The Billboard 1911-01-28: Vol 23 Iss 4 (1911-01-28)

: . 4s I AAI . T The Billboard JANUARY 28, 1911. OTION PICTURE REVIEWS CC ia While these criticisms of films as they are released are intended primarily for the information and guidance of exhibitors, they are also of very material assistance to manufacturers by drawing attention to the salient points of merit as well as the deficiencies in the output of their competitors. Producing directors and managers of scenario departments find their counsel welcome and their substance of never-failing interest. PATENTS CO. HIS Neetan's SON. Drama. Essanay. Jan ; the The proverbial devotion of the old colored servant to her master is the basis of this Essanuy picture. With a rival crushing him to defeat and ruin, the master’s son is in de*pair! The darkey learns of the misfortune that has befallen his employer, invokes the aid of the man’s sweetheart and of her father, while he, himself, with his lifetime savings, goes to the brokerage offices, and there completes a transaction that ultimately helps to change the tide of battle. The sweetheart’s father, too, has taken a hand in the young man’s ald, and it is soon that the lost posi| tion is regained. Some of the scenes and situations are improbable. For instance. the scene in which the rival gains knowledge of the other man’s plan; also, the negro servant buying stock at the brokerage office. In Itself, the story does not reach any high degree of merit. ‘The various parts are capably handied, while the photography is excellent. THREE MEN AND A MAID. Comedy drama. Vitagraph. Jan, 17. Three Men and a Maid is a real feature release. It tells a bright and breezy story in a delicious way, is snappy in action, and besides cleverly played Such comedies as these, with a refined and happy subject, should give the Vitagraph Company releases unbounded popularity. The story is like this: Two happy old bachelors are made guardians of their cousin’s child. Their impression is that the girl is a wee little child, and have made preparations for the care of such a person. Imagine their surprise when upon the arrival of their ward, they find her to be an attractive young lady. The girl falls in leve with her guardjans’ private secretary. Peeved, perhaps, at the thought of losing the girl, they secretary, but the girl’s earnest pleadings canse ‘ | entirely for carelessness in | stance next bed from an accident that overtook him while in a drunken state. The hospital ward device is very cleverly handled and atones producing, one in being the oversight which allowed the producer to use the same table cloth in two of the scenes which had no relation whatever. UNCLE’S BIRTHDAY GIFT. Euison. Jan. 18. 995 feet. Just why Uncle John should consider hiding a valuable necklace in a flower-pot containing a rubber-plant, is a capital joke the scenario writ er responsible for this film has failed to explain, but as the picture is intended to be a comedy this improbable proceeding is pardonable. This is the story: An uncle sends his niece a rubber plant (having hidden a necklace in the pot), with a note, saying the plant is more valuable than it appears to be. boy. instructed to deliver the plant to a given address, steals a ride on an express Wagon, from which he falls, and the expressman gets away with the plant. The boy purchases a small fern which he delivers to the niece; but father of the girl, having read the note, takes the messenger to task, and having elicited an explanation from the boy, offers him a reward for the recovery of the plant. The uncle pays Comedy. A sommolent messenger | the | the family an unexpected visit, and here new complications arise In order that the uncle may not be angered the father takes him into the library, hoping there to detain him until an other rubber plant can be bought. The mother goes out and fetches a rubber-plant, but a clumsy housemaid in dusting, breaks it. Final ly the messenger returns with the original plant, and everything ends propitiously. A very poor scene occurs when the boy falls from the wagon. Instead of pursuing the wagon, as would be natural, the messenger walks io another direction Of course. this was Reces sary for the drawing out of the story, but it is sc unreal as to be irritating The stage settings were good, especially the elaborate library scene. While there is not much to com mend this film, there is nothing in it to cause offense. The comedy parts were clean and free from the usual slap-stick methods used to create laughter. MIKE THE MISER. 990 feet. This, like His Trust Fulfilled, is a story of vicarious sacrifice. The messenger boy is sav ing his money to have an operation performed on his lame little sister. The other messengers adubb him a miser, and he bacomes very un Drama. Edison. Jan. 20. FILM NEWS NEW MANUFACTURER IN FIELD. Chicago, Jan. 21 (Special to The Billboard).