Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1916-07-28

Ivy vi cab of an onrushing locomotive, and
in a hundred ways risking life and
~ limb This is what scores of motion
picture actresses and actors do every
day with hardly the wink of eyelash in the per-
Torrance of the stunts.
1t is all in answer to the cry for realism in the
movies which has recently been raised by directors.
Realism is now a watchword. Above all, the pro-
duction must be realistic. The directors argue
that the public has become tired of faxed dangers
and mechanical feats that make ordinary scenes
appear hazardous. The desire forerealism may be
all right for the public and the director, but it is
hard the performers.
Patrons of the pictures are familiar with
scenes depicting rough riding descents of mountain
sides on horseback and leaps from cliffs in which
the rider falls clear of the and in other ways
firts with death that they never stop to think OF
the real danger incurred by those actors who dare
SO much for the silent drama. Of course there are
certain pictures'in which the danger is faxed. But
those pictures are almost equally balanced by the
kind which depicts a real danger encountered to
accomplish the desired result
Jumps From Moving Trains.
when first began to jump off moving trains"
said Helen Holmes, when asked for her impressions
of daredevilling in the films Il must confess was
somewhat timid, but take it as something
which must be done to complete the picture.
''In picture in which I worked about six
months ago went through the action with my
heart in my mouth, and for moment at least felt
like quitting. 1t was railroad picture in which
was to drive big engine across bridge which
was to be blown up as the engine reached the mid
de-
"a torpedo on the track about twenty feet from
the spot where the dynamite charge was placed to
wreck the bridge was to give my signal to dive
from the cab to the river thirty feet below From
the moment that the engine reached the wooden
trestle kept thinking what would happen if the
torpedo did not go off and should be carried down
into the wreckage.
"The run of about thirty yards seemed ntermin-
able, but everything worked according to plans and
made the dive safely, but shaking like
leaf when fshed from the river. I was so fright
ened l could hardly keep myself afoat
"But now have become so used to risking my
neck that accept it a matter of course. 1t is
much like the case of aviator when he starts fly
ing. At first he is cautious and only makes slight
ascents and safe descents, but soon the spirit of
daring enters his soul and he is looping the loop
and doing spirals 1900 feet in the air, and other
dangerous stunts"
Danger in the Qu;cksand.
There was Marion Swayne who thought it pretty
hard when she was called upon recently to allow
herself to be rescued from quicksands on treach-
erOus bit of picturesque Florida beach. 1t would
not suffice to have her buried in sand hole on a
solid portion of the beach where she could easily
be extricated without danger to herself. George
Foster Platt, who was directing the fivereel fea-
ture entitled ,"The Net" insisted that the best re-
suits could only be obtained by having the star
caught in the real quicksand.
Outside the range of the camera group of men
were ready with planks and rope to rescue the
actress in case the scene planned miscarried and
she should need other help than that offered by
Bert Delaney, the leading and hero. Miss
Swayne reluctant at first to try the scene but
finally consented and timidy went out to the
treacherous sandbar. The feeling of helplessness
that came over her when her feet sank slowly from
under her without means of staying them alarmed
the screen star AS she sank to the waist her fea-
lures registered genuine fear, and at this point
the camera man began shooting" the scene while
the gallant hero with stout rope lassoed her. It
required all his strength to drag her from the sands
which were engulfng her. When solid ground
again Miss Swayne with tremulous voice said:
81 suppose on the screen that will look easy but
I don't care to try it over again"
Leap From High Cliff.
Wide publicity once given to stunt picture
in which trained acrobat jumped horse from
hilltop into chasm, nf1icting injuries upon him.
self and the animal and getting into trouble with
the humane society officials. This was not
regular member of the picture company, but was
engaged at a big price to perform the daring act.
Anna Little had a somewhat similar experience
although part of it not done intentionally IN
der the direction of Frank Borzage, a glutton for
realism Miss Little was to slide down the side of
a cliff some seventy feet high on horseback to
escape a band of Indians in pursuit. The ride
called for a skilled equestrienne, unfiinching cour-
age and sure-footed horse. 1t was impossible to
rehearse the scene because the director knew that
after having gone through it once neither Miss
Little nor the horse could be persuaded to repeat
the action.
This scene was to be the big thrill in the picture
Much care was taken in preparing it. Three cam
era men were stationed to catch the slide from
three different angles thus insuring good pic
ture from at least one of the machines.
Barely Escaped Death.
Careful instructions had been given the actress
and she started on the slide At first the horse