The Moving Picture Weekly (1920-1921)

26 —THE MOVING PICTUKE WEEKLY Mr. Kanda, proprietor of the Universal house in Muroran, Japan. JAPANESE EXHIBITOR ENTERTAINS MARIE WALCAMP lyjR. KANDA, proprietor of the Universal house in Muroran, Japan, known there as the Kandakan Theatre, played host to Marie Walcamp while she was touring the Orient as star of the thrilling serial, "The Dragon's Net," most of which was made in China and Japan. Mr. Kanda is a firm believer in Universal pictures, and in his flourishing theatre Marie Walcamp, erstwhile star of "The Lion's Claws," "The Red Glove," "The Spur and Saddle Series," is a great favorite. Small wonder then that she received so welcome a reception from him. Miss Walcamp was entertained in numerous theatres throughout "The Flowery Kingdom," and she made innumerable personal appearances. At these appearances the theatres were always crowded to the doors, and the Japanese papers were full of stories concerning the beautiful daredevil. Razu Mori, one of the most promient actresses in Japan, expressed a desire to meet Miss Walcamp and Henry McRae, director of the expedition, arranged for an introduction. Miss Mori was so delighted with the personality of Marie Walcamp and the wonders of the serial being filmed Stones to te right in Japan that she expressed desire to take part in the serial, and Mr. McRae arranged for her appearances in some of the scenes. In addition, one of the most gifted of Japanese actors had himself photographed with Miss Walcamp and was delighted with the result. In a letter written from Tokio to Mr. Carl Laemmle, president of the Universal Film Manufacturing Company, Miss Eleanor L. Fried, who accompanied the Walcamp expedition as business manager, admirably summarizes the furore which the presence of Miss Walcamp in Japan created. She writes as follows: "Miss Walcamp hasn't been alone since she set foot on Japanese soil. There is never a time when Miss Walcamp is on the street or in a rikshaw or in a car that she isn't surrounded by hordes of people, craning their necks to get a glimpse of their serial star. It took her half an hour the other night, after making a personal appearance, to wedge her way through the crowd. Mr. McRae attempted to shoot a scene at Osakasa Park, one of the prominent streets of Tokio, and in spite of the police protection which we had received, it was physically impossible to shoot with a crowd of thousands packed around us like so many sardines." HENRY MC RAE RETURNS COURTESY OF MR. WANG JT would appear that Henry McRae, who headed the recent Universal expedition to the Orient to film the "The Dragon's Net," with Marie Walcamp, became personally acquainted with every person of note in China, Japan and the Philippines during his trip. Since his return to Universal City a few weeks ago more than a score of visitors to America from the Far East have called at the film capital to shake hands with the Universal director and to talk over the events which occurred at some time or other on the trip. A few days ago Mr. McRae received a call from H. H. Wang, president of the Commercial Press of Shanghai, and one of the foremost business men in China. He was accompanied by David W. Yoh, a technical scientist, who is here to study the manufacture of inks and colors. It seems that Mr. McRae had used the vast establishment of the Commercial Press in Shanghai as the scene of one of his episodes in the picture, and Mr. Wang and other officials of the company appeared in the picture. McRae selected the reel containing the scenes and flashed it on the screen for his visitors. Used m Connec aMYSTERY PLAYS AN IMPORTANT PART IN "THE DRAGON'S NET" "■yHE Dragon's Net" abounds in thrills and action, but, what is more, it abounds in mystery of a fascinating sort, which is in keeping with the Oriental atmosphere in which most of the episodes are placed. The picture below depicts an anxious moment when Marie falls in the clutches of Foo, leader of the band of Taoist priests, who try to block Marie's progress at every step. Foo himself is the embodiment of mystery, not alone because of the astounding manner in which he appears and disappears at crucial moments, but because of his impenetrable and immobile countenance. Foo and the cruel band of Taoists, of which he is the head, play an important part in the serial and provide many of the thrills. They are aware that Marie Carlton is searching desperately for the golden lotus petals originally taken from their shrine, and although Marie is guiltless as far as the theft is concerned, they are relentless in their efforts to get her out of the way. All sorts of tortures are prepared for the girl whenever she falls into their hands, and they do not stop at death itself. Miss Walcamp performed many dangerous feats while this serial was being made, diving from dizzy heights, scaling high walls, and penetrating into all sorts of dark and mysterious caves and caverns. Marie in the clutches of the mysterious Foo.