Waiter No. 5 (1910) User Reviews

Not up to the standard which has been set by the Biograph people

[deickemeyer · 27 September 2015]

A dramatic picture dealing with the downtrodden poor in Russia, then suddenly transferred to America as the principal actors are forced to fly from their native country because of revolutionary tendencies. The scenes among the poor are harrowing enough to arouse the most generous impulses and cause one to believe the unpleasant criticisms of the Czar. This portion of the film will attract attention. Then comes the appearance of the former chief of police as a waiter in a city restaurant in America, where, unknown to everyone but his wife, he works continuously until his son is old enough to marry. Some trouble develops then, but it is quickly swept away by the timely arrival of the Czar's pardon for whatever misconduct might have occurred in earlier years. The change from one country to another and the excellent acting in each of the parts do much to make this film attractive, yet it must be admitted that it is not up to the standard which has been set and generally followed by the Biograph people. - The Moving Picture World, November 19, 1910