The Hostage

This four-part subject contains well-photographed views of a rocky ocean shore. The story is loosely jointed; there are several situations that do not convince. For instance, a mother permits kidnappers to enter her child's bedroom and take away the little one without making an outcry. She just faints. The two men take the child to the ground over ropes without disturbing anyone in the household, and it is not late at night. Then, again, it is hardly likely a bandit would send to the father of the child a note signed by himself and setting forth that in pursuance of his threat the child had been put to death. It was not clear why the police chief when he had recovered his child did not take her home over the same route as that by which he had arrived at the appointed place rather than to send a telegram for the police to come and get him. The foregoing are examples of carelessness in construction. The acting of the chief of police is good, that of many of the cast is indifferent. The child is notably weak, rarely missing an opportunity to look at the camera. - The Moving Picture World, May 2, 1914