On Saturday, May 5^th, spent some more time soaking up the Houdini Terror on the Magic Isle Exhibit in the SAPAP Gallery; And then Jessica Zumberge (a curator at the Catalina Island Museum) graciously offered to help me on a quest to find and visit the locations of the Strand Theatre [1920], the New Hotel Central [1919] and the Catalina Hotel [1919].

Thanks to an ad in the Catalina Islander from September 7^th, 1920 we knew that Terror Island was first shown continuously from 6 to 11pm at the Strand Theatre on Friday, Sept 10. This ad can be seen as part of the Houdini exhibit at the Catalina Island Museum.  And thanks to the Catalina Islander article from November 25, 1919 we knew that:

Two hundred players for the Lasky Film Company have spent the week [camping] at [TBD] Beach to reproduce a “South Sea Island” picture. [The Houdini exhibit reveals the name of the TBD Beach]

…

The star players of the reproduction have been guests at the Hotel St. Catherine, the New Hotel Central and the New Hotel Catalina during their stay on the Island.

On my first visit to discover Terror Island in February, we found the beach where the two hundred players stayed and the Hotel St. Catherine, where Houdini stayed. The Houdini exhibit has a nice image of the hotel, its swimming pool and two letters written by Houdini himself on Hotel St. Catherine stationary.

Jessica was able to use her resources at the museum to find and print the addresses of the locations during Houdini’s time:

• Strand Theatre, 122-24 Sumner
• Hotel Central, 106 Metropole
• Catalina Hotel, 129 Whittley

and off we went in Jessica’s golf-cart to see what the locations look like today.

Our first stop was 129 Whittley:

where the Catalina Hotel still stands.

Next, we went to where 106 Metropole would have been,

but there was only a driveway and no building there anymore, so the Hotel Central no longer stands.

Next, we went to 122-24 Sumner:

where we found that the building where the Strand Theatre was located still stands.

The theatre (1912-1925) was originally the Sumner theatre before it became the Strand in May of 1919 when it was upgraded with new projectors. The 600-seat theatre was located on the first floor. Apparently, doctors were on the second floor and an Emergency Hospital and maternity ward was on the third floor. Today, there is a liquor store and sports bar where the theatre once was and the upper floors are now an Health Center.

Last official stop was to find a spot where we could see the large Hotel Catalina sign that sits atop the Hotel.

As an added bonus, Jessica showed me the ruins of the Avalon Amphitheatre, and where the Incline Railway once operated.

Jessica was an amazing tour guide.

After Cinco De Mayo lunch at Coyote Joe’s, it was time to catch my boat.

Friday, May 4, I returned to Avalon Catalina for the First Friday “Magic at the Museum” and for the Grand Opening of the Houdini Terror on the Magic Isle Exhibition.

After late breakfast at Jacks, spent the day on the beach, before going to meet John Cox when his boat arrived in the afternoon.

John Cox and I then went and had an early dinner, before going to the Catalina Island Museum around 5pm to setup for John’s Houdini talk.

And then, Jessica Zumberge (Curator) and Gail Fornasiere (Director of Marketing and Public Relations) gave John and I the first look of what truly is a very special and unique Houdini Exhibit.

Check out John’s May 5^th blog where he describes some of the amazing artifacts that are on display for the first time ever from Houdini Collectors: John Cox, Arthur Moses, Fred Pittella, Chip Romero, Mark Willoughby and yours truly.

• Houdini is back on Terror Island starting TODAY

I love everything about this exhibit and am particularly proud of the museums audio-visual presentation that reconstructs missing Reels 3 & 4 from my work at the Margaret Herrick Library and the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.  Julie Perlin Lee (Excecutive Director), Gail Fornasiere (Director of Marketing and Public Relations), Jessica Zumberge (Curator) and all the staffers (e.g., Jason Clay, Lydia Dixon, Patty Salazar, etc) deserve a standing ovation.

After our breath-taking first look at the exhibit, it was a little after 6pm and time for the Friday Night festivities to begin.

World Champion Magician, Johnny Ace Palmer circulated throughout the crowd and performed a variety of jaw-dropping close-up magic until about 7:30. A coin even ended up under my wristwatch.

Gail Fornasiere then introduced Houdini Expert John Cox. John gave a well-received presentation on everything you need to know about Houdini in 15 minutes. He ended by playing a snippet of Houdini’s voice recording which was a perfect way to conclude an excellent talk.  John did Houdini and the exhibition proud.

Gail Fornasiere then introduced to the stage, the main magic performance by #1 Close-up Magician, Two-time Magic Castle “Close Up Magician of the Year.” And Academy of Magical Arts “Parlour Magician of the Year” Johnny Ace Palmer.

