings he purchased a necklace, cheap beads in imitation of pearls, but the best his purse affords. Joyonsly he comes to offer his gift to the pretty maiden, but she is not so easily to be won. She regards with disdain the shabby bauble, and poor Jean is distressed. He comes to serenade his charmer, but his music is no more potent than his pearls, for Susette pretends to be annoyed by his singing though the strains of melody brings from her home at the bottom of the sea one of Neptune’s daughters, who pleads with the fisherman to join with her in the sea. Despairing of winning SuSette’s love, Jean heeds the eppeal and plunges into the water after the disappearing siren. Some of the villagers are attracted by Susette’s cries, and two old men hastily procure musical instruments and continue the serenade, plunging after the two sirens who are attracted by the music. Others hearing their success join the concert, until the entire village band is playing upon the shore, but they are driven away by their angry wives. Meanwhile Jean and the siren are having a pleasant time at the bottom of the see. He tells of the rejection of the necklace and is given a handsome string of pearls. Ikey Fromitz, one of the old men, does not fare so well, Neptune catches sight of him endeavoring to carry to the surface two bags of gold, and he assists Ikey’s progress toward the shore with the sharp tines of his trident. Jean soon fol ows, and now Susette is all smiles. Her coquetry is gone. and she tenderly welcomes her lover she thought to be lost. Her joy is made complete by the gift of the necklace and Jean turns a deaf ear to the renewed calls of the siren. This is an unusually good comedy subject, unlike anything before presented, and making capital use of the Vitagraph lake, which forms a part of the studio equipment. * FANTINE.—This is the second in the series of the films de lux, prepared by the Vitagraph from incidents in Victor Hugo’s Les Miserables, the first of which is The Galley Slave. This second incident deals with the unfortunate Fantine and Jean Valjean, now a respectable mem ber of society, thanks to the generons action of the good bishop and mayor of the town, known as M. Madeline. Fantine, betrayed and deserted, is forced to leave her little girl, Cosette, with the evil Thenadier, who abuses the unfortunate child, mother with demands for money. able to obtain work. and is forced to sell her beautiful hair for ten frances, to send to Thenardier, who declares that Cosette needs warmer clothing. Later she is told that Cosette is fll, and that money is needed for medical attend She is un ance She can not supply the sum, but encountering a traveling dentist, who is searching for sound tecth from which to construct false plates, she sells her teeth for the needed sum. She i+ exhausted by the shock of the and some of the) | for | end persistently bleeds the | extraction. and Javert, the cruel Inspector of Police, jeers at her. She has refused his advances and is determined to win her, prosecuting her with his intentions. M. Madeline saves Fantine from his importunities, and incurs the enmity of Javert. In exerting his prodigious strength to release the citizen Fauchelvant from beneath an overturned cart, he rouses the suspicion of Javert, who was a keeper in the galleys where Jean served his sentence. Javert recalis Jean's almost superbuman strength, and, to test his theory, tells M. Madeline that he suspects Champmathier of being Jean Valjean. He arrests Champmathier and brings into court a number of convicts to testify to his identity, which they do readily enough. Jean, unwilling to see an innocent man suffer, discloses his identity, freeing the accused but bringing upon himself the rigors of the law. His arrest is so great a shock to Fantine, now deprived of her benefactor, that she falls dead as Jean once more is held in the grasp of the law. Technically the picture is a superb example of pantomimic action and art photo graphy, even better than The Galley Slave, and with an absorbingly interesting story. KALEM THE WINNING BOAT.—Down on a little slip of deserted beach, near the village, where the shallow water rushes in and out smong the mossy rocks, three inseperable companions, Jack, Ben and Gracie, are playing. Jack and Ben are sailing their little boats while Gracie watches them. A race is on. Gracie is clapping her small hands in excitement. Soon Jack's boat proves the winner and taking it from the water he gallantly presents it to Gracie. She accepts the gift and rewards the donor with a kiss. At this Ben’s small face darkens with anger. Picking up his boat he shakes his fist at the loving couple and stalks majestically away. With arms about each other, Jack and Gracie watch him disappear, ling with mischief. Twenty years have passed. We find Jack and Ben, now grown to manhood, following the occupation of their fathers and grandfathers, working side by side in one of the boat yards of the little village. Here comes Grace on the way to her father’s shop with his midday meal. She greets Jack shyly. Jack begs her to stop and talk with him and they seat themselves on an old timber. Now Jack tries to steal a kiss and Grace laughs and hurries away with her father’s dinner. Ben has watched all this from his position at the rear of the boat and coming forward in jealous anger he upbraids Jack. Jack replies with spirit. Ben picks up