The Billboard 1911-01-14: Vol 23 Iss 2 (1911-01-14)

fmt lt TM JANUARY 14, 1911. The Billboard il MOTION PICTURE REVIEWS PATENTS CO. THE NEW YORK FIRE DEPARTMENT. Edison. Descriptive. Jan. 6. 400 feet. Pictures of fire companies are always more yr less interesting. While this picture, pbotographically speaking is excelent. It ao extraordinary thrilling or unusual scenes, and the maneuvers of the department in no way excel those of other large cities. The conspicuous and interesting feature of the film, is the scene showing a fire tug Ip action. A WESTERN NIGHT. Ediso.. Comedy. Jan. 6. 660 feet, Help! help! Something wonderful and un precedented has occurred and a long established custom has been transgressed. In this picture the heroine actually spends three minutes writ ing a stage letter of less than one hundred words, This is a novelty and its newness is a treat. If the Edison producer is striving to inject realism into his productions this innovation Is certainly a good beginning. The film is | contains | | The | charming. short but its quality is long, and there is 4 laugh in every foot. SLEEP, GENTLE SLEEP. Fidison. Comedy. | Jan. 4. 900 feet. Our readers are, of course, familiar with | Bumptious, the embonpoint member of the Edison Company. In this comedy, Sleep, Gentle Sleep, his work is exceedingly clever. Endeavoring to overcome the protests of his wife against bis attending a smoker, he puts a deeping powder in her tea; but his wife has already resorted to this means of detaining bim by doping his wine. Overcome by drowsiness, both parties enter the realms of Morpheus, each having attained their purpose. The sitgations are extremely comical and the acting ls good. This may also be sald of the photography. [!% THE DAYS OF CHIVALRY. Edison. drama. Jan. 3. 1,000 feet. There is in this picture, a story of love, when hearts were strong and knights were bold, a delightful atmosphere of antiquity sug gesting besieged castles, errant knights, anid sruel kings. One is reminded of Ivanhoe, ant the deeds of bravery recounted in the Waverly aovels in seeing this film. The story has to do with the son of a duke who has fallen in love with a rare and radiant maiden captured by the warriors who defend the standard of his father After many vicissitudes the pair are happily reunited. There is in this film more of the spectacular, than dramatic, and the pho tography is good. A section of the film showing attending shepherds in a field, is tinted, which adds considerable to the picturesqueness of the acene, The principal roles, the son of the inke, and the captive damsel, are well enacted and the supporting company perform their parts creditably. A strict obsevance of fetails is one of the features which will make this film popular. In other respects the release is as good as the average. THE RUNAWAY ENGINE. Jan. 6 1,000 feet. This is the most thrilling picture we have en for some time and one that will elicit many ah’s and oh’s from even the most biase and effete picture patron. A locomotive from which the engineer and fireman have alighted. suddenly on its own accord, starts and increases its speed so rapidly that before it can be overtaken is running at a terrific speed. fashed across the wires of the runaway an also an announcement that the president in his Kalem. Drama. | | Word is | private car will within a short time be on the | road A girl telegrapher realizing that ls but one way of saving the president's life. mounts a switch engine and starta in the opposite direction. Her purpose is to wreck the runaway before it has a chance to collide with the president's train. The spectator sees the cirl at the throttle and can almost feel vibration of the engine as it dashes along the rails. As soon as the girl sees the runaway, she jumps from her locomotive and the two tron monsters come together. It has been a long time since we have seen a film as thrilling ts The Runaway Engine. THE BOLTED DOOR. Drama. Kalem. Jan. 4. The story of a betrothed couple becoming estranged by reason of long separation has been ated so often that it is about worn out. How ever, The Bolted Door, a photoplay, built on this story has been Invested with several unique situations which redeem it from the ‘‘has deen” class. It is the Introdnction of a little child into the plot, which stimulates interest ‘nto a story which might otherwise be senile and uninteresting. The little actrese (and she @ really a very clever little lady) deserves much praise. At her tender age, children as a tule are not good actors, but this child fs Sot one of them. The older actors in this si‘ent drama are more or less adequate in their different