Palmer’s performance was magical, funny and downright entertaining. He performed magical feats with a bottle opener, coins, cards, rings, sponge balls, and ended by producing 3 live baby chicks under cups, along with making a rabbit appear from nowhere.

After the show, grabbed a cocktail from the Bartender (aka Kevin Liebson), who did an amazing job, and then hung out with John Cox and Johnny Ace Palmer briefly before they had to catch their 10pm boat.

I was spending the night so I could spend some more time in the new Houdini exhibit on Saturday May 5th, when it officially opened.  I also had plans on Saturday to do some more Houdini detective work on the Island before catching my 2:15 boat; And with the help of Museum Curator, Jessica Zumberge, we discovered some cool things which I will share in a future post.

Friday, April 27th, I went to Avalon Catalina, where I was met by Julie Perlin Lee, the Executive director of the Catalina Island Museum and creator of the first ever Houdini exhibit devoted to his movies.

Julie

After breakfast at Jack’s, got a tour of the museum from Julie, which included the new Jaws exhibit, the Ackerman Family Theatre (outdoor amphitheater) and the location for the new Houdini exhibit.

• Houdini’s bizarre plan to fight a shark

It was then time to get ready for the Houdini party planned for the evening, where I was asked to be prepared to speak on Houdini and the exhibit.

Well, Kellie and Gary Johnson hosted the party of all parties in their beautiful home with a breathtaking view.

David & Caroline

We were treated to incredible magical entertainment by International Champion of Magic David Minkin and Caroline Le Duc. Check out https://www.magicandwine.com/

Rumor has it that the new Houdini Pinball machine will be making an appearance at the Catalina Island Museum, courtesy of Kellie and Gary Johnson.

On Saturday, took a last look at some of the Houdini artifacts before they go on display and then had lunch with Julie and her kids before catching my boat.

Last week, I shared that there were two Japanese actors who had roles in Terror Island, but did not share their names.

It is now time to reveal who these actors were:

camera! Nov 1, 1919

Goro Kino played Mordaunt’s Japanese Assistant:

According to IMDb:

Goro Kino was born on June 2, 1877 in Japan.

Sessue Hayakawa strangles Goro Kino in The First Born (1921)

He was an actor, known for Narikin (1921), A Tokyo Siren (1920) and Where Lights Are Low (1921). He died on February 4, 1922 in Los Angeles, California, USA.

And Yukio Aoyama played, Sato, Harper’s Japanese Assistant:

According to IMDb:

Yukio Aoyama was born on March 15, 1888 in Japan.

Yukio Aoyama and Lois Wilson in Who’s Your Servant (1920)

High school education in Japan and America and drama school in Chicago. Yukio Aoyama was an editor of the Japanes Daily News for five years and also writer and drama critic. Was a leading man in Japanese stock companies. Was in American-produced films, and co-starred with Lois Wilson in “Hari-Kari” (aka “Who Is Your Servant”, and co-starred with Helen Holmes in the Warners’s serial “The Tiger Band. “Worked in over sixty Vitagraph films as technical director or assistant director. In 1934, worked on the Japanese Movie Magazine and the Kodan Club, and was the owner of The Oriental Costume Company in Hollywood.

He died on December 11, 1939 in Los Angeles, California, USA.

Credits:

• Cropped Stills – Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences (A.M.P.A.S.)

You may not remember this, but there were two Japanese actors who played roles in Terror Island.

One is Job Mordaunt’s Japanese Assistant, who appears in parts 3 and 4 above, which are both considered missing in the current version (Library of Congress Print) of Terror Island. He also appeared in part 2.

And the other is Harper’s Japanese Assistant, Sato, who appears above in missing part 3. He also appeared in parts 1 and 2.

Neither actor gets credit in the movie, nor has Terror Island listed as a movie they did in the internet Movie Database (IMDb).

So what were the names of these actors?

Will share the answer in my next post.

Here is the second installment where I share the missing scenes in chronological order for Part 4. This post begins where the previous installment left off.

At the wharf, the boat has been released from its moorings and is now held by a single line, ready to leave.  They are placing the last of the boxes on board with block and tackle.  The paraphernalia has been hastily thrown into the boxes, while another adjusts the sling.  The gang-plank is still out.  The sailors carrying Beverly, and Job enter.  The Captain motions them to hustle on board and they exit up the gang-plank.

In the cabin, a sailor just finished tying Beverly to a chair. She is bound and gagged.  Stella and Job stand beside her.  Stella searches for the jewel box.

Stella finds jewel box, holds it up. Job snatches at it, but she avoids him and starts to examine it herself.

Two boxes remain to be loaded.  The gang-plank is being ordered up by the Captain. Harper rushes in, stops as he sees the boat is ready to sail and swinging at the end of one line. It looks like there is no chance for him to slip on board and attempt the release of Beverly. One man is nailing up the next to last box, while the other man places sling around it.  This attracts Harper’s attention.  He creeps forward, keeping in the shelter of the freight.

