Canadian Moving Picture Digest (May-Oct 1922)

Page Six FOX CAMERAMAN, CANADIAN MOVING PICTURE DIGEST GEO. H. VALIQUETTE, WAS NEARLY DROWNED AT BRITANNIA’ ONT. (OX NEWS boasts another daring cameraman in Geo. H. Valiquette of Ottawa, Canada. Valiquette has an exceptional story to tell, which is backed up by pictures he has sent in and by an Ottawa newspaper. Let him tell it himself: “T have learned, through long experience in the news reel business, that it is wise for a cameraman to look out each Spring for floods and disasters caused by high water. I was not at all surprised when one of my local tipsters notified me there was a washout on one of our local railroads and that tracks had been displaced and the roadbed washed out. This high water was caused by a terrific wind on the Ottawa River. The trains had to be re-routed, and practically the entire system at this terminal was thrown into temporary confusion. This was a good news subject. I packed my camera on my back, and with my tripod also slung over my shoulder I made for the scene of the trouble. “After shooting several pictures I was notified that I could get excellent flood material at Britania, not far away. Upon reaching Britannia I noticed that the wind was still blowing a terriffic gale, but, of course, that means better pictures with more action. I hired a rowboat and a man to row me out where I could get good pictures of the waves breaking against the shore, and the wharves, and of boats being thrown from their moorings and blown down the river. ‘We had gone but a short distance when we realized that our boat was altogether too small to withstand the wind’s velocity. My camera was set up in the back of the boat, and I managed to crank out a few feet of film. I really did less turning of the crank and more holding of the camera than anything. “The wind blew and we rocked; but the man rowed as hard as he could, the nose of the boat pointing toward shore. It was too much for us, however, and I realized that it would be but a few moments before our boat would be blown over. 1 released my camera from the tripod just as we were swamped by the waves that slashed against our boat. Over we went. “Luckily the water was only 6 feet deep at this point near the shore where we had successfully rode, and although I was completely submerged—that is the water was ‘over my head’—I managed to hold my camera at arm’s length above my head and above the water. It seemed I was under the water for hours, but in reality it was much less than a minute. “IT couldn’t hold my breath any longer, and just as I was about to make an attempt to come up and save the camera with the film—although it was obviously a futile effort—I felt the camera taken from my hand and up 1 came to fill my lungs with fresh air. They tell me the rowboat was smashed against the wharf and broken to splinters. I had been relieved of my camera by a daring young friend who swung down from the wharf on a rope tied around his body. — “T went out on an assignment and this is what I got—a good picture, and a good drenching.” CAPITOL THEATRE, NEW YORK, CONTRACTS ENTIRE SERIES “WILDERNESS TALES” [' is a compliment indeed to Bruce’s new series of ‘Wilderness ‘Tales” that the Capitol Theatre, the world’s largest motion picture theatre, will show them. “And Women Must Weep” made such an impression on the audiences and elicited such favorable comment from the critics, that managing director Rothapfel of the Capitol, decided that he wanted the entire series. The competition was keen_and he had to bid high because the other Broadway managers were anxious to get the pictures for their own houses. In addition to this contract, the Branford Theatre of Newark and the Strand Theatre of Yonkers bought the entire series at higher rentals than ever paid for this type of picture before. . en It looks as if “Wilderness Tales” are a big bet. ‘Thru Educational. Google Neal Burns As Lover In “A Rambling Romeo” All the world loves a lover, and one of the greatest of them all (on the motion picture screen, at least) is Neal Burns. He's at it again in a new Christie Comedy made for Educational, called "A Rambling Romeo.” Helen Darling is the modern Juliet. Neal’s best pal is in love with the girl who lives in the apartment just below Helen's. But he hasn't the nerve to propose. When Neal undertakes to propose for him, the girl accepts him for himself instead of for his pal, and from. then on his troubles come thick and. fast. JOE BRANDT ELECTED PRESIDENT OF THE FEDERATED FILM EX. Mr. Joe Brandt was elected director of the Federated Film Exchanges : and immediately after his appointment suggested a policy that will include the purchase of probably some of the biggest features and best short subjects being produced today. «Among the directors aré Joe Friedman, Celebrated Players Film Co. of Chicago; Sam Grand, Federated Film Exchange of Boston; Ben Amsterdam, Masterpiece Film Attractions of Philadelphia; Bobby North, Apollo Film Exchange of New York City: Harry Charnas, Standard Film Exchanges of Cleveland, Pittsburgh and Detroit, and Pete Oletsky, Federated Film Exchange of Baltimore. L. J. Tally Celebrates 20th Anniversary Vitagraph’s “Too Much Business” In the celebration of the twentieth anniversary of Tally’s theatre, Lox Angeles, May 6-15, it is interesting to note that L. J. Tally brought the first motion picture film into Los Angeles. In celebration of the event, he selected as a feature for his anniversary program, “Too Much Busi: ness,” the first feature comedy produced by Jess Robbins, and the first motion picture in which Edward Horton, local stock company ‘ matinee idol, makes his screen debut, LL. J. Tally arrived. in. Los*Angeles after a trip across the continent with a black top tent, projection machine and a few reels of film. En tour, he gave motion picture shows in the small towns. Arriving in Los Angeles, he decided to open a theatre there, and later found it necessary‘ to opeii a film exchange.