Yours faithfully,
M.C.C.
FROM THE FILM WORLD.
As an interesting supplement to the announcement that Sir Thomas Lipton has kindly placed his bungalows and estates in Ceylon at the disposal of the East and West Films, Limited, for the filming of The Life of Buddha, we are glad to learn that preparations are already well advanced for the presentation of the Life of Hannibal on the screen.
Messrs. Sowerly and Bitterton, the well-known vinegar manufacturers, have undertaken to provide the necessary plant for illustration of the famous exploit of splitting the rocks with that disintegrating condiment, and Messrs. Rappin and Jebb, the famous cutlers, have been approached with a view to furnish the necessary implements for the portrayal of the tragedy of the Caudine Forks. Professor Chollop, who is superintending the taking of the pictures of the battle of Cannæ and the subsequent period of repose at Capua in their proper atmosphere, states that he is receiving every support from the local condottieri, pifferari, banditti and lazzaroni, and expects to be able to complete his task by the late autumn.
A certain amount of antagonism, on humanitarian grounds, has been shown by the Italian Government to the importation of a herd of elephants, which were essential to the realistic depiction of the passage of the Alps by the Carthaginian army; but it is hoped that by the use of skis the transit may be effected without undue casualties among the elephantine fraternity.
Lord Fisher has been invited to impersonate Scipio, and the rôle of Fabius, the originator of the "Wait and See" policy, has been offered to Mr. Asquith, but authentic details are as yet lacking as to their decision.