The Film Renter and Moving Picture News (May-Jun 1923)
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May 5, 1923.
THE FILM. RENTER. & MOVING PICTURE NEWS. 17
“THIS FREEDOM.” paar
An Answer to: its. Critics. :
_ By DENISON CLIFT.
OTH thelay Press and. the trade
liave.: been so--gener
of -‘* This Freedom ’” that_I,.as the~ producer; have .. cause to: give. thanks
Yet several. of-the criticisms .that “have
the various com
ing, points . which more,or less affect: all films-to-day:; +. The Distraction’ ‘of Dress. « : (1) It
period covered in
‘This Freedom ite was, about thirtyfive. years, that in the beginning of the picture the characters should . have been clothed in the styles of thirty-five years ago.
Before beginning the production that was a, point which was raised, which was seriously discussed by several members of the staff, and which was finally settled by our decision to keep all the clothes and. styles modern. Our reason was that by going back to a period only slightly removed from the present day we should, if we were absolutely accurate, encounter styles which were so hideous (log-of-mutton sleeves, ete.) that the attention
Denison Crirt.
-which they would. attract on their own and the tipples of laughter that they would evoke would seriously detract” ‘from the | quiet, serious atmosphere required for a house of ‘bomen, tragedy. i
Therefore, it was deemed wiser to adhere to present-day ~ costume, as better for the effectiveness of the .Picture. This is only a slight liberty, and one which is taken by many, producers to-day where the whole period covered is thirty years, or ‘less.
** Over the Hill " and many other films are successful examples.
Court Customs.
(2) It has been said that the court scene was technically wrong—that the scene as pictured was ,"'Americanised ”” and. , could not have taken place in an Mnglish court.
When this scene was made in the studio ‘at Elstree, we | engaged a barrister of repute, familiar with every division of:
mglish court proceedings, to watch the scenes being rehearsed $0 that we might keep every detail accurate. This’ barrister many details, and asked, as to the point of the sen
enced youth being embraced by his mother and torn, from’ his
Fa embrace by. the court officials: “SIs ‘this the ola
_ Our. answer? was: '* Not necesgarily:”” in what courts such a scene could take’ Places, ‘cheek
Press’
ous. in.their reception.
only: and e@xpress my. déepest appreciation.found minor écho-m:
ments ‘raise -interest-"
has been’ said .that.. as _ the.
details of the action, and approved the entire scene. Am I ty believe that this barrister’s knowledge was faulty, or that the critics have jumped to a hasty conclusion without seeking the, expert advice that we did? fy
| Good Artistes in Small Parts.
(3). The complaint ig sometimes made that certain well-known actors: have too small ,parts,
In casting my ‘pictures I-inevitably seek the very best artistes © for the réles, even to the smaller réles. If I can engage Haidee Wright for a part {even if it is a very small part in the picture), should I do so or should I reject Miss Wright and secure some nondescript lesser-known ‘artiste?
I have always secured fine acting fram’ ‘fine artistes, and I am one producer who believes in :casting every part, large or small, to the very best advantage. This is sometimes costly, but the result‘as-a wholé amply rewards. the producer and makes the finished picturé one that-is’ endowed. with: the breath of life and the ‘movements. of -intelligent ‘beings: In the end I find that it costs -more’ but is really a ae to engage the higherpriced artiStes. : Sie me 2 Bs i
LIST OF K.RS. MEMBERS.
Renters’ Society Nearly 50 Strong.
HE’ Kinematograph Renters’ Society _ of Gieat Britain
_ and. Ireland, Limited, now comprises the . following members :
Argosy Film Co.; Ltd.
Astra Films, Ltd. Award Film Service.
Kilner’s Exclusives, Ltd. H. .Levy &.Son. : 2, Mercury Film Service. Bendon Film Trading Co. Mitchell’s Exclusives. ° British: Exhibitors’ Films (1922); Moss Empires,-Ltd.Ltd. National. Films, -Ltd
He" then ,
Butcher’s Film Service, Ltd. Hamoup-Lasky Film Service td.
: Famous Productions: (Films),
Ltd. Film Booking Offices (1919), Lid.
Fleet Photoplays, Ltd. Fox Film Co., Ltd. Fuller’s Exclusives. Gaumont Co., Ltd.
. General Kinema Films, Ltd.
General Film Supply. Goldwyn, Ltd.
Granger’s Exclusives, Ltd. High Level Exclusives, Ltd. Ideal Films, Ltd.
Imperial Animated Picture Co.,
td. Imperial Film Co., Ltd.
International Cine. Corporation,
Ltd. Jury’s Imperial Pictures, Ltd.
The Society is now well on the way towards a 100 per. cent. ; membership, and it is hoped within the next few weeks to’
New. Centary. Film ‘Service,
Northern Mutual Films, Ltd. Pathe Freres Cinema, Ltd. ~ Paragon Film Co., Ltd. Phillip’s Fil Co., Ltd. Phenix Film Co., Ltd. Pioneer Film Agency, Ltd. Regent Film Co., Ltd. Servall’s Exclusives, Ltd. Sherwood Exclusive Film Agency, Ltd. Stoll Film Co., Ltd. Stone’s Mutual Films, Ltd. Vitagraph Co., Ltd. Vivid Exclusives, Ltd. Walker’s Pictures (1918), Ltd. Walturdaw Co., Ltd. Wardour Fifms, Ltd. Waverley Films, Ltd.
Wellington Film Service, Ltd.
Western Import Co., Ltd.
secure the adhesion of ‘the féw principal renting « concerns which,” at the-moinent; are outside ‘the organisation.