Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-08-04
HOW'D YOU LIKE TO
LEAD 4 DOGS LIFE
FOR THE MOVIES?
DURING the filming of The Child

! DURING the filming Of The Child
- Thou Gavest Me" John NJ. Stahl
the director. decided that il would be
nice to use II dog in the picture as q
pet companion for little Richard Head
rick. who plays one of the principal
parts. Consequently, Rover Bolder, q
beautiful collie, became a member OF
the cast.
After he got we'll under way with the
production. Mr.. Stahl began to regret
the inspiration which prompted him
to add the direction of a dog to the
ordinary list of troubles that go with
making a dramatic feature. On the
pliability of an intelligent child and a
responsive dog hinged the activities
OF an all-star cast with forbdding
overhead lurking in the background due
to the immense sets, expensive lighting
and army of electricians and stage
hands assembled for the picture.
Rover, however, turned out to be a
surprisingly good actor after he grew
accustomed to the sets and people on
the stage. and his Httle screen master,
"ltchie. as the boy calls himself, ac-
complished what studio slang terms,
stealing the picture through his
scenes with the dog.
MIR. STAHL directed the dog
A'A through it's owner. who was in the
vicinity Of the camera whenever the
animal was performing. In one in
stance, the director wanted Rover to
walk into a room. stop beside Barbara
Castlrton. the leading lady Of the play.
and look up into her face. Mr.. Bolder,
the dogs owner. stood AT the farther
end of the room out Of the camera 5
sight and whistlcd for Rover. When he
reached the proper point In his travels,
Mr.. Rolder halted the dog and merely
told him TO look up nj Miss Castleton'
Almost human in his intelligence. Rover
understood instantly and stood fast, his
big brown eyes fastened appealingly on
the girls face.
This high order Of canine intelligence
proved a great handicap in one scene.
Mr.. Stnhl had three CamcrHmon and
staff Of assistants down at the lagoon
In W pStIOKP l'nfk 10 SnhOl S''il' VI
, Itchie" falling into the water Ac-
cordng TO the scenario. the boy was 10
approach the edge Of the pond accom-
| panied by the dog. trip and fall in.
The little actor is champion swim =
mpr. but the dog could not grasp that
fact. 50 thinking that he was protect =
/ ing "Itchir." h" kept wedginp in be
tween him and the pond to prevent him
falling Finally, when repeated re-
hearsals failed to teach Rover that he
was to keep ont Of the way. the boy
pushed him aside and jumped in.
! To prove that he was truly concerned
about "Itchies" safety, the dog ran ny
and down the lagoon bank. whining and
barking frantically. until his playmate
swan back to shore.
Although dogs never fail to Interest
on the screen. and are wonderful me
dihms for what is called the human
interest" touch. directors are alway'
averse to using them in pictures unless
they cannot get the proper effects with
out them.
Even Rover. the peer of canine screcr
stars. was problem to Mr.. Stahl a
times Dogs are just dogs in spite o
the bag OF tricks or nenr- human in
teligencr. and when meal times ap
pronch or flies buzz around the set N
real. regular dog can he quiet or Ohe
dent. regardless of directors, camera
or studio overhead.