The Moving Picture World (April 1907)

fttE- MOVING PICTURE WORLD. n Just as we are going to press we understand that Miles ros. have the original copies of films comprising the test subjects of the whole of the European output to merica, and that they have completed a five years' con- act with the leading manufacturers of London and iris for the entire American agency. Editor's Table. From an Espmt Operator. ditor Moving Picture World : Dear Sir—I chanced to see a copy of your publication id noticed an article on operators. The stand you have ken is correct, and one that should be pushed. There e too many cheap operators (or "crank-turners," as iey should be called) in the business. They only spoil good man's work. In this city there are five shows running. One pays ^o per week, .two pay $12.00, one $15.00 and one >i.oo. The $21.00 man has his house packed, good shows, 3 breakdowns, and a good light. Why ? Because the aerator knows his business and can keep his machine 1 A-i condition. This shows that when cheap help is Tiployed it only saves at one end, and cuts off receipts at le other. I have operated machines for eleven years and know iy business; can give a good show, know what light I m get, how to wire my machine, and take care of films. A lot of dissatisfaction is caused by not having prop- rly spliced and in running order. I believe that if the Im-renting agencies would take the matter up, and re- uire a registered operator, and one who knows how to andle a film properly, half the damage now caused could e avoided and a longer lease given to the life of the Ims. They could then reduce the cost of renting to bout one-third and be a large saving to the theater peo- Ie. I shall be pleased to give my views on the require- lents of an operator to give a good exhibition. Wishing your paper every success and that you will ublish articles that Will help us in our profession, I emain, ' Yours very respectfully, J. A. Shackelford. Florida, March 25, 1907. t Pays to Advertise in the Right Medium New York, April 3, 1907. Jovixg Picture World: Dear Sirs—The number of inquiries that we have al- ady received from our two-inch ad. in your last week's ^orld has been so encouraging that we are sending you ew copy which we would like to have displayed in bold pe on a half-page. We would like this ad. to appear in our issue of the 6th if it reaches you in time. Truly yours, Consolidated Film Company of New York. From Charles K. Harris we have received his book entitled "How to Write a Popular Song." The biography is very interesting reading, as it intro- duces us to a phase of Mr. Harris's life showing how he made his successes, and is a stimulus to others of like bent, although it will be a difficult matter to find another who can spring to fame like the author. Chapter I.—Treats of lyric writing and explains dif- ferent kinds of songs, and some very good advice to the would-be lyric writer on the number of verses, the title, refrains and chorus that should be used. Chapter II.—Treats of the musical setting or melody, which is so good and full of sound common sense that it was hard work to resist the temptation to reproduce it wholesale. Chapter III.—The accompaniment; is a whole musical training in a nutshell, and we learned in the few short minutes of its perusal more about music and vamps than if we had paid a professor of music for two or three months' tuition, and picked up a goodly bit of informa- tion concerning the various march, coos, high tone and sacred songs. Chapter IV.—Finishing touches previous to publica- tion and submitting to a publisher. Should be read by every aspirant for fame in the song line. It will save them many hours of needless suspense, and shows them just what to do to get their songs put on the market. Chapter V.—If read aright will save many dollars and cents to would-be printers and publishers of their own songs. Chapter VI.—Tells how to sell a composition outright or the method to be pursued in relation to royalties, and is full of mind food, easily digested. Chapter VH.—Is full of "Hints" and "Don'ts." Is well worth perusal, and of which we can say, Read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest. The seven chapters take up little more than half the book; the remainder comprises a Dictionary of Rhymes, to which we in this short review cannot do full justice, but will say that it must represent a vast amount of research, careful classification, and an enormous quantity of patience to get together such a galaxy of words and find others to .rhyme with them. It is an education in itself and should be in the hands of every one who has the slightest suspicion /of a poet or rhymester in them. It will save hours of labor finding words to fit into their thoughts, whether they are writing songs, verse, or to their "best girl's" eyes, and is alone worth more than double or treble the cost of the book. We congratulate the author on giving to the world the result of his ex- perience, a work that will live long after he has passed the Rubicon, and be a boon to countless numbers of readers.