It has come to be well understood among patrons of motion picture theaters that when the Biograph Company undertakes the reproduction of some well-known story it will be excellently done. "The Cricket on the Hearth," adapted from the favorite story of Dickens, is no exception. In this reproduction the characters seem to live again the story before one's eyes and all the hopes and wishes, the disappointments and the heartaches are made so plain that one lives them with the characters and appreciates more than ever before the wondrous beauties of Dickens' tale. It is unnecessary to enter into a detailed description of the play. It is too well known to require that. Nor can any one actor be singled out as doing his part better than any other. The company is too well balanced for that. The love of Edward and May engages the bulk of the attention of the audience, and when Tackleton gives them his blessing the audience applauds. John's acting when he is deciding whether he will enter the room and shoot the old man or not is exceptionally good, and a sigh of relief goes up when he tosses the pistol away. Technically the film is almost beyond criticism. The Biograph pictures are all plain and clear black and white. There is no attempt in this to introduce delicate tones, but the picture is clear and the movement of the characters is so smooth and even that there is no blurring. The picture is good and deserves a long run. The most critical audiences will be pleased with it. - The Moving Picture World, June 5, 1909
