Motography (Jan-Jun 1918)

810 MOTOGRAPHY Vol. XIX, No. 17. "Baree, Son of Kazan" Nears Completion Vitagraph Company Returns From Truckee, Where They Spent a Month Among Blizzards and Snow FILMING of exterior scenes has been practically completed for "Baree, Son of Kazan," a forthcoming Vitagraph Blue Ribbon feature, under direction of David Smith and featuring Nell Shipman and Alfred Whitman. The company returned to the Hollywood studio last week from the snow-clad mountains around Truckee, California. Reports of wonderful snow scenes have reached the Eastern Vitagraph offices from the log cabin settlement built specially for this picture in the big timber region north of Truckee. The entire company passed a month in the wilds and experienced several of the worst blizzards in recent years, which boded ill for personal comfort but assured excellent photographic results in what promises to be a remarkable picturization of James Oliver Curwood's famous story of Baree, half dog and half wolf and his amazing devotion. Director Smith has been enthusiastic from the start about this picture and has striven to retain much of the atmosphere of the book, at the same time discarding little of the story. Five malamute dogs were used to portray "Baree," as he is shown first as a puppy and throughout the stages of development until a grown dog. Quite naturally these dogs have been the special interest of Miss Shipman, the heroine in the picture. It has been her special effort to win their friendship so she could command them in the taking of scenes. Her task was easy enough as regards two, one a mere puppy and another a few months older, but with the others, snapping and surly brutes at the outset, it was a constant struggle. Kindness and liberality at meal times won out, however, and the dog scenes are said to be just as remarkable as the snow scenes. On the trip from Los Angeles to Truckee Miss Shipman almost wished Baree's life never had been wrtiten. The company occupied a special Pullman and the five Barees were quartered in an express car ahead. Puppy Baree was first to register protest at being thus separated from his fair mistress and his howls persisted until he was carried to Miss Shipman's drawing room, when he curled up asleep in her arms. Next, the next youngest took the cue and he shortly followed the puppy and with the same results. Then the grown-ups started a chorus that got on the nerves of the express car crew. There was nothing to it but give in to the malamutes, who enjoyed drawing room service all the way to Truckee and snapped haughtily at any member of the company who dared approach the door. Explains Why "American Buds" Was Put on Program "Exhibitors who wish to know whom they have to thank for our unusual action in placing a Standard Picture such as American Buds' with the Special Feature schedule," says William Fox, "may learn now that they themselves are responsible." "American Buds" stars Jane and Katherine Lee and was made under the direction of Keanan Buel in Georgia, for the most part. From the first day on which work was begun and even when it was finished it was intended for a Standard Picture. It was produced with a large supporting company of adult players and the members of the cast spent many weeks on exteriors alone. It was during the period that the film was being cut and made ready for release, Mr. Fox says, that pressure brought to bear by the organization's branch managers forced the change. "Those in charge of our exchanges," Mr. Fox said, "wrote that the exhibitors in their territory were asking whether there was any hope of their getting a Jane and Katherine Lee subject in one of our 52-a-year pictures. Our managers were emphatic in their declaration that nothing we could do of a similar nature would be more appreciated. "We have never forgotten — and are not forgetting — that it is the exhibitor who shows our product week after week that has made possible the growth and success of our organization, as much as the public which sees the films. I think I may say that we have always manifested a desire to meet the exhibitor halfway, at least, and as the present wish was still possible of fullfilment, we met it." Clara Kimball Young in a tense scene in her new Select picture, "The Reason Why." Prison Organ Lauds Select Film "Ghosts of Yesterday," Norma Talmadge's Select picture which is creating a favorable impression wherever it is being shown, was recently projected on the screen of the theatre maintained by the Mutual Welfare League, the honor association of the prisoners at Sing Sing. "The Star of Hope," the monthly magazine issued by the league, devoted a page to an enthusiastic review. "In the dual roles of Ruth, the loving and gentle wife, and Jeanne, the demimonde and idol of the Parisian cabarets, Norma Talmadge portrays all the emotions of her art, surpassing even her previous performances in the silent drama," says the review. "Her facial expressions and her eyes reflect the action with such intelligence that few captions are needed; and in roles so widely different, she rises to the pinnacle of perfection.