The Bioscope (Oct-Dec 1913)

THE BIOSCOPE, OCTOBER 2, 1913. TRADE TOPICS. We had the pleasure last Sunday morning of being present ai a very interesting ceremony indeed — the filming of a scene from “ Macbeth.” as enacted by Miss Violet Vanbrugh and Mr. Arthur Bourchier for Mr. Ludwig Landmann’s creat adaptation thereof. As our readers know, this unique production was carried out, for the most part, in Germany. One short scene, however, proved unsatisfactory, cid, rather than allow an imperfect version ot the picture to go before the public, Mr. Landmann decided to retake the faulty portion. This was done in the garden of Sir Hubert von Herkomer’s beautiful house at Bushey, one portion of which is admirably well suited, arch. tecturally, to represent Macbeth’s castle at InVeriiess. The plavers arrived in a motor car—two shazuv-headed males, fiercely armed and cf savayve nuen, and a fair lady robed in tragic purtle. They must have proved a sufficiently alarming spectacle to peaceful church-goers as thev rode through the quiet Hertfordshire lanes in the morning sunlight! Terrifying in aspect, however, they seemed perfectly amenable to reason, and were soon rehcarsing, under Mr. [.andmann’s supervision, the Letter Reading Scene (Act I. Scene v. in the text), where Lady Macbeth hears from her husband of the weird sisters’ prophecy, afterwards meeting him and making her first murderous suggestions. Mr. AA. EF. Abrahams is, of course, the posse-sor of the British rights for this remarkable picture. Concerning the production of the major portron of the film, we gleaned some extremely interesting particulars from Mr, Landmann. All the interior scenes, he told us, were played in his studio at Heidelberg, whilst the exteriors were enacted at the famous old castle at Hardenbure, near Bad-Diirkheim, which he used for this purpose by the special permission of the Bavarian Government, who took the utmost interest in the proceedings, and helped the:n forward by every means in their power. On the subject of Mr. Bourchier as a picture actor, Mr {Landmann was enthusiastic. ‘‘After a few moments’ explanation, he grasped the whole idea of acting before the camera quite wonderfullv.”" he said. ‘‘His movements and expressions are so good, and he knows at precisely which moment to pose. Miss Vanbrugh, also, was excellent, and she has such expressive fea tures that she is naturally well adapted for picture acting. I have never found “‘star’”’ artistes so obliging in every particular, and so willing to work hard, nC MAES gle hour they were called upon to go out. This latter detail was particularly important, as we had to commence ai half-past four in the morning, owing to the shortness of our time and the badness of the weather on several days. Mr. Chiford Heatherley was our Macduff, and for some of our other parts we had leading German actors from the Court Theatre, Mannheim. Our supers were all members of gymnasium clubs, and consequently well accustomed to discipline. ‘What other productions have [ in hand? ’’ continued Mr. Landmann in answer to our question, ‘‘well, I am afraid I must not tell you too much for the moment, but I think you will find the picture I am doing next—a moder sensational story—something entirely unique, including an episode which has never before, | believe, been attempted. We have already produced a rather novel two-reel film, the first part of which is devoted to an exhibition of medizval armour, its appearance, and the marner of wearing it. The second part shows the armour in actual use in a reconstruction of a vreat tournament fought in 1613 to celebrate the marriage of James I.’s daughter. It was enacted in the Castle of Heidelbery.” Mr. John Tippett, of the Universal Filim Company of America, informs us that he has been in London for the last two months, completing arrangements for the Transatlantic Film Company, which will commence operations on October 22nd, in the new Frascati Building, 37 and 39, Oxford Street. Mr. John Avory, late of Kineto, will assume the entire management of the company for England, and the publicity department will be in the charge of Mr. Brandt. The Transatlantic I.lm Company will control several prominent brands, of which further details will shortly be published The proprietors of the ‘Warwick Bioscope Chronicle’ are issuing a notice board to their subscribers, which is as striking as it is simple and ingenious. Under a space for the headin are divisions into which cards can be slipped giving the title of each film, and bv the side cf each title is a photographic enlargement from the film itself. No hinges or fastenings are required, and the titles, photographs and stands are supplied free to subscribers to the “Chronicle.” During a chat with Mr. Harry Spoor, we learned that the Essanay Company were erecting another huge studio at Chicago, which. when completed, wilDoccwpycwice the space of