Moving Picture Tragedy

Horowhenua Chronicle, 30 August 1911, Page 4

Moving Picture Tragedy

AOTOII DROWNED WHILE "RESOULNG" LADY.

Alfred Brighton, a young New York actor, was drowned on. .July 12th in the Hudson river, in sight of several hundred persons while taking part in a sketch which was being enacted for the benefit of a cinematograph company, and the onlookers mistook his death struggles for a part of tho performance. The sketch depicted the rescue of a young lady who had been thrown into the river by the "villain," and it was ivLr Brighton's duty to save her. Both actor an dactress were, of course, tolerably good swimmers, and aio one imagined that there could be any danger in tho performance. Mr Brighton duly dived in and swam towards the lady, but before lie had reached her he wa.s seen to throw up his arms and sink. There were .several hundred people standing round the cinematograph operator, ■ and they applauded the unfortunate man for bis realistic "acting." The girl herself did not realis© that he was drowning, and getting tired of being in the water swam ashore by herself.

It is supposed that Mr Brighton was either attacked by cramp or had been affected by the heat beforeentering the water.