Motography, March 7, 1914
THE ADVENTURES OF KATHLYN, No. 6—Three Bags of Silver (Mar. 9).—Things look brighter for Kathlyn in the early half of part six of “The Adventures of Kathlyn,” since she manages to elude the villainous Umballah and find refuge with her father and her ever faithful sweet- heart, Bruce, in the walled city of Alhabad, but alas for our hopes, before the sixth part ends she is in worse trouble than ever, while Col. Hare, her father, is on his way back to the palace of Allaha.
The scene shifts from the oft-seen capitol of Allaha to the desert and, later, to the walled city of Alhabad, home of the sacred elephant, but trouble and adventure seem to pursue the unhappy Kathlyn wherever she goes and as the picture fades on the screen we behold Kathlyn and Bruce, tied securely to a tiger’s cage, awaiting death at dawn of the following day.
Prince Umballah is proving himself, more than ever, what Al Jolsen would call a “dirty guy,” for in true Desperate Desmond style he pursues the helpless heroine everywhere. Not content with having inflicted suffering and agony upon the daughter of the “white king” of Allaha while she was within the palace walls, he even follows her across the desert to the walled city of Alhabad and, later, out again into the desert where she is held captive by a band of brigands, and brings further trouble to her by ransoming her father and taking him back to the palace from which he had escaped.
As the film begins we behold Kathlyn and her little party battling desperately against Umballah and his men, who have pursued them from Allaha. Bruce, Col. Hare and the faithful Ramabai reply to the rifle fire of Umballah and his followers, and eventually force them to retreat, when the fugitives resume their journey through the jungle.
Emerging from the jungle, they behold across the plains the distant spires and minarets of the walled city of Alhabad. They approach the city and are received by sentinels at the gates who conduct them to the rajah. This functionary, in addition to being commander of the city, has an important post as keeper of the sacred elephant, which is frequently sent on pilgrimages to nearby cities to be worshipped by the natives. It is one of the precious possessions of the place, hence the walled city and the many savage guardians that look after its chief treasure.
The sacred elephant is being brought back from one of its pilgrimages when a band of bearded bandits, which inhabit the neighborhood, decide to capture it and convey it to a rival Maharajah across the distant desert. Fortunately, the sacred elephant arrives within the walled city before the brigands at- tain its possession. They, however, are resourceful and, knowing that the attendants of the sacred elephant are weary of their duties and eager to be off to their favorite dissipation of opium smoking, they await the fall of evening to seize the elephant.
Kathlyn and her party, meanwhile, arrive within the city and are taken before the rajah. That night the brigands knock down and bind the guards at the gate, rush into the city and finding the elephant unguarded, carry away the precious object of
adoration to their master across the desert.
The following morning upon appearing in the streets Bruce, through Ramabai, learns that the commotion which he beholds is occasioned by discovery of the loss of the elephant. Kathlyn and Col. Hare are told the news and immediately offer such aid as they may be able to give if the rajah will promise reciprocal aid in the form of a military convoy when they are ready to depart for the seacoast. The rajah assures them that if they are able to capture and return the sacred elephant to the city all his men and their implements of warfare are at their command.
Bruce, Col. Hare, and Ramabai afoot, and Kathlyn on the back of a camel, rush out into the desert and soon discover the oasis in which the brigands have taken refuge. Returning to the city of Alhabad, Bruce obtains a number of opium pipes and with these as bait seeks an audience with the leader of the brigands. Kathlyn and the others of the party, together with the native soldiers who have been sent along as an escort, conceal themselves and Bruce and Ramabai enter the brigands’ camp alone. Pretending to be friendly, Bruce interests the bandit leader the opium pipes and the opium with which he is laden and soon all the outlaws are lulled into security through the influence of the narcotic.
When all are stupefied, it is an easy manner for Bruce to secure the sacred elephant, rejoin his party and start on the return journey to Alhabad. On their way to sacred city they encounter Prince Umballah, who has re- turned to the pursuit, accompanied by a score or more of his followers. Umballah orders an attack, but Kathlyn calls attention to the sacred elephant which accompanies her party and Umballah’s soldiers fall on their faces in religious fear. It is, therefore, easy for Bruce and his friends to proceed on their way.
It is some time before Umballah, furious over the attitude of his men, rallies them and induces them once more to take up the pursuit. Arriving at the gates of Alhabad, Umballah and his men are refused entrance by the guardians of the gates, and when they seek to force an entry they are beaten back by the rajah’s soldiers, captained by Bruce and Col. Hare.
