MOVING PICTURES.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2594, 31 August 1909, Page 6

MOVING PICTURES.

A CLEVER FAKE. Quito apart from his quarrel with the Nature-fakers, Mr Roosevelt would hardly approve of the manner in which an enterprising kinematograph firm has obtained'" a film depicting his hunting party in the jungle. The ex-Presi-dent’s consent was not sought, and probably to this day lie knows nothing about" the affair. The “hunt” took place in Chicago several days before Mr Roosevelt reached Mombasa. To commence with, a realistic-looking jungle . was prepared, and the first part of the moving pievure showed the ex-Presi-dent, his son Kermit and Mr R. J. Cunningham, a well-known British hunter, seeking sport. They had a big party of native beaters with them. A large bellows created a fine breeze, so that the grass, bamboos, palms . and trees swayed convincingly. Then a big cage was wheeled up to the jungle—an incident to , which the camera was blind —and a real lion, let out. The animal was clearly not at home, hut the beaters prodded him with long poles, and he took 'refuge in the jungle. Then the camera commenced work again. A tracker appeared, caught sight of the lion’s tracks,' examined them and then jumped into the air, waving his arms m effective pantomime. The hunters came up, and crept discreetly into ambush. Next came the horde of native beaters, armed with strange weapons. Very soon the lion was palpably enraged, stood at bay for a moment and then dashed for shelter. The manager of the show was not pleased with the position, but the impersonator of Theodore Roosevelt did his work well, taking all the risk of an-ugly rush. And the -rush happened. “Mr Roosevelt” took hurried aim and fired, smashing the lion’s jaw.. There was a fearful roar, and the lion dashed towards the camera. A twelve-foot fence intervened, however, and the wounded beast turned on the beaters. A couple of quick shots killed him. There was tremendous excitement, of course, all caught by the camera, and then the beaters slung the dead lion, on a pole and carried him through the jungle to Mr Roosevelt’s camp, where Kermit took a snapshot, and the beast was skinned. Mr Roosevelt made notes on a-pad of paper, and the camp cook went about his business. It . was all most realistic, it cost about £250, and the sales of films left a profit of £2OOO or £3OOO.