American cinematographer (Jan-Dec 1923)

Four AMERICAN CINEM ATOGR APHER November, 1923 Optimistic Report on European Prospects Optimistic reports for the prospects for American companies to photograph important scenes or productions on original locations in Europe are brought to Hollywood by Bene Guissart, A. S. C, who has returned to this country after spending two and one-half years in England and on the continent as the director of cinematography of some of the largest productions to be made oh the European side of the Atlantic. Guissart had opportunity to inspect European working conditions and facilities to the utmost during his lengthy sojourn away from Hollywood and, after so doing, foresees a bright outlook for the American organizations which, from time to time, will find it in order to use European backgrounds to suit a particular motion picture story. In Position to Judge Guissart was in a position to test the European facilities to the utmost as the productions on which he was chief cinematographer are proving among the most successful in the old world. His initial effort after leaving Los Angeles some twenty months ago was "The Bohemian Girl," which, a Harley Knoles production, was warmly received by the English critics. Following "The Bohemian Girl" he filmed "Paddy-the-Next-BestThing," which starred Mae Marsh and was given very successful exhibitions in both this country and Europe. Guissart has just finished "Spanish Jade," which, starring Betty Blythe, was made in Vienna and in Austria. Filmed "Chu Chin Chow" Previous to beginning the latter production, Guissart had completed the filming of the spectacle "Chu Chin Chow," which required five months to film at a cost of 1500,000 with more than 5,000 extras used in the cast. This production was made in Berlin, in which city, since before the war, Guissart was the only Frenchman who remained there for so long a period as five months. "Chu Chin Chow," as will be remembered, ran Rene Guissart, A. S. C. on the legitimate stage in New York for two years and in London for five years, after which it toured in the principal cities throughout the United States. Great Responsibility According to Guissart, "Chu Chin Chow" is being hailed by the most conservative European critics as constituting a cinematographic masterpiece. It is generally regarded as having ushered in a new era in European film making. Stills of the sets used in the picture, on being shown to Hollywood technical and photographic experts, have elicited unreserved expressions of admiration. The extensiveness of these sets, coupled with the great numbers of extras which were fortunately available in Berlin, placed a weighty responsibility on the shoulders of Guissart, to whom the task of recording this magnitude in celluloid was entrusted. Guissart speaks enthusiastically concerning the possibilities for American companies to make costume pictures in Germany, once economic conditions in that country have become settled. According to his experience, he found there a wealth of experienced material adapted to the demands of the costume photoplay. The English Market Guissart is of the opinion that Rene Quissart, A. S. C,, tells of close observations during long stay abroad. a very definite field, which heretofore has been virtually overlooked, awaits American producers and distributors in the case of the English market which, he says, is always open to American photoplays which are not of an inferior nature. In Guissart's estimation, any restrain which may have been felt in the past in cultivating the British field for the American output has arisen from the fact that innumerable inferior or "cast-off" pictures were shipped from this country to be unloaded on the English audiences. Or, when a superior photoplay did reach the other side, it was not until it was two years old or older. In fact, Guissart, just before his departure from England several weeks ago, saw, at a "first run" at a leading London theatre, a print of "The Yellow Typhoon," which he filmed three years ago in this country. British Want Early Releases Guissart mentions the receptions which recent American productions, released practically simultaneously with the premiers in the United States, have received in England as being indicative of the promise which British exhibitions hold for pictures made in this country. Douglas Fairbanks' "Robin Hood," which was photographed by Arthur Edeson, A. S. C, is mentioned as having been particularly successful in English theaters as is the case with "The Covered Wagon," which, directed by James Cruze, was filmed by Karl Brown and H. L. Broening, A.S.C. members. When Guissart left England, Fox's production of "If Winter Comes," was enjoying a noteworthy showing in England which, of course was especially interested in the vehicle by virtue of its being based on an English story. English Like Comedy Dramas England, according to Guissart, has a noticeable leaning for good comedy dramas. It is very fond of the comedies of Charlie Chaplin, and those of Harold Lloyd are as popular with the Britons as they are with Americans. In fact, the (Continued on Page 18)