The Moving Picture World (Apr-Jun 1913)

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THE MOVING PICTURE WORLD 55 "The Wizard ot the Jungle" (World's Best Film Company). THIS two-reel state right special, in which Captain Jack Bonavita is featured, will easily rank as one of the best of the so-called lion pictures which in these days are having so much vogue. The scene of the story is Africa. The Florida jungles make a convincing setting; there is plenty of realism in the way of backgrounds. With Harold Shaw taking care of the dramatic end of the story there was no room for doubt as to the outcome of the picture in this department. The result proves the wisdom of his selection. Joe Graybill, well known to picturegoers, has the part of Captain Hanscombe, the jealous army captain, who in the end meets his death in the jungle. Mr. Graybill is at his best in the portrayal of the jealous lover; he is so here. Xancy Avril sustains the role of the ward of Daniel Bonavita, the father of the young man on whom falls the mantle of the wizard of the jungle. Daniel is played by William Cavanaugh, and the part is well played, especially where Daniel is thrown from his horse. It is a nasty tumble — a spectacular one — and unusually realistic. Captain Jack faces the camera with the same unconcern he displays in facing wild beasts. Particularly does he not overact. King Baggot wrote the scenario. The story is coherently told. There is a multiplicity of sub-titles, but their use is justified. The interest is established in the first thirty feet and is maintained steadily until the last scene. The best test of this is the apparent shortness of each reel. There are many exciting chases through the jungle which will serve to keep a house in suspense. It may be noted here that in all the two reels there is not a single case of double exposure. When a lion is facing a human being the two are before the camera simultaneously. If there are many thrills it must also be said that there is nothing gruesome in the picture, unless perhaps we may except the combat between Captain Hanscombe, lying on the ground, and with a club trying to keep a lion at bay, and the companion picture with the king of beasts leisurely eating a meal which seems to be particularly gratifying. The story opens at the side of a new-made grave. Abdullah, the wizard of the jungle, receives the condolences of two natives over the death of his young son. The following scene shows the arrival of a partv of lion hunters. The head of the party, Daniel Bonavita, reprimands the wizard for bringing liquor into the wilds. Young Jack Bonavita is taught to handle firearms. The wizard incites the natives to rebel, and the camp of the white men is attacked by a large party of blacks. There is an exciting running fight through the forest. Young Jack, left behind in camp, is struck by a poisoned spear and goes in search of his father. He is lost in the jungle, and when about to be devoured by a lion is saved by the wizard. Abdullah, in order to save the boy's life, amputates his arm. The father, unable to find his son, believes him destroyed and returns to England. Abdullah adopts Jack, through love for the son he has lost. He teaches the younster the secrets of the forest and especially how to handle wild animals. Twenty years later, Daniel Bonavita stops at an army post in Africa. With him is his young ward. Pearl. Young Jack, grown to manhood, rescues the girl when she is assailed by a lion. Captain Hanscombe, an officer at the post, makes love to Pearl, but his attentions are unwelcome. The girl is interested fn the young wizard, who on the death of Abdullah, has taken his place in the forest. She teaches Jack and helps him in studying. As Pearl returns from one of these excursions she is met by the captain, who embraces her. Jack throws the soldier to the ground. Later Hanscombe orders the arrest of Jack, and goes into the jungle to see that his order is carried out. Jack is arrested, but the captain it attacked and killed by a lion. As the young wizard is brought into camp he is presented to Daniel Bonavita by Pearl. While he is thanking the young man for his kindness to his ward. Daniel recognizes in the man under arrest his own son. There is a happy reunion, and indications point to another union between Jack and Pearl. Famous Players Contemplates Educatic Adolph Zukor, President of the Company, Considering Definite Plans on Those Lines. FOLLOWING the announcement that the Famous Players' Film Company had purchased the sole rights to the Cherry Kearton series of wild life and big game in the jungle, Adolph Zukor, president of that company, informs the Moving Picture World that he is considering a definite plan for the production of a series of educational pictures suitable for use in public schools and other institutions of learning. The Kearton pictures alone cover a wide range of natural history. To this it is Mr. Zukor's purpose to add more of the same character. He will also extend the work to other scientific subjects. In conversation with Mr. Zukor during a recent visit which he paid the World staff, he spoke of a most ambitious plan to be carried out in connection with the several departments of the United States Government at Washington. "Every American citizen is interested in the manner in which the business of our great country is conducted," said Mr. Zukor in introducing the subject. "We see men spend Newman Company Equips Empress Theater, Chicago. The Newman Manufacturing Company, of Cincinnati, Ohio, and 101 Fourth Ave., New York City, reports that it has just furnished the two Chicago theaters controlled by the Sullivan & Considine Company — the new Empress on Halsted St., and the Empress on Cottage Grove Ave. — with brass frames and rail work. The Newman Company has just issued a new catalog showing brass frames and easels, German silver frames and oxidized frames and brass rail work, and brass work of every description, which can be had upon request. Mr. Adolph Zukor. ing their lifetime of service in the employ of the Government at a rate of remuneration far less than they could obtain in almost any other sphere of activity and with almost no consideration from the public which they serve. It lias been in_ my mind to show to the great American public, by means of pictures, just what the servants of the people are doing in. Washington." Mr. Zukor is very likely to succeed in this undertaking, because he seems to have the ''get there" qualities in his make-up. He was the first to secure for motion pictures a real co-operation of the best talent in the field of legitimate drama, and the success of the combination of a Frohman and a Hackett has encouraged other large theatrical producing interests to enter the realm of the pictured drama. In this he was the pioneer who blazed the trail, for it was his business accumen and persuasiveness that made the Famous Players a reality. His ability and persistence should win success for him in other ventures.