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The Public Pulse
101
taken of the movies these days is to be found outside of the simple fact that the demand to-day is for multiple reelers, where yesterday is was for one, two, and three-reelers. As long as motion pictures were a novelty, just so long were they done in miniature ; now that they are an established, artistic part of the life of a great many people, the logical development of a story through whatever length it may need for proper treatment becomes a necessity. The interesting thing in this connection is that people are demanding longer stories ; they are reading movie novels now, whereas they formerly read short stories.
This is not all the story of the development of motion pictures, however, as you may gather from the few extracts from Mr. Lindsay's book which I have quoted. The motion picture is not purely story ; it is picture and story, •principally picture. That accounts for the feature film. Greater and more splendid pictures, speedier and more telling action. Splendor and speed are the mystical passwords to motion-picture success, and, as Mr. Lindsay adds, "the crisis must be an action sharper than any that has gone before in organic union with a tableau more beautiful than any preceding."
I have now given you a brief outline of one of the most significant comments upon motion pictures ever made in book form, and I have said something,
too, of my own opinion in this matter. What I want you to do for me is to tell me what you think of all this, and also along what lines you think moving pictures should develop; not only that, but also along what lines you would really very much like to see them develop. We are in a position now where we see through a glass darkly, and we need the/guidance of a friendly public. None of us, as yet, know any too much about this great, new art; we all have lots to learn. The best sign of any is that most of us are willing to learn.
You, my readers, are as I am. In the pictures which you see, very often you miss something. What is it you miss most often? Generalize about what the movies lack in the message they bring to you, so that we all get together and make them what all we, who are really interested, hope and pray that they may be. On the foundation of their wonderful past, let us build a magnificent future.
I hope to receive many letters from those who earnestly desire to assist the producers in making better films, and I assure you that all comments and suggestions will be studied with care. When writing me in regard to this matter, kindly address me in care of "The Picture Oracle" department, and not personally. This will aid me in handling my mail.