Volume III: Biographies

"STEVE" *

Snake (1914)

Thanhouser Career Synopsis: "Poison Fang," a snake better known as "Steve," variously described as a boa constrictor, a Mexican gopher snake, or a python, and of length variously described as from eight to 14 feet, appeared in Episode 4 of The Million Dollar Mystery.

Biographical Notes: "Poison Fang," a quite non-poisonous boa constrictor apparently measuring about eight feet long, but sometimes described as up to 14 feet in length, of undetermined sex, appeared in The Million Dollar Mystery and was the subject of a full-page article in the May 30, 1914 issue of Reel Life (reprinted below). This particular type of snake is harmless, but that did not deter Bert Adler, publicity agent for Thanhouser, from issuing statements that various Thanhouserites were nearly frightened to death and, in at least one instance, illustrating an article about "Poison Fang" with a picture of a timber rattlesnake (which is indeed poisonous)! The following articles are a reflection of Bert Adler's humor and the use Thanhouser made of animals in publicity.

Press Notices: Article in Reel Life, May 30, 1914: "Here we have a snake story that is strictly on the level, yet it's iron men to crullers that some of our readers will not believe it. Nevertheless, however, and to the contrary notwithstanding, Reel Life brings the story into a cold and callous world. Meanwhile, the affidavits vouching for its veracity have been placed in our fire-proof vaults, from whence they will be brought if 'Poison Fang' starts libel proceedings. Here are the facts: 'Poison Fang' is at liberty! 'Poison Fang' is a cute little eight-foot boa constrictor who is an honest-to-goodness actor (actress?) in the new Thanhouser serial, The Million Dollar Mystery. (We question the gender of 'Poison Fang' because that is at least one of the things about him, or her, that have not been determined.)

"'Poison Fang' probably is the only actor we know of who is perfectly willing to be at liberty now, when Broadway thespians are flocking to the studios to fill in the long, lean summer weeks. 'Poison Fang' never showed any especial fondness, anyhow, for the galaxy of literary lights at the Thanhouser plant. The convention of celebrities such as Will Irwin; Harold MacGrath, author of The Man on the Box and The Million Dollar Mystery; Roy McCardell; and Lloyd Lonergan, probably addled the boa's interpretation of the contractual length of his stay in New Rochelle.

"Not only are 47 actresses and 'extra girls' afraid for their very lives to venture into the studios of the Thanhouser plant, but all of New Rochelle is quaking with seven varieties of goose flesh for fear that 'Poison Fang' may come home to roost between the clean sheets of the one and several four-posters in New York's most moral suburb. Every fighting cock and respectable hen in New Rochelle takes to the roost early these evenings, afraid of an unexpected invitation to be dined upon. Youthful poultry fanciers who harbor pigeons keep the liggety-de-coos locked up in their nests. Altogether, it's a dreadful state of affairs. As for President Hite of Thanhouser, his neighbors bow frigidly to him these mornings, and, as day after day passes without the snake being found, the Arctic chill increases in its penetrating qualities.

"When 'Poison Fang' arrived at the studio 10 days ago he was put into a large, fine-mesh basket with a strong lock. This basket was opened only for an instant each day, so that a pigeon or a rabbit might be thrown in for the snake's meal. Apparently he was contented with his surroundings, but one cannot always fathom the mental idiosyncrasies of these Garden of Eden pets. And, in much the same manner that the original serpent played Adam false, so 'Poison Fang' slipped one over on trusting Thanhouser employees. Just 10 days ago Director Hansel ordered an actor, whom he does not care much for, to open up 'Poison Fang's' domicile and to bring him 'into the picture.' Putting out of mind for the moment all thoughts of home and mother, the actor turned the key in the lock and whistled for 'Poison Fang' to come and show himself.

"No answer! No snake! Investigation disclosed that 'Poison Fang' had vamoosed. Every office boy in the big plant denied vehemently that he had a key to the lock. All hands turned in and searched the premises. The 12 big stages were turned topsy-turvy; sets and props were hustled about; barrels were overturned and the mercury arc lights turned on full blast to aid the band of big-stick searchers who turned out for the snake hunt. The girls in the drying and cutting rooms stood on tables for half an hour at a time while men folks and encarmined actors meandered about with barrel staves in their trembling hands. As a last resort, the New Rochelle police were notified. Not, by any means, that the New Rochelle police are a last resort. They are all capable men, and are always on the job.

