Motography (Jan-Jun 1918)

March 9, 1918. MOTOGRAPHY 445 More Exhibitors Tell What They Want BETTER AND CLEANER STORIES AND FEWER WAR PICTURES ARE URGED MOTOGRAPHY herewith presents several more answers to its request of a limited number of exhibitors for opinions as to what they think producers should give them now: E. L. Hyman, manager of the Victoria theatre, Buffalo, N. Y., writes: "A picture that isn't capable of making the ordinary run of persons forget themselves does not serve its purpose! "There are few of us who are not wrapped up in ourselves, and if a photoplay, whether it be drama, comedy or topical, does not force us to lose sight of our thoughts then the producer has fallen down and so has the showman. The latter has no right to book a film that does not have an appeal stronger than that appeal which the viewer's thoughts have. Films Must Rout Dull Care "If the things you have done during the day interest you more than does the picture upon the screen — then the makers of that film haven't done their duty. The picture isn't big enough to absorb him or her who is watching it. "In other words — there must be more big pictures and more big pictures must necessarily mean a decrease in the production. There are too many films upon the market and too many of them are not worthy of the stars nor of the houses in which they are shown. "Mine is a community theatre, a big one — and my patrons arc of the sometimes warm and more often critical class. I have studied them closely and have found them excellent barometers. Chiefs of productions for the big companies would find them excellent subjects for study I believe. "There should be a reorganization in the producing field to meet the changing ideas of a changing people and from observation I would cite these as revolutionary measures that will have to be invoked. Decreased Production Necessary "Decreased productions, with its consequent creation of fewer features and better ones. "A revolutionary change in the character of film stories, the film world nowbeing made a victim of too much similiarity in plays. "Better film stories; more attention to the vehicle for the star. "Less padding in the average tworeel comedy. "Elimination of the salacious and unclean pictures. "The community theatre should be furnished features of the sort that it would not be necessary to screen them and make elimination of scenes before making them presentable to the public. Society Plays Best "Society plays with pretty gowns, beautiful women and a clean theme with plenty of love moments are the most popular film,s, I sincerely believe." J. D. Palmer of the Palmer Theatre, Black Lick, Pa., says: "Producers would do well by making pictures with a humorous vein. Human stories with 'human' characters of the present generation are most desired at present. The sets and out-door scenes must be correct and beautiful; the director should see to that. The titles have much to do with the success of a picture— give it the right name and be sure it's catch}-. The sub-titles must be constructed properly. "The story must be considered the prime factor, then the star and supporting cast. The locations, scenes, etc., must 'fit,' and then the directors must be right. Last but very important, the photography must be perfect. Trick photography can and is used to great advantage. Period Plays Not Desired "Costumes of forgotten periods and peoples are not desired. One can hardly recognize the players, the stories are of the fairy-tale variety and do not seem natural or real. People like to imagine that the actions on the screen are genuine occurences in the land of romance and adventure. They want the star to be sort of an acquaintance, struggling in a natural state of mind and affairs and at the present time. The struggle must be won against odds, but they despise the impossible. They enjoy mystery, but not the crystal gazing or magical sort. "A girl must often sacrifice her honor to drive home the point, but the heroine should seldom be the one, and so with the hero, because a great many mortals swear by the film stories and believe they, too, could do the same and get away with it. Quaint and lovable characterizations — Mary Pickford's success, George Beban's specialty. Charles Ray's ways, etc., make good pictures and that 'human interest' stuff is in vogue. Ever notice when a small, homely child cries because a puppy has been lost? "The western type of picture forms a very good entertainment for the majorit}-. My idea of a good western is: Beautiful natural scenery, fancy and hard fast riding, cattle scenes or mining scenes, the heroines' dangers caused by a natural coincident, say a storm, flood, fire, wreck, sneak thief or a degenerate character, but the Indian fights and bold bad road man is counted out in my estimation. People like to believe that the west is the same as ever — cow punchers with chaps and lariat, gun, etc. — but they know that trains are not 'stuck up;' neither are stage coaches in use. But so long as there are no hold-ups they are pleased with the action. A good twoman fist fight goes fine. Realistic Comedies Good "Then the comedies form a 'big' part of the entertainment value of a program. Vulgar slapstick is appreciated by a few, but the majority prefer the comedian to be a young person that gets in wrong or has domestic problems and troubles. Those comedians with hideous make-ups still get the laughs too, but I am of the opinion that everyday occurrences humorously presented are the ones that please patrons and bring them back. In everyone's life there are many things occuring which are funny and these sort of comedies can be compared by the patron to something, someone or their own experiences and consequently they laugh and remember them — they are funny. C. Everett Wagner, manager of the Dreamland theatre, Chester, S. C, and the Grotto, Burlington, N. C., writes: "As to my particular locality, pictures of the Fairbanks and Walsh type are really appreciated more than any other kind, while a good story or book picturized is also received with appreciation. Good society dramas go well also. Of course we all know that the pie-throwing, slapstick comedy is no more appreciated now than the western stage coach stuff. Clean Comedies Wanted "I believe that what the entire public wants now is good, clean comedies, society dramas and good books done in picture form. I don't think the public wants war stuff. I have booked my last one. The last one I played I heard one old lady come out saying, T wish I had not seen that, what if my boy was to happen to such fate,' you see, it makes them think. It leaves the wrong impression on their minds, I think, they know now the war is on and why bring it to their doors, their minds. Why not, instead, give them something that will make them forget about it?"