Universal Weekly (1914-1915)

s Thrilling Animal Story Is "The Junglemaster" leaded ID you ever hear of Jorgeburg? No? Comparatively few people have. We haven't. Shut away in a dark, uncivilized part of Africa, it is not a place that the average tourist would make an effort to visit. Nevertheless, this village and its vicinity is the locale of the present story, "The Junglemaster", a "101 Bison" two-part animal play. Taking their lives in their hands, there are certain men who, every year, go out from this town into the deep jungle to hunt down and trap wild beasts with which to replenish the great circuses and menageries of the world. Often these trappers never return, but when they do, their reward is handsome. It is around these people that the present play swings : and there is a two-fold purpose in the production. First, we have a story of romance, love and danger ; second, the spectator is given an opportunity to study, at close range, the various methods used in trapping big game. Incidentally, the spectator is given a vivid idea of the dangers encountered by these men who hunt in the jungles. The educational value of the "Junglemaster" is equal to its dramatic value — and that is saying much. There are more thrills, more dangers faced by the players i to every foot of this film than is evidenced in the whole realm of animal features. By means of cleverly devised traps, partitions and cages, the spectator is brought within a few feet of the lions and leopards used in the action. You see the brutes approach the traps. You see them sniff the bait and then plunge into the trap, which means life-long captivity. You see them floundering in the meshes of the nets, scratching, clawing, biting, roaring and struggling with every ounce of their mighty strength to free themselves. It is the most absorbilng, gripping sight that one could imagine. For his fearless work in this play, for the desperate chances he takes in mixing intimately with animals, Rex de Roselli, one of the Universale most competent animal handlers, deserves special mention. Val Paul, William Clifford and Miss Marie Walcamp are also important among those who risk their lives to give the motion picture "fan" a rare and genuine treat of thrills. Henry McRae, as the director of the play, has done unusually fine work in welding together the dramatic incidents with the various ani Two-Reel "101 Bison' drama, released Nov. 7, is remarkable picture of the African wilds. Written by Rex de Roselli, scenario by Harry G. Stafford. Produced by Henry MoRa**. CAST. Roselli KeJ de Hoselli l'aul Pol Paul Clifford William Clifford Marie Marie Walcamp Paul's Mother I.nlr Wmrenton mal "stunts" into the smooth, complete moving play . According to the story, RosHli. a <'h The Junglemaster Exercises His Strange Po wer. cus owner, accompanied by his daughter. Marie, and her fiance. Clifford, arrive in Jorgeburg, Africa, where Roselli expects to purchase animals for his menagerie. Paul, a hunter and trapper, witnesses their arrival and, himself a white man, invites them to his kraal, which is also his headquarters for captured beasts. Later, Paul invites them to inspect his menagerie. In a cage, somewhat isolated from the others, is a lioness. Paul warns the visitors against the beast, but Roselli advances toward the animal. It immediately becomes calm. To further demonstrate his strange power of control, the circus owner enters the cage, takes from the lioness her cub. and hands the little fellow to Marie. Their astonishment over. the. party returns to Paul's house That evening, while seated about the tire, Roselli relates how and when he first discovered that he possessed his strange power over wild animals. Paul, impressed, offers to guide Roselli into the jungle. His offer is accepted, and tb*following morning finds them all en route, except Marie. The venture is a success: several wild beasts are added to an already large col lection. Marie, piqued at her father's refusal to permit her to accompany them into the depths of the jungle, mounts her horse and rides off. Once in the jungle she encounters a leopard — she is thrown from her horse. Paul rescues her after killing the beast, and brings her back to camp . The fascinating Marie has unwittingly created in Paul a feeling stronger than admiration. Paul declares himself to the girl, but is refused. Disappointed. Paul takes his troubles to his mother, who does her best to calm the hot-headed young man. Pater, Paul and Clifford hav* words . Unknown to his guests, Paul is a heavy drinker : moreover, he possesses an ungovernable temper.. In revenge for Marie's refusal of him, he watches until he is certain that Marie has the lion cub in her room. Then he releases the old lioness. The beast follows the trail' of her cub, jumps through the window, and is only prevented from killing the girl by theMfimely arrival of Roselli. who again gives a demonstration of his strange power . Continuing his debauch, Paul again en deavors to use the lion to further his re venge, and is finally killed as a conse quence . EACH OF THE O'ROURKE STORIES IS COMPLETE IN TWO REELS