New-York tribune., 1921-11-20
Classic Rome
On the Screen
In Nero Film
forthcoming Production
to Show the Burning
of the Imperial City

rival of American film companies in
Rome) the unemployed are blessing
their arrival, as it means that now
there is plenty of work to do.
One of these companies, sent by the
Fox Film Company to produce ssNero,"
based on the story of "Quo vadis," has
been busy for several months and, in
this production, thousands of Italian
cinema actors have been employed
Many of the scenes have been set at
the Nova Film Studios, outside the
Porta del Popolo, but the main scenes
of the games and fights in the Circus
have been staged at the Stadio, near
Ponte Milvio. This was rented from
the municipality of Rome after every
possible effort had failed to induce the
authorities to loan the company the
Colosseum. Here in this Stadio they
produced the "Gladiators' Fight" as
we'll as the Lions Bout with the
Christians" These scenes were true to
life. Mannikins, with clockwork in
sides, were thrown into the auditorium.
where the lions pulled them viciously
to pieces.
The salaries paid seemed far more
generous than those of Italian firms,
but, as Italian producers point out, the
Americans can afford to do this, as
their dollar is worth twenty francs.
When they paid ten francs to any one
who would don toga and walk into
the Amphitheater, they were only
really paying SO cents for four hours
work. During the two months at the
Stadio the number Of men and women
employed day was between three and
four thousand, while on some excep-
tionally busy days this number was
greatly exceeded.
"Quo Vadis?' the story of Nero's
time, is probably the most interesting
play ever produced on the films, and it
requires an enormous cast, as there
are scenes in the Roman Forum, the
Circus and a representation of the
burning of Rome. When dramatized
some years ago for the stage it re-
quired huge cast and wonderful
scenery and took four hours for per-
formance.
In play of this kind accuracy in
scenery and setting and costumes is
required. The company was brought
over to Rome in order that the scenes
in the Circus and Forum should be ac-
curate. Italian carpenters and stage
settlers, when they specialize in ancient
architecture, are wonderfully clever.
Although the lumber for the building
of model section of classic Rome, re-
Gently completed at the Nova Studios,
was brought over from America for
economic reasons, the carpenters
architects and painters all are Romans
and experts in their line. All these
buildings will be burned during the
filming of the burning Of Rome. No
doubt the flames will illuminate 5the
sky as on the day of the real conflagra-
.tion. A special permit was required
from the municipality in order that
this act could be produced, and spe
cial guard of firemen will be on duty
to prevent any sparks reaching the
nearby village of Ponte Milvio. AS the
authorities considered it advisable that
this scene should be produced when
the county was less dry land sparks
would then be less dangerous, the recent
months have been used to train the
in Tho Of "a
during the fight of the Roman people
from the burning town. Italians are
wonderfully good at depicting emotion
of any kind, and the job of the director
of Fox is not difficult one.
The scenes along the Al plan Way
will be taken subsequently, Us we'll as
those just outside the San Sebastian
Gate, when st. Peter reluctantly left
Rome. The scene of the vesion,
when he was stopped by youth whom
he recognized as Christ, will not be
taken just on the legendary spot, as
the church is there, but near by at
the small and ancient temple where
other versions say Peter spoke the
words, "Quo vadis, Domini?" ("Where
goest Thou, Lord?") and to which the
figure answered, GAS thou art deserting
my people go to Rome to be crucified
second time"
What greatly appealed to the Italian
cinematograph actors engaged here for
this production is the stipulation that
all those actors who remain until the
entire film is finished will receive at
the end of their contract a double en-
velope, or in ether words, an extra
months pay. BY means of this gener-
Gus arrangement the cast of Nero is
hard at work, while Italian film pro-
ducers are complaining that the men
and women do not want to work.
The feeling against foreign films and
companies has become very bitter and
the fear of vendetta against their
stage property while the Stadio was
being used led the Fox management to
place guards day and night around the
ampaitneater, so that no one could
enter, unless on duty. The authorities
supplied mounted policemen SO that the
stage property has not been damaged
by any one.
"Woman He Married" Filmed