The Moving Picture World (April 1907)

THE MOVING PICTURE WORLD. xoi ait off from all but one lantern, only one view will appear an the screen (being shown alone, it will, of course, be perfect). The light being cut off from the picture on he screen, and simultaneously turned on to the view n another lantern, will cause the first picture to disap- iear and the second.to come on the screen; and while he light is being manipulated, the first appears to dis- olve and fade away until nothing is left of it, and the iew picture comes out clear and distinct. By taking the irst view from the lantern and substituting another, the new from the second lantern may be cut off and abs- olved into the view so substituted in the first lantern, md so on indefinitely. The use of a third lantern is to project lightning, rain, now, and other effects in conjunction with the scenery rom one of the other lanterns. i A Clarion Note Chicago, April 10, 1907. Iditor Moving Picture World: Dear Sir—We enclose with this an editorial about Five ient Theatre, taken from this morning's Chicago Tri- une, which is the most conservative and solid paper in lis city. The stand taken by the Tribune is so unjust ad its statements so far from the truth, that we have roken our rule against the filling of reading space in ublications, and have mailed to them the enclosed let- sr, which may or may not be published. In view of the increasing attacks upon the users of oving pictures throughout the country, we think it well t all of those interested be aroused to the situation, id we know of no better way to strengthen the interests all concerned than to eliminate those film subjects that stify criticism on account of their moral tone. While we have never considered it our duty to act as ors of morals, such influence as we may possess in e trade has been exerted toward the elimination of films t may be considered indecent or immoral because of sensationalism. We would suggest to owners of Nickelodeons in cities ere there are located a number of them to form a association for mutual protection and defense against ch attacks as that of the Chicago Tribune, and the more 'ye opposition of reform societies and local police, an association has been formed in one prominent —not Chicago—which bids fair to accomplish things. Very truly yours, Kleine Optical Company. Copy of Editorial ia Chicago Tribune Referred! 80 hy Mr. Kleame THE FIVE CENT THEATERS. lie Juvenile Jewish Protective League is the latest organiza- to declare war against the demoralizing influences of the cent theaters which have been permitted to spring up all |er the city. Most of them are evil in their nature, without a |gle redeeming feature to warrant their existence. They min- ^ to the lowest passions of childhood. They make schools of ne where murders, robberies, and holdups are illustrated. ■ outlaw life they portray in their cheap plays tends to the "ragement of wickedness. They manufacture criminals to the streets of the city- Not a single thing connected_with has influence for good. £kJ e proper thing for the city authorities to do is to suj&srep at once. There are several ways to bring this about i£ absolute prohibition for cause is impossible. They should be treated as theaters in every respect They should be compelled to pay the full theater license. Such action would probably drive the most of them out of business. There should be a law abso- lutely forbidding the entrance to them of any boy or girl under the age of 18 years. This law, rigidly enforced, would take away the bulk of their patronage. Something may be said of those cheap theaters which pay the regular license, conform to the laws in all respects, and present •lays where the old lessons of virtue rewarded and wickedness oiled are taught. They have their mission and are patronized by large audiences of people who cannot afford to pay the high prices demanded in the first-class houses. They do what they can in an artistic way and will continue to have great influence in shaping the ideals of their supporters. But the average five cent theater does not have a single thing to commend it. Its influence is wholly vicious. It belongs with the lowest kind of dance hall, where the enjoyment of a popular form of recreation is made subservient to the pandering to the basest passions of wicked men and women. The complaints against it are constant Those who are working to reclaim way- ward children are united in their demand that the five cent show must go. Their cry should be reinforced by the protests of all good citizens. When an institution is everywhere recognized as evil in its influence it should not be tolerated for a day in a community where truth and honor and good citizenship are urged as worthy of the aspirations of childhood. There is no voice raised to defend the great majority of the five cent theaters be- cause they cannot be defended. They are hopelessly bad.— The Chicago Tribune, April 10, 1907. Copy of Mr. Kleine's Letter to the Chicago Tribune April 10, 1907. Chicago Tribune, City. Gentlemen—When so sane and solid a paper as the Chicago Tribune publishes an editorial such as that of this morning under the caption of "Five Cent Theaters," we think it but just that the interests which are directly or indirectly attacked be given equally prominent space. We have no interest in any of these theaters, but as manufacturers' agents who deal in moving pic- tures, think it not amiss to make the following explanation: The five cent theaters referred to confine their exhibitions almost exclusively to the showing of moving pictures and of stereopticon views which illustrate songs. These moving pictures are of the familiar type and certainly do not deserve the whole- sale condemnation bestowed upon them by this editorial. The firms which control the factories that make moving pic- tures, the dealers and the jobbers who place them upon the market as well as the people that own these five cent theaters, are as respectable members of their several communities as those engaged in any other line of business. We quote verbatim from the Tribune editorial: "Most of them (the five cent theaters) are evil in their nature, without a single redeeming feature to war- rant their existence. . . . They manufacture criminals to in- fest the streets of the city. Not a single thing connected with them has influence for good." Speaking of regular theaters which charge cheap prices of admission, the editorial continues: "These conform to the laws in all respects, and present plays where the old lessons of virtue rewarded and wickedness foiled are taught They have their mission and are patronized by large audiences of people who cannot afford to pay high prices de- manded in the first-class houses. . . . But the average five cent theater does not have a single thing to commend it. Its influence is wholly vicious." We state the following facts to prove the inaccuracy of these assertions. All moving picture films can be divided .mainly into the following classes as to subject: Scenic, historical, dramatic* comedy, mystic and religious. Taking the list of pictures issued during the month of March by the various factories, both foreign and domestic, as shown on the enclosed printed list your atten- tion is called to the most conspicuous subject of the month, a new Passion Play which requires one hour for ^projection, and which is one of the most elaborate and expensive products _ of its kind ever made. This Passion Play reproduced in moving pictures was shown in several five cent theaters in Chicago with all solemnity to as devout and reverent audiences as could be found in any- church. If you will examine the rest of the list you will find it com- posed of "Cinderella," a very pretty illustration of the fairy tale, a series of innocent comedies, an industrial picture covering the manufacture of bottles, scenic pictures such as are displayed by Burton HblKias» Ehnendorf and other lecturers of interna- tional promfeeaee. as "Quaint Holland," "The Wonders of Can- ada," "A Tri^ &» Borneo,* XKmfesng the Dolomites." Then