Motography (Jan-Jun 1918)

January 12, 1918. MOTOGRAPHY 65 "Sturdy Screen Dramas Needed" — Goldfish HEAD OF PRODUCING COMPANY BELIEVES TREND OF PUBLIC TASTE IS TURNING NEW YEARS is a time of prophecy as well as reflection, and, with America just entering upon its active participation in the war, it is a time when the motion picture industry looks forward very seriously toward the future. Upon the correct divination of the trend of public opinion and public emotion during 1918 depends the success of the new art in meeting its gigantic task of healthy and profitable entertainment. Samuel Goldfish, president of the Gold wyn Pictures Corporation, is frank to say that he believes the taste of photoplay-goers during the coming year will turn from the light and frivolous to plays of power and meaning. People Think Serioatly "There is a decided trend," he says, "toward drama, sturdy, up-standing heart-interest drama. Never before have the people of the whole world been living, feeling and thinking so seriously. Many thought that America's entrance Board of Review Praises ' 'Thais" Declares Production Is Distinctive Stride Forward in Photographic Interpretation of Drama — Says Mary Garden's Acting Is Notable 'HE National Board of Review has 1 signalized its warm appreciation of the Goldwyn production, "Thais," starring Mary Garden, by selecting it as a high example of the perfection of motion picture art to present before a special audience of distinguished men and women, from all walks of public life, assembled in Wurlitzer Hall, New York. In addition the Board has issued the following special bulletin: "This production sums up the artistic achievements of the motion picture in interpretive and imaginative drama. Photographically it is a distinct stride forward. The acting of Mary Garden is notable and the picture as a whole is an example of creative art." In explanation of the purpose of the special showing, W. D. McGuire, Secretary of the Board, said: "The executive committee of the board has appointed a special committee empowered to hold from time to time, private reviews of photoplays which appear to mark a distinct advance in motion picture production. On the basis of the report made to the special committee, a special private review of Mary Garden in 'Thais' was authorized by the special committee. The general purpose of the review, to which have been invited a large number of people interested in dramatic art, is to demonstrate improvement in technique, particular care in stage settings and improved stage direction, marking further advance in photoplay development." into the Great War would put a premium on light, frothy comedy as a relief from the war's cares. The experience of the whole industry has shown the very contrary. "America is stirred to its depths. America is aroused emotionally as it has not been in half a century. The reflection of this is a tremendous and constantly growing demand for screen entertainment that, gives emotional satisfaction, that expresses the stress of the moment— and its optimism. America is ready to meet any problem, any situation, tremendous though it may be and tragic in its potentialities, and America is ready to solve it with confident heroism. Screen Reflects Public Mood "It is a vital satisfaction to us of the motion picture industry to see the democratic screen so truly a reflector of the nation's mood. "As for more general prophecy, I feel most confident that in a fundamental respect Goldwyn's policy and experience will rule in the industry during the coming year. There will be fewer and better pictures. By this I mean that, more and more producers will come to realize that the making of 'quality pictures,' like the making of any other quality product, takes time. No organization on earth can turn out splendid productions at the rate of two a week. Goldwyn set itself to find good stories, good actors and good direction sufficient for a new production every fortnight. Frankly, it has not been the simplest thing in the world. In the present state of the industry even such a schedule strains an organization to its very highest efficiency. Slower and Better Work "I think that Goldwyn's success, workon 'this basis, and the paucity of really outstanding pictures produced on any 'hurry-call' system of production in the past year, will determine many competitors to do slower and better work. The public, as well as the exhibitor, will unquestionably profit by this." A gorgeous scene from the Goldwyn offering of Mary Garden in "Thais' Le Vino Goes West Albert Shelby Le Vino, Metro scenario writer, who has written the continuity of a long list of successes' for the screen, will leave shortly for the firm's Western studios at Hollywood, California, where he will be Western Manager B. A. Rolfe's right hand man in the arranging of stories for pictures starring Viola Dana and Edith Storey.