Camera (May 1922-April 1923)

"The Digest of the Motion Picture Industry" CAMERA Destin}), TKanks to the Eye By Austin becR Page Twenty-two Cinema's A successful manufacturer of interchangeable door-handles returns from Europe, stands on the deck of the Aquatania, waves his arms about and tells an anemic reporter from the Associated Press that "the Allies most certainly will pay their ■war debts." The Majestic docks the next day and the sent who successfully disposed of his patent for' the improved dumb-waiter tells the same reporter, amidst similiar gesticulations that "Uncle Sam hasn't a gopher's chance of collecting even a dime from the Allies." These "scoops" bum up the Western Union wires. This first-hand knowledge is broadcasted. The unfortunate circumstance is that there are a great number of people silly enough to read and believe such "bunk." And what's more, it's quite reasonable to expect this. The i-eading public has been sj'stematically fed with such classics as "My Grand Opera Wife" ("Recollections of a Chauffeur"), "Did John Smith Have Six Toes?" and "Count Gregory's Life" (an honest stable boy gone wrong). Can you, reader, conceive anything dizzier than this? Myself, I fail to see any possible value to an insight into the true character of any of these "birds." And I again ask you, reader, have you ever been inspired or moved to strive for greater things after reading any of this "junk"? The dumb-bell section of the public (surprisingly large) who weekly and weakly devour the eighteen columns of this material invariably pass up the half-column allotted to Mr. Harding when he outlines the newly adopted foreign policy of the country. The perverting effect of such reading in time renders the reader incapable of discerning the differences between the absurd and the ridiculous. All of which brings me to this point: Every other day, recently some dramatic critic in a bilious moment steps into a motion picture theatre, sees the second episode of "Bertha, the Sewing Machine Girl," comes out more bilious and tells his large following of readers that "the movies are nothing more than a debauchery of art." This has become chronic of late. The invectives hurled lately at the movies would make Roget's "Thesaurus" look like a handbook for soda fountain clerks. As things stand at the moment, it is merely a matter of a comparatively short time before everyone will realize the possibilities which lie within motion pictures. In time they will become the medium of education without a doubt. Under present methods the grown-up illiterate is a total loss. He wouldn't go to school were there a free one on every corner. A close second to this individual is the dull person who does not read intelligently and never remembers anything which he is told. But let these two ncc anything! A while back, the Rev. Newell Dwight Hillis made a wild statement to the effect that 85 per cent of one's knowledge is gained through the eye (Apropos of this fraction, I once heard him, in Detroit, emphatically state that 7/lC of all the good things in the world were here in the U. S. A. Such accuracy is worthy of Einstein). In any case a very large portion of our knowledge in gained through the eye. Let the question of Capital Punishment arise in a cafeteria, and instantly the paper-hanger on your left will, amidst a vivid description of the French It( volution, outline the effectiveness of the {guillotine as per Griffith's "Orphans of the Sturtn." The burning question of the Ku Klux Klan always draws from the truck driver the story of its origination, undoubtedly learned from Griffith's "Birth of a Nation." And your ice-man tells you "that guy Disraeli was no slouch," because of George Arliss in the picture of that name. Innumerable illustrations could be given, the truth of which should be accepted and considered seriously. As I read these assaults on the movies, almost daily, I rebel, yet they carry their own compensation, in that the ignorance of them is positively refreshing. YE GODS! HERE IS AN UNKISSED STAR! Not content with laying claim to the most perfect pair of cauliflower ears in existence. Bull Montana also enjoys the unique distinction of being the only motion picture star who has never experienced the "ecstatic thrill" of a screen kiss! In all of the comedies in which he has appeared. Bull has proven himself quite the hero, but never has he received an osculatory reward. He is usually the medium for bringing the young juvenile into the arms of the beautiful leading lady, but the fadeout invariably finds him merely the smiling spectator. Like all true artists. Bull makes many sacrifices for his art, even to hiding his ears with a wig in "Rob-'Em-Good," but there is a limit to all things, and Hunt Stromberg's comedy star is on the verge of revolt. Not that Bull thinks he is being slighted or anything like that, for he himself says "I save all my keeses for my Bessie," but he is afraid his fans are not yet fully aware of his great versatility. As a wrestler, Bull was a tremendous success. As a "heavy" in many features, he was a distinct sensation. As a comedian he is now flmly established on the screen. But as a lover! Ah! Is not Signor Montana one of the original Latin lovers of the cinema? Richard Bennett is in a serious condtion in Chicago. He was taken ill while playing in "He Who Gets Slapped." FIRST EDITION IS NOW ON THE PRESS! The Standard Casting Directors' Directory 6404 HoUyxuood Blvd., at Cahuenga Tclcphwics: 43S-856; J,S~!-6na WANTED CASTING DIRECTOR Must be able to furnisK highest references as to abili^, and standing among the profession. EXTRA MOTION PICTURE PLAYER'S ASSOCIATION 921 West Sixth St. Los Angeles Extra Players Please Register REGISTERED MOTION PICTURE TALENT BUREAU Amie Riggs, Director 1755' j N. Western Ave. Phone 436-92-V The Artists Booking Exchange JUllX L.INC.ISTER, Manager 6015 Hollywood Blvd. Hollv 7950 THE SERVICE BUREAU "Service to Producer" "Justice to Performer" Special department for children; national types. The same care is given in the selection of the supporting atmosphere as is given to the cast 1036 South Hill General Phones 821-071 "Keeping Everlastingly at It Brings Success" — N. W. Ayer & Son FRED W. FOX Advertising Manager CAMERA!