International photographer (Jan-Dec 1934)

August, 1934 T h INTERNATIONAL PHOTOGRAPHER Thirty-one WHAT'LL WE FILM NEXT? Many people are wondering what the screen is going to do for vital stories, in view of the fuss that has been kicked up by church organizations and women's clubs over certain offending aspects of recent motion pictures. They fear that the fumigating process will result in taking all the life out of future film-fare. But there is no cause to become unduly exercised on that account. For the resourceful writer, there is no end of interesting material all around us. Fact of the matter, is the recent craze to glorify gangsters and sordid sexiness, life's negative aspects, a lot of wholesome, cheerful activities have been entirely overlooked. Right here in California, men and women are constructively busy with some of nature's most fascinating forces and processes — any one of which would make a most picturesque background — a veritable cameraman's heaven — for many engaging screen productions. The rank and rile of people are always interested in what their fellows are doing. Take the vineyards of California, for instance, which have taken a new lease on life since repeal. More than 400 of them, covering an extensive acreage, are now being worked as never before, to produce grapes for the wine industry. It requires no violent stretch of the imagination to vision a story written around California's vineyards, which would readily charm picture-goers. Only recently the vineyardists of France subsidized a motion picture, built around their industry. It has been acclaimed as one of the most lilting productions to be seen in Paris, in a long time. Other scenes in California's social and industrial life are equally potential for uplifting motion pictures. For instance, there is the story of the hydro-electrics — an epic of modern engineering — which has never been adequately screened. And what a whale of a picture might have been done around the building of the Boulder Dam — the biggest engineering project since the Panama Canal was dug. Then there's a great motion-picture in every one of President Roosevelt's remedial activities, for the resourceful writer and producer who can see beyond the front-page of scandal sheets and so-called mystery or murder stories. If the world is ever to get back on the main highway of social and moral recovery, the upward watch must be held before the people. Instead of picturing most tendencies and people as being hell-bent, they must be shown in their more aspiring moments. There is no lack of them. The serious efforts of the Federal Government to rehabilitate the homeless, wayward youth of the land provides material for as gripping a picture as ever came out of realistic Russia. There is also gorgeous material in the studies which Sherwood Anderson has been presenting in "Today," about the wandering women of America. For the first time in our history, unsettled economic conditions have made "female hoboes." No sadder picture can be imagined than that of a homeless woman or a homeless cat or dog. They are all essentially creatures of the hearthstone. Also there is California Institute of Technology, in whose laboratories, earnest men are trying to figure out the riddle of the universe as it relates to the everyday life of every man, woman and child. Several of the experimenters there have stories up their sleeves which would be as fascinating on the screen as anything that Conan Doyle, H. G. Welis or any other thinker has ever brought to the printed page. While up on Mount Wilson, overlooking Los Angeles, conners of the stars can tell romantic tales of Martians, moon-folk and such, which make the puny imaginings of Hollywood studio "hacks" pale into insignificance. Dr. E. D. Starbuck, of the philosophy DOUBLE MATTING <3 PATENTS. 1932) ▼▼SHOTS 3 Phone OXford 1611 8111 Santa Monica Blvd. Hollywood, Calif. LEICA PHOTOGRAPHY MAGAZINE • the first and only magazine devoted exclusively to the LEICA camera in the United States. • if you own a LEICA, register its serial number with us and receive this magazine regularly each month free of charge. • non-LEICA-owners may secure this magazine at 10c per copy or $1.00 per year, (foreign, $1.50 to all — owners and non-owners.) • edited by famous authorities, crammed with useful and interesting information, LEICA PHOTOGRAPHY sets a new standard in photographic journals. Ask for sample copy. E. Leitz, Inc., 60 East 10th St., New York City AMATEURS ! ! PROFESSIONALS ! ! Fresh 35 mm. Eastman or Dupont Gray Backed Negative Film Supplied at .02^4 per foot. KINEMA KRAFTS KOMPANY 6510 Selma Ave., Hollywood, Calif. GL. 0276 Phone CLadstone 4151 HOLLYWOOD STATE BANK The only Bank in the Industrial District of Hollywood under State Supervision Santa Monica Boulevard at Highland Avenue ,uc7 OO^enli^br anA NujnV usvA F*7cxjs.and many cmer wffsds With any Camera " In any Ulimafe Gcorcje H. ScHeibe ORIGINATOR OF EFFECT FILTERS 1927 WEST 78™ ST. LOS ANGELES. CAL. department at U. S. C, might also contribute cogent material from his studies. These are all subjects which relate themselves naturally to life "as is", in its contemporary idiom. And the screen, will never achieve its highest destiny until it takes itself a bit more seriously. That does not mean that all pictures should be pedantic. The entertain per se production will always have its place and audience; but there is also a public looking for something a bit more thoughtful. Please mention The International Photographer when corresponding with advertisers.