The Moving Picture Weekly (1920-1921)

■THE MOVING PICTURE WEEKLY ■37 "EVOLUTION of TRAVEL" Filmed by Universal Educational Department collecting shots of all the old passenger carriers extant as well as the odd conveyances of foreign lands ^OT long ago it was proved by actual statistics that about 80 per cent, of the people are "eye-minded" rather than "ear-minded." As a result of this, motion pictures are fast taking the place of oral dictation as a means of educating children in the schools. Based upon this theory, a motion picture depicting the entire "Evolution of Travel" is now being filmed by the Educational Department of the Universal Film Company, under the direction of Harry Levey, general manager, in conjunction with the Cole Motor Car Company, and will be preserved and used for school work together with other educational pictures. It is the aim of the picture to show the development of passenger transportation, from the time when primitive man had only his two legs to carry him, to the presentday wonders of transportation. Permission was secured to film the carts and vehicles on exhibition in Smithsonian Institute, and which were used as the mode of travel up to the advent of the automobile. Directors, camera-men and a company of players left on Thursday for Washington to film these. The production is to be a gigantic undertaking, and special attention is being paid to the details of authenticity of costumes and modes of each period. In addition to this, camera men are being dispatched all over the world to film the modes of travel in vogue — to Japan, where scenes will be made of travel in the jinriksha; to the frozen North, where the dog-sleds furnish I means of transportation; to Venice, to "shoot" the gon dolas— to all countries of the world where interesting means of travel prevail. Where it is impossible to secure authentic scenes of the growth and evolution of travel, models of the various vehicles of different ages are being made with the greatest care for correct details by a special staff of the Educational Department, and these v^dll be filmed. In other cases animated technical drawings will be used. In addition to the modes of travel in foreign lands will be shown the most primitive means for carrying adults — a pole beneath which is slung a hammock carrying the passenger. This is superseded by two poles, upon which is mounted a chair; which later develops into a sedan chair. Scenes are being made in Algiers, showing a passenger sled transporting passengers down steep hills and over cobble-stones. The first brake, the wheelbarrow, the first baby carriage, and the stage coach, are interesting stages of the development of travel that will be shot. "The De Witt Clinton," the first train that was ever run in the State of New York, has already been filmed for this picture. Governor Smith made a special trip to New York at the invitation of Mr. Levey, and was "movied" as he sat in this locomotive, occupying the same seat that was once occupied by De Witt Clinton, seventh Governor of the Empire State. The Governor is also shown in a new model locomotive, such as that which is to carry him out to San Francisco to attend the National Democratic Convention. The bicycle, the motorcycle and "the horseless carriage" are shown; the newest model aeroplane, the automobile, the Cole Aero-Eight, and last, the aeroplane — completing the evolution of travel to the present day. TELEGRAM CARL LAEMMLE PRESIDENT UNIVERSAL FILM MFG. CO. 1600 BROADWAY NEW YORK N. Y. VIRGIN STAMBOUL OPENED WEEKS ENGAGEMENT TODAY CAPACITY AUDIENCES ENTIRE DAY AND EVENING NOTWITHSTANDING EXTREME SUMMER HEAT KEEN COMPETI TION PRODUCTION DELIGHTED HUGE AUDIENCES CONGRATULATE YOU ON MARVELOUS PHOTOPLAY SEND MORE LIKE THIS EXCHANGE MANAGER NATHAN AND ASSISTANT GRIFFITH PERSONALLY GAVE COOPERATION IN PROPER PRESENTATION AND PUBLICITY EXPLOITATION. J. W. DISTASIO MANAGER LIBERTY THEATRE, SACRAMENTO, CAL.