The Calumet news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 1907-1938, 1911-01-20


between A. d. 51s-523 The principal
scenes are laid in Constantinople and
Ravenna, Italy. At that time Constan-
tinople was the financial mistress of
the world, and the artistic and literary
centre OF Christendom, being the capt.
tai of the Eastern Roman Empire
Justin L. was then on the throne and
filling out the closing years of his
reign.
Justinian, his nephew, was born i'm
Bulgaria, i'm 4S3 A. D., and Travelled on
foot to his uncle's court, AT Constan-
tlnople, when Is years old. Unlike his
uncle he was educated and soon rose
to the position of Prime Minister of
the Eastern Empire.
Theodore was daughter of Acacius,
a native of Cyprus and keeper of the
wild beasts in the amphitheatre at
Constantinople. Acacius was killed
while discharging his dangerous du-
ties, and Theodore and her two sisters
assumed them after his death. They
we're scarcely more than children at
that time. and their occupation
|
public eye. An three were born i'm the
theatre and took parts in plays from
the time that each was able TO toddle.
Theodore was a wonderful impersona-
tor of character, and that without
speaking a word. AS mimic Of cele-
brated personages, she delighted her
audiences. Mr.. Hubbard, in Act 1, Of
III Hrva. 10,
scribes her: "She was the original
Pierrot. and seemed TO have the subtle
skill of the divine Sara, the intellect
: of Rachel. the tragic qualities of
Duse, the usefulness of Maude Adams
and the wit of Mary Irwin"
There was ban on the theatre in
those days, so that actors and actresses
were in low social standing. 1t was
;. all the more astounding, therefore, un-
I. der the circumstances, when Justinian
/, openly avowed his love for Theodore
/, and. i'm the end, secretly married her
!, As his UNCLE Justin's favorite nephew
he was looked upon as his successor
e and the alliance was frowned upon by
the aged Emperor.
Prince Rechizad, another nephew OF
~ the Emperor. but not in his favor, alsC
loved Theodore passionatcy, and de-
&c termned to have her even at the risl
of being charged with treason. When
therefore, Justinlan was taken captive
" while on his way TO Rome by the fol
u lowers the Gothic King. Theodore
and held as a hostage for three year
at Ravena, Prince Rechizad conspiret
to seize the throne. Justinian, beini
advised by n secret messenger, sent b.
Theodore. of the perilous condition o
his crown, contrved TO escape iron
Ravenna and arrived just in time t
" prevent the contamination of the plo
-, Of Rechzad. The latter was slain, an
:, Justinian and Theodore were crowne
~ by the expiring Justin.
IL has taken two full months /
- preparations for the production
Il building the multitudnous and al
II chaelogical array of properties an
Il Announcements; i'm designing, fashion
- ing and selecting the bcwidering vai
; iety of rare costumes; in the que'
and choosing of the rich hanging
re, tapestries and gorgeous velvets. and
ity rehearsng. training and massing II
an great company of men and women en-
ay ployed in the production. After a
1t these had been i'm readiness and Il
,ur opening scene was entered upon,
err took about days to complete the I'll
in i'm what might be called the careful
in censored rough. Since then deft finisl
ah ing touches have been added here al
there. so that the film, when offer,
all to the public, will represent the finisl
ras ed product of the best that brains, al
I'd, experience, patience, untiring superv
rts sion and superior facilities can IN
ng nish.
I'd The matter of costumes alone tax
in the ability and knowledge of one
of the best authorities i'm this country {
nat over two weeks Mr. Fritz Schultz
oss Fritz Schultz & CO., one of the large
eat costuming establishments in the wor
took personal charge of this depar
the ment and devoted his entire time to
rio designing this, arranging for TN
lc- and collecting the others. No max
lge shifts were allowed, the compelli
the aim being to reproduce the costum
are of the time as accurately as humi
tic skill and knowledge could accomplish
has Then take the scenic adjuncts-o
ing of them only, for space forbids deta
lue The great rampant wall surroundi
be- the palace of Theodore, at Ravenr
hat that part of it which is shown in t
her pictures took two weeks to build.
mas was first built of solid masonry,
the shore of the fake i'm the Sc
his grounds and then flied out with stu
ic- co and faced with cement, so as to re
S. resent perfectly the hewn stone us
lb- in Gothic architecture. Ii was bu
i'm wide enough on top to permit the pa
IDS, sing of armed men and the walking
the two abreast. The escape of Justini5
ELF when he scales its precipitous heig
. accompanied by his followers, and
l. near discovery Of the guard, and tn
the actual discovery, followed by
plunge of the fleeing men into
dark waters beneath, amid a shower
opoars 10 ahouf one of the most real