Harper creeps in, moves lid to look into box, finds room for himself, slips in and shoves lid over him. At this moment, the workman turns, goes to this box, begins nailing on lid.

The dog is at side of box, barks, jumps on it, makes unmistakable signs that he wants to get into the box with his friend and preserver.

Guy has a puzzled expression as he looks at dog. He walks toward it, calls dog, examines collar, sees that chain was unhooked, looks suspiciously at box, then starts to run for gang-plank, just as tackle is hooked in box and it starts up.  Guy gets aboard just as last line is cast off and the boat swings away from dock.

With the boat moving out and the box still suspended over water, Guy cuts rope, and box falls into water and begins to sink. Harper’s hand shows through broken board.

Box sinks to bottom, it wobbles around, hand shows, Harper attempts to break out.  Boards on side seen to give, Harper emerges from box, starts to swim upward.

Harper comes to surface, strikes out for dock, climbs up.

In the cabin, Beverly is bound, Stella and Job are examining jewel case. Guy enters, laughs as he sees Beverly then speaks: “I’ve just sent Harper to the bottom. Now let’s see him salvage himself!”

Harper shows his disappointment and grief as his failure to make the boat and protect Beverly. He lets his arms drop helplessly and bows head.

After hurried repairs to the submarine, it is loaded and is seen proceeding out.

With the Vaquero a few hours at sea

Stella, Guy and Job are in Stella’s cabin. Job stops suddenly and looks at Guy and says: “As Stella going to deliver the pearl to the natives, Beverly is only in the way.  I wish she’d fall overboard.”

Stella glances up from her inspection of the pearl toward the two men, a contemptuous smile on her lips, tries to catch something of their conversation, then goes back to her contemplation of the jewel.

Guy looks at his father from corner of eyes, leans toward him and speaks:

“Why deprive me of a little innocent amusement with Beverly?”

He looks at job, turns eyes upward, smiles and winks.

Stella had heard the remark.  She jumps to feet and comes fiercely toward Guy showing her jealously.  He laughs, she clutches him angrily, he brutally shoves her aside and exits.

The end of a periscope fastened to a tiny buoy is seen to be traveling thru the water.

In glass can be seen the boat.

Harper standing beside shelf on which is placed the other end of periscope is gazing intently into it.

Harper speaks: “We are close to the Vaquero, slow down”

Harper enters air-tight compartment, opens valve, place is quickly flooded, he opens outer trap and swims out.

Harper seen climbing up rope on side of boat near center.

End of Part Four

Credits:

• Paraphrased Scenes – Paramount Files at Margaret Herrick Library

Parts 3 and 4 of the current version of Terror Island are considered missing. I previously did four posts that described the missing scenes in chronological order for Part 3:

• Terror Island Part 3 (1 of 4)
• Terror Island Part 3 (2 of 4)
• Terror Island Part 3 (3 of 4)
• Terror Island Part 3 (4 of 4)

It is now time to share in some detail the missing scenes in chronological order for Part 4. This is the first of two installments.

At the docks on the deck of the Vaquero, Guy Mordaunt is talking with his father, Job Mordaunt:

“Tell her you’ve just found someone willing to make the trip. She’ll come with you quick enough now that the sub is disabled.”

[318-35]

At the gang plank, Beverly his seen seated with her dog. Job says:

“Good news, my dear, found a captain that is willing to make the trip! Come on over and meet him.”

“Hurry up! His steamer is just beyond our office – you can come right back.”

Beverly decides she will be alright and turns toward Job and nods her head. They start out.

Harper enters hastily and hurries to where Beverly was seated. He is anxious to report the condition of the sub.  He has on trousers, shirt, and low shoes only. Not seeing Beverly, he glances around in surprise – then seems a bit worried.  He looks up and sees Job and Beverly hurrying away.  His face hardens with determination.  He starts out in their direction on a run. He waves and calls as he goes.

Job hears and sees Harper is running toward them.  His face expresses fear and consternation. He stops, turns Beverly toward a door and tells her the Captain is inside.  Hastily throwing the door open, he pushes her in and follows.

Sailors and Guy draw back, apprehensive, as door is thrown open, but relax when it is Job who is entering. Job thrusts Beverly into the room, closes the door and stands with back against. He holds up his hands speaks hurriedly.  Beverly looks back and forth from Job to Guy.

Job says: “Harper’s coming.” as he turns to lock door.

Beverly shows hope at this announcement and turns toward door. Job angrily waves her back. Guy gives short order to sailors. Two of them rush forward and seize Beverly roughly, throwing a bit of canvas over her head, then begin wind rope about her arms. Guy has snatched the chain from Beverly’s hands and ties dog to leg of table.

