An affecting story, with a strong heart appeal, will be found in "Me and Bill." It has been produced by the Western company and will force commendation by its many fine scenes and beautiful photography. A restful rural atmosphere prevails throughout, excepting a fierce and realistic battle scene of the Civil War. which brings sore bereavement to two lifelong friends. Speaking of this battle scene; it is a thrilling spectacle. A dashing cavalry charge is made on the breastworks of a detachment of infantry and through the smoke clouds can be seen the havoc wrought, by a withering fire, on the troopers. Riderless horses dash madly here and there, their riders having been propelled from their saddles as if with a mighty catapult. How these riders have been able to escape broken necks and limbs in this mock battle will puzzle the onlooker. The climax of the skirmish is yet to come, however. We see an ammunition wagon, desperately driven, intercepted by the enemy. The driver is lashing his horses furiously, as shot and shell sing and hurtle around him. Then we see upheaving columns of smoke and the shattered wagon turn over on its side, as a shell explodes the ammunition, leaving the driver dead among the ruins. Colin Campbell, author of the scenario and producer, has certainly given us realism to the utmost in this thrilling battle scene. There is a refinement of acting, especially in the love scenes, in this rural drama, that is very pleasing. We are so often nauseated by the lover, who clasps his sweetheart with bear-like hug, and snatches a kiss with a ferocity that makes one fear he is going to bite her head off. There is gentle wooing and tender kissing in "Me and Bill." that some of our actors in moving pictures would do well to imitate. Sam and Bill are schoolboys and chums in the early 40's. In the opening scene we catch sight of them going to the country school, with their books under their arms. They join two little lasses on the way and, in pairs, the four children go onward. Years pass and these boys and girls are young men and women. Their early preferences have ripened into love and they wed. Bill is blessed with a sturdy boy and Sam with a witching girl. The wife of each passes away when the children arrive at an age when they also seek life partners. They, in turn, are betrothed, to the great joy of their fathers. Before the wedding ceremony takes place, the first gun of the Civil War is fired. Bill's son feels that the call of his country should come first, and we see him saying good bye to his dear ones and marching away to the front. Then the days of waiting for news are hard for the folks at home to bear. One day Bill receives a newspaper with news of a great battle and a list of the dead and missing. His son's name appears among the dead, and he bows brokenly to the blow. Sam and his daughter discover him in his sorrow, and, speechless, he hands them the paper. Learning of her loss, the bride that was to be walks away alone in her sorrow. We see her in the little flat boat, on the lake, where she and her lover had spent sweet hours of communion. She sits in it, as if helpless, gazing toward the woodland. When the two old men seek her, they find her under the upturned boat, and we watch them as they vainly try to bring back the breath of life. The last scene shows them all alone, yet thankful that each is still left to the other. And so Sam and Bill await the final call out of the darkness. - The Moving Picture World, April 6, 1912
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