It Might Have Been

A picture giving us a terrible dream which, at first, we are made to think is real experience and so are pleased to find isn't. The reason for this peculiar treatment of the story seems to be chiefly that it permits the use of a brutal murder, probably the only possible basis of this truly dramatic situation, and to use it in such a way that the feelings of the spectator are. in the end, partially reconciled. We prefer the classical method of showing such, which is by implication only. That the picture gets over as far as its intention goes is sure, as is the fact that its intention is both deep and significant; but it is harrowing and permits us to sympathize with no one of its characters, not even with the seemingly heroic servant who is willing to be hanged for such a scoundrel as the one who has killed his uncle and then found that the old man had made him his heir. It is a clever piece of work which it is hard not to praise. The author and producer is Geo. Nichollas. Bernard Seigel is the old man; Ed. Carew, his nephew and John Smiley, the servant. Isabel Lamon and Mathilde Baring have roles. It is clearly acted, but without a great deal of distinction. - The Moving Picture World, February 1, 1913