Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1914-11-17
ANIMAL MOVIES"
AMAZING IN THEIR
SCOPE AND INTEREST
Doctor Ditmars Shows Mo
ton Pictures of His Bronx
Zoo Animal Charges.
Photoplay News.

The most remarkable moving pictures
OF animal life ever shown were displayed
yesterday afternoon and evening In the
Academy Of Music. They will be shown
this and tomorrow afternoon and eve
nings, and here be it said that they arc
well worth seeing. The pictures were
taken at the Bronx Zoo, New York city,
by DR.. Raymond L. Ditmars, curator. 1t
required three years Of patient endeavor
TO movie the animals, the insects. the
fowl and the reptilia
Doctor Ditmars accompanies his show
ing Of this living book of nature with an
interesting running commentary which is
illumnative and quantity humorous. Civ
ing to the exhibition decidedly popular
appeal.
Various mammals are shown in their
native habitats, many Of the creatures
being little known and not TO be found in
anlmal collections in this, country. The
reptiles, at their gormandizlng processes,
receive much consideration, while the pic
lures divulglng the matching OF snake
eggs in :nulhtudinous array are OF alb
sorbing concern. Then the amphibians
came into view, and tho many curious
events in the life of the frog were por-
trayed step by step.
Most of the insect pictures were OBJ
tained at night by the employment of
decoys and searchlights. The katydd
Singing" with it's wings and the tropical
fireiy displaying its great illumnative
ability were the most interesting and
among all the pictures, we're the most diff
fcult to obtain and required the most
patience.
This highly instructive showing con-
cluded with a Jungle circus" in which
the toads, seated on their proper stools.
and other animals attended vaudeville
performance provided by their confreres
of the wilds. The best performance was
given by a fly, which, balancing itself on
chair placed on the back of a beetle,
Juggled dumbbell many times larger
than itself. The performance proceeded
with due decorum, until the late arrival
OF the skunk which appeared to wind
ward. The audience quickly dismissed
itself.
CURRENT SHOWS.
CHEST. ST. OP. HoUSE-Rex Beachs
The Spoilers" entered upon the second
week of its engagement yesterday after
noon, The film has attracted houses
crowded with enthusiastic spectators.
The photoplsy is filed with thrilling in
cidents and the principal actors, includ-
Ing William Farnum, Kathlyn Williams,
Bessie Eyton, Thomas Santchi, Wheeler
Oakman and others, are all true to type.
One scene shows a realistic pistol fight
on the main street of Nome. Another
view is of a dance hall IN that mining
town, and there is a scene showing the
blowing up Of a mining camp.
PALACE-The photoplay production
was Gabriel D'Annunzlo's "Cabiria," seen
earlier In the season at the Chestnut
Street Opera House, where 1t proved one
of the most elaborate film dramas which
has yet been staged. The story concerns
events of several centuries before Christ
and Is replete with sensational effects. 1T
attracted a large and enthusiastic audi
ence and is we'll worth seeing
NEWS NOTES.
Howard Estabrook, who is having his
initial experience as moving picture
actor as Travers Gladwin in George
Kleines film version OF the famous Co
han & Harris success, "Officer $685." writes
entertainingly of his conversion to the
new art. Mr.. Estabrook's point of view
Is that of most Broadway stars who have
taken up pictures seriously. Before I
began making the picture of Officer 666'
don't believe / had been inside of more
than two or three picture theatres, and
that was so long ago that the quality of
what / saw would not tempt a second
visit Aladdn-llke, a wonderful industry
seems to have grown over night. 1 re-
called 1t as few scattering scent halls;
] find 1t with real theatres, offices, publi-
cations, weeklies, supply houses. ETC.,
all seemingly sprung from nothing, but
founded on that sure rock. the greatest
entertainment of the greatest number for
the smallest admission"
Charles Waldron, who is at present fill
ing an important part in the current
dramatic success, Daddy Long-Legs,"
has been engaged to support Mary Pick |
ford in the forthcoming production of
'Esmeralda," by Frances Hodgson Bur-
nett.
! The Famous Players Film Company