The Moving Picture World/Volume 1/Number 2/The Best Thing in Life

Layout 4

The Best Thing in Life.

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By Chas. K. Harris

1. Title.
2. In a well-known club. Shows interior of club room, with a group of five gentlemen, in the attitude of listening, one of them recounting a story.
3. One young fellow of the same group asking a question with upraised arm, to emphasize its importance.
4. Some passed through adventures. A saloon interior, with its usual sordid surroundings; a drunken quarrel over a girl, resulting in the shooting of one. (A picture true to life.)
5. There are many here have sweethearts. Quite a contrast from the last picture. A woodland scene, peaceful and calm, with sluggish brook running through; two figures, a lad helping a lass over the stepping stones of the brook.
6. Come now, won't you tell us, General? This question is being asked of a Civil War veteran, who is persuaded to take the floor, and in the recounting of doughty deeds exclaims:
7. The best thing in life is glory, fighting for home and its flag; winding up with the admonition.
8. So never let it drag—a picture showing a lady with a flag trailing on the greensward, with background of trees.
9. You listen and hear crows cheering. Regiments of Uncle Sam's soldiers returning from the war, marching through the streets, with the crows of onlookers cheering them on their way.
10. 'Tis then that your heart's blood's beating, brings us back again to the club room, where the General's story has roused the enthusiasm of his fellows, and they stand, waving their handkerchiefs in their excitement.
11. The dear General, he had spoken, and they are shown applauding the sentiments he had expressed so well.
12. They in fancy all could see him, as he held the flag in his left hand, standing at guard, defending it even at the risk of his life, with a background of the setting sun in a blood-red glow.
13. Then spoke a young financier, brings us once more back to the club room, showing a millionaire extolling gold by saying.
14. The best thing in life is gold, boys, holding aloft before the eyes of his companions evidences of wealth, with the assertion that it aids those in poverty.
15. And gives you pleasures, too. Showing a night scene at the great exhibition at St. Louis, with the buildings lit up with myriads of electric lights, boasting,
16. You live like a king in his palace. A fine interior view, with every luxury shown in its surroundings; beautiful lady seated in cosy chair, husband standing, both in earnest conversation, as though no troubles assail.
17. The world's at your feet. Same interior, with man looking out on the world below bathed in moonlight and the houses lit up.
18. Then they all sat there in silence. Changes again to the club house, where the group sit in reverie, pondering over the statements made.
19. A crash upon the table was caused by the eldest of the group, a gray-haired old gentleman, seemingly well-preserved in spite of his years, making assertion, most emphatic, that
20. Tis the love of wife or sweetheart. Shows rustic garden seat, on which are a young couple; man has arm around neck of girl, who is smiling in response to his words, which sound pleasing to her ears; her left arm encircles a dog on her lap; the background of evergreens adds to the effect.
21. The best thing in life is love, boys. Brings a nursery interior to our view, wherein is depicted mother and child.
22. A mother's love ne'er was equaled. Gives a bedroom scene, with child saying prayers, kneeling in her cot, with mother listening.
23. Your sweetheart, your home or your baby. Takes us to a family at tea.
24. So take all your gold and your glory. Introduces us to a garden scene, where December and May are making love, with the god Cupid shooting arrow, showing that both old and young must succumb to his arts.
25. Chorus

This set is well arranged and staged, the models are appropriate to the scenes, the photographing and coloring all that can be desired, and reflects highly upon the artist, A. L. Simpson.