Evening star., 1943-02-21

! illdIlN CONTROVERSIAL instances lew Y
reigned with such majesty in their !
movie sets.
For this situation the animal k
named Richard c. Craven and the
historic Animals Emancipation
Proclamation" In 1940 to centra-
lize activities of human organiza-
tions attempting to check the well
fare of animals working in pictures,
/ the American Humane Association
was appointed interpreter of humane
sentiment. Mr.. Craven became its
western head. Through his efforts
mandates offering permanent pro-
lection to all movie making animals
were codified.
Beasts Live Easy Life.
Since the Animals Emancipation
Proclamation was legalized. De-
cember 3, 1910, the beasts have led
merry, carefree life before the
cameras. They have been allowed to
take no chances on injury, their
hours of toll have been stabilized and
in all other respects they have been
vying with the glamour boys and
girls for top attention. A director
can make Mickey Rooney work past
the lunch hour, but he can't do that
to dog. Let any animal actor trot
into a studio for work and the set
blossoms with natty crib or stall
and a bursting feed trough. If Mr..
Craven gave the word, a length of
scarlet carpet would probably be
laid out.
In Ann Sothern's new "Maisie"
picture is trained mongrel named
Butch which can do anything but
talk back to the director. Associ-
ated with Butch are half a dozen
other hardly less talented CANNES
Their kennels are bright and clean.
Their hours of work are carefully
checked. You'd thing those NUTS
were visiting dignitaries - why 1
haven't even got dressing room
to myself" hooted one of the fea-
tured human players enviously.
Camera Wise Animals.
Mr.. Craven takes his work seri-
ously and no one around the studio
dares cross him up. An outspoken
oldster, he is gray as goose,
straight as a stork and tenacious
as a bulldog. He shares an ONCE
with two assistants and one OF the
three is always on hand whenever
a difficult scene involving animals
is being filmed.
These animal actors are just as
camera wise as humans" he de-
clares seriously. Take horses. they
have learned bagfull OF tricks.
ANY horse actor worth his oats
can paw, rear, whinny. charge or
wheel on command, Many nave
learned to fall harmles.ly, a trick
that becomes a necessity in west
erns and chase sequences. When
horse falls it doesn't necessarily
mean he is hurt, but whenever one
does we always get letters of protest
from well-meaning but unin1ormeo
animal lovers who think some
thing ought to be done "
It is when speaking OF dogs that
Mr.. Craven really lets his en-
thusiasm run wild. He has allied
himself with animals from child
hood. His pets have included
horses, dogs, cats and fowl, but
urban living has Whitfield ms
menagerie down to one dog,
Pekingese named Moochie.
Dogs Have Repertoires.
"Wl,y. dogs, have repertoires that
would challenge a Barrymore, ne
said. my Moochie has Travelled
with me throughout the country. He
is welcome in every hotel in America.
Now I think it's an encouraging note
that hotels have begun welcoming
nets. a right -about-face from their
former attitude"
The humane people no longer re-
ceive the stacks of caustic letters
that once smouldered in Uncle Sans
mailbags, Mr.. Craven declares with
pride. Yet, now and again he hears
a voice rising in shrill protest.
"I remember one instnace," :" Cra-
ven smiled, when an actor was
pictured twisting tigers tau.
Somebody took exception to that,
protesting cruelty to the tiger. This
was really left-handed compliment
to the actor because no tiger alive
would allow his tail to be twisted, or
is there a movie star to be found
who would crawl into cage to face
such a hazard. Naturally, 1t was
stuffed tiger that was used for close
ups and trick shots took care OF the
rest"
Considers Cat Lovers.
A tolerant man, MI. Craven Is
seldom forced TO put his foot down
any more. He insists, however, that
animals must never be used as un-
willing stooges.
Il had to say no to one projected
scene a few days ago" he said, in
which an actor was supposed to
rock on a cats tail. This was calcu-