Motography (Jan-Jun 1913)

436 MOTOGRAPHY Vol. IX, No. 12 Scene from "Marine Law," American release of June 21. to New York to beat Chicago's effort of last year. Let us all pull for the big show. * * * And to think that not a whisper has followed Pat Powers getaway. There is always a calm before a storm. Keep your mufflers closed. Herb Miles says it takes a wise one to get through these days, with enough extra for silk socks. Universal City to Have Zoo A new series of jungle pictures are to be filmed at Universal City, Cal., in the near future. This is made possible by the recent purchase by the Universal Film Manufacturing Company of a trainload of lions, tigers, bears, pumas, leopards, jaguars and other wild denizens cf the tropical forests. The zoo arrived at the Providencia ranch on May 23 and was immediately installed in new quarters that had been prepared for it. New Diffusion System A new system of light diffusion for outdoor motion picture studios that is deemed revolutionary by experts has just been invented in the Universal City studios. It is the achievement of Edward Wortham, head stage carpenter of the Universal west coast studios. The process, it is said, eliminates entirely all shadows, and does away with the many posts used under the present system to hold up the diffusers. The Wortham device is worked with pulleys and rolllers the same as the present method. although in a different manner. On a stage forty feet square there are to be twenty diffusers, any number of which may be used as the scene requires. They will do away with the stationary cloth top of the studios, for there are always enough to cover the top entirely or in part as needed. They may be folded up at night, much as are the leaves of a book, when it is standing on its side. One diffuser can be lapped over another, making it absolutely impossible for the least ray of light to penetrate the scene. Photoplay Magazine Revived The Photoplay Magazine, the publication which was devoted to stories of the Independent films and portraits of the players in the Independent ranks, but which ceased publication some months ago, is shortly to again make its appearance on the news stands. The first issue of the new publication will be dated July, though it is understood copies may be obtained about the middle of June. Independent exhibitors will doubtless welcome the return of the magazine. Marc Mac Dermott No Sailor Marc MacDermott's first message after arriving in England is one of despair. Wonderful actor though he undoubtedly is, he is a rank failure as a sailor, for poor MacDermott was deathly sick. All went well the first day out, but then he "ate something that did not agree with him" (we have heard that one before, Marc), and prayed for sudden death all the rest of the way over. MacDermott wrote that he had always loved his native England but it never looked so good to him before.