Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1928-10-22

Inc lot at tine Sun-Art studios
presented a lively appearance as
Ben Hardy crossed il tnat hot Au-
gust day. Tony Hull had lost no time
in beginning work on the production,
for he realized that every day before
the coming of cold weather would
have 10 be utilized, ii the picture was
to be finished that year. Hence,
work had been concentrated on the
exterior sets-the palace of King
Arthur at Camelot-the quaint me-
dievzl village streets. the wide court
yard and fitting field before the
palace, in which the tournaments
were held-the grim stone front Of
the castle Of the Black knight-the
house of Merlin. All the interiors
could wait. they could be shot in the
studio. but the sunny autumn days
which lay before them we're abso-
lutely essential for the outdoor
scenes. unless the picture were to be
put off for another year, al prohibit
tive expense.
With a pleased-smile Hardy glanced
at the half-finished front Of the
palace, minus its upper story and
battlements. These, he knew, in
stead of being built, would be sup
piled By the ingenious device of
painting them or glass, through
which the views Of the building
would be, photographed. Carpenters,
plasterers, painters, were exhibiting
4 gratifying activity under the stim-
illus Of the bonus system which tony
had instituted. The lot presented a
scene of unbelievable confusion; il
seemed impossible that order could
ever Be brought out Of it-that
within a short time the great court
ward, now filled with lumber, plaster,
mixing boards, s~caffoldinE. would
echo the cries or a multitude Of extra
people, the tramp of horses, the fan
fare of trumpets as the tournament,
at which Sir Launcelot was 70 crown
the Lily Maid Of Astolat queen Of
love and beauty, took place.
At the studio he learned that Tony
-as out on location. "A property
man, Just leaving with. some retiee-
tors and a hamper of lunch, drove
him out in his machine.
The road led through charming
wooded country to the banks OF q
calm, pleasant stream. Bushes lined
it's banks, overhung by many line
oaks. naples bebCneSs
They're shooting the barge scene
this morning" the property man told
him, in answer TO a question. sol
| scene. too, believe me-"
From a grassy bank. where the
sparse trees left the surface OF the
river flooded with sunlight, HARDY
caught his first glimpse Of che scene
A long, shallow barge-once the hull
Of n decrepit motor-boat-was float
ing slowly down the stream. It's
high prov was carved and painted IN
the semblance of a huge swan. Its
black sides lay low in the water,
Over its high. gilded stern hung =
sombre canopy, beneath which stood
a grotesque dwarf, guiding the craft
| with a steering oar. In the center OF
the deck a bier had been erected
and on il lay Elaine, in the sem
blance of death, beneath a gold and
purple covering. Her face was like
marble. In her hands she held a roll
Of parchment. A rarely beautiful.
picture, Hardy thought, as he gazed
at il.
Along the banks three cameras
were clicking sharply. while Tony
and his assistants shouted directions
through megaphanes. Behind MIN
stood a group Of actors, among them
! Cyril Lane, in full armor. but witt
his helmet off. because Of the heat
The scene being shot was one OF the
| last in the picture, but was being
made among the first, while waiting
for the larger sets TO be completed
The carrying of the body down
path 10 the bank. the placing Of 4
on board the barge. had already been
| shot when Hardy arrived; with these
| scenes would be connected up, later
| the interiors showing Elaine's death
m efuneral march through dim castle
ssageway to the gate opening or
the path outside, already shot Fur
| them down the stream a set Of land
ing steps had been built, leading uI
the bank. Here the body. recognized
by Sir Launcelot. would be carried
| ashore; BY Il trick Of the camera tho
battlements of his castle would ap'
near beyond the landing.
To Hardy's layman's eyes It al
| seemed very confusing, but ne hsd
the utmost confidence in Tony's abil'
ity. and did not bother the latter
with many questions.
The small launch which regulated
the movements OF the funeral barge