parts, and the bethrothed girl, who later Is the wife of a disappointed, thongh wealthy gentlemen, is good. The photography ‘s up to the usual standard of the Kalem Co. THE MISSES FINCH AND THEIR NEPHEW BILLY. Vitagraph. Comedy. Jan. 6 1.000 feet, The mischievous pranks of this tncorrigible young Sawyer are the principal features to commend this film. Persons who enjoy this ‘ort of comedy will find considerable amuse ment ecaomp. A very funny scene occurs when, after having rocked a small boat In which the four | Misses Finch are seated, the boat capsizes, pre “Ipitating them into the ocean. The unfor ‘unates are picked up by the owner of a launch so while thetr clothes are drying they are con ned to a stateroom, The biggest laugh occurs ‘frer the boy has thrown their clothes into th “eter and they are obliged to don male attire in ‘rier to leave the yacht, The photography In * film ts excellent and the acting of the boy * good SIS WIFE'S SWEETHEART. Drama. craph. Dee, 22. G82 feet. While this film ts billed as a drama, cor cectly speaking {t ts a comedy, as there is ‘Ue of the dramatic, and abundance of com ‘n the eitnations. This film from a pho Blo a in following the antics of this youthful | there | the | tographic standpoint is good, but we have seen | many better Biograph comedies. AFTER THE BALL. Biograph. Comedy. Dec. 29. 311 feet. A man returning from a night’s revelry, fearing bis wife’s rage, conspires with several com panions to work a ruse, which will arouse her | sympathy and dispel her anger. He is sucCessful to a certain degree but wifey learning of the trick proceeds with added zest (having discovered the subterfufe) to administer a lec ture, using as a means of persuasion an ordinary bread-pin. The film is short, a point in its favor. WHEN A MAN LOVES. Blograph. Drama. Jan. 5. 998 ft. The above title suggests a dramatic story in which, braving all dangers and overcoming insuperable obstacles the man who loves ewerges triumphantly, victorious. The story, however, while it bas its foundation in a love af fair is far from being dramatic. It shows how a plain young farm-hand secured for his bride a winsome young maiden against the pro testations of her father and a wealthy lover. winsome young maiden in this case is played by Mary Pickford and !t hardly need be said that in the role she was delightful and The part of the bachelor was also admirably accurate. Realizing that the young girl loves another, the bachelor assists the pair in their attempted elopement and here is introduced a very clever innovation. The erstwhile, loving bachelor tenders the use of his auto to the eloping pair. The lovers are united | a ball | while | Tom enters, | After | cretiy writes Claude a | that |} and proceeds to press his suit. SALES CO. THEIR FIRST MISUNDERSTANDING. Drama. Jan. 9. 998 feet, Tom Owen and Mae Darcy have just been married. A year slips by rapidly, and we find ‘lom indifferent towards Mae. Mae grieves over his neglect. and wonders at it. Tom goes to with Belle Stuart, a former sweetheart, and Mae, in retaliation, invites Claude Jones, a poet, to call upon them. Claude accepts, and in the midst of a tete-a-tete with Mae, and, in a rage, orders Claude out. the poet has taken his departure, Tom Mae have their first quarrel. Tom _ seletter, informing him loves Mae, and Mae loves him, that be (Tom) will surrender all claim upon ber. When Clande arrives, Mae is completely mystified until he shows her the letter Tom telephones Imp. and as he (Claude) Relle Stuart and makes an appointment with her. Mae overhears him at the ‘phone. and breaks down completely, weeping as if hor heart would break. Then Claude is ordered away from the house by Mae. Tom's conscience will not permit him to keep his appointment with Belle, and after wandering aimlessiy abont his club, he returns home to find his Httle wife curled up in his den, trying to forget her troubles in slumber. Tom’s heart is toucbed. They forget all their former doubts and troubles, and are again made happy. This film has several excellent features that recommend hnt the most important is that this is the first picture released by the Imp Company in which MISS PEARL WHITE, Leading lady Powers Picture Company. and the father whe bas pursued them. arrives too late, but after Mr. Batch has interceded for the pair the old farmer gives his blessing. We saw this picture at a Cincinnati picture theatre and the audience present gave audible demonstration of their pleasure and satisfaction. RAMONA’'S FATHER. Selig. Dramas. Jan. 5. 