The Motion Picture Director (Sep 1925 - Feb 1926)

38 November director to present a Monte Carlo dancehall scene in the spectacle. In studying the problem from all angles, I was struck with the idea of the manner in which such an effect is usually accomplished in motion pictures, in presenting dream illusions on the screen, ‘the lap-dissolve’. The mechanics presented some difficulties, but the problem was finally solved by cutting the set in two and introducing the halves simultaneously from both sides of the stage, with the players in position on the ground floor and the balcony of the dancehall ready for the play the instant the illusion was complete. The set was removed the same way it was introduced, with only a slight dimming of the lights, for the final scene of ‘Charlie Chaplin’s Dream’, the panorama of the pass. The effect accomplished more than repaid for the effort, for it permitted the staging of the prologue spectacle without a curtain or any interruption. A continuous snowstorm throughout the prologue was visible to the audience through the dancehall windows. WHEN the Egyptian theater was projected for Hollywood, I was warned by theatrical men in whose judgment I had the greatest confidence that I was making a mistake in choosing a location. It was too far from the center of population, they said, and the public would not go to Hollywood to see a picture show, no matter how elaborately it was staged. If an ordinary theater had been contemplated, their advice would have been heeded. But my plans called for a playhouse of a different character from the ordinary conception of a theater. I desired to erect a structure that would command the attention not only of the residents, but of the winter tourists. I had in mind an institution unique not only in architectural design, but from the standpoint of the character of the productions to be offered. The Egyptian was designed with a forecourt as a means of holding the attention of the public all day long where exhibits of an interesting or educational nature relative to the production could be displayed. It also offers a commodious and convenient park for the audience, both men and women, to use as a promenade during intermission. The favor the Egyptian has enjoyed from the public in the last three years has given me the courage to go ahead with plans for the new Chinese theater to be located on Hollywood boulevard, near Orchid avenue, a project I have had in mind for years for a playhouse for the production not only of picture plays, but of grand opera and drama as well. Faith in the future of Hollywood and Los Angeles convinces me that the time has arrived when the best of facilities for production of plays and pictures are none too good. The plans call for a great oriental garden within 40 foot walls as a forecourt in which I hope to be able to incorporate such surroundings as to give the impression that the visitor is in truth entering another world. While it will not be the largest theater of its kind, I have planned an institution which incorporates my best efforts to provide a setting unique and splendid enough to be worthy of the surpassing class of productions I am confident are to be produced here. To perpetuate for posterity the memory of the artists of the screen who have done so much for the Southland, a hall of fame will be included in which will be hung paintings and sculpture by artists of international reputation presenting the stars of today and tomorrow. Hollywood already commands the attention of the world as its cinema capital. With the world renowned figures of the stage and the screen, music and other arts resident here, why cannot Hollywood attract the attention of the universe as an artistic center and realize the fruits and flowers promised by the copy book? The Barnstormer OUR week in San Diego ran around fourteen hundred dollars, but as were on a fifty-fifty percentage we did not clear as much as we did in San Bernardino. Our next stop was Bakersfield, where we were booked for a three night stand. I had located a new edition of fine fourcolored litho work for Ten Nights in a Barroom, so had our advance man advertise this for the last night. Mr. Scribner, the manager, pleaded with me to substitute something else, saying, “No one will come to see that old nightmare”. The customers didn’t show up in overwhelming numbers the first two nights, but for Wednesday, our last night, the reserved seats were sold out early in the afternoon. We actually turned people away. The receipts on old Ten Nights were $285, but I don’t think the show was lucky — a blacksmith after witnessing the performance went home and blew his brains out. We hit Selma next. Here the house PART III By Frank Cooley lights and stage lights were lamps. The manager had worked out a dimming system with strings, but it didn’t work very well, the wicks burning to different lengths. Then when the string was pulled some would go out entirely, and when the string was pulled the other way, some would go up too high and smoke, then someone in the audience would run up and blow the offender out. We had a new actor, Joe Rhodes, whom I had picked up in Redlands. He said he hadn’t had much experience but “was as limber as a string”. He was playing Willie Green in Ten Nights. Willie gets shot at the end of the first act, I think. We opened in Ten Nights so I could use my advance man as an actor and still be able to get him off in time to bill the next town. When Joe was shot he did a very dramatic and elaborate fall, but there was quite a bit of stage below the curtain and when Joe finally came to rest, he was in front of the curtain line. I whispered loudly to him from R. 1st, where I stood ready to ring down, “Joe, get back! You’re in front of the curtain.” Joe opened an eye, saw the curtain, which was on a big roll, trembling, ready to descend. He arose, moved upstage, and died all over again. The curtain came down with audience and actors enjoying a hearty laugh. The show again was unlucky. W e played to a good house, but during the second act a boy ran in crying, “Mr. Thompson, your house is on fire!” Mr. Thompson and family hurried out, but their house burned to the ground and they had to get rooms at the hotel for the night. We were now playing Under Two Flags for our second night. The janitor, who also ran the curtain, brought his little brother to see the show from the wings. He had him stationed in the first entrance. The sword fight between Black Hawk and