The Moving Picture World (May 1908)

THE MOVING PICTURE WORLD 47i Moving Picture World Published Every Satubsay. Copyright, 1908 by The Worta* Photographic Publishing Company, New Terh 125 East 23rd Strsoi, (Beach Boilgiag) New TorB Edited by J. P. Cnalnm All communications should be addressed to MOVING PICTURE! WORLD, P. O. BOX 450. NEW YORK CITY. SUBSCRIPTION 1 $2.00 per year. Post free In the United States, Mexico, Hawaii. Porto Rico and the Philippine Islands. CANADA AND FOREIGN COUNTRIES 1 $2.50 per year. Advertising: Rateat 9S.OO per Inch; 15 cent* per Hoc. •Entered as second-class matter at the New York Post Office The contents of this magazine are protected by copyright and all 'infringe- ments will be prosecuted. Vol. 2 MAY 30 No. 22 Editorial. Desirable Film. Subjects. Film manufacturers should note the fact that there is a strong and increasing demand for travel scenes—not sim- ply the kind that are taken from the front or rear of a train, chiefly showing the roadbed, but panoramas and ■ views which depict life, customs and architecture and the characteristic occupations of people in different countries. In conversation with an exhibitor he said that he had great difficulty in getting such subjects from his rental bureau, although repeatedly requested. He said that his audiences demanded them and that he would like to have at least one such subject.for each performance. Prob- ably his case was an exception, as his theater is located in a high-class residential section, but similar remarks heard in other quarters lead us to believe that the supply of such subjects is not equal to the demand. Now, travel scenes are not so hard to produce as comedy and dra- matic plots, neither are they so expensive, as the actors and scenery are supplied by nature. We are having a surfeit of comedy; drama is a failure, unless elaborately and correctly staged and acted; tragedy does not seem to be wanted. The first manufacturer who produces a series of travel subjects in the right vein will surely profit thereby. But theyjnust be above the ordinary. There is as much opportunity in this field for originality and the use of gray matter as there is in the production of subjects of a humorous or tragic nature. * * * In a former number we referred to the absurdity of the early retirement of good film subjects. Is there any reason why a good film subject should not have the same lease of life as a good play or a good song? There are songs, books and plays which never grow old. There have been film subjects produced in the past which will never fail to interest^ instruct or amuse. It would not indicate stagnation of ideas if a film manufacturer should resurrect from his vaults the negative of some good sub- ject of bygone years and reproduce it to-day. How small a proportion of the present theater-going public ever saw scores of good but long-forgotten subjects that could be recalled? * * * It is not so much novelty that is lacking in the film subjects of to-day—it is variety. To unearth some past successes would not be retrogression, but it would tend to offset the sameness and alleviate the tension under which the present "filmwrights" are laboring. The Rental Schedule. Last week we referred to the prevailing film rental ' rates. We desired to show the fallacy of certain wildcat rumors and advice which was being circulated. While we realize that it was ill-advised to bring up a discussion of the business methods of the Association in public print, I we concluded that the quickest way to get at the root of 1 the matter and settle the questions raised was to get the I personal opinion of each of the interested parties. These I opinions were requested by us in confidence and the re- plies will be so treated, unless where special permission is f given or request is made for publication. j On another page we print a resume of the letters we/ have so far received from members of the Association While the most distant writer is in Ohio and many other: are yet to be heard from, the concensus of opinion b hand is that the rental schedule should be maintaine Some say that it should be increased—that the rates ar now too low—and only one has said that he would like see the schedule abolished. Others have said that if £ schedule should be abolished they will kick over the traces. It is to be hoped that the members will all stand firmly together in justice to those who have proved thein- selves loyal, and that as a body they should act with- diplomacy. Calm and deliberate discussion of the con- ditions as they exist is needed and not hot-headed rant- ings or selfish actions on the part of the few. Although young and strong, the F. S. A. has already developed a few "sore spots in its anatomy. When these are healed by heroic treatment, or rooted out, everyone will be in a better position to judge whether or not the rental schedule should be abolished or modified. Mechanical Improvments. Reference has already been made in these pages to the "Edengraph," a projecting machine possessing many novel and desirable features, which will soon be placed upon the market. We know of several other devices, in this and similar lines, which are in embryo, but which will exert a strong influence on the trade as soon as they appear—and that influence will be for the betterment of the business in every way. At the same time we know of a number of inventors who are wasting time and money in endeavoring to invent or perfect devices which have already been invented and patented. Others are wasting time and money trying to do what hundreds before them have tried and given up as impossible. We do not dis- courage inventive genius, but we do advise those who show symptoms of this malady to first consult with some specialist before wasting money in building models of devices which never see the light of day. In our former capacity as photographer to the patent department of the Scientific American we have seen and handled, in the motion picture sphere alone, the evidence of many sleep- less nights and wasted dollars. Instead of working in secret until they have a completed model, inventors should outline their ideas and claims upon paper and get expert advice as to its practicability or patentability before pro- ceeding further. If their ideas are presented upon paper to the above concern or to any other firm of reputable patent attorneys, and affidavit is taken as to the date, it affords them the same protection as if the model was