Nearly everyone interested in moving pictures can remember the film, entitled "With Taft in Panama," that was released by the Selig Polyscope Company on March 2, 1909. Work was begun on the Panama Canal in May, 1904, and great interest was taken in the film referred to, as it enabled everyone who saw it to form a practical estimate of the greatness of the undertaking and to note the progress made in the first five years. On March 15, the Selig Company will release another film, entitled "Panama Canal: Across the Isthmus in 1912," which is destined, I believe, to meet with still more pronounced popular approval. I viewed this film twice at a private exhibition and was impressed first with the magnitude of the work and next by the Herculean efforts under control to meet the requirements. One is also struck by the splendid system, in thorough working order, that prevails over the entire stretch. Ponderous machines and tiny men work in harmony and with an indomitable energy that enables one to look forward confidently to the time when the mighty task will be finished. As the Selig film shows the canal, one makes the journey from the Pacific Coast to the Atlantic. The Miraflores locks are first viewed. They are situated about 8 miles from deep water in the Pacific and are 54 2/3 feet above the level of that ocean. Through these locks vessels will be lowered to the level of the Pacific. About 1½ miles east of the Miraflores locks are the Pedro Miguel locks, which have a lift of 30 1/3 feet. A good view of the operations is given in the film. Here we see gigantic cranes used in carrying sand and rock to the cement mixers, and cement from the mixer to the dumping spot on the foundation of the locks. The Pedro Miguel locks will be the first point of descent to the Pacific Ocean made by vessels after passing through the Culebra Cut. The drop will be 30 1/3 feet. The famous Culebra Cut is the next important work shown in the film on the journey east. Here we see numerous drills at work boring holes for blasting purposes. Then huge steam shovels are seen scooping up the debris after the blasts have been set off. and depositing it on flat cars, which convey it to the dumping ground. Here we are shown a new device for taking the dirt off the cars, a great plough, the same width as the car, which in turn is followed by a spreader, both being operated by steam. A fine panorama of the Culebra Cut is next given. The total length is 9 miles. The distance across the cut at its widest point, from above, is about 2,000 feet, and the greatest depth of the excavation is 480 feet. The average depth is from 200 to 300 feet, and the width at the bottom is 300 feet. Note the time saving device employed in the Culebra Cut, in the shape of a track shifter. The rails and ties are constructed so that they are lifted in sections by this powerful crane, and placed to the right or left, according to the site the new track. Now we arrive at the great Gatun locks and dam. Here we are first given a view of the top of the gate, followed by views of the machinery used to carry and drop cement. Next we see the Gatun lock, and after that a panoramic view of Gatun Lake, locks and dam. These locks will raise a vessel coming in from the Atlantic 85 feet, to the level of the Gatun Lake, which will be artificially constructed by leans of the Gatun dam. This lake when completed will have an area of 164 square miles. This level is necessary to carry vessels through the Culebra Cut. The Gatun locks are built in three flights, and, in order to prevent delays, each lock is duplicated, there being six locks at Gatun. The entrance to the canal on the Atlantic side is through Limon Bay, where a channel 500 feet wide and 41 feet deep is being constructed to the Gatun locks. The total length of the canal from deep water in the Atlantic to deep water in the Pacific is 50½ miles; and from shore line to shore line bout 41½ miles. The estimated cost of the canal, when completed, which is expected to take place January 1, 1915, is $375,000,000. The photography of this fine Selig film is good throughout, a special de luxe one-sheet poster has been gotten out for the film. - The Moving Picture World, March 16, 1912