Motion Picture News (Oct 1913 - Jan 1914)

22 THE MOTION PICTURE NEWS IRISH PILGRIMAGE TO LOURDES FILMED THE Irish Pilgrimage to Lourdes has been described as "the act of a nation." Beyond all question it was the act of a nation, for practically every man, woman and child in Ireland interested himself or herself in the project from the moment it was first mooted, a year ago. The Most Rev. Dr. McHugh, Bishop of Derry, whose portrait appears in the film now being distributed by the General Film Agency, Ltd., was its moving spirit, and the undertaking, colossal to such a country as Ireland, was carried through, by dint of hard work, much personal economy, and a superabundance of faith, to a complete and happy conclusion. It should be borne in mind that a pilgrimage from Ireland to Lourdes was a far more difficult undertaking than a pilgrimage from any part of the Continent. The business of transporting the sick from Ireland to England, followed by a long and tedious journey to London, the second sea trip across the English Channel, and, finally, the weary train journey from the very north of France to the Pyrenees must have taxed the endurance of the sick to the uttermost. The safe transport of over 3,000 pilgrims under these conditions was in itself a veritable triumph of organization. Some of the most affecting scenes shown in the film are those at Victoria Station, in London, and at Folkstone. The pilgrims have left Dublin the night before, and are breaking their journey in London for a hurried breakfast, which is snatched on the station itself. London policemen are carrying litters, and cheerful porters, having turned nurses for the time being, are tenderly rendering invaluable assistance. The station is shrouded in the peculiar gloom of a London morning, and yet the blend of Celtic cheerfulness and Saxon readiness for emergencies renders the atmosphere far from oppressive. It is a scene that one would like to see rendered later on by the subtle brush of some clever painter. At Folkstone you are equally impressed. Here porters and policemen have given place to brown-faced sailors, careful and anxious bearers of the sick and crippled. We will pass over the rest of the journey until we reach Lourdes, mountain-girdled, full of charm and scented with the sweet air of the Pyrennees. Here we are mere units in the crowds of pilgrims, all hurrying to the great objectives, the Basilica and the Grotto. A night's rest, and then commences the real business of the pilgrimage, which lasts three days. There is a first day's procession to the great white Basilica, the unveiling of a stately Keltic Cross by Cardinal Logue, and visits to the Grotto where Bernadette first saw the sacred apparitions. A visit has also to be paid to the little gabled house where she lived. Most important of all, however, is the procession of the Blessed Sacrament. This solemn and awe-inspiring scene, when a wonderful vista is given of the Basilica and of the long, serried lines of the pilgrims, before whom are laid the sufferers in their litters, is an unforgettable sight. Nothing like this has ever been brought to the eyes of those who know Lourdes only as a name, and it should be remembered that this procession was never taken before His Eminence Cardinal Logue gave express permission to the General Film Agency, Ltd., to take it. Possibly the pictures which will arouse the greatest public interest are those which appear at the end of the film and show the miraculous cures. The names are given : Grace Maloney, the Killaloe girl who was cured and her bent leg straightened, so that she now walks like any other fine-limbed Irish colleen; Patrick Casey, who left home absolutely helpless, and who left his crutches at Lourdes, and also Miss B. J. McDonogh, Cabragh, County Sligo, who suffered from a diseased bone in the left foot. PAPERS SERVED IN "QUO VADIS" SUIT Paul de Outo was served by a United States marshal while leaving his office in Chicago, on December 17, in connection with the suit filed November 28 by George Kleine in the United States District Court, alleging infringement of copyright. De Outo operated what was known as the "Quo Vadis Film Company," of Chicago, although the company did not appear to have been incorporated under the laws of the state of Illinois. It is understood that he marketed a picture called "Quo Vadis," in three reels. Recently George Kleine warned exhibitors that a series of suits are pending in the United States District Court against infringements of lithographs, heralds, etc., and it is said that many exhibitors have been unknowingly guilty of violations of the copyright law. While Mr. Kleine is said not to desire to punish anyone, he feels it necessary to vigorously prosecute these infringements in the interests of the exhibitor as well as his own. FOX SECURES "HERO OF A NATION" . William A. Fox, the well-known theatrical manager, has secured the rights for New York City and State on "The Hero of a Nation, Bar-Cochba," the Supreme Feature Film Company's big six-reel production. This feature is being shown at the Folly Theatre, in Brooklyn, and is draw-, ing large crowds. It is one of the most spectacular features ever produced and has as many as one hundred and twentyfive thrilling scenes.