Camera (April 1920-April 1921)

CAMERA ! 'The Digest of the Motion Picture Industry" Page Seventeen NOW IS THE TIME AND LOS ANGELES IS THE PLACE In the "good old days" when stars traveled from city to city presenting their list of plays with the local Stock Co., actors received a training much superior to that received by the modern actor, who appears week after week with the same leading people. He was schooled, as our old friend Polonius would say: "in tragedy, comedy, history, pastoral, pastoral-comical, historicalpastoral, tragical-historical, tragical-historical-pastoral;" he not only had to study the characterization of his part, but the costuming. Moreover, he had to be a make-up artist of ability, which is quite a contrast to the modern actor, whose line of parts is the same modern characters in the same modern plays. His make-up box consists of one stick of grease paint, a powder puff and a can of cold cream; if he has a dress suit, an English walking suit, one palm beach and two business suits, his wardrobe is complete. So, if the Spoken Drama is NOT, "doomed to oblivion," as was predicted by a prominent M. P. director, a short time ago, where are the future actors to come from. Surely not from pictures, for while they will always fill their place in the amusement world, they do not nor never will satisfy the dramatic appetite. The two different methods of, "holding the mirror up to nature," will continue in their respective places. I believe the time is not far distant when they will combine; the spoken drama will use the cut-back instead of discriptive speeches. There is more kick in hearing Bill Rogers get oft his, "illiterate digest," than reading them. A good Monologist gets more laughs than "Topics of the Day," consequently we need Stock Cos., of the old school to supply the actors of the future, and owing to the numerous Stage Stars here in pictures, and the thousands of tourists who spend their winters here, this city could support one to better advantage than any other place. These Stars could, and no doubt would, be glad to present some of their old stage successes during their time between pictures. The tourists would not only go see their old favorites, but would like to see, "in the flesh" the picture stars who have never appeared on the speaking stage, and who, no doubt, are anxious to prove their ability before the "toe lamps." What a variety of bills could be produced: Shakespeare, the old English comedies, musical comedies, farce comedies, and all with the cream of the "perfesh" in their special line. Also the Stage Stars, who have never appeared in pictures would certainly be glad to play short engagements with such a company. Put the regular members of the company on a permanent salary, and donate a certain per cent of the gross receipts to the Actors' Fund, for the Stars services, as their income from pictures is sufficient. A few months ago I played in a picture which was directed by an old stage actor, and I mentioned this idea to him. He replied: "I have such a plan all mapped out on paper, but you are the first one who has ever suggested the idea to me." While Planning always precedes Doing, yet I believe. Now is the time, and Los Angeles is the place to put the Plan into operation, and sincerely trust my suggestion will start the Bee to Buzzing in some Managerial Bonnet. FRANK STAPLES. HAMPTON COMPANY ON LOCATION Benjamin B. Hampton Company left the Bunton Studio this week on an extended location trip to the San Fernando Valley, where exteriors will be filmed for "The Spenders." BURTON HARBERT Juggling Jaynes in "La La Lucille" SUPERBA Thirty Years' Circus, Stage and Screen Experience Phone 61224 Venice MOTION PICTURE ACTORS AND EXTRA PEOPLE WANTED EVERY DAY Register Immediately With CLASSIC FILM ACTORS' AGENCY No Registration Fee Room 630 Grosse Bldg., Sixth and Spring Sts. BENNY GOLDSTEIN, Casting ARTIE GLASS Phone 67931 E. J. SMITH ADVENTURE SCENICS CORPORATION LABORATORY Your Sample Prints Will Require No Excuses R. B. PUTNEY, Supt. 7870 Santa Monica Blvd. Phone 578473 LIBERTY POST CARDS ^ Send Your Originals Now— Any Size. New 1920 Catalog Just Out $3.50 per 100 $12.50 for 500 $20.00 perM J. FLATTE, Manager— 620 S. Main St. Phone 15556 FOR RENT and For Sale Cash or Easy Terms INDIAN MOTORCYCLES AND BICYCLES SECOND-HAND MOTORCYCLES, SIDE CARS TIRES, CYCLE ACCESSORIES PACIFIC MOTOR SUPPLY CO. 922-926 So. Main St. Phone Pico 568 MARION WARDE Acting for Stage and Motion Pictures — Make-up A Legitimate, Practical School of Results! My students now working in pictures are making good. 432 Blanchard Hall, 233 S. Broadway Phone.: 10082 — Main 6830