The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-02-06

A wise newspaper person" once told me to always put the Who, When and Where" in the heading of an article. Just look who's who at the top, of this column For cosnopolitanism do you know better combination? Spaniard, a Russian, an Italian and an English man! However. for the when and where" you will have to read further.
 Vicente Blansco Ibanez, the interesting Spanish novelist who recently visited America, came hither to confer with New York producers. It developes his novel, Blood and Sand" is to be staged. The actor who is to take the part of the gladiator in this play, with it's picturesque scenes from the buliring and it's associa- tions. is no one less than Otis Skinner. The play, it is announced, will be given early this fall after MT Skinner finishes his tour with his present vehicle, The Villa Rose" The Charles Frohman com pany will produce "Blood and Sand"
 The noted novelist, Ibanez, while here, was also overlooking the filming of his -Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse" <" which is being done on "a stupendous scale. It is promised to equal if not surpass, anything that has ever been at tempted by even the most ambitious of the cinema producers.
 It is reported that Blansco Ibanez has become an ardent movie fan; in fact Gin the parlance of the day and the movies,, the indefatigable Spaniard simply ate up the details that go toward the mak- ing of a big screen production. getting the screen viewpoint immediately. All right" said he, .I get the idea" And he did, judging from the reports of those who explained the mysteries of the studios to him. When certain changes had to be made in the -Four Horsemen, he understood the necessity instantly, quite unlike many writers whose works are adapted for the screen. He visited the New York studios and later was whirled across the continent to Cali fornia, where he spent a number of weeks.
 It is quoted that one of the things that particularly impressed him was the all important work of the director.
 After watching him and his IA assist ants, the author of The Four Horse men said T would like some day to direct the screening of something written by myself"
 It was explained to him that the work of directing was special sort of 3 talent and not at all commensurate with writing scenarios or novels. His spanish enthusiasm then cooled bit. He, how ever, vowed his intention of writing stories directly for the use of the screen Some Spaniard was the verdict passed
  my caption Vicente Belansco fbanez.
 The presentation of Dr. Gregory zii' boorg, the distinguished Russian author lecturer and dramatist, by the Birmng' ham Drama league on the afternoon oi February will be an important event Dr. Zilboorgs subject on this occasion will be Contemporary Russian Drama lists" He is a former officer of the Moscow Art theatre. around the work oi which theatre during the last 20 years has centered Russian theatrical life.
 have personally been greatly interested in the Course in Russian Drama, wrlt- ten by Dr. Zilboorg for the November Drama the monthly review published nS the Drama League Of America and sen' to all members of that organization.
 This study course is a most significant contribution to our available material or Russian literature. The lecture of thi' distinguished Russian is anticipated WILT interest because he is qualified to ex plain much to us. The Russian drama like Russian literature and art in gen eral, is permeated with the social hopes and ideas of the time. and no doubt pr