Harper enters on run, pauses for an instant, then boldly tries the door.

Sailors are holding the struggling Beverly and binding her arms.  Job, standing at door, signal Harper is outside.  Guy motions to let him in, while he and two sailors station themselves so that the opening door will conceal them.  Job unlocks door, swings it suddenly open.  Harper rushes in, sees Beverly struggling in the hands of two sailors and starts toward her. Job and other sailors jump on his back. The three men go to the floor struggling, the sailors striking viciously with blackjacks.  The struggle is short and sharp.  Harper’s shirt is torn off.  He is dragged to his feet in a dazed condition and placed in a chair against the wall.  One sailor and Guy take coil of small chain and start to bind him.

[318-23]

They pass the chain thru iron ring in wall.

The two sailors that bound Beverly are now rolling her in an old sail which they start to tie up.

The dog is seen tugging at chain and barking at the men.

[318-25]

Harper is now bound, so Guy and sailors hastily prepare to destroy the building.  Boxes and barrels are placed before Harper and oil is poured over the mass, a candle is placed on top of one of the barrels, and a thread is stretched from it to the telephone bell, by Guy.

[318-22]

Preparations complete, the candle is lit, and two sailors pick up Beverly who now resembles a roll of canvas. Job throws open the door and all exit hastily. Job goes out last, closing the door.

Sailors carrying Beverly start toward dock. Guy speaks to Job, who is locking the door, telling him he will telephone.  Guy then starts across the street. Job after locking door hurries out after sailors.

Harper slowly regaining his senses, struggles to free himself from chains.

Guy enters cigar stand at dock, picks up phone and calls number.

Telephone rings and jerks the thread.

[318-24]

Harper staring at candle before him. It wobbles, tips over the mass of inflammable material which is ignited and starts to blaze.  Harper struggles violently.

Dog tugs on chain and tries to get away as fire is all around.

Harper is struggling desperately to break chains.

Harper snaps chains, frees arms, extricates himself from balance, fights his way past blazing boxes to dog, unlocks chain, then starts through smoke for door, followed by dog.

Harper at door, blinding smoke about him, works at lock and starts to pick it.

The door is opened and Harper rushes out past the crowd and hurries toward dock, dog at his heel.

Credits

• Paraphrased Scenes – Paramount Files at Margaret Herrick Library
• Cropped Stills – Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences (A.M.P.A.S.)

What was the working title(s) for Terror Island:

• [A] Salvage
• [B] The Isle [Island]of Hate
• [C] Deep Sea Loot
• [D] Houdini: Terror on the Magic Isle

Let’s explore each of the possible answers.

[A] Camera! The digest of the motion picture industry (Los Angeles California October 18,1919) mentions:

Houdini is well under way on his second thriller for Famous Players-Lasky, under the direction of James Cruze.  “Salvage” is the working title.

Exhibitors Herald (Dec 13, 1919) mentions:

“Terror Island” is the title selected for Houdini’s second mystery picture for Paramount-Artcraft, filmed under the working title, “Salvage”.

[B] Motion Picture News (Nov 8, 1919) mentions:

On his arrival at Hollywood, Mr. Lasky found the studio active with new productions including … “The Isle of Hate” (a working title) , with Houdini, etc.

[C] Letter addressed to Lasky Studios (Nov 2, 1919) while filming in Riverside CA, Houdini mentions:  

I am doing underwater swimming for my “deep sea loot” story.

And Catalina Islander Newspaper (Nov 25, 1919) mentions:

The working title of the picture, said Mr. Houdini, is Salvage or Deep Sea Loot.

[A][B] The Paramount Terror Island Stills Collection mentions:

Former Titles were “Island of Hate” and “Salvage”

And the Paramount Terror Island Scripts Collection has a synopsis that mentions:

“S A L V A G E.” (Temporary Title).

and cost sheets that mention:

SAVAGE was the original title and Terror Island was the released title. ISLAND OF HATE is handwritten on one of the cost sheets.

[A][B] and [C] “Salvage” and “Island of Hate” are documented in the Paramount files and the newspapers and “Deep Sea Loot” appears to come from Houdini Himself via letters and interviews.

[D] While not a working title for the movie, “Houdini: Terror on the Magic Isle”, is the title of a special exhibition at the Catalina Island Museum which runs May 5 to Sept. 23, 2018.

The museum will also host a special screening of Terror Island in Catalina’s spectacular Art Deco Avalon Casino Theater on Saturday, May 19th at 1:00 PM. The screening will include live musical accompaniment by Michael Mortilla and The Accompanists. Tickets are available now.

Related:

• Houdini in Riverside
• Deep Sea Loot 1919

Just hanging out on a tropical island reading Houdini Unbound.

Bonus:

Joe M. Notaro Collection