Jean of the Wilderness

“The fact that a story opens pleasingly often prejudices the spectator in favor of the whole production. An unusual or likable scene and the magic is accomplished; thereafter one sits in pleased astonishment as the picture unreels. A start may not make a good picture, but it goes a long way toward inclining one favorably toward the ready reception of one. This picture opens pleasantly, and presently it becomes excitingly melodramatic, out-westing even some of the best of the Westerns. The criticism may rightfully be leveled at it that it is unrealistically melodramatic in spots, this being due to the at times too great ingenuity of adventure and escape. However, its characters are plain, its photography is of the most brilliant, and its acting for the most part likable. Jean is the Canadian who wins the admiration of the girl. He protects her from the insult of the gambler and her father from his wiles. One day, while the owner of the gambling place is conversing with the girl’s father, the gambler, from without, shoots his boss. The father stands accused, but manages to escape, again by the aid of Jean, and the trio make their way to Canada. It is in this escape that the bounds of adventure some credulity is slightly overstepped. The gambler turns up there, and to buy his silence the girl allows him to caress her. Jean, who thinks himself supplanted, prepares to leave. To remedy these conditions the father gives himself up and confesses. The police start him back for the scene of the crime. The gambler meanwhile sends a decoy letter, ostensibly from her father, which causes the girl to come to where he is waiting. The Canadian follows and overcomes the gambler. The latter, choked and dying, confesses.”