a boat pin lying near and is about to strike Jack when the foreman, who has just entered, sees the uplifted pin and rushes between the two. It is Sunday morning, Jack and Grace have just returned from church. For days and days Jack has been trying to muster up courage enough to tell Grace of his love. At last, in a bashful fashion, he falters out his love story. Receiving no answer, he is turning sorrowfully away when he feels a light touch on his arm and stops, to find Grace looking up at him with the lovelight shining in her eyes. Now he draws forth the engagement ring he has been carrying so carefully in his pocket and places it on her finger. She rushes into the house to show it to her mother. Jack goes away, wishing to be alone with his great happiness. Now Ben enters the yard, intending to call upon Grace. Seeing Jack leaving he stands watching him suspiciously when Grace rushes from the house and thinking he is Jack, throws her arms around him. Seeing her mistake, she murmurs Jack’s name and shows her engagement ring. Mad with jealousy, Ben curses Jack. orders him to go and he does so, swearing vegeance against Jack. A few weeks after this, Jack, Ben, and an other mechanic have just finished making some repairs on a small boat belonging to one of the members of the Calumet Boat Club and are preparing to return to the yard when they notice an attendant of the club putting up a notice offering a prize for a race between power boats of native design and construction. Jack, who, during his hours of work at the boat yards, has thought out some improvements that he thinks would increase the speed of motor boats, has long wished for an opportunity to test his ideas. Here is a chance, and he determines to build a boat and try for the prize. He tells Ben and the mechanic of his resolve. Ben taunts him and laughs at the idea of a common boat mechanic attempting to build a boat that would defeat those of men of means, built by the best experts in the business. At last his boat is finished. It has used up every moment he could spare from his work their eyes spark . Now Jack returns with Grace | it as the boat moves toward the water. sooner has he sneaked away than Grace arrives. She watches him disappear in the distance and wonders what he is doing around Jack's boat. aid, and soon the boar down the ways Suddenly, and stooping down, picks up dynamite cartridge. Just in time. The second Jack's beautiful boat a wreck. Grace hurriedly tells of Ben's and of her suspicions. And now the boat the water’s edge. One, two, another gentle push and she glides down and floats gracefully in the still water. With arms around each other, Grace and Jack watch it joyfully. It is the first day of the race. Jack and his assistant have gone over his boat for the last time She is as fit for the race as buman care can make her. Jack hands his flag with the race number to the boy, and telling him he will meet him at the course, starts back to land to find Grace and bring her to the race. Reaching the shore, he pulls his boat up, and taking his is moving Grace the slowly cries stop, coat starts through the shipyard. Meanwhile Ben has watched his approach. The plan to dynamite Jack’ sboat having failed, Ben is desperate in his determination not win the race. small hoist shed and just he leaps out and knocks boat pin. Dragging Jack inside locks the door securely and about to see that he leaves no tell-tale marks behind,. he rushes away, satisfied that at laat he has succeeded in defeating Jack's ambition. It is now but a few minutes before starting time. Grace can not find Jack. Alarmed at his non-appearance, she has hastened down to the landing dock. No one has seen him since he left his boat two hours before. In her anxiety Grace starts toward the club grounds. Here comes the starter and the race committee, followed by a crowd of enthusiasts who are not content to watch the race from the club veranda. Watches are compared. Time for the five-minute gun. Bang. It goes and alll turn to watch the contestants line up. But one is missing. Grace rushes in. The committee inquire what is the matter with Jack. The race is starting. Grace is desperate. Must all Jack's hopes and his months of labor be lost? that Jack shall as Jack him passes him senseless with a the shed he after glancing No. She will race Jack's boat herself. Jack has taught her how to run it. She tells the committee. They are delighted at her bravery committee escort her to Jack's boat and see her safely heared for the starting point. Back in the little shed Jack has come to his senses. His head is throbbing with pain from Ben's savage blow. In vain he has hammered against the locked door and called for help. At the end of the shed is a small door and Jack has, with his small pocket knife, by infinite pa tience, cut out the nails that held it shut. Now he forces it open a few inches. Next he pushes away the heavy beams that prevent it from opning wide. Finally he crawls out and staggering to his feet starts for the race course The five minutes is almost up and the starter stands ready to fire the gun. The committeeman drops his hand. Bang goes the gun and the crowd rushes forward to watch the start. Now the boats are away. All but one, Jack's boat. What is the matter? Grace turns to look at the engine. The assistant, in his excitement, has pulled the wrong lever. Ah, now he is right, and Jack’s