Motography (Apr-Dec 1911)

262 MOTOGRAPHY Vol. VI, No. 6. and carefree, pays little heed to her daily abuse and ill treatment. She finds great comfort and solace in the ring and its memories, until one day the Prince is pointed out to her, and in him she recognizes her milk vender. And so again her childish dreams are shattered. The King gives a grand ball in honor of his son. The step-mother and sisters go, leaving Cinderella behind, broken hearted. Her Fairy God-mother comes to her assistance, however, appearing suddenly among the pots and pans. She waves her wand, and tells Cinderella to rub her ring three times. A huge pumpkin appears on the table. Again, and a cage full of rats appears. Once more, and Cinderella's rags are transformed into a beautiful gown, while the pumpkin and rats become a coachand-six, with a full complement of coachman and footman. So it is possible for Cinderella to attend the ball, the only requirement being that Cinderella leave the palace before midnight. Cinderella agrees and departs for the ball in state. THIRD REEL. At the ball, Cinderella captivates the Prince and his guests with her beauty and mischievousness. To him she looks familiar, but she steadfastly refuses to divulge her identity. Cnderella so thoroughly enjoys her evening with the Prince that she forgets the approaching midnight hour until it arrives. Then suddenly remembering her god-mother's admonition she rushes from the palace ; but in doing so she loses one of her silver slippers. Later the Prince finds the slipper and sends his couriers throughout the land, announcing that the owner of the foot that fits the slipper shall become his wife. Of course the wicked step-mother and her two daughters try to prevent Cinderella from trying on the slipper; but the courier tells them none shall be denied the chance. And so — she becomes a Princess. The Prince is not present during the fitting of the slipper, for he has retired to that old trysting place, the stone bench in the deserted garden, there to dream awhile. But the instant the slipper is upon the foot of Cinderella her rags once more change to beautiful raiment, to the astonishment and chagrin of her step-mother and sisters. The coach is waiting ; and with a woman's intuition she goes at once to the garden, where she finds her Prince. And they live happily ever after. It took eight weeks to produce Cinderella at the Diamond-S studio, and doubtless cost a fortune in mere money. Consequently the Selig people are offering special aid to the exhibitor in the way of advertising ideas, musical programs, etc. The release will be on New Year's Day. ■ Filming the Durbar In India at the present time the chief topic of conversation is the approaching visit of the King and Queen of Great Britain. The visit of the ruling sovereign to his great eastern empire is an event unique in the history of the nation. We in America cannot conceive of the importance that the Indian subjects are placing in this royal visit. Extensive preparations are being made for the festivities at Bombay and Calcutta, and for the Durbar, or governor-general's reception at Delhi. Arrangements are being made for the proper filming of these great events, for the British are strong believers in having moving pictures taken of all their great functions, so that people all over the world, and in future ages, can-^enjoy the spectacle just as much as those who were on the spot. The Durbar will be magnificent. The pomp and pageantry, the brilliance, the glow and glitter which is always such a part of Indian ceremonies, will make the Durbar a spectacle such as has never before been seen. An Indian Durbar is one of the sights of the world, and as it will lend itself naturally to reproduction the resultant films will undoubtedly take a high place in the realm of moving pictures. But the Durbar, while the most magnificent, is not the only function that will take place. The royal party will spend some time both in Bombay and at Calcutta. In each of these cities arrangements are being made to secure moving pictures of the proceedings, and efforts will be made to emulate the enterprise of the people in England and America, who show pictures of an event the same night. But it is doubtful if they can do very quick work, as many difficulties will have to be overcome. It is almost impossible to secure men skilled in the manufacture of film, while properly equipped laboratories do not exist. However, we must all admire the spirit of enterprise exhibited. In Calcutta, the great event is to be a pageant representing Indian history from the very earliest times down to the present day. This will, without a doubt, provide pictures second only to the great Durbar. The pageant will include a procession of over fifty gorgeously caparisoned elephants, native dances, and other spectacular features all of which will show up well on the screen. Use Films in Civic Fight Eugene Barr, a railroad man of San Jose, Cal., who was formerly in the theatrical business, has purchased a moving picture machine, which he says he will use in the political campaigns this winter, as a result of a row with the city authorities over sewer breaks in a residence section where he owns several houses. Barr accuses the street department of dilatoriness in fixing the breaks, and threatens to turn his moving picture outfit on various subjects that he says will cause the municipal administration embarrassment. "Films aren't very expensive," he said, "and it won't cost a great deal to get enough campaign material to put in a new set of officers." Barr says he also has a plan for making moving pictures of the mosquitoes which are breeding in stagnant pools of sewage. Buffalo "Will Enforce the LawCorporation Counsel Hammond of Buffalo has given it as his opinion that all moving picture machines in the Buffalo theaters must be inclosed in iron framework, covered or lined with asbestos board or with some equally adequate material, under provisions of the new moving picture law of the state. He is clear in his statement that, despite a provision of the state law which says that it shall not be applicable to cities where ordinances cover the point, Buffalo is obliged to adhere to its recommendations. "It is up to the department of public works in inspecting the booths to see that the provision of the law is obeyed," states the opinion. The new law was introduced after a number of serious accidents resulting from the explosion of films. The booth must be at least seven feet in height and, for one machine, must have floor space of at least fortyeight square feet.