— The Motion Pictures Producing Company is the ;name of the most recent manufacturer of films discharge the | | This that has decided to enter the Independent ranks. concern has as its promoters Mr. Lou | Houseman, a man who has promoted many a project, and who was recently connected with | | | them to reconsider their action, but only after the secretary hes undergone much suffering, and the old men give the young couple their blessing. The subject is a most entertaining | one. CAST UP BY THE DEEP. Drama. Vitagraph. Jan. 21. 1,000 feet. The story of this film concerns a_ bachelor who falis in love with a fisher maiden, but, owing to her lowly social condition the mother of the vonng man ts opnosed to thelr marriage. In order to svare him any domestic trouble she | refnses to marry him, nothwithstanding the fact that she is deeply In love with him. This part is somewhat ‘exaggerated and not altogether trne to life. She marries a burly satlor, who. after several vears of married life, mistreats her. The bachelor can not put her from his thoughts and refuses to accept the affections of any other woman The dies and the andience expects to see the Inev itable reconciliation between the two lovers. The scensrio writer has however, willed ft otherwise, and the obvious does not occur. The bachelor marries another woman and the widow accepts the love of a former sweetheart. This is a very good film and full of novel situations. The scene in which the canoe capsizes is especially thrilling. as it occurs in the middle of a verv exnansive sheet of water and the actors who pose for this picture were in some little danger. THE KLEPTOMANIAC’S REPENTANCE. Pra ma. Gaumont. Jan. 28. Full length reel. A rather trite story, well handled is told in this picture. At a function a rich woman appropriates two rings belonging to another gnest, and when detection seems imminent, she slips them into the pockets of one of the servants. When the servents sre searched, the rings are bronght forth. and the woman in whose possession they are found is accused of stealing them. Denials being useless, she is taken into custody by the authorities. From the next scene it is evident that she has been convicted. as she home after serving her prison sentence. Her hushend repulses her, desnite her entreaties. Securing work at a near-by place, she frequently meets her child with whom she entrusts a note which tells of her whereabouts. A subsequent scene shows the husband receiving a letter which telle him that his wife is innocent and making known’ the guilty party. The child then brings forth the note which tts mother had given it. The hushand immediately sets out to the place of bis wife’s employment. shows her the letter he has received, and begs her forgiveness for his Iack of confidence fn her. This is readily ranted, and the film ends with a scene of a appy family reunited. The various parts ate well played, although the tot seems to have been wel! coached in the necessary business. The photography is very good. BUD. YZ. Drama. Selig. Jan. 16. 1,000 feet. This is a pretty little story in which the child actor of the Selig comnany scores an emphatic trinmph. Ruddv’s father becomes an In ebriate, and is abandoned by his wife. who tntends taking Punddv with her: but the child clings to his father and steers him safely away from temptation for a time. The child seeks employment, and is successful, though the man who emplovs him is not aware that the child is the offspring of an early sweetheart. He sends the boy ont on an errand and the usual expedient of an antomobile accident is used to bring shout his enick transfer to a hospital where his mother has taken employment *: nurse. The child recovers. while the father unknown te the wife or to his old rival, Buddy's employer. who has come to seek him, dies in is shown returning to her | the Oldfield-Johnson Race picture. With him is associated Lincoln J. Carter, a well-known producer of dramatic productions. The names of the other interests back of this venture were not given out, but {ft is thought that considerable capital is represented. At the present time this new-formed concern !s looking at a site in Detroit, Mich., for the manufacture of their product. No place has been definitely decided upon, but it appears as though Detroit is considered with some favoritism. It is the intention of this concern when they commence producing to release their product through the Sales Company, although there is another avenue open to them, that through Mr. Carter’s connection with the various theatres |in the small towns throughout the country which husband | witness some of his productions, However, in most cases these opera houses, as they are generally termed. are too small to accommodate the large productions, and sometimes are closed for several weeks for want of an attraction. It is the purpose of the Motion Pictures Producing Company to put on film the best parts of ‘some of the most successful plays. In these films will appear the original company, which invariably contain actors of world-wide fame, which in turn will give the film an added entertaining value. This does not mean that a permanent company wil] not be installed On the contrary, a very efficient company will be employed to interpret the regular scenario productions and partake in the plays which will be reproduced on films. CINCINNATI EXCHANGES MERGE. The two Cincinnati branches of the General Film Co.