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A study in pedal extremities : Priscilla
Dean’s brogans and Marie Prevost’s — er — trim ankles
Double Exposures
Conducted by F. J. S.
THE motion picture business has been referred to as the fifth, the fourth and even the first industry of these United States for so long a time that it will come as quite a shock to movie fans to discover that it isn’t. In fact; it may not even be among the first hundred industries.
The horrific discovery was made recently by the editor of a film trade paper. And among the businesses exceeding motion' pictures in value of finished products were such industries as the construction of corsets, hardware, ice, pickles, shoes, soap and pianos. But when the same investigator discovers that the manufacture of glucose and cheese exceeds our dear photoplay, we are puzzled. Can it be that the motion picture is being mixed with these products.
Perish the thought! And yet, in 1919, the production of cheese exceeded twice the value of all motion pictures.
Wanted: Sophistication
Speaking of glucose reminds us that motion picture audiences have grown in sophistication this last year, despite the fact that producers and ‘exhibitors do not seem to grasp the fact.
Note the waning of the homely Charlie Ray type. Today the average fan demands Rodolph Valentino and his suggestion of Continental worldiness. Observe the success of von Stroheim’s “Foolish Wives,” with its erotic scoundrel for a central figure. And the tremendous popularity of Pola Negri, who is sophistication plus. Add to this the popularity of Gloria Swanson, who is the old-time vamp sent to boarding school and elevated to Paris frocks.
Censors or no censors, the film public will have no more large doses of Pollyanna. Let the paid smuthounds go on tilting their lances at sex. That motivating impulse of life must be in all things. Curiously, film audiences seem to be just discovering sex.
Speaking of censors reminds us that Mrs. Eli T. Hosmer, of the New York Censor Board, recently declared that ungrammatical and slangy subtitles are ruining our youth, and that movies are breeding disrespect of the police, prohibition, birth, love and marriage.
It remained for Mrs. Hosmer to discover what’s wrong with us. Assuredly, something is radically wrong, or we wouldn’t tolerate censors.
This Is Censorship
While we’re on the subject of censorship, let us reprint some of the laws — unappealable — laid down by the Ohio Board of Censors for the picture-going population of that august state :
That there will be eliminated from all films :
Any drinking songs.
Any statement that beer is enjoyable.
Any suggestion that there are polite speakeasies.
Any suggestion that political appointments anywhere are not based on merit.
Any implied statement that politicians would support a candidate whom they did not think admirable.
Any reflection on the intelligence of an imaginary candidate for mayor.
Any criticism of modern manners, and ideas.
Yet our ancestors fought for liberty and free speech!
.You’ll be interested in the selection of thirteen “stars of tomorrow,” made by the organization of Western Motion Picture Advertisers at their recent Los Angeles ball. The list consists of Lila Lee, Lois Wilson, Helen Ferguson, Bessie Love, ( Continued on page 90)
(Fifty-two)