Moving Picture World (Oct 1915)

October 30, 1915 THE MOVING PICTURE WORLD 763 Vitagraph Dynamites a Yacht Destroys Eighty-five-Foot Craft in Making a Scene for "The Surprises of an Empty Hotel." IN the making of a scene for the five-part comedy-drama, "The Surprises of an Empty Hotel," the Vitagraph Company on Thursday, Oct. 13, dynamited the eighty-fivefoot yacht Wayward. The destruction of the famous oldtime craft was successfully accomplished under the direction of Theodore Marston, the producer of the subject in which the explosion will figure. The scene was staged in Princes Bay, which lies between the inside of Sandy Hook and Staten Island. Two boats conveyed the company forces to the scene. One left Sheepshead Bay at 8 o'clock and the second departed from the Battery at 8:45. The latter was held for the arrival of Charles Richman from the Boston "boat. Mr. Richman had been playing in Newport for three days. He returned to that city on an evening train. The ocean-going tug Pulver left Tompkinsville, S. I., at 9:45 with a big steam derrick in tow. At 10:45 the Wayward was picked up in Gravesend Bay. The little fleet reached the appointed place shortly after noon. Among the players on board besides Mr. Richman were Leo Delaney, Miss Arline Pretty and William Dunn. The Helene, which was awaiting the arrival of the Battery boat, had had a narrow escape from collision in the dense fog with an incoming ocean liner. The emergency was so apparent there was a rush for life preservers, the use of which, fortunately, was unnecessary. The Helene, Pulver and derrick were stationed at the points of a triangle about 400 feet distant from the Wayward after the dynamite had been planted in the hold of the yacht. Three men in a motorboat ran a wire from the Wayward to a point near the derrick. Mr. Marston shouted that one pistol shot would be the signal to get ready, at the second the four cameras should be started, and at the third the current should be sent into the fifty pounds of explosive. The three shots were fired as every one waited for the smash. Nothing happened other than signs of activity in the dynamiters' craft. The Blowing Up of the "Wayward." Plainly something was wrong. The explosive chief began the rewinding of his cable. The trio returned to the craft and readjusted matters, while laymen looked on in fear something would precipitate the destruction before the men could get away. It was about 3 o'clock when for the second time the three shots came. There was no slip this time. A ripping roar was followed by the rising of a great volume of water and splinters. Then as the debris settled on the water there were splashes that followed each other with the rapidity of a quick-firer. A great cloud of smoke slowly lifted. Into the scene darted the players in a launch, picking up four men in the chill water. All that remained of the yacht above water were the tops of the masts. J. M. Marshall, one of Uncle Sam's inspectors, under whose general supervision the explosion had been staged, gave instructions for the removal of the wreck. A lantern was hoisted on one of the masts, and arrangements were made for raising and towing the wreckage to shore on the day following. It was 7 o'clock in the evening before the Pulver reached the Battery. Walter Ackerman, who had arranged the plans for the day, was congratulated on his success. Hazel Daly WHEN so many beautiful girls are tempted by the enticing click of the camera and use every effort to gain an engagement of some sort, being even content with positions of "extras" in motion picture stock companies, it remained for a Chicago girl to win through the medium of her photograph the opportunity to become leading woman for dashing Tom Mix, the cowboy star of the Selig Polyscope Company's western company at Las Vegas, N. M. Miss Hazel Daly, not yet eighteen years of age, whose mother resides in Chicago, never gave a thought to pictures when she attended Chicago high school last winter. Today she seems certain to succeed 'in the most difficult of roles, that of a western cowgirl who must ride, shoot and throw the rope. Miss Daly never did any of these things. "I can learn; I will learn," she says. This attitude is characteristic of the girl. Tom Mix was desirous of a leading woman who not only was pretty but could also act. The Selig Polyscope Company searched high and low. The applications came from some of the best-known screen actresses in the business. Miss Daly did not know of Tom Mix's needs. She just sent in her photo with a note asserting that she "was willing to do her best in motion picture work." Then came a visit to the Selig executive offices, several tests at the Selig studio, and the outcome of it all was that Miss Daly has gone to Las Vegas ready and willing to play opposite Tom Mix, who has the reputation of being one of the most daring of screen stars when it comes to pulling thrilling stunts. Hazel Daly. "SALVATION NELL" IN WORLD PROGRAM. This very creditable adaptation of Edward Sheldon's play, in which Mrs. Fiske appeared some years ago, was reviewed in the Moving Picture World of August 28, page 1493. The California Motion Picture Company made the photoplay from a five-part scenario by Captain Leslie T. Peacocke, presenting Beatriz Michelena in the role of Nell Saunders and William Pike as Jim Piatt. It is a realistic picture of the depressing sordidness of slum life, sincerely acted and adequately staged. Miss Michelena, in particular, gives an impressive characterization. "Salvation Nell" is released on the World Film program. A WARNING TO AMBITIOUS ACTRESSES. An actress called at the Equitable studio and secured a part in "A Daughter of the Sea," just finished production by Charles Seay, starring Muriel Ostriche. She said she could swim, ride, etc., and was forthwith engaged for a part which required that she could swim and not fear the water. When the scene came around, it was discovered (after she was in the water) that she could not swim, and almost drowned herself and Miss Ostriche in her fright, the little star having a narrow escape.