1,000 ft. It can be sald without fear of contradiction that Ramona’s Father is one of the most pleasing, delightful and entertaining pictures released for many weeks. A distinctive Spanish atmosphere pervades the story, as it is unfolded amid the picturesque California scenery. The principal role, that of an American sailor. is well enacted as is the faithful daughter of a half breed. The lady playing the part of the senorita, injects into that character that Castillian passion and coyuetry for which the Spanish are noted. However good the film may be in all respects, the salient feature of this picture is the beauty of the scenery. The film is tinted and the photograph is exemplary. |THE REDEEMED CRIMINAL. Essanay. Dra ma Dec. 1.000 feet. The character, Spike Hennessy, the crackeman, which is the central figure in this play. could hardly have been improved upon. His make-up and demeanor is about what we would expect to see, were we to encounter a burglar face to face. As few citizens other than police authorities have that pleasure, our imagination must determine what such a character would resemble, and we repeat he was everything we could expect to see In a safe blower. This Valjean had a pal, who, tiring of a life of crime, reforms and becomes a minister of the gospel. The role of preacher is not so well handled and the part could have been Improved had more attention heen given to make-up by the actor. The story Is well worked out and does not contain the inevitable gun-play scenes which usually obtain in photoplays having a criminal as their hero. The photography of this film ta good. 27. Mary Pickford appears. The photography is good. RE Imp. Drama. Jan. 5. 995 feet. UNITED. Two children, a bey and girl, are playmates. During their play one day the girl rums away, gets lost and is picked up by gypsies. Fifteen years later, the boy, grown to manhood, ts riding past a gypsy encampment, when an acci dent to his machine causes him to go to the camp for tools. Here he meets the girl, grown to be a beautiful woman, and falls in love with her. They are finally married. Returning to his home he informs his parents, who disown him and drive him out of the house. The young man and his wife have a hard struggle, and are unable to make both ends meet. He is taken sick, and the wife puts on her gypsy costume and goes into the street to beg for him, but meeting with repulses at every hand, she finally sinks down exhausted. She own parents who are passing by in an automo bile. She is recognized, and all are made hap py. THE PASHA’S DAUGHTER. Thanhouser. Drama. Jan. 3. Jack Sparks is a yvoung American who, while in Turkey meets and befriends an aged Turk. Soon after the Turk is arrested for conspiracy against the government. and Jack, who is he it, | j | hoping | home. |BEAUX NOT WANTED... Powers. Jan. 3. is found by her | | The faithfnl dog soon wearies of reading, and begins to drop off to sleep. His head droops lower and lower, aud finally the tassel of his nightcap comes in contact with the night lamp by his bed. The tassel becomes ignited. Hank, after a short period, is awakened by a violent fit of sneezing—be smells smoke, and thoroughly frightened, turns in a fire alarm. Then we have a realistic picture of the Fire Department in full action—the engines leaving the fire house—the thrilling race to the scene of the fire, and the fire apparatus in active operation. The firemen, unable to find the fire, rusn from room to room, windows broken, ceilings down, and the whole place a complete wreck. Finally one of the firemen spies Hank with his flaming nightcap; and finding that he is the cause of all the trouble, rush him to the front of the house, where they proceed to ‘‘put the fire out.’’ The poor fellew is nearly drowned. A good comedy with interesting scenes. SALMON FISHING IN CANADA. Solax. dustrial. Jan. 6. This interesting and instructive scenic pro duction of salmon fishing shuws many beautiful scenes of forest and stream. The canoes shooting the rapids with lightning-like velocity—the skillful handling of the trawl and line by the fishermen, and the quick and bewildering succession of primeval nature, all combine to make this picture one that will be greatly appreciated by the city audiences. MOTHER’S PORTRAIT. Eclair. Drama. Jan. % 930 feet. John Desuoyers, having been without em ployment for a long time, starts for America there to find better fortune. Soon af ter. Mrs. Desnoyers falls ill, Without funds to buy medicine, the little daughter, Germain, decides that to procure money, she will selj her mother’s portrait. The medicine is thus obtained, and gradually the mother regains her strength. Meanwhile the father, in the new country, has been successful, aud has sent money for their relief, but the letter goes to