—the Magnetic and Pittsburg Calcium Light and Film Co. Exchanges—were last week combined. and will henceforth be called the General Film Company, with Jas. Steele as manager. Mr. A. Dresner, manager of the Magnetic Film Exchange, and who came from Philadelphia three years ago to take the management of the Lubin Exchange (later the Magnetic). has resigned. Mr. Dresner, a pupil of ‘‘Pop’’ Lubin (having been connected with the Philadelphia motion picture magnate for about nine years), was one of the founders of the Cincin nati Exhibitors and Renters’ Association. Mr. Dresner’s friends in the Queen City are legion. and they will learn with regret of his severance with the General Film Company, where he was popular for his courteous and | affable manner towards customers at all times. Mr. Dresner has a proposition which he Is now considering but the nature of which he has net promulgated. Exhibitors will be pleased to learn that Mr. Dresner’s proposition now being considered Ix of such a nature as to keep him in Cincinnati if he decides in its favor. ———— NEW THEATRE FOR SAVANNAH. During thelr recent visit to New York, F. T Montgomery and his partner, M. C. Eberstein. were very busy bnving entire new equipment for a modern photoplay theatre nearing com pletion in Savannah. Ga. No expense is being spared to make this an un-todate house in every partienlar. Mr. J. H. Halltherg. ‘*The Economizer Man,” reports that along with other goods he ia furnishing 404 high-class opera chairs from his Indiana factory for this theatre. | revolutionize the slide business. M. P. THEATRES. Robert Sherwood, lecturer for Bill and Pawnee Bill Film Co.,” leave the show at Dayton, Ohio, on account of sickness. He worked the matinee on Wednesday, December 28, then was taken to his hotel. Dr. Willoughby was summoned and pronounced the illness congestion of the lungs. Mr. Sherwood is now impreving rapidly but it will be some time before he will be able to join the show. the “Buffalo was forced to The theatre war now waging in Oroville. Cal., resulted in one of the old established moving picture shows closing its doors on Saturday and the proprietor stating that he would go somewhere else where there were less competi tion. The Oro Theatre is the one that closed. The Dreamland Theatre, Sioux Falls, S. D.. has been sold by G. E. Adams to Fred Uda. William Frederick Reif, formerly of the Rove! Theatre at Winnebago, Manitoba, has been given the position of manager. The Vaudette Theatre at Mt. Pleasant. Mich., formerly owned by Carnahan and Trevegno. has changed hands. It is now managed by Trevegno and French. Two reels of pictures and one vandeville act make up the program. The Star Theatre, a moving picture house at Hartford, Conn., has closed. MAGEE PUBLISHES ORGAN. New York, Jan. 20 (Special to The Billboard) —The Solax Company is getting out a booklet to supplement their advertisement in the various film papers. It is to contain eight pagex and present an idea new to this class of pamph lets, namely the two center pages are to be de voted to a lobby display in order that the exhibitor may tear these pages out of the booklet and hang them in his office. FILMS TO ADVERTISE FAIRS. Chicago, Jan. 20 (Special to The Billboard). Moving pictures as a means of advertising is becoming popular pot only among the Na tional advertisers, but also with the various large fairs which will be held throughout the country this coming season. Already the Industrial Moving Picture Company has contracted to put on film many of these large gatherings. The fair managers were ready and eager to take up the proposition when approached by Mr. Rothacker, general manager of the comnany. Withont a donbt this form of advertising will become one of the recognized mediums of the fair people as it contains greater possibilities other method now used by them. The Silverlight Aluminum Motion Picture Curtain, a new screen for moving pictures, is being Introduced to the theatrical world by the Ralph J. Golsen Supply Co.. Chicago. Teate with the new product show It to be extremely brilliant, and a most effective medium for the presentation of pictures and song slides, besides which its durability, by reason of the non-eracking and pecling of the aluminum composition, is remarkable. This sereen should have a splendid foture and should prove a boon to those managers and promoters who are always looking for opportunities to improve the quality of the entertainment they provide. a2 Now that Tom Phillips, of the Genre Transparency Company, has achieved what seeme to be the Impossible and is offering to the theatres that have use for slides, what he terme his Motion Slide. and which in every particular lives up to Ite name, he Is songht on all sides by those who know a good thing when they see it. Many of these were skeptical when they firet heard of It. bot nevertheless for their own eatiefaction Investigated it and were convinced, This new Invention of Mr. Phillips will In a way an advertixing side that will far offaet the bualness obtained through the manufacture of the old product, It