Motography (Jan-Jun 1918)

310 MOTOGRAPHY Vol. XIX, No, 7 Laugh Even in the Making of Comedy Denied Use of Train in Florida, Director Dillon of Goldwyn's "Our Little Wife," Obtains One by "Dark" Conspiracy ALL PROPER METHODS of appeal having failed, Director Edward Dillon and the company of Goldwyn players engaged in filming exterior scenes for "Our Little Wife," Madge Kennedy's new starring vehicle, at Tampa, Florida, resorted to bold tactics in obtaining a locomotive, an observation Pullman and a flat car for incidents necessary to the completion of the picture. Dillon applied first to the proper authorities and asked to be allowed the use of the rolling stock for half a day in the neighborhood of Tampa. From the general traffic manager down he was met with refusal. The cars might be spared in case of necessity, officials said, but a locomotive could not be taken from freight hauling under any circumstances. Besides, even were an engine available, coal could not be burned for any motion picture "frippery." The scenario requires that Miss Kennedy and the various men portraying the roles of the husband and three disappointed lovers she takes on her honeymoon be photographed on the observation platform of a Pullman. A flat car, hitched on behind, was required for cameramen and the director. It was a vital matter to Director Dillon and he resolved to have the train regardless of how he got it. A yardmaster with a sense of humor and an acquisitive wallet was appealed to and he promised to furnish the desired rolling stock, provided nobody higher up found out. Early next morning, therefore, just after sun-up, a strangely assorted party of men and women was to be seen walking across the maze of tracks in the Tampa yards. At its head were Miss Kennedy and the director. "You've got just ten minutes to make this here picture," confided the yardmaster, "and you can't take the train out of my sight. So get busy." For considerably more than ten minutes, however, while the accommodating official alternately swore and trembled in his boots, the commandeered train was run back and forth through the yards. The scenes were made and nobody in high authority, so far as could be discovered, was any the wiser. Serial Plans of Pathe Are Announced Pathe's serial plans for 1918 are now practically completed and by their magnitude indicate that serials will continue to be a larger feature of the Pathe program than ever before. In accordance with these plans, J. A. Berst, vice-president and general manager of the Pathe exchange, has engaged William Duncan, who has become known as one of the best serial directors in the field today. Mr. Duncan will start at work almost immediately upon a Western serial in which he will not only play the lead, but direct. Announce New Mix Play After "Cupid's Round Up," Tom Mix will appear for William Fox in another western drama called "Six Shooter Andy." Fans Keep Mary Pickford from Working Crowds So Great That San Francisco Filming Has to Be" Abandoned and Entire Script Changed to New Location P' backs, which fact probably is better appreciated today by Mary Pickford than any one else. Shortly after the completion of "Stella Maris," Miss Pickford, accompanied by Director Marshall Neilan, Frances Marion and a company of fifty, left Los Angeles to film the exteriors of her new Artcraft picture in San Francisco. A tense moment in "Hidden Pearls," a Paramount picture, featuring Sessue Hayakawa. When it was learned that the scenes would be taken on Telegraph Hill, crowds began to collect long before "Little Mary" arrived. Thousands gathered around the location and when the popular little star arrived she received a rousing ovation. With the help of the police, however, Director Neilan was able to stage a number of scenes. But on reaching the grounds the following day the crowds became so great and enthusiastic that the efforts of the police were useless. Miss Pickford's popularity in San Francisco is probably greater than in any other part of the country. Her recent public appearances there in behalf of the Liberty Loan and Red Cross have added tremendously to her great popularity and every time she visits the city to screen exteriors she is given a big force of police to keep back the mobs. But on this last visit, despite the aid of the police, she was unable to continue her activities after the first day, although several attempts were made on the days following. Director Neilan finally announced that it would be impossible to stage Miss Pickford's new picture in San Francisco and inasmuch as the story, written by Frances Marion, is a San Francisco subject, the entire script will have to be changed, so that some other location can be used. It is expected that the company will stage the production in the south.