EMPRESS THEATRE.

Evening Post, Volume CVII, Issue 27, 1 February 1924, Page 11

EMPRESS THEATRE.

When filming one of the- excitiug; scenes in "Pioneer Trails," the "Vitagraph: special production coming, to the Em-: press Theatre to-day, it is said to have resulted in a near tragedy, when' Cnllen Landis's revolver exploded accidentally. Mr. Landis plays the leading- male role in the picture. The scene was in a cabin. The action demanded that Landis be disarmed by one of the riffiaiis known as Slater in the film,- aiding in the plan to have. him. held for another's-crime;. W. J. Dyer, who was playing tho part of Slater, seized. therevolver from Landis's holster. There was a muffled explosion. The bullet coursed down the thick leather belt wornby Landis, inflicting a slight wound in: the thigh. Although Dyer was badlyshocked by the accident, Landis remain-: ed calm and continued to play lus part until David' Smith, the director, called tothe camera man to "cut." Then Landis< coolly smiled and inquired why he had', stopped, the action. He then examined" the wound, and finding it slight., calmly dressed it, a,nd; went orr with thei scene. Landis plays the part of Jack! 'Plains, and Alice Calhoun will be seen-, in the role of Rose Miller,, the heroine. '. Mr. L, Smith, well-known tenor, will present prologue to "Pioneer Trails," and the Empress Symphony Orchestra,: under the baton of Mr. M. Dixon, will', offer a programme-, of music- in keeping.. The bos plans opened at the theatre thismorning. •