Illustrated Films Monthly (Mar - Aug 1914)

304 WITH THE PLA.YERS. T70R the first time since he became an ■' Edison star, Ben. Wilson took a very minor part in an important performance. It was at the little Church around the corner, and the leading roles in this performance were played by Ben, Wilson, Jun., and the minister, for the little fellow was being christened. He simply monopolised the whole scene and showed lots of temperament. Evidently objecting to the setting, Ben, Jun., let out a wail the moment he was carried into the church, and blushing Ben., Sen., carried him outside and attempted to reason with him, ably assisted by Jessie McAllister (Mrs. Wilson). Having restored peace they returned, but when the minister began the ceremony his "nibs" took exception to the proceedings and so very vociferously. Poor Ben., Sen., got so rattled that he declared he was the child's mother, and that his name was Thomas A. Edison, Jun. The baby so successfully drowned the voices of all present that Ben. says he isn't sure w-hether the child is christened or not. When he arrived home the proud father offered up a prayer of thanksgiving that Ben., Jun., had not been twins ! THERE has been a spate of minor, but unpleasant, accidents in the film world during the past few weeks, and one which all will regret was that which happened to pretty Cleo Madison, Rex Company, who was burned while playing in a fire. Every precaution is taken in fire scenes, but sometimes they are painfully realistic for the players. In this scene Cleo was well wrapped in asbestos, but the effects of the scorching laid her up for a week. Joe Singleton, another Pacific coast player, has had his face se\erely scorched by the premature explosion of a gun. TWENTY FIVE years' experience as an animal trainer has knocked all the fear out of Jerry M. Barnes, and he has now taken up the post in the Universal City Menagerie, rendered vacant by the unfortunate death of Dr. W. W. Kirby. The latter died from injuries inflicted by an infuriated lioness. His successor is well-known throughout America, and many stories are told of his daring. No animal known to man, it is commonly said, can shake the nerve of Jerry Barnes, and it is to the advantage of animal pictures at Los Angeles that he has taken up this new position. NICK COGLEY, who had an accident in which he suffered a double compound fracture of the left foot, is on the way to recovery and will soon be playing again for Keystone. TT'ING BAGGOTT has a way with him— we -'■^ all realise that. He also has a very fine way with the "free-advice" pest, as the following little anecdote will show. King had become tired of the pest, who button-holed him at every opportunity, but he was very patient with him, knowing the day would come with a chance to "get back" on the fellow. The day did come. With a jaunty smile the pest came along with a " Good morning, Mr. Baggott. I wonder if you w-ould give me your opinion on the censorship ? Do you think it too strict, or ctherwise ? For instance, supposing, do you think objection would be raised to my committing suicide in my next picture ? " " Oh," responded King, with a wise smile, " on the contrary, I should imagine everyone would be delighted." A UNIQUE honour has fallen in the way of King Baggott, and no one was more surprised than he when he received a Plenary Indulgence from Rome with a signed photograph of Pope Pius, The Plenary Indulgence is rarely given, and takes the place of the final rites of tne Church when a good Catholic dies. King receives the singular honour through the agency of an old friend, James Slevin, who some time back had special permission to photograph the Vatican. IN Vienna there is a big wheel, and on one of the cars of this wheel a daring French actress rode a horse during the revolution for the pictures. Madame Solanged'Atalide, a circusrider, is the lady who accomplished this madcap feat, which was watched by a crowd of many thousands. The exploit was performed without mishap, but the spectators felt relief when the lady and her mount were down on solid earth again. Madame d'Atalide trained her clever horse, " Dreadnought," for this performance by riding first on the top of a moving van. During the actual performance horse and rider mounted on the roof of one of the cars of the big wheel and remained there while the machinery took the swaying car up to the skies and down again. PHILLIPS SMALLEY, the well-known actor and director, does not produced plays in which great risks are run, and the fact that he has had an accident makes it clear that the motion picture players' work, even in the best circumstances, is not a bed roses. While at Laguna Beach, California, Smalley was inspecting a pistol of the "absolutely safe" variety, when it went off, the bullet going through his right hand. Fortunately no bones were broken, and the victim was not incapacitated from work.