Motion Picture Story Magazine (Feb 1914 - Sep 1916 (assorted issues))

122 MOTION PICTURE MAGAZINE Thomas C. Barbour, Gonzales, Texas, suggests camera improvements that, if perfected, might revolutionize the silent drama : In my opinion, the greatest improvement needed in Motion Pictures at present is to try to make stereoscopic Motion Pictures. I mean Motion Pictures that would show the distance clearly, as seen in pictures thru a stereoscope. I do not know much about Moving Picture cameras or the laws of optics, but it seems that a Moving Picture camera could be built with two lenses and shutters, with the shutters connected in some manner so that they will both operate at the same time, and take a series of stereoscopic pictures such as are taken by a stereoscopic camera. Or perhaps they could be taken with a single lens and shutter by using an attachment similar to the Ingento stereoscopic attachment, with which stereoscopic pictures may be taken with an ordinary camera having only one lens and shutter. I suppose a special machine or attachment would be necessary to show the pictures on the screen. I feel pretty certain that the idea could be worked out, but it would require a great deal of expensive experimenting to do so. Frank M. Spalding, Flushing, N. Y., thinks the time for a severe literary uplift has arrived : You ask "What improvement in Motion Pictures is most needed?" The prime need, I think, is a higher standard of literary and dramatic taste for both the scenario writer and the producer. Only such an improvement will eliminate many of the inane photoplays now being produced, lift the photoplay above mere slush and make the producer something more than a Punch-and-Judy showman. Moreover, such a standard would warn both writer and producer of the folly of presenting, in an atmosphere that is obviously American, photoplays that are based on foreign customs and traditions. The presentation of English, French and Italian photoplays by American actors in American environment is a crudity altogether too common. Hardly less objectionable is the tagging of English names on characters in photoplays that are patently Italian or French. And, best of all, a higher standard of literary and dramatic taste for the writer and producer would make impossible the utterly absurd photoplay "comedies" in which the "humor" consists mainly of grimaces, caricatures and other slap-stick tactics. A number of improvements are suggested by A. M. Knapp, of St. Louis: An invention that will compel operators to run the reels at the proper speed. I suggest an electrical device. Too many operators hurry thru the pictures towards the end of the evening, thus spoiling the actor's hold upon the spectator as well as the latter's pleasure. Educational pictures should have a light story or plot connected, thus holding the attention of people to whom "scenery" is "too slow," thereby compelling them to acquire an education in spite of themselves. It seems to me, according to the papers, that not enough precautions are taken to preserve the players from bodily injury. Too many appropriate "comedy" actors and actresses attempt "dramas." In many cases they are too young to have experienced the real sorrows and deep joys of life. There are too many "burlesques" shown. They should be kept in their proper places, at the cheaper theaters, where the children and young people are not admitted. They are very impressionable and think the things they see are real life. If this condition were removed, Motion Pictures would gain the good will of the people who objectto pictures because of bad influence. Many of the passionate love scenes should be eliminated for the same reason, as they are particularly bad for children of the adolescent age. Both of the conditions of the above can be removed if special children theaters were started, and admission to minors denied at the others. Too many of the multiple reels seem stretched, the scenes too long. The scenario readers are prejudiced, or something is wrong. I have been shown scenarios that have been returned in which the plots were stronger than many pictures I have seen, in my estimation equaling "The Vengeance of Durand." It seems the companies have too many contract writers and dont pay enough attention to beginners. The pictures should be shown in public schools, admission free of charge. Special evenings or lessons should be devoted to the teaching of sexology. The spawning of fishes could be shown to the little tots, and a lecture given in connection to teach them the truth of birth and eliminate the curiosity that so often means the ruin of health and morals. It might help the Chicago schools in their work. The results of vice could be shown to the boys and young men. The girls could be shown the results and conditions of the fallen. The possibilities for good are, to the Motion Pictures, unlimited, and I for one fail to see why the companies waste so much time and money on the worthless ones mentioned above.