Joe Martin Turns 'Em Loose
Joe Martin Turns 'Em Loose is a two-reel black-and-white silent comedy film released by Universal Pictures on September 15, 1915. It is not found in the Library of Congress' film preservation database and as such, is believed to be a lost film. The film was regarded by contemporary reviewers as a remarkable for its integration of plot, animal performance and stuntwork. The film’s animals were the trained tigers of Paul Bourgeois (aka Paul Sablon) paired with the menagerie of the recently established Universal City Zoo, under the leadership of Rex De Rosselli. Bourgeois was the director and scenarist. Production The film, distributed by Universal, is credited, variously, to one of two production companies under the Universal umbrella: Rex Motion Picture Company or Victor Studios. Some sources say it was a one-reel film but with a reported running time of 30 minutes that is likely an error. During production in August 1915, Motion Picture News reported, "A near riot was caused on the rear stage and in the zoo of Universal City the early part of this week when practically all of the animals were turned loose for the filming of the one-reel animal comedy, Joe Martin Turns 'em Loose. The