In Columbus, O., there was recently held a meeting of men interested in a corporation styled the Westerman Park Amusement Company. The new corporation will make and lease a new amusement device for summer parks which has been invented by Harry J. Westerman, the well-known local artist. The device has been submitted to a number of the largest amusement parks in the country and all of them have pronounced it a winner. It is probable that one of the first of them will be seen at the Indianola Park the coming summer. The company is incorporated with a capitalization of $100,000, and some of the best known men in the city will be interested in it. The devices will be manufactured in Columbus and will be placed in a number of the largest amusement parks in the United States. Patents fully covering the device have already been obtained. *** New York is at last awakening from a Rip Van Winkle sleep, and is now looking after the safety of the people. A fire caused through the carelessness of an operator resulted in the complete gutting of a building in the Bowery, and on Friday, March 1, the police, acting under instructions, closed 20 Nickelodeons, they are not complying with the fire underwriters' laws. Full particulars next issue. *** Tacoma, Wash.—On February 20 fifty-one slot machines, valued at $6,250, captured by the officials in various parts of the county, were taken out in the bay and dumped in fifty fathoms of water. These machines were all gambling devices and it was found the holes had been skillfully plugged so that it was impossible to win any of the higher prizes. This should serve as a warning to managers of amusement resorts to adopt only clean and legitimate schemes. *** It is now proposed to employ a stereopticon as an instrument of advertising Houston on the Southwestern trip. Views of many handsome business blocks, skyscrapers, public buildings and residences, street scenes, factory scenes, shipping scenes, park and school scenes will be used, and by the attractive presentation of such representations of actual conditions it is believed that some splendid advertising may be accomplished.
The moving picture proposition in Meriden, Conn., has proved so successful to the promoter, Archie L. Shepard, that he has decided to open another house on West Man street to relieve the pressure upon the one in Michaelis' BLock, where the Bijou is located. Mr. Shepard went from New York a week ago and arranged to lease the place formerly occupied as the Globe dry goods store, at 44 West Main street. William F. Slack, who is managing the Bijou, will be in charge of both houses. Mr. Shepard is largely interested in the moving picture proposition, probably more so than any other promoter in the country. He has theatres all over the country, as well as picture shows on the road and dramatic companies as well.
Film Chat
Robert Macaire & Bertrand
The latest production of George Méliès consists of a series of twenty-five scenes from the play so well known to old theater-goers, and illustrates the clever antics of those two French sneak-theives and hoboes, and their escapades in the inn, with the police after them, whom they lead some merry antics. The following are the scenes represented:
1, The Sneak-Thieves' Inn; 2, The International Bank; 3, The Interior of the Bank; 4, Behind the Scenes; 5, The Costume Room; 6, A Statue as an Accomplice; 7, The Railway Station; 8, A Small Way-Station; 9, A Terrific Earthquake; 10, The Market-Place; 11, Hurled into the Clouds; 12, Planted on the Roofs; 15, Played Out; 16, The Farm; 17, the Murder of the Dummy; 18, The Death of the Two Heroes; 19, Resurrection; 20, The Balloon; 21, The Kidnapping of a "Cop"; 22, The Start; 23, In the Air; 24, The Balloon-Car; 25, The Column of the Bastille.
This film is as fine a specimen of a trick film that has been produced, showing great ingenuity and conception.
Fights of Nations
Affairs of Honor a la Mode Portrayed by the Biograph
Our latest production, under six titles, represents various types and nationalities, with comedy and tragedy consistently intermingled. Every scene is beautifully staged and each nationality well represented.
"Mexico vs. Spain," the first scene, shows the rejected Mexican suitor, in a jealous rage, watching the lovemaking between Carlos, the Spaniard, his hated rival, and the beautiful senorita. With drawn stiletto he pounces upon the Don, but the senorita seizes his arm, thus saving her lover from a horrible death. After a terrific hand-to-hand encounter, the Don has the point of vantage over the Mexican, but through the pleadings of the girl releases him and bids him go. Next is shown two of "Our Hebrew Friends," in a characteristic battle—all talk, but no blows. A third Hebrew is drawn into the argument, in the heat of which a policeman appears and threatens to arrest them. The third Hebrew is made the innocent victim. He offers the officer a bribe of a roll of money, which is accepted, but the Jew steals it back. Then follows "A Scottish Combat"—a broadsword engagement between two of America's leading actors in Scotch costumes, showing how quick and accurate these
