The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-01

From the New York Herald.
 THERE is a studio for the manufae-
 ture of moving picture films in the
 Bronx which employs at times as many as 500 actors. Among them are many strange characters and their wages for a single motion picture amount at times to $1O,O0O or more.
 Only a few days ago a picture was made at a cost of s12,75o. It illustrated the story told in an old English novel and in the telling required the introduce tion of almost coo characters, of whom 50 were principals and 800 were what. would constitute the chorus or mob in an opefa. There were also more than 100 horses used by the soldiery. The wages alone for this picture amounted to more than $12,000
 To complete the film required three days. Five hundred of the men received 50 day each, the 50 leading actors averaged $15 a day and the horses $10 day each. With other expenses this picture will have cost at least $25,000 by the time It is placed on exhibition. When one consid- CTS that the picture will be shown in at
 
 readily seen where the profits come from.
 However, that Is another story. The point is that posing for picture shows brings together the oldest collection Of actors in the world. This one studio em- ploys persons who have appeared before crowned heads in legitimate drama, sou brettes whose pictures appeared on cigar and cigarette boxes a few short years ago, dancers who turned the heads of youthful monarchs when in their prime, tragedians who trod the boards with Booth and Barrett. Age or accident fickle public or misfortunes of one kind or another drove them from the legiti- mate stage and forced them into panto- mime.
 In some cases the voice went back on an actor leaving him unfit for speaking part, but stillTa splendid actor. In others "crows' feet' appearing about the eyes have taken a soubrette off the stage, but left her still good poser for pictures. as | the camera. going at lightning speed, winks at such evidences of age. One of the most interesting 9f all the actors employed is child of years, who cannot speak plainly yet, but who acts "baby parts with such consum- mate art and grace that she is employed on stipulated weekly salary of $50 whether she works or not. Usually she poses about three times week. | Perhaps even more remarkable iSa pro- ] fessional actress who is not yet l year old. She is known as the "crier," be- cause she can always be relied upon to burst into tears when her mother is not within four feet of her. Whenever there is call for crying baby in picture the 'scrier'' is always sent for. That many pictures do need the services of a sobbing child is shown by the fact that this little one, who doesn't know what money is earns about $40 week.
 Among other actors for whose serv- | ices there is a strong demand is Dewey. Dewey is a $6 dog, or, rather, he was a s6 dog until his histrionic talents were discovered Now 100 times s6 would scarcely suffice to purchase him. because he earns 6 per cent on S6O0 every week and is the sole support of the widow who | owns him.
 | Many pictures are indue inore iheiiAo bv the appearance of a dog, and Dewey is the dog almost invariably chosen be- cause he can be relied upon to do what he is told to do Although of the kindliest disposition in the world, Dewey will, upon 1 order, put on the most ferocious express sion imaginable and pursue tramp from the farmyard before he can get chance at the chicken coop, or, with the same facility, he will permit large blue rib bon, to be knotted about his neck and sit in a large motor car, perfect picture of canine aristooracy.
 He will plunge into river and drag ashore dummy baby and then look meek and modest when the baby s mother rushes up, gathers him in her arms and kisses the noble fellow. not caring if she does ruin a perfectly good 'property' silk dress and sealskin coat.