the old address, and as they did not leave the address of their new home the letter does not reach them, and they continue in poverty. One year from the time Jack Desnoyers left home. he returns, only to find his wife and child have disappeared. While searching for them he finds the portrait of his wife displayed for sale. It is through this incident that Desnoyers learns the address of his wife and daughter, and that a reunion is effected. The story is new and this alone should augur wel) for its success. A WOMAN WITHOUT A HEART. Drama. Jan. 7. That no good can come from evil and that the wicked must suffer the consequences of their misdeeds is the basis of this interesting Powers drama. A Western dance hall singer, who has led a reckless life, leaves her husband and goes East with her charmer. In New York she meets an artist, whom she learns to love This she confides to a chum, who is also in love with the artist. In the spirit of revenge for the intrusion, the jealous chum writes the singer’s husband, informing him of his wife's whereabouts. Upon his arrival in New York. the husband seeks ont the artist and lays bare the history of his wife. Receiving the wife’s Powers confirmation of the story, the artist, in dis gust, casts her off, and destroys, in her pres ence, her portrait which he had _ painted Thronghout, the story holds the attention of the spectator. THE * se named MAN.. Powers. Drama ~~ ee 3 To those, perhaps, who, judging by the title of this picture expect a subject built on the thrilling exploits of a detective, the name of this film is a little misleading. A love story is the background of the picture, the detective incidents being more or less incidental. A detective is sent West to find a man charged with a crime. He is thrown off the scent by a trick of the fugitive. The detective falls in love with the man’s supposed widow. He returns to the East, but later goes back West to elaim his love. The fugitive, finding the detective in his home, aims to shoot him, but at that moment drops dead. Downhearted the detective leaves the widow and returns to his The situations of this melodrama seem to be of the dried and cut variety. Farce An intrepid young fellow, defying the man date of an obstinate father. calls on the old man’s daughter. Being canght in the act of hugging and kissing the girl the father, whe is a dentist. places the young man under the influence of laughing gas and then extracts his front molars. The langhable picture he then presents causes the girl to relinquish her af fections to the young fellow’s rival. Besides having a good finish, the film presents a fairly interesting farce. DAYS OF THE EARLY WEST. Drama. Jan. 4. A little band of farmers wend their way in prairfe schooners across the unsettled regions of the West. In this caravan are Peter Standish and wife, and Knos Stilling. his wife and son and brother Abram, of whom Joseph Stilling and Mary Standish are newlywed. Arriving at a desirable location these settlers camp. Ap attack is made by the Indians. Young Joseph inscribes a note hastily on paper. gives it to one of the dogs and sends him off for aid delivera the note and leads Champion | on the reseners to the snecor of the harassed ” | victims. lieved to be an accomplice, is also imprisoned | without a hearing. He escapes and is protected by the Pasha's daughter. Murana. Jack falls in love with the beautiful Turkish girl. He tries to induce her to fly with him, but she refuses. Jack makes his way in safety to his American home. Later, Murana comes to visit him and to tell him that she has decided to be not only a Pasha’s dauchter. but an American's bride. Mystery and thrilling situations are the salient features of this release. THE NIGHTCAP. Solax. Comedy. Jan. 6. Hank, after a hard day, gets ready for bed. Once in bed he finds it impossible to sleep. He gets up, putting on his nighteap and bringing a newspaper and night lamp to hie bedside, prepares for a good long read. He The Indians scatter and the settlers are rescued. The intelligence of the canine and the excellent photography place this film | at the top notch of pictures showing Wild West scenes, THE wank, PARTITION. Ambrosio. Drama an, 4. There are some improbabilities—or, at least. some sitnations that are hardly feastble—em. bodied in this subject. A young artist, hanging a picture, mekes a small hole in the thin partition, end through it he learns of the destitute circumstances in which his neighbor, a young girl exists. A scape-goat brother abuses the girl, to whose Assistance the artist rises. His kindliness finally turns ifnto love. The profuction is capably handled. (Continued on page 47.)