Moving Picture World (Apr-Jun 1913)

THE MOVING PICTURE WORLD 143 "A Wise Old Elephant" (Selig) Reviewed by James S. McQuade. A BIG novelty two-reel special — the latest addition to the Selig photoplays in which wild animals figure prominently — is announced for release on April 14th. Otto Breitkreutz, better known by his circus name of "Big" Otto, had personal charge of the production, which was made on the Selig wild' animal farm, in Los Angeles. J. Edward Hungerford is responsible for the scenario, which affords opportunities for the performance of some remarkable and sagacious feats by "Toddles," who has the distinction of appearing in the titular role. "Toddles" is best recalled by the human-like intelligence he displayed in "Lost in the Jungle," about two years ago, a photoplay which was in vogue in both the Old and the New World. In the present instance this wise old elephant has surpassed all his former doings, and fairly astonishes us by his encroachments on the field of human thought and action. It must be remembered, however, that "Toddles" is under the absolute sway of his trainer, "Big" Otto, and that the latter, although never seen in the field of the camera, is always somewhere beside his big pet. instructing him what to do and when to do it. One cannot view these extraordinary films without being stirred by a stronger feeling of affection for docile animals. Kathlyn Williams and Hobart Bosworth in "A Wise Old Elephant." "A Wise Old Elephant" is distinguished by the inclusion of two of Selig's best known players in the cast — Miss Kathlyn Williams and Hobart Bosworth. The fondness of "Toddles" for Miss Williams is repeatedly shown. He guards her with jealous care and uses his trunk to protect her from her enemies. Indeed all that transpired, in this respect, during the production has not been included in the pictures; for. in one instance, "Toddles" seized the villain in the play and flung him fully 30 yards away, where he lay stunned for a time. Miss Williams sustains the part of Zara Haskins with her well known vim and charming grace. As Lieut. DriscoU, an English ofScer, Mr. Bosworth is seen to fine advantage in heavy character acting. Herbert Rawlinson, as Robert Harding, and Al. W. Wilson, as Colonel Haskins, complete the excellent cast. The scenes are laid in India, England's great eastern possession. Colonel Haskins and his only daughter, Zara, live on a plantation to which the old soldier has retired. The adjoining plantation is owned by Robert Harding, a young English gentleman, who seeks his fortune in the cultivation of tea. He has just arrived in the country, and is not acquainted with his neighbors. Zara is a beautiful girl. She delights in outdoor life and is fond of taking morning rides on her big pet elephant, "Toddles." One morning she meets young Harding. He salutes her with a smile and she stops for a chat. It ends by her inviting him to join her in the howdah, "Toddles" assisting him to mount. As the result of this 'meeting Zara and Harding fall in love. About this time Lieut. Driscoll, an aristocratic officer, chances to call at the Haskins plantation, where he is royally entertained by the colonel. He is attracted by Zara's beauty and shows her marked attentions, much to her dislike. Her father is pleased, on the other hand, and shows the lieutenant that he favors his suit. Driscoll begs Zara to accompany him on a ride the following mornin.g. She refuses; but he insists so strongly that Zara grows angry. Then he insult mgly asks for a reason and she strikes him with her crop. Afterwards she mounts "Toddles" and soon joins young Harding. Driscoll, who has followed her stealthily on horseback, discovers the lovers and immediately carries the news to Colonel Haskins. The colonel is furious and rides at once to the rendezvous of the lovers. There he berates Harding and is about to strike him, when "Toddles" seizes him with his trunk. The next day the Colonel assures Driscoll that Zara will be his wife. Zara is called before the two men and indignantly refuses to obey her father. The latter threatens to force her. She notifies Harding and they elope. Lieut. Driscoll spies on their movements and conveys word to the colonel, who is seized with temporary apoplexy at the news. He recovers sufficiently to despatch Driscoll to prevent the clergyman from performing the ceremony. Driscoll arrives too late, as Zara and Harding are man and wife. Colonel Haskins refuses to receive Zara and renounces her. Three years elapse and the Harding household is blessed with a baby. Zara learns that her father, under the evil influence of Driscoll, is a victim of intemperance. She calls at the old home with her child, hoping for reconciliation; but her father refuses to receive her at the prompting of Driscoll. She calls again, with the same result. Now "Toddles" takes a hand. He carries the baby and the cradle in which it lies to the colonel. He places the cradle on the steps, but the colonel waves him away. "Toddles" shakes his trunk in token of refusal, and in brute language urges his master to take the child to his heart. The colonel gives in and takes up the cradle with its cooing burden. Then "Toddles" grasps his master's hand in his trunk and leads him to the Harding home. NEW JERSEY'S LARGEST THEATER IN COURSE OF CONSTRUCTION. The United Realty & Amusement Company, a New Jersey corporation, with offices at 19 Bergenline Avenue, Union Hill, N. J., has given out contracts and broken ground for New Jersey's largest motion picture and vaudeville theater. The house will be located at Union Hill and will have a seating capacity of 2,300. It will be a thoroughly fireproof building. The most modern improvements will be installed, such as a direct and indirect lighting, an absolutely perfect ventilating system, smoking and retiring rooms on each floor, drinking fountains with a filtering plant, chorus room, twelve dressing rooms, animal stables, etc. The stage dimensions will be 35 feet by 85 feet. It will involve an expenditure of $275,000 and its opening date is set for October 1st, this year. The place will be named the Union Theater. The same company is also building another immense picture and vaudeville theater at Montclair, with a seating capacity of 1,350. This house is expected to be open on or about May 15th, and it will cost around $150,000. The United Realty & Amusement Company also control and operate theaters in Massachusetts and Connecticut. Carl F. Michelfelder is the managing director. COULD FIND NO TRACES OF INSOMNIA. Neal Anderson, manager of the Elite Theater, Carthage, Mo., has a funny story to tell us. Here it is: ".\ couple of nights ago two boys, one twelve and the other six, approached my cashier and wanted to know the price for children. She told them five cents apiece and they went away. Shortly afterward I came out of the theater and stood in the lobby. Again the boys came back and this time to me, asking the price. I told them. They thanked me, walked to the other end of the lobby and pondered. Then the older boy came to me and said, 'Mr. Anderson, can we both get in for a nickle 'cause this here other fellow goes to sleep?' I let them in, but I failed to find any traces of insomnia in the little fellow," concluded Mr. Anderson. R. D. ARMSTRONG TO PUBLISH BOOK ON FILM INDUSTRY. R. D. Armstrong, connected in various capacities with the American Film Manufacturing Company since its inception. is the author of a book, "Making the Negative of a Photoplay," soon to be produced. Mr. Armstrong is peculiarly eligible for the authorship of such a volume, having spent more or less time in every department of the moving picture business. Mr. Armstrong was scenario editor and is at present in Hawaii with S. S. Hutchinson, president of the company, operating a camera. He is thoroughly familiar with every phase of the technical work from the time the negative is placed in the camera until the positive prints are run through the projecting machine. Also, he is one of the best known scenario editors in the business.