Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1880-12-22

Moonrfse. IN scene where there is no
change from daylight to darkness. is often pro.
dnced WITH muslin drop and a moon box
sky, the clouds being painted On strips of can
vas cut IN the required shape and sewn on. The
moon is made witha box on one side OF which
circular mole Is cut Ovefthis hole Is pasted
, piece Of white muslin. A couple OF wires
serve 20 draw the moon upward. iOf course Jhe
" mite Illuminated circle shows plainly through
the muslin Sky, but disappears when passing
paes 81 |ns n aant BY having snShsr
facing TO white, placed at the back OF the drop
In the moons path, the ORD OF night can be MADE
70 appear red at the horizon and gradually
change TO pale yellow as It sails slowly up-
ward: Floating clouds are easily initiated by
hanging In front OF the sky drop gauze drop
upon which are sewn muslin or canvas clouds,
and moving the whole SLOWLY.
An ocean Of heavfng waters Is made in this
way: Each bounding wave is cut out separately.
The first row is SET up with distance of three
ond row IS set so as to show in the openings
left by the first. Small boys furnish the motive
power. The waves are rocked back and forth.
not from side to side: and the effect Is very
good. The noise Of water rolling upon beach
is well initiated in a simple manner. A box of
light wood Is lined with tin. By putting two or
three ounces OF bird shot into thfs and causing
it TO. roll around, the desired sound is pro.
uuced.
Fire scenes are sometimes dangerous; but
with proper care they may be rendered com
IoiotNSlJ IudG Iuey are hot so naZdr-
dous as is generally supposed by the INITIATED
peholder may be learned from the following
description: One of the most familiar fire
scr mes Is that which occurs In the Streets of
New orK, =" In which three story house burns
Gown, the roof cavlng In, the shutters falling,
and the walls breaking with wonderful ap,
pear ance OF realism. The house is painted on
swung me reP ons Which
pom the second is painted half the wall. and
it Is joined to the bottom piece in an
irregular zig gag line. The simple drop
the stage produces the falling of roof and wall.
The fire Itself is represented by chemical red
llre and powdered lycopodium used separately.
me former TO give red glow and the latter to
represent flames The shutters. which are to
IAN. are fastened to the scene with a prepara-
lion called ''quick match" This is made of
powder. alcohol and lamp wick. The window
frames ana saSheS are made of sheet iron They
are covered with oakum soaked in alcohol or
naphtba. These Sashes and frames are NOT faS-
tened 10 the canvas scene at ALL but are nj arnd
a. a snort distance behind 1t upon platforms.
Ine quickest possible touch OF flame ignites the
oakum. and. In a moment, the fire runs around
the sash and nothing is apparently left but the
blackened and charred wood. Steam is used to
represent the smoke that issues from the Gran.
MES In the walls OF the burning building: and
an occasional crash. followed by the ignition of
q little powder 10 produce a sudden puff OF
smoke gives The spectator an idea OF a falling
raiter. Behind the entire scene Is placed a very
large endless towel upon which is painted a
mass OF flames. This Is kept In constant an.
Ward motion; and, wnen viewed through an
open window In the house, gives good ida If
the supposed raging furnace Within. ADD To
these things real fire engine on the stage, host
OF yelling SupernumeraTieS in discarded fire.
mems uniforms. and the SPECTATOR IS e9siIv
filled with sense Of tremendous danger
nevertheless the only flames upon the stage a re-
lhose arising from the burning Of Iycopodium
IN nash torch;, and they are only allowed to
blaze up for a second or two at a time, Fires
IN Heaters. resulting from a fire scene
are usually caused by carelessness In hand,
ing the powder which Is used to mo
duce purs of smoke The amount or
labor and care bestowed upon the
production OF scenic effects is SOMETHING or
which the unfnitiated public knows little: bmt
the ABOVE account gives a general description
OF how the most elaborate ones are prod71ced,