The following morning, after thanking the rajah for his kindness Kathlyn sets out for the coast. Misfortune pursues her, however, for the party is attacked and cap- tured by the same band of brigands from whom they re- took the sacred elephant. Kathlyn, Bruce and Col. Hare are tied to a huge crate containing a Bengal tiger which has been captured by the brigands and a death sentence is pronounced upon them.
In searching Kathlyn’s father, however, the brigand chief discovers the medal given him by the former ruler of Allaha and knows at once that the captive is the famed “white king of Allaha” of whom he has heard so much. Determined to secure a large sum as a ransom, the brigand sends Ramabai to Prince Umballah with a demand for three bags of silver.
Following the delivery of the message Umballah is about to refuse the request for a ransom money when he recalls that Kathlyn will be heart broken if any harm befalls her father, so he sets out with his minions and a day or two later reaches the camp of the brigands.
Handing over the three bags of silver as ransom money Umballah orders his men to seize Col. Hare and return him to Allaha as a prisoner. Turningtothechief of the bandits he suggests that Bruce and Kathlyn be fed to the tiger. Then, urging on his camel, he rides out of the picture.
This being one of the most interesting and exciting moments of the story, it is quite natural that at this point we should behold the now familiar “To be continued in two weeks” flashed on the screen.
Moving Picture World, March 7, 1914
THE ADVENTURES OF KATHLYN, No. 6—Three Bags of Silver (Mar. 9).—The chance-shot fired by the villainous but keen-sighted Umballah, makes a bone-bruise upon the fair arm of Kathlyn. This, however, does not stop her flight, or militate against the escape of herself, her daring companion. Bruce, and her father. Col. Hare, who escaped from prison through the machinations of the clever Pundita and met them at the appointed rendezvous; before the vengeful Prince and his creatures startled in pursuit. Fortunately, the escaping party is accompanied by Ramabai and his faithful wife, Pundita, who are now Kathlyn’s staunchest friends and of incalculable assistance in every emergency.
Presently they emerge from the jungle and see far out on the plains the white towers and shining minarets standing silhouetted against the sky—Alhabad. the walled city of the desert. They approach the town and are received by sentinels at the gates and are conducted into the presence of the Rajah. This functionary, in addition to being
commander of the city, has a more important office as keeper of the Sacred White Elephant, which is frequently sent on pilgrimages to nearby cities to be worshipped by the natives. It is one of the precious possessions of the place—hence the Tivalled city, and many savage guardians that look after its chiefest treasure.
The Sacred Elephant is presumably returning from a visitation where it has been the guest of ^nor. when a fierce band of brigands that inhabit the hills lying along the desert, decide to capture it and convey it to a rival Maharajah across the distant desert. Fortunately, the Sacred charge arrives within the walled city before the brigands attain its possession. They, however, are resourceful and have other means at their command, as they know the attendants of the Elephant are weary of their duties and will take to their favorite dissipation of opium smoking. The brigands outside the walls await their opportunity and when it comes they knock down and bind the guards at the gate, enter the Rajah’s premises and carry away the precious animated object of worship.
About this time Kathlyn and her entourage arrive in the city and the next morning are informed by the commotion of the great loss. Bruce, through Ramabai, is put in touch with the situation: likewise, Kathlyn, and they immediately offer assistance if reciprocal aid is given in the form of a military convoy, which is readily granted. Kathlyn is rushed out into the desert on the back of a wild camel, and from this gazebo sweeps the horizon with her binoculars. Following her is a large train led by Bruce, together with the savage soldiery picturesque in their Oriental accoutrements. Cleverly disposing the force. Kathlyn and a few of her followers go forward while the troops are concealed. They meet the brigands and pretend to be friendly, giving them quantities of opium as peace offerings. Tbe brigands are disarmed by this kindness and soon stupified into security through the influence
of the narcotic. As they are helpless, it is a comparatively easy matter to get the Sacred Elephant. On their way back to the walled city, they meet Umballah, who has been reinforced for tbe pursuit: but, his soldiers, in superstitious fear, bow before the Sacred Elephant, so that Kathlyn and her party are allowed to proceed on their way. It is some time before Umballali, furious over the attitude of his men. rallies them and induces them to move forward. When they arrive at the gates of the walled city, they are denied entrance by the soldiers of the Rajah. and Umballah returns sullenly to Allaba in defeat.
