New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1919-12-14
Motion Picture Stars
Missing at Sea After
Leaving Florida for
Bahamas Wednesday
Airplanes and US.
Warships in Search
Yacht Motors i'm Trouble
on Sailing for Port
She Has Not Reached

MIAMI, Fla, Dec. 13.-Submarine
chasers and airplanes are searching for
the yacht Grey Duck, which left here
on Wednesday for Nassau, the Ba-
hamas, with David w. Griffith, motion
picture producer, and party of thirty
six motion picture actors, camera men
and others.
Advices received here say that the
party has not reached the Bahama ISL
and capital.
The yachts motors were known to be
giving trouble when the Grey Duck left
this port.
1t was said at Mr.. Grifith's New York
Offices last night that the producer and
his company set out for Nassau to
photograph tropical scenes. This trip
ordinarily is made in twelve hours, but
information received here is to the ef-
feet that the launch has not been re-
ported.
The party of Griffith players is COM
posed of forty persons, and includes
Richard Barthelmess, the leading man;
Miss Carroll Dempster, the leading
woman; Elmer Clifton, assistant di-
rector; Billy Bitter. camera man; Kate
Bruce, Anders Randolph and Porter
Strong.
Cutter and Airplane Search
According to Albert Gray an official
of the Griffith offices, 147e Broadway,
associates and friends of the producer
are greatly alarmed, and grave fears
are felt for the safety of Mr.. Griffith
and his players.
"The information that we have re-
ceived has caused US considerable
have word that the United States Coast
Guard Service has become active and
that under orders from Admiral Decker.
who is stationed at Key West, revenue
cutter has put out from Key West and
seaplane from Miami, in search of
the missing boat. The boat has been
overdue sixty hours"
Mr.. Barthelmess last appeared as
the Chinese in Broken Blossoms" the
griffith picture based on Thomas
Burke's story, "The Chink aud the
Chlld,' which was contained in Cline
house Nights" Miss Dempster is a
comparative newcomer to the movies.
She was seen in "Scarlct Days." the
latest Griffitlt production.
billy Bitter is known as one of
the most famous camera men of the
movies. Anders Randolph is ia
miliar figure on the screen, where he
has been seen for years in "heayy''
role.
Griffith Once an Actor
David Wark Griffith is regarded as
one Of the biggest figures in the motion
picture world. He has been RESPONSE
pie for some of the greatest films Of
fered on the screen. His first great
tlon," founded on Thomas Dixon's
story, "The Clansman" This film was
shown in all parts of the country and
was seen by millions of people.
"The Birth of a Nation' was fol-
lowed by Intolerance" and later by
Hearts of the World" which was made
in Europe with the World War as a
background. More recent productions
are Broken Blossoms" and "Scarlet
Days"
Mr.. Griffith has been in the motion
picture business for about eleven years.
Before he achieved fame as a director
he was an obscure actor, earning a small
salary He made his first appearance
in the movies as an extra" at SIS a
week. Prior to entering the In bust
ness he wrote a play, "A Fool and a
Girl" which was played by James K.
Hackett out of town and had c run of
one week.
Started in Films at SIS {. Week
Mr.. Griffith appied for a motion pic
ture job at the Offices of the old Kalem
company and told the manager of the
company, Frank Marion, that the whole
style of acting for the screen had to be
changed. Marion considered Griffith
"nevry" and refused to employ him.
The producer finally landed posi-
tion with the Biograph Company, and
F! for many weeks served as an extra u
at an "extra's" salary-$15. He rose
rapidly with the Biograph Company,
and in four years it was reported that
he was receiving a salary of $4,000
yearly. He later went to the Mutual
company, where his salary was doubled
Mr.. Griffith is credited with discov-
ering Mary Pickford, Blanche Sweet,
Mae MARSH and other stars.