The more I see of other studios at this particular time, the more I realise that Biograph seems to have an over exulted reputation. Edison Studios, who didn't have a reputation for being innovative, collaborated with the "Fresh Air Fund", a charity that organised country trips and outings for slum children, to produce this haunting film of an abused child (actually it indicates on the title credits that it is a re-issue from 1904 but I don't really believe that). The film is so clear - it's like you could reach into the screen and touch the players, as though it were made yesterday and the plaintive music is a big bonus.
Newsboy Joe trudges home after hours on the street hawking papers, to a drunken mother. Initially Joe is shown on a blank screen that gradually shows up the bustle and movement of the city. A mother and child take pity on him and give him some money and that is what he keeps back from his mother so he can go on the picnic. Joe almost misses the train but he is soon transported to a magical world - open spaces, trees, the river and fairy stories. The nice teacher reads the children one and Joe is soon dreaming of fairies and the land beyond the sunset. Joe seems to have developed a special bond with the young teacher which makes it disturbing when he is completely forgotten about.
This short film is so full of innovations, when the group go home Joe is left behind - his thoughts are materialised behind him and the horrible home coming that awaits him, so he decides to take a boat and find his own perfect land beyond the sunset. Martin Fuller was outstanding as Joe even though he only appeared in a handful of films in 1912.
Newsboy Joe trudges home after hours on the street hawking papers, to a drunken mother. Initially Joe is shown on a blank screen that gradually shows up the bustle and movement of the city. A mother and child take pity on him and give him some money and that is what he keeps back from his mother so he can go on the picnic. Joe almost misses the train but he is soon transported to a magical world - open spaces, trees, the river and fairy stories. The nice teacher reads the children one and Joe is soon dreaming of fairies and the land beyond the sunset. Joe seems to have developed a special bond with the young teacher which makes it disturbing when he is completely forgotten about.
This short film is so full of innovations, when the group go home Joe is left behind - his thoughts are materialised behind him and the horrible home coming that awaits him, so he decides to take a boat and find his own perfect land beyond the sunset. Martin Fuller was outstanding as Joe even though he only appeared in a handful of films in 1912.