The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1899-03-31
MR.. KEITH'S ENTERPRISE.
Pictures Of the R. |. Vols. will Be
Taken by a Blograph Camera.
Scenes Along Route Of March and on Train
Ing Field TO Be Reproduced.

The return of the First Rhode Island
regiment tomorrow will be made nota-
BILE. aside from the sentiment attaching
to the event, by the fact that for the
first time since the invention OF mo-
on-photographyit will be employed
to reproduce an event in this state
Recognizing the interest that natur-
ally centres in the home e-comlng of the
volunteers. Mr.. B. +. Keith, who con-
trols the American Biograph. promptly
made arrangements to have a Bio
graph camera machine brought here
from New York to take pictures of the
regiment as IL passes through the
streets of Providence and on parade at
the Dexter Training Ground.
The machine arrived from New York
yesterday afternoon, accompanied by
four expert operators of long expert
ence, and with ample supplies OF films
and all other needed paraphernalia.
The operators are the same who took
the famous picture OF the trip across
the Brooklyn bridge and other equally
remarkable products OF notion pho
Biography, both in this country and
Europe, which have been exhibited at
Keiths new theatre and every effort
Will be made 10 secure a series of thor
oughly effective and satisfactory pic
lures of the Rhode Island boys in blue,
whose parade before Gen. Shafter. as
shown by the biograph at Keiths for
nine weeks during the present season,
has reused so much interest.
Arrangements have been perfected
TO take pictures at several most favor
able locations in the streets and at the
training ground; and Gov. Dyer and
other prominent persons will of course
figure in them conspicuously. The
only thing that cannot be provided for
in advance Is the weather; and this is
a most important consideration, for
motion photography has not reached
that state OF perfection in which the
weather conditions can be disregarded
The extreme sensitlveness of the films
used, however, is such that even under
conditions unfavorable for ordinary
photography. fairly satisfactory re-
suits may be achieved; and IL Is
thought that the chances will all be
favorable for the success of the enter
prise.
The camera Is a somewhat formlda-
bic looking machine, though perhapS
less so than most persons might mag
inc, when it's wonderful work is con-
sldered and its appearance and use
in the streets is likely to attract inter-
ested attention only second to that
pertaining TO the regiment itself.
Local theatre-goers are promised an
unusual treat during the coming week.
when Ezra Kendall. who has been
termed the liking OF American monolo-
gusts" will be the -headliner- of the bill
at Keith's new theatre. Ii is something
almost unheard of TO place a monolo-
guist at the head of vaudeville bill;
but the exceptional and almost un,
precedented favor with which he h;A
been received i'm the other houses OF
the Keith circuit seems TO justify il in
this case. In each of the other cities
of the circuit his success has been such
that his engagement has been extended
over a second week: and he is the only
monologue comedian who can Justly
boast Of his ability to give an entirely
new monologue every day in the week,
and each equally entertaining. His
funny stories, witticisms, limitations
and songs are all original. and ii is said
that of the 30 minutes he is on the
stage. at least Il are consumed by the
audience in laughter so general and
hearty that he is forced To wait for IL
to subside before continuing his talk.