St. Johns review. (Saint Johns, Or.) 1904-current, 1911-03-17
A Night With Dickens

! series OF evenings with the world
greatest writers, and the Motion
Picture Patents Co. has wisely Sc
lected to inaugurate this new de-
parture in motion picture entertain
ments, with one of the best novels
ever written by this great English
author.
The "Tale of Two Cities" is in
three reels and each reel being 1000
feet in length, this one picture will
make up the show to the length of
the program usually run at the
Electric theatre early next week.
The Vitagraph company has
been working on this series for
half year. The production re-
quires every star artist in their ag
gregation in the chief roles, and at
least fifty additional actors in the
smaller parts. The mobs require
no less than 1000 supers; the seen
cry is by far the most realistic ever
seen; the costuming is selected with
the most eXacting care. The en-
tire photo play is on a greater scale
of magni6cence than has ever be.
fore been attempted, and more than
all, both the author and the stage
director have faithfully adhered to
the story as set down by Charles
Dickens. There is not single
foot Of film wasted ;every bit means
much, and the whole play is enact.
ed in a way that grips the mind.
One cannot get away from the
strong hold It has over the senses;
il appeals to all classes;it tells won.
derfully and yet horribly, the III
justice practiced in the name of lib.
erty while France trembled in the
throes of the Reign of Terror"
The tale begins about the year
1888, in France, and in the most
graphic and realistic manner shows
the hostility of the nobility OF
France toward the poorer classes as
well as their exaction in the way
of taxation and their utter disre.
gard OF the conditions, the starva
tions that then prevailed in uuiortu-
nate France. The Marquis ID I&v-
efmond utterly ignoring the rights
oi humanity, has cruelty killed q
peasant, aud because Dr. Manette,
learned aud honorable physician,
refuses TO aid IN the concealment OF
the crime. the medical man is Sc.
eretly imprisoned ia the Bastile,
that sinkhole of royal iniquity.
Meanwhile the doctors wife dies
aud faithful servant, Lafarge, has
taken Lucy, their daughter. who
becomes the cherished ward OF
Tellson's Bank of England. Tie
girl grows up TO beautiful woman
hood aud all innocently wins, but
does not return, the love OF Sidney
Carlton, a young barrister of disso.
lutte habits, but who, in reality pos
sesses rare nobility OF soul.
Time rolls on bringing in It's
train the French Revolution aud
Reign of Terror" " For ~ long
weary years, Dr. Manettc has re-
mained secret prisoner in the
Bastile. lie at length secures his
freedom, leaving behind, however,
in his cell a history OF his impris-
oument, in which he calls down
Gods eternal vengeance on the
Marquis ID Evermond aud all his |
family even TO the remotest genera,
tion Alter his release. Dr. Ma
nelte is taken to England aud there |
together with his daughter live a
life of happiness,
Charles Darney, a young son OF
the Marquise, has renounced his |
title 10 nobility, and after giving
his property for the benefit of the
common people, has settled in Eng
land and falls in love with Lucy, |
who, after gently refusing Sidney |
Carlton. marries the man OF her
choice. This refusal does not en-
bitter Carlton, but has tendency Il
to elevate his character SO that
thereafter he lives only that he may
serve the woman he loves. with life
OF death II need there be.
An old servant of the family La
farge, being in danger of losing his
life, can only be saved by the re-
turn OF Charles Darney to France,
lie reaches Paris at a time when
the people are frenlied with a taste
)i unbridled license aud liberty;l
hey seize him, and after a mere
nockery OF a trial, Darney is con
iemned TO the guillotine, merely
because in his veins flows noble
blood,
Sidney Carlton, after learning of
Darney's arrest and the misery
which will be entailed upon the
woman he worShips, goes to Paris,
1rihes the prison keepers, aud sue.
'eeds in substituting himself for
Charles Darney with the terrible
that he goes to eNecu-
ion IN order that Lucy may be
iappy with her husband. Watch
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