The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1912-08-03

thor and playwright, was selected to
write the scenario, and his complete
work was the result of three years
study and research. The head Of
the Selig production staff was Sc
lected by Mr.. Selig to stage the
mammoth production and he was as
sisted by the combined strength OF
the producing department. Some diff
ficulty was anticipated at the outset
In securing an actor who resembled
Columbus to portray him with any
thing like historic fidelity, even with
the aid of makeup. After long
search an actor was found who bore
striking resemblance to the great
navigator. He was engaged as a
Selig leading man, and to him fell
the honor of portraying Columbus.
There are a number of portraits
Of Columbus extant. Two of these
are best known, but bear little re-
semblance to each other. One is
that of a smooth faced man with
Nigh brow, hair falling almost upon
his shoulders ard dressed in simple
garb. This portrait was selected as
the most authentic by the committee
of scholars who visited Spain for
the Selig company. This is the Col
umbus portrayed in the pictures.
OF interest to all Catholics and to
the world at large is the fact that
the films already have been present.
cd before Pope Plus x, who enjoy
ed the pictures hugely and sent his
blessing and a medal to Mr.. Selig
by Father Tonello. It is the first
time the Pope ever gave his official
approval to commercial enterprise.
First Reel.
Columbus and his son, Diego, leave
a quaint votive shrine in Portugal
and after many hardships find their
way to Spain. Here Columbus is
successful In interesting Fra Antonio
the Queens confessor, in his maps
and theories. Other ecclesiastics re
fuse to believe in his ideas, but fl
nally, through the good offices and
trust of Antonio, the ambitious mar
liner is granted an interview with
Queen Isabella. This takes place
upon the battlefield Of Granada Col
umbus has been no more than pre-
scented to the Queen when the new.
OF the surrender of the Moorish army
unfortunately, interrupts the inter
view. and in the time given over Il
rejoicing Columbus is forced t,
shoulder another disappointment. II,
is tried for his sanity by the wist
men OF Salamanca, who only marvel a
his wild theories. Antonio once NOR
visits the Queen in the interests o
Columbus and this time she is 81
impressed with his theories that sh,
orders her jewels to be sold tina
SHE alone may personally finance Til
great undertaking. She, however, i
spared the sacrifice through the gen
crosby of Fernandez, the court ply
Stefan, and thus is calendared a grea
day in the worlds history. Colum
bus is made an admiral, QUILTED wit
three ships, and departs in quest O
the new world which he believes t
exist.
Second Reel.
The Santa Maria, the Pinta and til
Nina, with Columbus in charge, Sc
sail from Palos. AS they sail da
after day into the unknown, fea
sei2es the crew and the sailor
mutiny and demand that Columbia
turn back home. Columbus faces TIL
mutfnous sailors, quiets their PAM
and orders them back to duty TIL
captains of the other ships board tn
Santa Maria and insist that he hea
back for Spain. Columbus refuses.
the tiny cabin of the flagship mas
Is read and with bowed heads all r.
new their VOWS Of allegiance to TIL
admiral In his address, CoInmbu
says: Men. We have set sail 70
the Indies across the western seas
and with Gods help and blessing, t
the Indies we are going. Look yo
to 1t that we have no more Of this
for, grumbling or no grumbling, W
are going to find the land We hay
come so far to seek.
On the dawn of Oct u, i4e2, Co
lumbus assures his followers that b
Mas seen lights to the westward dur
ing the night. Al few hours later ;
dove alights Oh the rigging or th,
Santa Maria and is captured by tht
lookout at the masthead. Floatint
weeds and branches OF trees will
berries On tsiars rift by the LITTLE
u