Uncle Tom's Cabin (Vitagraph, July 26-29-30).—The idea of presenting this ever-popular drama in motion pictures is not new, but the idea of dividing it into three parts of one reel each is a decided innovation. In fact, it is the first time an American company has attempted anything of the kind in drama, and in this respect the production must be considered as something of an experiment. Pathe used two reels to produce Drink, from Zola's novel, and we may conclude that the result was not any too favorable, for we have had no other double reels from that company. The Vitagraph took two reels to give the life of Napoleon, two for Washington, and five for Moses, but these are not dramas. At any rate the result will be watched with interest, although it will not be safe for producers to argue that the same thing can be done with other plays. Uncle Tom always was an exception on the stage and may prove so in motion pictures. The first part was released Tuesday and ended with the departure of Uncle Tom for the South perched up behind the slave dealer's buggy. We had previously seen the sale of the negroes on the Kentucky plantation and the escape of Eliza over the ice of the Ohio. It was certainly a blizzardy ice scene and was most effective even if not altogether convincing.

  The second part depicts Uncle Tom's journey down the Mississippi, during which he saves little Eva from drowning and is purchased by St. Clare. Miss Ophelia also has her struggle with Topsy in this film. At the close occurs the death of little Eva—a genuinely affecting bit of photography and acting.

  The third part tells of Uncle Tom's sad life on Simon Legree's plantation after the death of St. Clare has necessitated his sale. The escape of Emmeline and Cassie, Uncle Tom's friendliness to Lucy that costs him a whipping, and his refusal to tell what he can of Emmeline and Cassie are shown. The whipping that Legree orders as a result of this causes Uncle Tom's death. Notably good work was done in the parts of Emmeline and Cassie.

  As a whole the film must prove notable, but there is one suggestion that occurs in respect to its issue on three separate days. There should be a caption at the end of reel one and two stating that there would be a continuation of the drama in other reels.