Canadian Moving Picture Digest (May-Oct 1922)

TORONTO, CANADA. DR. LILLIAN POWERS INTERVIEWED, “CURLY,” THE HERO OF SQUIRREL | COMEDIES, NOW BEING RELEASED HE Star publishes an interview by Karl K. Nitchen with Dr. Lillian Powers. “On the second and third floors of Dr. Lillian Powers’ large, rambling house near White Plains, N.Y., are a series of wire cages which contain practically every variety of squirrel. There are ‘mahogany reds’ from South America, five colored Prevosti from the Malay Peninsula, as well as the well known gray variety so common in our city parks. In fact, there are so many of them that even the bathrooms of her home are utilized to house these pets, every one of which bears a name and to Dr. Powers, at least, possesses a distinct personality. Consequently it is not surprising that her country estate is called the Red Squirrel Farm and that at its very entrance there are painted squirrels on its gateposts. For seventeen years Dr. Powers has devoted most of her time to raising these pets and studying their habits. And she has not only written scientific books about them, but has made the most elaborate motion pictures of their lives. These pictures are now being released in Canada through the Canadian Exhibitors’ Exchange as the Squirrel Comedies. “I became interested in squirrels ing in Ceylon about seventeen years ago,” said Dr. Powers in answer to my obvious question. “As we were driving along a road near Kandy a native offered one for sale—a_ tiny red squirrel, very much like this one. “It was such a cunning little thing that we bought it,” she went on. “And for the next few weeks I was up at all hours of the night taking care of it. I didn’t know then how necessary it is to keep the young ones warm, and the morning after we bought it, it was cold and apparently dead. My husband, who is also a physician, and I worked for hours to revive it, and we were successful. During the next few weeks | got very much attached to it.” And she showed the little “mahogany red” or Variabilis (to give it its scientific name) which she held in her hands. When we settled down in Germany, where squirrels are considered great pets, I began collecting unusual varieties of them. We lived near a seaport, and ship captains from all over the world brought them to me. I soon discovered that they were the most affectionate of all pets—with all the traits of a dog or cat—and with infinitely more personality. With this introduction Dr. Powers conducted her interviewer to the second floor, where they entered a maze of wire cages filled with the limbs of trees on which were fastened little boxes—the homes of her pets. “Here, Curley,” she called to a large grey squirrel, who hurried over to her for her proffered nut. “Meet the gentleman.” “Curley” is the hero of the squirrel comedies. “And I will swear,” said the interviewer, “that the squirrel gave me a wink.” “He’s a fine husband—the father of four handsome boys and true to his mate. You may not know it, but squirrels are very much like us. They are true to their mates—until some vamp comes along and leads the male astray. I have many happy families here. The little animals love to be together and they spend hours spooning and kissing each other. They’re so affectionate.” The Squirrel Comedies are distinct novelties. They are six one-reel subjects in which the squirrels play all the parts. Three hundred and fifty squirrels are said to be in the cast of these comedies which _ include, “Curley,” the hero; Felicia, the heroine, and Maisie, the Vampire. PROGRAM MATERIAL UPPOSE you were a_ famous actress, accustomed to every luxury that money could buy—clothes, jewels, and the comforts of life as provided by the most modern hotels— and you were suddenly asked to give this up for the discomforts of a logging cabin in the northern woods. Could you turn to this new life, with the man you loved, and forget the comforts of the life you left behind? Palma May thought she Cod l certain influences-causéd Aé an her mind. See Irene Castle in “French Heels” at this theatre next......... : Palma May was a simple little coun try girl when John Tabor found her .. on his return from France, but soon she was the most talked of person in the Big Town’s brilliant night life. Fame and riches were hers almost overnight. Then John Tabor took her to his father’s logging camp in the north. At first they were happy, but ge and discomforts soon killed he romance. Then came the greatest Page Five struggle in Palma May’s life. The story is “French Heels.”” Irene Castle is the star. The picture is coming to this theatre next Palma May thought it would be easy to leave the luxuries of life and “rough it” with her husband in the logging camps of the north. But tin dishes and “cook house” food didn’t compare with the comforts of the other life. She wanted to leave it all and go back, but she loved her husband and he had to remain in the woods. Would you have gone back to the luxuries of life in the city, or would you have braved the discomforts of the logging camps? See what Irene Castle as “Palma May” did in “French Heels,” which comes to this theatre for .............. days beginning next Sunday. Christie Stars New Service For Theatres Which Advertise In order to better serve the theatres which advertise comedy attractions in newspapers and house organs of their own, the Christie Film Company has inaugurated a special cut, photograph and mat service on all the new Christie Comedies, beginning with “That Son of a Sheik,” which is to be released in September through Educational exchanges. All of this material is being pre _ pared by the Christie studios, under the direction of the exploitation department and will be available through Fiducational Exchanges before release dates on all pictures. Universal Show at Grand, “The Delicious Little Devil’’ Universal are showing at the New Grand for a whole Week Mae Murray and Rudolf Valentino in the “Delicious Little Devil.’ "This re-issue is sure of success. In September they release “Foolish Wives” for its second run in the West End and there ‘after’ the picture is booked for the whole of the United Amusements Circuit, Montreal. Messrs.. Smith and Sourkes Give up Sun Theatre, Montreal Messrs. Smith and Sourkes who fecently took over the Sun Theatre, Montreal, from Z. Goldberg, have arranged to have the property handed back to its former proprietor. The move is consequent to some degree on the movement of Mr. Smith to the Mairitirem Provinces to represent Regall