Motion Picture Magazine (Aug 1928-Jan 1929)

TED! whichYOV can write / How many times have you felt the urge to write a story for the screen only to despair in the realization that you were at a loss as how to proceed in putting your ideas into acceptable motion picture form? Many ideas — ideas that are -worth real money — neverget beyond the idea stage — are forgotten — all because you do not know how to go about it. Right now you may have an idea for a screen story which would put you on easy street, if only you could plan it properly and so gain the attention of a moving picture producer. Demand Greater Than Supply Hollywood is literally hungry for ideas. Screen stories arc in tremendous demand and there is no limit to what the producer will pay. And the most startling thing of all is that many of the biggest box office attractions in recent years were produced from ideas suggested by men and women — young and old — from all walks of life — who had absolutely no previous morion, picture experience! This should convince you that you, too, can succeed in this fascinating, highly profitable, field. Determine to Act — Now The Hollywood Academy, under the personal direction of a scenario writer of long experience and attainments, teaches motion picture playwriting from the ground up — in a practical way which you can easily understand — giving you instruction -based entirely on fact, imparting knowledge which would ordinarily require years of actual studio experience to acquirel In your home, in your favorite easy chair, you can now equip yourself for success in scenario writing or for one of eleven other delightful big-salaried positions in the motion picture field. Get the Facts — Today! Mail coupon now for illustrated book "The Key to Hollywood," giving complete information and money back guaratec offer. Small convenient payments — no contract to sign — plus the satisfaction of knowing that you are one of a family of students receiving the personal and individual instruction of the educational director of Hollywood Academy. Mail coupon now THE HOLLYWOOD ACADEMY Educational Offices, Hollywood, Calif. Executive Offices, 55 West 42nd St. N. Y. C. A pproved as a correspondence school under the laws of the State of New York THE HOLLYWOOD ACADEMY 55 West 42nd St., New York, Dept. H. 3 Please send your book "The Key to Hollywood.' Letters to the Editor {Continued from page 8) Address . f'Qhe'Key toWollywoodl^ 10 scription that I can make of her. Nick Stuart, my favorite actor, seems to me a synonym for the word "youth," and I should sincerely like to see him play in a picture with Sue Carol. Packard Sherrcll. Directors, Attention! SAN FRANCISCO, CAL.— War pictures are still with us, so I'd like to ask the directors of this type of picture to use a little discretion in their war-scenes. Many of these pictures lack a proper sense of proportion. This is true mostly of the epic and super-pictures. Scenes of actual warfare are necessary, but are often allowed to continue endlessly, much to the boredom of the audience. The plot of the picture, and the leading characters, are far more important than the most artistically photographed war-scenes, so when these scenes are allowed to submerge the plot, and the leading characters, — then the director should call a halt. We've had so many war pictures already, that scenes of warfare are nothing unusual, and only the most cleverly done scenes will hold the interest of the fans in the future. Will the directors take the hint? Rose Palonskv. Movies Showing Great Improvement VANCOUVER, B. C— It is with much satisfaction that we notice a great improvement in the motion picture production of to-day. After the war they were with very few exceptions devoid of decency and morality. In their mad rush to make money, the producer forgot for awhile that they, like the novelist, have a mission to the public. The impressionable minds of the younger generation were filled with ideas of the marriage state and home life. They failed to remember that they were holding a mirror of false ideals and impure code of morals to minds eager to absorb. Fortunately there is now a reaction and the Movie is steadily improving. We have suitable music in most of the theaters and as an educational agency it has few rivals. Let us hope that the producers will at last realize that they have a duty to the public, a duty not onlv to entertain but to educate and elevate. E. R. M. (A Well-Wisher) Their Private Affairs BLACKPOOL, LANCS., ENG.— A lot has already been said and written about these "Hollywood Romances," and here is my contribution to this much discussed subject. I know there are happy families in the film city . . . but I don't think film actors should marry unless the woman gives up her work. Somehow, I get such a sinking feeling when I read of a star's "private affairs" (which are always so public). Most of us like to think of our favorites as "nice people," but it puts the tin lid on everything when one reads of all these divorcecourt proceedings. It is not that I don't agree with divorce . . . I do . . . but dash it all ! they are getting fresh wives and husbands every minute. I say with a deep sigh, "If only we were kept in the dark a little more." Forgive me if I appear a little vague, but you tell me to confine myself to two hundred words, and that is a hard thing to ask any woman to do. Winifride Butterivorth. Nothing But Praise to Offer CHRISTCHURCH, NEW ZEALAN — I have nothing but praise to offer sor of the stars for the progress they hai made. A few years ago Marion Davi was lifeless and mechanical. Today she ' | one of our most lively and amusing come1 diennes. Madge Bellamy, too, has emerge triumphant from "poke bonnet roles" tc' the screen's best exponent of the modern girl. I congratulate such old favorites I Blanche Sweet and Francis X. Bushma on their successful returns. After seeii< Mr. Bushman's performance in "The 13tj Juror" I am convinced that he is still tl] screen's finest actor. /. E. ' To Buddy's Rescue MONTGOMERY, ALA.— I just re? something in the June Motion PictuMacazine that made me "red hot." Tl very idea of saying Buddy Rogers hasr the technique. We don't want old m.j playing love scenes with Clara Bow. BJ sides, we have to begin young boys in t', movies or what would we do if all t/ older men retired or died. There must ] someone to take their places. Whoevj heard of the fact that Buddy Rogers is/ liked or people don't care for him? I thi Mrs. C. C. is just away off. A Buddy Rogers admirer, M. Welch) Herbert Brennon, Ideal Direct< SEATTLE, WASH.— Consider thisarri not a fan. I am a self-confessed mo1 student. Wait, now — don't misundersU: That doesn't mean "critic." (Perish t\\ thought.) It's only that, from constant servance, I've engendered a certain profi^ ciency which helps me distinguish sincen] acting from hokum, spontaneity from imi tation, good from bad direction. Directing is a peculiar art. Surprising when you realize that a director must possess the aggregate knowledge of his actors and his crew, as well as of their work. He needs vision, imagination, subtlety, a sense of balance, rhythm, color, tempo and humor. A movie is as great as its director — no greater. When I was a freshman in high school, I had an ideal — an actor — Wallace Reid. Now, a senior in college, I still have an ideal — a director — Herbert Brennon. Mr. Brennon has more finesse than any other man in his line whose work I have seen ; more wisdom, more sense of the fitness of things. He is credited with unfailing successes. He knows people — he knows Life. He is rising toward true greatness. I recommend him to the future as the director of the "GREAT AMERICAN FILM." Sincerely, A. M. Thank You! We Strive to Please CONSHOHOCKEN, PA.=-Qse-o4~%i.. finest words in the English language or any language, is the word "service." it is embodied all those qualities that J far toward drawing people closer in bon f of friendliness and understanding. Clo! observation of your magazine has maj me come to the pleasing conclusion tlf it is built on the foundation stone C Service. \ M. C. McCaU.t