"Roy McCardell stopped writing scenarios with his left hand and caressed his long locks in perplexity with the right fist with which, up to that moment, he had been writing 'Mr. and Mrs. Jarr' stuff. McCardell stood the snake scare for three days and then hastily left for the noisy city. He was accompanied by ex-outlaw Al Jennings, putative governor of Oklahoma, who now is being filmed in Beating Back. Will Irwin, loudly proclaiming that he could sleep in a nest of boa constrictors and never bat an eyelash, for some occult reason was among the first to swing aboard the Harlem River local, which leaves New Rochelle every once in a while, time, tide, and the New Haven wrecking crew permitting. That part of New Rochelle not compromised in the Thanhouser plant soon learned of 'Poison Fang's' escape. A select apartment house on the corner of Main Street, across from Thanhouser Lane, was the first to succumb to the scare. Owners of nearby suburban cottages at long range turned the hose on weed patches in vacant lots, in the hope that Bre'r Snake would show his head.

"'Poison Fang,' however, is traveling incog. And that's just what troubles New Rochellers. The paramount questions up the line of the New York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad just now are: 'How far has 'Poison Fang' traveled, and what are his intentions when he gets where he's going? Meanwhile, excitable residents of Westchester County go to bed these nights with a cold poker instead of the customary hot water bottle, and the hissing of air-brakes down at the dee-po is the signal for a general stampede to Prosperity Hill. Local pastors are doing a land-office business signing up sinners who have acquired a desire to take the pledge, and a local gold cure sanitarium is putting beds on its roof to accommodate the rush. - The Truth Teller."

Another article in the same periodical: Reel Life, July 4, 1914: "Steve, alias 'Poison Fang,' the Thanhouser snake, is back home again. Like Mary's little lamb, he came home wagging his tail behind him. And now New Rochelle breathes easier, although the same cannot be said for the employees of the Thanhouser studio. The latter are much disturbed at a change which has taken place in 'Poison Fang.' When Steve Snake disappeared a few weeks ago he was only eight feet long. Now he is 14 feet over all and wide in proportion. His mottling has taken on a brighter hue, and, considering the excellent state of health he enjoys, Lila Chester, with whom he is a great favorite, thinks that only his affection for her brought him back to the studios.

"For several weeks the New Rochelle fire and police departments have operated with employees of the Thanhouser plant in a quiet but none the less determined search for 'Poison Fang.' Just as they had about given up all hope ever of glimpsing his beady, black little eyes again here comes Steve, with his tail in his mouth, rolling hoop-snake fashion down Thanhouser Lane. Steve was followed into the precincts of the Thanhouser plant by a crowd of New Rochelle elite who support the thriving liquor industry of that New York suburb. The big python seemed to have an unusual drawing power and prohibitionists, hastily summoned by telephone, saw in the occasion an opportunity to conduct a campaign for the abolition of the city's public houses and grog shops. Once inside the Thanhouser grounds, Steve seemed, for a moment, to regret having returned. Dozens of actors and actresses gathered around him, uncertain what to do. Most of the actresses seized the opportunity to display New York hosiery, and there was much screaming and climbing to the high spots. It was only when Lila Chester came across the yard that Steve showed any signs of recognition. With remarkable agility he glided among the legs of a score of frightened bystanders and climbed up the cool, white arm which Miss Chester extended to him. Steve had officially come home to roost!"

The Morning Telegraph, December 20, 1914, told of the reptile's demise: "'Pois' is dead! The famous Thanhouser thespian, who numbered among his friends such celebrities as Will Irwin and Al Jennings, has passed on. And with his passing, 12 feet of snake lies in the reptilian grave out in the little town of New Rochelle, after fitting burial. Criminal negligence is responsible for his untimely demise. Somebody left a mirror machine, used for concentrating the rays of the sun, in an installment of the Thanhouser serial Zudora, out in the yard. 'Pois,' thinking that in its shelter he had found a serpent's paradise, coiled himself into the exact place where the machine was going through its function of concentrating the rays. Serpent-like, he fell asleep, never to wake again. When they found him a hole was burned through his little head, his undulating body no longer undulated, his life was snuffed out. In fact, he was dead - has cashed in his last scales, as a heartless wag remarked at the obsequies. 'Pois' is dead. Interment took place in 12 feet of New Rochelle soil shortly after the tragedy which cost the python his life."

Thanhouser Filmography:

1914-1915 Serial: The Million Dollar Mystery

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