will give it | popular until the real cause for bis economy is discovered through an accident to him that places both bis position and the achlevement of his alm In his sister's behalf in jeopardy. The boys quickly make up a purse and all ends happily. It is impossible to explain the tenderness of this film in a brief review of this sort. It tugs at the beart strings, brings the proverbial lump into the throat and causes one to wink rapidly to prevent the tears from gathering. These qualities are sufficient to rec ommend any film and the producer has more than achieved the conception of the scenario writer. WITH INTEREST TO DATE. Jan. 17. In With Interest to Date, Rex Beach, the su thor, has not given the motion picture lover a story which he is capable of writing. True he has constructed some interesting scenes and Drama. Edison situations, but there are embodied In this film some actions prescribed by the author that lack consistency One of these is the private secretary's revelation of the secret code to his employer's rival for the bid. The photography. acting, ete., is in keeping with the Edison standard, ROBBIE AND THE RED SKINS. lem. Jan. 20. 900 feet (estimated). The chief merit of this film Hes in the clever acting of the child member of the company There is a naturalness about his mischievous antics that is. In fact, about the only merit the film has. It is not In any s@nse a feature. In the first place no door wonld be strong enough to hold a score of desperate Indians in a cabin “‘pantry’’ for the length of time that this doer is represented as doing. The make-up of the father and mother tn the him is conspicuously apparent and ludicrously artificial. The mischievous boy is the only saving quality. Though Miss Gauthier is as pretty and as clever as usual, she has very little opportunity in this film. HER ge BROTHER. Comedy-drama. Kalem. an. 18. The story of this film ts interesting. though perhaps a little too drawn ont. If tella of a young Cuban, who longs to see the girl whose phetograph his sister possesses, eleter willingly alds him in his desire by obtaining for him a place as overseer at the orchard ta Florida owned by the girls father. The attraction is mutual. The girl. ashamed with herself | at falling ip love with what she considers only her father’s overseer, goes to visit the Cuban sister, in an effort to forget her lover. Immediately upon ber arrival In Cuoha. the Cuban steter sends to her brother a message which tells him that the girl is a guest of his family. He Drama. Ka hastens to his home and claims his lowe. The acting of the young man as the Cuban ts en tirely too stilted and theatric. A degree of naturalness would help. (|THE BATTLE AT RED WOOD. Pathe. Jan. 14. 1,000 feet (estimated), This Pathe film, made in America, te obviously for the Europesn market. The Pathe films made in Europe are prodigionsly more interesting to the patrons of American motion picture theatres. The Rattle at Redwood is a conventional story of an Indian uprising. in which a brave, who had been saved from starvation by the heroine manifests his gratitude by saving her from death at the hand« of the marauding red skins, paying the price of her salvation with his own life. The film is above the av| erage of border dramas. The photography t« of | the usual high grade characteristic of Pathe | productions, | | TRAILED BY AN INDIAN. Drama. Pathe Freres. January 18. This drama of the West, advertised tn the sub-title as played by an American company. is a weak production. There is little tnterest to the story, the acting is far from good—in fact, there is little to commend tt. The plot hinges abont the efforts of an Indian to regain a child that has been kidnapped ty two discharged cowboys. Of course bie efforts are crowned with enccess. The work of the Indian actor and two of the cowboys, who are the prinoat factors in the story, at the best, is but alr. SAVED BY HER PRAYERS. Drama. Jan. 16. 331 feet. This picture, showing the efficacy of prayer, while it does not contain a very long story, is an excellent film from a scenic and photographic standpoint. In one scene. where the fishing smack is wrecked. It is especiaily fine. The film is tinted in places. AN EPCLISENAD'S HONOR. Drama. Selig. an ’ than any | Pathe. This picture presents a series of events rather disconcerted, The «tory it tells ia this: A young sporting man be lleves himself rich, but the funds with which he carries on his gambling Is supplied by his cousin, with whom he Is In lowe, When the knowledge of the true situation confronts him, he asserts his manliness by giving up bie riotous living and starts to work. He meets with most discouraging obstacles in England and therefore aalle for America tn the hone that the tide of his fortune may change. It does, and some time later the Englishman fs seen gaflIng for his native country. He seeks hie cousin, arriving fust In time to cause the girl | te decline an offer of merriage by a young no Nieman. Later he marries the girl. and the closing picture shows him on his honeymoon In | America, given a warm reception by the cow (Continued on page 50.)