The following day Kathlyn and her party again start on their way to the Coast, and, strangely enough, are captured by the self-same band of brigands from whom they secured the animated sacred symbol. Kathlyn, her father and Bruce are tied to a tiger cart of the brigands. The chief, searching . Hare, finds his medal and knows at once that he has captured the White King.
Thereupon he sends a messengar forward to Allaha, demanding as a ransom from Umballah. three bags of silver. A few days later Umballah arrives in haste with his silver, but asks only for Col. Hare, as a prisoner, earnestly requesting that Bruce and Kathlyn be fed to the tigers. (To be continued.)
REVIEW.
Moving Picture World, February 21, 1914
The vogue of the Kathlyn series of pictures keeps on increasing, and congratulatory letters are pouring into the Chicago office of the Selig Polyscope Co. from all parts of the country. Contrary to the opinion of many, this serial photodrama has met with great success, but it must not be overlooked that to achieve this a unique, far-reaching and continuous publicity campaign has been necessary to keep up public interest. This publicity campaign, clever as it is and ably and resolutely as it has been conducted, would have fallen short of the mark had it not been for the well constructed scenario, with its thrilling interest and incidents, its well connected story and the electrifying .climax at the end of every set thus far. These climaxes are almost ex- asperating, so eagerly do they leave us guessing and flounder- ing when the “To be continued” announcement flasihes on the screen.
Set No. 5 strikes me as being the most sensational so far. It is fairly crowded with action, and the two reels unfold themselves without any perception on our part of the passing of time. For half an hour one is actually oblivious both of time and environment. We are away off in the fabled Allaha, close in touch with the heroine, her misfortunes and triumphs.
Like her we are astonished to find Colonel Hare, her father, who was supposed to be dead, a prisoner in chains, in the dungeon of the royal palace. As the purchased slave of Umballah we see her rush into the arms of her parent, while the rascally Umballah tortures the old man with the information that his child is now chief slave in the royal harem.
The terrific struggle as the colonel attempts to strangle his enemy with his bare hands makes our breath come fast, ana our jaws snap with disappointment when the deed is inter- rupted by the intercession of Kathlyn. Then we snarl at the scenario man for balking us of our prey and immediately afterwards forgive him, knowing that he has further use for the fellow, although such use may again contribute to our mental torture.
Another sensational scene in this set is the rescue of Kathlyn from the prison. A big baboon lights on a window sill of the prison one day, from a tree nearby. The alert mind of Kathlyn sees in the presence of the creature a chance to communicate with her friends, Bruce and Ramabai. Rip- ping the insole from her shoe, she writes a short message on it and ties it around the ape’s neck. The animal is caught by her friends and soon they are on the way to rescue her. Unable to remove the heavy iron bars from the window of her cell they attach a chain to them, and the big elephant pulls the entire window and a section of the solid masonry out. Colonel Hare is left behind, as his chains cannot be severed in the short time allowed.
Kathlyn’s plot to release her father affords another thrill. Umballah is forced to write an order for his release, having been decoyed to Kathlj’n’s hiding place by Pundita, where he is threatened with death by a fierce leopard. Afterward we see Kathlyn. her father and friends fleeing away from Allaha, with Umballah and his soldiers in swift pursuit. Set No. 5 closes as Kathlyn is wounded in the arm by a bullet from Umballah’s musket.
Set No. 6 shows Kathlyn and her party continuing their way to the coast, after repulsing Umballah and his men. On their w-ay they come to the great walled city in the desert, where the interesting an dcomical incident of the sacred elephant occurs. This tiny pachyderm, with the white, glaring eye, is a whole host in himself, as he is the cause of great concern,plottingandfighting. Heisstolenbybrigands,and is recovered by Bruce, Colonel Hare and others of the party, much to the delight of the rajah in whose kingdom the walled city prospered.
The journey to the coast was then continued. Brigands,
the verv men from whom the sacred elephant had been recovered, surprised the travelers and made them prisoners. They discovered in Colonel Hare the white king of Allaha and placed his ransom at three bags of silver, and messengers the result Umballah and an armed force arrived at the brigands’ camp and delivered the three bags to the chief for the person of Colonel Hare. “You may feed the other two,” meaning Kathlyn and Bruce, “to the tigers.” he said, as he rode away with his prisoner. Thus endeth the sixth set.
The imposing backgrounds and scenes in these sets, like those in sets Nos. 2 and 3 formerly reviewed, have the true Oriental atmosphere. Many of the scenes were actually taken in India. The acting and photography are of high merit.