Film Spectator (1927-1928)

Page Twenty-two THE FILM SPECTATOR August 6, 1927 editors, who may not have even touched certain scripts, have their names blazoned upon the screen as being the adapter, scenarist or with having supervised or written the continuity. Say a word or two for the poor dubs whose ideas have been thus tricked out of them; who have enthusiastically gone to work upon an adaptation ■w’ith the deluded notion that they will be given credit for their work, only to find the other fellow’s name substituted for theirs upon the screen. Occasionally a paragraph of publicity to the effect that John Dub is doing “Blooming Smiles” is allowed him; but that’s as far as it goes. In most cases he simply is ignored on the screen. There is more heart burning, more blighted hopes and heart aches in a scenario department because of this matter of credit than anything else. One fellow does the work. Another sails in and takes the credit. The Screen Writers Guild is now preparing a standard contract for writers. This thing of credit certainly should be covered in such contract. JOHN BUSH. WHY AN AGE LIMIT? Dear Mr. Beaton: I am informed that certain of the rnction picture companies have decided to engage only young writers to do their scenarios, adaptations and continuities. The Fox Films was especially mentioned, and it is a wellknown fact that the producers are signing up young and new writers. We have had a surfeit of “boy wonders” in executive positions and positions of authority. The youngsters holding the responsible posts of supervisors are jokes on most of the lots. Now we are to have young writers. Talent has no age. One needs to know life and to have lived it to write of it. ^ There would be just as much sense in the Metropolitan Opera Company throwing out its singers when they had reached maturity and substituting for them flappers and flippers. The finest of our pictures have not been done by kids, but by men and women who not only know life, but happen to have the God-given talent to write about it. J. ARMSTRONG. (A bit over 40) A NURSE PROTESTS Mr. Welford Beaton: Why, oh why, when a picture corporation decides to turn out pictures containing hospital scenes with nurses, doctors, surgeons, etc., do they not try to get as near the real thing as possible? I visited a theatre this past week to see the picture. Moulders of Men, with Conway Tearle. He tried to be a physician. Maybe he did study the ethics of the profession for about twenty minutes. In one scene, after the operation, the famous surgeon, with his assistants, gathered in the superintendent’s office, in which was the superinten dent of nurses. She remained seated while they were there. Ye gods! where did she get her training? Please advise the picture people that any registry will furnish them an honest-to-goodness nurse for a superintendent for less than they pay stars to act the part. I felt like calling: “Oh, please stand up until the doctor tells you to sit down.” But what avail to write, talk or print? Movie directors go on the theory that the audience, or the major portion of it, have the intelligence of children. So one day I expect to see a star taking a probation nurse’s part, sitting in the superintendent’s office, and the movie directors will think it correct. M. T. M. INTIMATE CORRESPONDENCE Dear Welford: Yesterday I received a statement from The Film Spectator, informing me that my subscription had expired and that $3.50 was due your paper — that is, if I want to renew for another year. You bet I want to renew it, not only for one year, but for nine more besides that. Therefore find enclosed check for $35.00 — ten years at $3.50 per year. Do I need to tell you further how much I enjoy your paper, the only publication I really read from cover to cover? Success and best regards, JEAN HERSHOLT. Dear Jean: In acknowledging receipt of your ten-year renewal I wish to thank you for the compliment which both the The BLUE ROOK BOOK SHOP 1639 NORTH CAHUENGA Gust off Hollrwaod Bird.) Books of Every Kind, Good as New, at Half the Published Price Morris Davis GRanitk 2498 size of the check and the words of your letter pay to The Spectator. It was a very generous thing for you to do. WELFORD BEATON. To which came this answer by night letter: Dear Welford: You got me wrong. I am not gen; erous. I’m a tightwad. Some day you’re going to get sensible and boost your subscription rate, and I wanted to get in before you do. JEAN. 0 GOOD FOR COMEDY I always have been interested in Lya de Putti when I have seen her on the screen. I have enjoyed her vivacity and bubbling gaiety when I have seen her at social gatherings. I have chatted with her sufficiently to become acquainted with her intelligence and sense of humor. I have not mentioned it to her, but I am satisfied that she could be developed into a comedienne who would become immensely popular. She has a sparkling personality that she has no opportunity to register in the parts assigned to her. SOMETHING NEW In one of Don Ryan’s titles in When a Man Loves someone calls someone else a “rascalion”. It has all the earmarks of a dirty crack, but I can’t find any dictionary that has heard of it. r Catering to Motion Picture People HollywoodAmerican Cleaners Expert Cleaning, Pressing, Dyeing and Repairing Hollywood Store Beverly Hills Store HEmpstead 2256 OXford 7609 Wikhire^s I-ON-A-CO DRUGLESS TREATMENT TAKE A DELIGHTFUL FREE TREATMENT Judge by Your Own Experience The history of I-ON-A-CO has passed the point where there can be any reasonable doubt as to its effectiveness. 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