The Moving picture world (November 1926-December 1926)

134 MOVING PICTURE WORLD November 20, 1926 WILLIAM FOX and Winfield R. Sheehan, the outstanding figures of Fox Film Corporation during all its noteworthy history in the development of motion pictures, never did a more gracious or more far-sighted thing than when they conceived and carried out the filming of the Eucharistic Congress in Chicago last June, so that for years to come, in all parts of the world, Catholic and non-Catholic alike may view this significant and majestic spectacle, translated into terms of celluloid, and glean thereby an understanding and a spiritual appreciation of its importance as an international event. by the way Picture of Eucharistic Congress A Massive and Impressive Spectacle Great Achievement of William Fox And Winfield R. Sheehan Real Contribution to Civilization D. D. W. Griffith Predicts That New "Natural Vision" Pictures Will Revolutionize Screen Technique W. GRIFFITH is said to regard the process as the most revolutionary and progressive improvement made in motion pictures in years and predicts that the method will result in "a complete change of picture technique," and though in this last we do not entirely agree with the g^eat master of screencraft, while deferring to his superior judgment, it is certain that the new progress will find an imjxjrtant place for itself in motion picture photography. A Col. W. F. Clarke Completing Plans For All-British Producing Unit npO all who see this remarkable picture, who view this marvelous pageant with its throngs hurrying to participate in the sacramental devotions, where more than a million men, women and young children partook of communion, of whatever faith they may be, the effect cannot but be most impressive. • nrO the Catholic this picture cannot fail to recreate something of the spiritual significance of this great gathering of the clergy and laity, who had come from all the world to pay their devout allegiance and devotion to the Power hat rules us all. TO the non-Catholic, if nothing more, it will be a wonderful moving panorama of humanity, all of whom were actuated by a single motive, the betterment of the race, that will inevitably be elevating and inspiring. • POR this splendid and realistic document of the Eucharistic Congress, which was shown for the first time at the Jolson Theatre last Monday night, prepared by the Fox Film Corporation and presented with the compliments of William Fox, its president, and Winfield R. Sheehan, its vice-president and general manager, to his Eminence George Cardinal Mundelein, sponsor of the Congress, the thanks and appreciation of Catholic and nonCatholic alike are due. T T is a historic record of the utmost value, and as such will bring a message to millions, who by no other means could have been made aware of it, and in its essentials is a very real contribution to civilization and the progress of that understanding among men of diverse beliefs, which will make this old world better for us all. S we saw the "Natural vision" pictures at the Cameo last Sunday they certainly opened up a new vista of screen possibilities for screen development, in the full size of their scenes, their lack of distortion, and to some extent their stereoscopic values. r>UT for "close-ups," or for scenes in which the action is centered in a comparatively small space, with a comparatively small number of actors, as is the case in most scenes in most motion pictures in the present technrque of the photodramatic art, it does not seem to us that the Widescope process, in most cases, would add much of entertainment value. r\ NE thing which especially impressed us about the Widescope method, is that it will be possible to reproduce a complete stage production in terms of the motion picture, without essential modification of the original and with the marvelous entertainment possibilities opened up by the Vitaphone and other sound transmitting devices, this is a feature which may well be worth further investigation. • /-^OLOXEL W. F. CLARKE, head of Cranfield & Clarke, ^ is completing plans long under consideration, for an All-British producing unit, with its headquarters in Canada, whose personnel will consist of American trained British players and directors. • PRODUCTION activities of the new unit and its subsidiaries will be chiefly in Canada, England and India, and the pictures produced will be designed primarily for the British Empire market, but we view Colonel Clarke's expanding activities with distinct hopes that this will prove to be another important factor in opening up the American market to the international picture. • 'T'OM WALLER'S "Hollywood" section in this issue of Moving Picture World is recommended to the attention of our readers. ■\X7 ILLIAM FOX and Winfield R. Sheehan, if they never do another thing of importance in their lives, rnay rest content in the knowledge of this achievement, which in many ways has not had its counterpart in the history of this industry. EWEST of all innovations upon the silver sheet are the "Natural Vision" pictures made by the Widescope process which were shown at the Cameo Theatre this week. N OR exclusive news of West Coast happenings, intimate, _ _ inside facts of the studios and announcements of new pictures, his recently established department in this publication is easily the leader in the field.