Hidden Valley

This review is reprinted in the narrative section of the present work.

“William McNulty, the scenic expert and stage manager of the Thanhouser Company, is building a typical African village at the beach. It will be used by Ernest Warde in producing The Hidden Valley, which the Thanhouser Company will release at an early date.”

“Mlle. Valkyrien, formerly the star of The Royal Danish Ballet and the Great Northern Film Company, has just finished work in Hidden Valley, a five-reel feature, an African drama, for the Thanhouser Company. In the picture, which was photographed in Jacksonville, Florida, Mlle. Valkyrien portrays the leading role, that of the only white woman in the story. Chief in her support is Boyd Marshall. The majority of the African scenes were taken in the palmetto jungles near East Mayport, Florida. Edwin Thanhouser, who dropped in to Jacksonville just as the picture was nearing completion, declared his belief after seeing the film on the screen that Hidden Valley will be a famous picture. During his visit to the South it is said Mr. Thanhouser offered Mlle. Valkyrien a two-year contract, and according to word from Jacksonville, it is more than likely the return of the player to New Rochelle in May will be followed by an acceptance. Mlle. Valkyrien is already at work on another five-part feature for the Mutual Program, The Image Maker of Thebes, in which her great talent for classic portrayal will have full play. The subject opens 2000 years B.C. and finishes on the piazza of a Florida hotel. The stage name of the player is taken from the title given her by the King of Denmark—‘Valkyrien, Year of 1914’—as a result of her selection from representatives of every community as a woman best typifying the beauty and racial characteristics of the legendary Danes.”

“In Hidden Valley, Valkyrien is a white goddess who has been captured by savage blacks in South Africa. She is found by a young missionary, played by Boyd Marshall, and rescued from a sacrificial altar. Valkyrien was selected as the most perfectly formed girl in Denmark in a competition conducted by the government. The dance of the white goddess before the natives is one of the most beautiful scenes in the production. The story is by Emmet Mixx, the director was Frederick Warde. The picture was made in Jacksonville, Florida; the date of the release is August 27.”

“A different sort of a drama, the beautiful and absorbing scenes laid in South Africa, is Hidden Valley, starring Valkyrien (Baroness DeWitz), which will be released by Thanhouser through Pathé in November. Valkyrien, the beautiful Danish dancer, plays the part of the ‘white goddess’ of a wild tribe of ostrich hunters. The ‘goddess,’ an American girl, has been captured by the natives, who are about to sacrifice her to their water god, when aid arrives in the person of a young New Yorker, played by Boyd Marshall. The feature was directed by Ernest Warde, and the South African scenes, notable for artistic photography, were made in Florida. Mr. Warde himself plays the part of the high priest of the savage tribe. The play gives Valkyrien splendid opportunities. The sacrificial dance of the white goddess is particularly well done.”

“Hidden Valley, a South African drama, was made by Ernest Warde from a story by Emmett Mixx. Valkyrien appears as an explorer’s daughter who is captured by savages and is hailed as their white goddess. The tribe is on the point of sacrificing her to the god of water when a young divinity student, played by Boyd Marshall, appears and by adroit tactics rescues her. Ernest Warde, the director, himself plays the part of the villainous high priest of the African tribe. Arthur Bauer is the feather importer who sends the young man to Africa.”

“When the South African river scenes for Hidden Valley were being made in Florida, Boyd Marshall rescued Valkyrien from drowning. Valkyrien’s skiff was supposed to turn over and she was to be drawn underground by the river. Valkyrien, worn out by exposure, collapsed as she was swimming ashore after the capsizing scene. Mr. Marshall, who was standing near, dived in and dragged her out. The rescue was filmed, but it was wasted, for Mr. Marshall, according to the play, was not supposed to see Valkyrien until a couple of years later.”