Black Pirate (United Artists) (1926)

More “Black Pirate” Advance Material Orchestration of Motion Plays Practical Role Laws of Movement Relating to Suggestion Applied in Filming of “The Black Pirate” When the new Douglas Fairbanks film, “The Black Pirate,” has its local premiere, picture goers will have opportunity to watch for examples of the “orchestration of motion,” as it is described by Robert Nichols, an English poet, who has been helping on the Fairbanks lot. The “orchestration of motion” becomes clearer when examples of the application are related. While “The Black Pirate” was in the making, it was desired to have one ship pass another at rapid speed. In order to accent the impression of speed, Nichols suggested that a line of men be placed on the deck of the moving craft, pulling on a rope in the opposite direction to that in which the vessel was proceeding. The backward move¬ ment of the men produced the effect of a swifter forward movement of the boat, contrasts of motion being responsible. In the preparatory scene wherein the plank, which Mr. Fairbanks as the hero was forced to walk, was being laid over the side of the ship, Nichols again came forward with a suggestion. “Instead of pushing the plank out flat,” he said, “stand it on end and lower it with a motion that completely crosses the screen. This will antici¬ pate Mr. Fairbanks’ movement when he walks slowly out on the plank and plunges into the sea. Also, have the men, who nail the end of the plank to the deck, swing their sledges in full, slow circular sweeps. Thus every movement will contribute to the upbuilding of the drama in the scene.” This, naturally, is a very tense moment in the picture and one where there should be nothing to break the intensity of the scene. Despite this, however, there was a slight let-down during the short interval which elapsed while the star was approaching the plank. This Nichols covered by intro¬ ducing sound. The effect was obtained by placing a drummer at the head of the plank to drum the victim into the sea. The slight movement of the drummer’s hands held the attention of the eye and this, plus the psychologi¬ cal suggestion of sound, served to accentuate the dramatic suspense. FAIRBANKS NEXT IN GREATNEW PICTURE “The Black Pirate” Goes Into Real of Rousing Buccaneer Adventure on the Spanish Main Whenever the announcement comes that Douglas Fairbanks has done an¬ other motion picture, the question is im¬ mediately asked, “What is it this time?” Fairbanks, through his pioneering work on the screen, is looked to for cinematic innovations. His leadership in the production field is undisputed, due to his record of past achievements. The films with which he has commanded much attention are—his “Robin Hood,” his “The Thief of Bagdad” “Don Q” and others. Now he comes forth again with an¬ other very speedy adventure story in color. It is “The Black Pirate,” a story of 17th century piracy. “Who can think cJf a pirate story and not think of color?” Doug asked . when questioned as to why he had made ’ .is decision. “The days of the pirates constitute perhaps the most colorful period of history, a fact lending itself naturally to color treatment.” The locale of the story is in Tropi¬ cal seas. In the beginning, the star is not a pirate. In fact, he becomes a pi¬ rate through force of circumstances. The story deals with his innumerable adventures in avenging the death of his father who dies as the result of hard¬ ships inflicted by sea rovers. There is a lovely girl to be rescued, for which role Billie Dove was selected, and in the end she succumbs to a Fairbanksian wooing with much delicacy and grace. The story resounds with the clash of cutlasses, and carries with it the whine of the wind and the swing of the sea. The cast was selected with usual Fairbanks care, every attention being devoted to the types. There are only two women in the piece, Billie Dove and Tempe Pigott. Among the men, whose histrionic ability ranks high, are Anders Randolf as the pirate Captain, Donald Crisp as a one-armed pirate, Sam De Grasse as a sinister second mate, Charles Stevens, Charles Bel¬ cher, A1 MacQuarrie and others. The pirate crew is made up of ex-pugilists, wrestlers, cow-punchers and others whose fearsome faces might well strike terror to the heart of any law-abiding voyager. “The Black Pirate” will be shown first in this city as a United Artists re¬ lease at the .. with an elaborate presentation. The largest swimming pool in the West was built at the Pickford-Fair- banks Studio for certain scenes for “The Black Pirate.” It holds 700,00(X gallons of water. There are six principal villains in “The Black Pirate” and one beautiful Princess. Billie Dove plays the Prin¬ cess, and the villains are Sam de Grasse, Donald Crisp, Anders Ran¬ dolf, Charles Stevens, Charles M. Belcher and Roy Coulson. HAILING FAIRBANKS IN “BLACK PIRATE” High and Dazzling Adventure on the Sea Brings Glamorous Picture as Newest Offering With the news that Douglas Fair¬ banks’ latest screen offering, “The Black Pirate,” will be the feature attraction at the . Theatre starting . comes the added word that this picture is entirely in color and ranks as one of the most elaborate cinema spectacles of the year. Fairbanks is as usual the romantic adventurer achieving no end of thrills through his hazardous, always inimi¬ table, and frequently amusing “stunts”. His ingenuity and athletic prowess are big factors in his struggle to win a captured damsel from a shipload of blood-thirsty pirates. This situation forms the drama of the play as well as the backbone of the story. As was the case with the highly popular “Robin Hood” and “The Thief of Bag¬ dad”, the story of “The Black Pirate” is an original from the pen of Elton Thomas. It was adapted to the screen by Jack Cunningham, scenarist f@r “Don Q”, “The Covered Wagon” and many other noteworthy pictures. Di¬ rection is by Albert Parker, who has di¬ rected several Fairbanks’ features. Never before in his career, in the opinion of critics, has the star appeared in a photoplay vehicle that has given him such splendid opportunity for his¬ trionic and interest compelling art. The fact that the picture is in color has made possible splendid atmosphere be¬ sides. “The Black Pirate” comes heralded as presenting everything for general audience entertainment—high adventure, appealing romance, gripping melodrama and mystifying intrigue. “D0UG’S”NEW TREAT Douglas Fairbanks is again the cinema pioneer. In this instance he is exploring the realm of color pho¬ tography, and it is said that “The Black Pirate,” the screen production he is now releasing is easily another outstanding novelty. It was made after five months of preliminary scientific research. In ad¬ dition to its actual color, it glows with the color of romance and ad¬ venture, of heaving ships and rolling seas, pieces-of-eight and plank-walk¬ ing pirates. It will quicken the pulse of everyone who has read and dreamed of the days of piracy. The Technicolor process by which this film is being made stands as another triumph for American ingenuity. “The Black Pirate” comes to the .!.i... theatre . BOWLEGS FEATURED IN “BLACK PIRATE” The Squat Figure of Each Sea Outlaw Was Picked to Look the Part Bowlegs were at a premium in Hollywood all the time that Douglas Fairbanks was making “The Black Pirate,” scheduled as the next fea¬ ture at the ..•. theatre. “Doug” decided that pirates are not pirates unless their lower limbs have the contour of a parabola or an over¬ sized ostrich egg. For that reason the extras in his picture were chosen not for manly beauty but for the breadth of distance between their knees. No doubt they make a gro¬ tesque spectacle, with knives between their teeth, bandanas encasing their heads, earrings dangling from their ears, and boots hanging at half-mast. Fairbanks’ new production certain¬ ly is a great novelty. Color photog¬ raphy, as “Doug” used it, will prob¬ ably prove a surprise to those who have no idea of what can be done with color on the screen. He aimed to avoid glaring colors. This does not mean that you will be uncon¬ scious of color, according to advance announcements concerning the pic¬ ture; it does mean, however, that you will not be distracted by color. It will be more as if you were looking out of a window at nature itself. The bright colors used are, we are told, for dramatic effect only. Billie Dove is cast in chief support of this new offering. The only other woman in the cast is Tempe Pigott, in the role of maid to the heroine. Doug’s three principal male supports are Donald Crisp, Anders Randolf and Sam de Grasse, as a trio of cut¬ throat pirates that would have awed Captain Kidd. LOVE INTEREST IN FAIRBANKS PICTURE For the first time since Douglas Fairbanks has been in motion pictures he has produced a photoplay in which only two women appear. It is “The Black Pirate,” to be shown at the ... theatre, starting next . The women seen in this production are Billie Dove, leading lady, and Tempe Pigott, maid to the heroine. The fact that only two feminine players appear is accounted for by the nature of the story which is ro¬ mantic in the extreme. “The Black Pirate” is a rip-roaring tale of the sea, reflecting the spirit of Seven¬ teenth Century piracy, and in conse¬ quence is dominated by men. But the adventure of the star is a rapid fire love affair. Billie Dove, her exquisite beauty standing forth in sharp contrast against the rugged background formed by several hundred pictur¬ esque pirates, is said to present her very best screen interpretation.