The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-09-04
Lyric Opens To-day With Great Picture Epic, Orphans of the Storm
Assistant Producer Describes One Big Day As Griffith Films Army of 10000 Plus 600 Ga!Ioping Horses


 An event of interest to the theatre goers of Birmingham will be the reopening today of the Lyric theatre for the coming season. The opening will be notable in that one of the greatest pictures ever screened, "The Orphans of the Storm" D. W. Griffith's production, will be the offering. There will be three show ings daily.
 Manager Crosbie announces that an especial feature of the Lyric this season will be the orchestra under the direction of Professor Miller.
 Lillian and Dorothy Gish have the leading roles with supporting cast that includes many well-known screen stars. Tho production Is staged with a magnificence never ex- celled, with moro than 10000 people in the cast and over 500 horses.
 Most persons who sit comfortably in a theatre and see scene after scene of D. W. Griffith's latest photo- dramatic spectacle, Orphans of the storm a great epic founded on 'sTne Two Orphans" and which, .aieased by United Artists corporation. which opens at the Lyric theatre today, pass by terrifically big things with little thought of the vast detail and work which attended the filming of those events. One of Mir. Grifffth's assistants thus tells of day when the master motion picture director worked with force of more than 10000 people:
 Early in the morning, trains spe- cially arranged for. began rolling in- to Mamaroneck from the Grand Cen tral station, New York city. A force of 50 engaging experts had been a week assembling this army of men and women to act in the scenes.
 MT. Griffith was doing the great scenes at the guillotine and the thrill ing rescue wherein Monte Blue as men. It took two trains of horse cars to bring these animals from New York"
 "A tedious and nerve-trying day 1t was; MT Griffith stands on high erected platform. On either side are camera men. Sartoy, the chief Is here, there, everywhere, for he must make quick shifts for close ups AL len Is in charge of the long shots With MT. Griffith Is Professor Allard of Harvard, intent that all must be historically exact; the Marquis de Polignac, from Paris, Is gesticulat- ing wildly in explaining the author ity for action of the period. Decker Is among the masses to see that all costumes are properly adjusted and action Is in complement to the scene. Wortman Is on another plat form shouting orders for the general ensemble and Sutch Is In among the 10000 as stage manager direct.
 With the sun at the proper angle, work starts. But this is not to be in the picture; 1t Is purely preliminary. On they go and back they como. This didn't go right; that was not regis tered correctly. It all seems confu- sion. Above all the tumult Is heard voice that Is even and clear. It Is that of Mir. Griffith giving his orders through a megaphone, distinct and without agitation. He Is the calm, cool person of all that host. For Mir. Griffith has visualized and thought out just what he wants. He knows 1t and he proposes to get what he want ts
 Charge upon charge. men women and children driven back and taught just how and where to be when the horses charge through to avoid acci- dent. Blank cartridges are issued and re-issued, broken spikes and spears are replaced time and again.
 "A few more false starts and the afternoon progresses. MT. Griffith begins calling his orders with that we'll modulated but powerfully car rying voice.
 His lieutenants now know their cues and things run smoothly. The mass waves and pillows and all have caught the spirit. The scene Is on with earnestness; cameras are click ing right and left The main idea has been caught by all--this is dead serious work and above all keep your mouth shut By o'clock the scenes have been photographed. Monte Blue and his trained cowboys brought from western Texas and Oklahoma have made that great ride without slip; they have successfully charged through lanes of frantic humanity without harm to any"