boat starts in pursuit of its fleeing rivals, but «a full length behind. Now they have turned the outer end of the course and have started back. Grace is creeping up on the others. Up, up she comes, now she is even and now she has gained the lead. Here they come on the final stretch Neither Grace nor the assistant understand the fine points of Jack's engine and they have been unable to gain any more on their pursuers. But the goal is only a few yards in front. On they come. Now they creep ahead a little more and reach the finish a clear winner. Grace has saved the race for Jack. Back at the club grounds Grace's victory Is a popular one. Unable to keep away, Ben has crept up to the front and in sullen rage sees Jack’s boat win in spite of his brutal attack on Jack. Grace returns, accompanied by two of the race committee. Suddenly through the crowd that surrounds her pushes Jack. In a few hurried words he tells of the attack and catching sight of Ben points him out as his assailant. § Ren is ordered from the club grounds. Now the cemmitteeman writes a check for the prize and hands it to Grace. She turns to give it to Jack. but instead of taking it Jack folds ber in his arms while the crowd offers cheer after cheer for the winning boat, the girl | won the prize and the man that won the giri. LUBIN,. WHEN WOMAN HATES.—Gertie and Ralph are engagel. Juanita, Gertic’s friend, i* in love with her intended and openly states so when she cannot prevent the wedding she uses one of her admirers as a tool to destroy the happiness of her former friend. She sends him a note to meet her at 11 o'clock at night at her room. She, however, gives kim the address of the yenng married couple in place of hers When Ralph sccidentally enters and sees the | stranger in his wife’s room he knocks him down. at the yards, but now it is before him finished, | a graceful thing of beauty, that well repays all his efforts. Grace, who is as much interested in the boat as is Jack himself, came down every day to watch progress. One of the race committee from the Boat Club arrives. He tells Jack his boat is within the specifi cations for the competition and gives him the entry blank to sign. With a pleasant wish for the success of the new boat, he goes, leav ing the lovers together. The next day Jack brings one of his fellow workmen from the boat yard and together they try to push the boat down the ways toward the water. Finding it too heavy for their strength, they go for help. No sooner have | they disappeared than Ben sneaks up. Day efter day he has watched Jack’s boat nearing completion with the jealous anger growing stronger and stronger in his heart. He is de termined Jack’s boat shall never enter the race. Looking carefully around, he draws a dynamite cartridge from his pocket and places it on the track where the wheels will be sure to explode Hle does not believe the pssvrance that the meeting was accidental from heme while the intruder is The knock bas robbed him being a dangerous lis own way. Ralph's roung of his wife He drives her taken away. of his senses. Not lunatic he is allowed to go wife worked living, but now on is on the verge of unfortnnate vietim once was taken aback but is unable to connect her with his own life. tut when he meets his former sweetheart he regains his senses. He ittacks ber on the street and only by interfer ence of the police she is saved from harm In full power of his senses he explains to Ralph the true circametances. Ralph at once begins a search for his wife’s whereabouts It is a strange incident that she is found in front of his honse broken down from hunger She is taken Into the house, there recognized by Ralph and taken back never to leave again. + THE CONQUERING HERO.—The boat are over. Franklin ix the here of the day. won the gold medal, which is presented to hiin by the jutges. He is cheered all around and hero worshipping is soon at ite height Hardly lhiee the fact been known and the hero has ar tived at home when he receives an invitation from the “Athletic Club’’ of a little town, “asking the honor of his presence at their an niversary."’ He accepts and is soon on his way to recvive more honors Hix automobile breaks down awl he is compelled to walk six miles. On his way for sometime to account of sickness starvation When the met Ralph's wife he races would have | He crouches down behind the | | No | fatigned from continnous modeling He | | whe he is held up by a tramp, relieved of hie clothes and incidentally of the gold medal and compelled to don the tramp’s suit. A horseback rider does not fare any better. too, is held up by relleved of lis outer garmerts, The ¢wo tramps are greatly surprised whea reaching the town to be received with such lonors. The hero in disguise, makes love to the chairman's daughter. A banquet is given in his honer, and while the second tramp acts as his valet, everything progresses emeothly. When. however, the chairman who ts also the county judge, is called to his office to attend to two tramps who have just been arrested, the trouble begins. The two tram ure none other but the two gentlemen just held up. When the ‘‘pseudo-hero” enters the judge's office, his bride in arm, the two prisoners rec. ognize him as the tramp who held them up, and at once a chase begins after the fleeing hero. After many obstacles, they are caught and put in prison. + Jack is going fishing notthe objections of his wife. Two friends decide to follow him. Jack throws out bis ‘ine, but whenever he catches a fish the friends exchange the same for an old shoe or other articles of equal value. At last he fishes a note out of the sea telling him, ‘‘there is only one sucker there today and that is the one fishing."" Jack is furious and cannot see the joke. On the way home he buys fishes and shows them to his wife as the wonderful catch he made. The friends, however, work another joke on Jack. They throw a note through the window reading as follows: ‘Jack, old boy, come back and we will bite. Forgive our rudeness. Miss Fish.’’ The dark clouds on Jack's matrimonial sky caused by the jealousy of his wife are easily dispersed after explanstions are made and the laughing friends are seen through the window. + OLD LOVE LETTERS.— While the young wife is jocking for something tn ber trunks she spies some old love letters which she reads over again. Jut then the door bell rings and her lady friend calls. Hubby who forgot something, returne. Going to the bed room he finds the letters and is horrified to read letters containing dates with his wife. Furious, be denounces her, runs out of the house and straight away to his old-time friends. He does not give them a chance to explain. In his jealousy he tries to lay hands on them but is roughly handled himself. at last he returns and accuses his wife of perfidy, showing the letters as evidence, she bursts out laughing, pointing to the dates which are more than four years old. Hubby is cured of his jealousy, but the old love letters are burred so as not to make any more mischief. A FISH STORY. witbetancing THE JUDGE'S WARD.—Robert, the ‘s son, is a vacillating young man. Helen, bis father’s ward, is devoted to him and he sincerely desires to make her his wife. An old fame, Dorothy Deane, an actress, writes him asking bim to call and say good-bye, prior to his pup. tials. She is playing with great success at a city theatre, and he calls on her in her dressingroom, where he meets a merry company and a repair to a roof garden. The judge and Helen happen to attend the performance and drop in to the roof garden for refreshments. Revelry is bigh when Helea detects her intended in the actress’ company. His father, a very stern man, reproaches him for bis conduct and upon arriving home drives him from the house. Three years have passed. Robert has married the actress and a child bas blessed them. His father’s help being gone, the little family suffers terrible privation. One day his wife departs, leaving a note saying she will return to the stage. In desperation, seeing his chilé@ hungry, be resolves to go to his father and ask his help. When he calls the judge is counting a sum of money and refuses to Hsten to him. He depa but shortly returns to rob the desk. — a clever ruse, surprises the son in his end, broken with shame and remorse, he kneels at her feet. The woman's love cannot be stifled and she resolves to help him. She calls at his squalid home and eventually reconciles the judge to his repentant son. STRICKEN BLIND.—On one of the by-streets of New York City, a young enterprising Italian sculptor has his workshop. Sylvester is neme, and on this particular day he is much UC glancine at the clock, notes the lateness of the hour and just begins to fondle his pet violin, when Paolo, & vrosperous Italian, much interested in the seulptor’s young wife, enters, Sylvester svepects nohing, and as the two men converse, Eleanora, the wife, returns home only to tell her husband of the futility of her attempt to sell his wares This news causes much disappointment to Sylvester and his feeble old father-in-law because of the poverty-stricken condition of the family. They are thoroughly discouraged until Paolo, seizing the opportunity, offers assistance. Sylvester, innocent as to the object of the loan, yvladly aecepts it, and leaves his home to purchase food for his wife and her father. in a short while Paolo and Eleanora ure left alone, and the former takes advantage of this crisis in the condition of affairs, by making violent love to Fleanera; but just as he clasps her in his arms, her father enters unexpectedly. He stands aghast, dumbfounded, but is too weak to resent this Insult to the family honor, About this time Sylvester returns happy and exuberant in the purchases be has made. Rather than hurt ols son-in-law’s sensitive nature, he is kept ignorant of what has just happened. Final the three depart to an adjoining room, leaving Paolo alone, until the young wife returns. An excited and hurried conversation ensues, and just at Paolo starts to kiss the infatuated woman, her husband enters, He is aware of their confusion, but fells to comprehend the canee A few nights later as the old man lay asleep in his chair, bis daughter creeps stealihbily into the room. Undecidedly herself as to whether the promptings of her heart ere the Instincts of true woman's nature, she hesitates for @ moment, then slowly kneeling beside the enfeebled figure, she kisses the wrinkled hand. He partially awakens at the touch; she crouches beside him, and as he relapses in slumber sabe quickly leaves the room, From there she goes to the workshop, where meets Paolo Sylvester, dishevelled, and roused to fury by the «ight that meets his as tonished eyes, with a ery of a soul tortured to desperation, springs at Paolo's throat, A fu