Motography (Jan-Jun 1918)

February 23, 1918. MOTOGRAPHY 365 Beautiful Music for "Lest We r orget Program Outlined as Arranged by George William Beynon, Conductor of Orchestra at the Lyric in New York L1 ii great screen spectacle based on the sinking of the Lusitania, starring the beautiful French actress, Rita Jolivet, has a magnificent musical setting, especially arranged by George William Beynon. Mr. Beynon conducts the orchestra of thirty pieces which is adding to the effectiveness of the New York run of "Lest We Forget" at the Lyric Theater. Music of great beauty and dignity, suitable to the sincerity of the production, occasionally lightened by patriotic airs popular with the: soldiers of the allied forces, forms the background of harmony against which this stirring drama is played. In some of the most powerful scenes Gounod's "Ave Maria" is heard, as a sort of obligato to the battle theme arranged as its accompaniment by Mr. Beynon. This gives the effect of hope rising out of the chaos of destruction. Verdi's "La Forza del Destina" is another striking selection used. The De Koven setting of Kipling's "Recessional," from which the picture takes its name, has a prominent place in the synchronization. At one point, where the soldiers are shown at the front, the men in the orchestra whistle "Over the Hills," giving utterance to the gaiety of the men on the screen. "Over the Hills" was the song popular in the camps "over there" at the beginning of the war. The Marche Lorraine is used for the reviewing of troops, when "Papa" Joffre inspects his boys. When the French and German forces meet on the firingline, there is a contest of musical phrases, the "Marseillaise" and "Die Wacht am Rhein" opposing each other as the nations they represent advance and retreat. An arrangement of all-French airs, called "Aux Aveugles," has been made by Mr. Beynon to be played in the scenes showing the men wounded in the hospital. During the maneuvers of the Zeppelins Wagner's "Ride of the Valkyrie" is played. Sousa's "Stars and Stripes Forever" gives the swing and enthusiasm that typify the entrance of the United States into the war. Selections from famous operas are interpolated to accompany the scenes in which Miss Jolivet as Rita Heriot, a favorite opera singer, appears in snatches, from Massenet's "Manon," Bizet's "Carmen," and Massenet's "Herodiade." Saint-Saens' "Samson and Delilah" has been chosen as the background of some of the love scenes, notable among the airs being "My Heart at Thy Sweet Voice." Massenet's "Elegie," a Gavotte from "Manon," Beethoven's "Adagio Cantabile," Bizet's "Agnus Dei," and favorite selections from Grieg's "Peer Gynt" suite have also been arranged in synchronization with various moments in the production to which they are admirably suited. Libraries Converted to Aid of Films Many Will Post Lists of Photoplays Based on Books — Opens Good Avenue of Publicity to Exhibitors EXHIBITORS who have sought the co-operation of the library in their town and found it valuable both in advertising film versions of classics and in giving their theaters prestige among the cultured classes, will be glad to learn that the tables are being turned and the libraries are about to seek the aid of the theaters. The value of motion piotures as an introduction to literature will be tested in a number of libraries of the country during the next few months, according to the February issue of the Library Journal, which contains a list of photoplays of recent release based on well known books. These lists are intended to be posted on the bulletin boards of the libraries as a guide to those attending picture theaters who may wish to know something further about the books on which the photoplays are based. "The movies," says the Library Journal, "have of late years been considered the chief rival of the libraries for public attention, but it is now found that the two may act in concert, to their mutual benefit and the common good. This number of the Library Journal is, therefore, specialized on this topic. Movies more and more find their subjects in great books, as 'Quo Vadis' and 'Les Miserables,' and the local library may well advertise that fact by displaying a movie poster and with it copies of the book in question or of cognate books and periodical articles. One library in Indiana has arranged with local managers to share in the net returns where the library advertises the book films in this way." The wise exhibitor, especially the exhibitor in the small town who is eager to enlarge his patronage by creating a taste for pictures among the better element, will find this a psychological time to interest librarians and teachers in his theater. He is almost certain to run several photoplays based on worth-while books during the coming months, and he can greatly increase attendance if he is able to have the pictures announced in the library and schools. If he has found these indifferent to him in the past, he should not neglect the opportunity of calling their attention to the editorial in the Library Journal. Big moments in the Vitagraph picturization of Sgt. Arthur Guy Empey's zvar book "Over the Top: