Motion Picture Magazine (Feb-Jul 1919)

flatfESiBSWJ sequences, or, on the contrary, a mad exaggeration of useless crime. Evil is all evil when they use it at all — they cant put in too much of it when it is a question of moral demonstration. "If the guilty one mends his ways, it is all at once, by a brusque decision of heaven, towards the end of the last reel. The villain is — in a manner of speaking — touched by grace. Or else, if that is not the case, he perishes in torments. The American villains are not men, but fanatics or prodigies. "Our villains are poor persons like ourselves who repair the evil they do the best they can and whose remorse is purely human. The criminal who commits crime for the pleasure of it is not among our personal conceptions. The flesh is weak with everybody; we judge crime only by its intention." They go on to say, "What would the French think, for instance, if they knew that the Americans, to make 'Sappho' possible, had made her enter a Red Cross hospital at the end of the film?" Now "Sappho" as everyone knew, while an extremely fascinating character, was a most reprehensible person. She probably would not have reformed, even in the picture, however, if the average American had not wanted her to. The next part of the French article of which I'm speaking, is a lot more flattering and gives still further light on what they think of us "over there." "Besides, there is a trait of the American character which goes well with this rigorous morality and that is a sort of idealism, a search for philosophy, a generosity which translates itself often in a dazzling fashion. It is a trait which was little understood until the end of the war put it in the light of the national American politics. Idealism, mixed with religion — a religion more humanitarian than human, which made the success of 'Chanticleer' more considerable than that of 'Cyrano,' an idealism always nearer than it would seem to be lending itself to the symbolical, the paraphrase — and quite evidently, to the moral digression. The American will always allow very willingly films that study under a general and polite form, any great social or moral problem, but it must always be in story form with plenty of action." Further on in the magazine from which I have been quoting was a criticism of a certain American-made film, "Little Women." This, they remarked, was a most commendable film. It had excellency of photography, direction and all else. Buc it was absolutely devoid of interest to the French. "It is one of those films," the writer said, "which is strictly national in character, and should not be exported." This is not surprising, however, when one remembers the book. It is a happy little story of intimate family life, with some three or four love romances woven into it. The diversion of interest was made up for, to the American, by the marvelous characterization of the principal persons and the truly unique picture of American home life. The French could not, of course, appreciate what all this meant. If more films like this had been shown in France, there would have been not only an appreciative audience for this particular one, but there would be a much closer understanding between the two nations. If the members of the League of Nations will try to learn each other thoroly, as one learns to know an intimate friend, the League will not fail. And they can best of all do this thru films — the mirror of the nations. MILLIONS OF PEOPLE CAN WRITE1' STORIES AND PHOTOPLAYS AND DON'T KNOW IT This is the startling assertion recently made by one of the most famous writers of to-day, E. B. Davison of New York, said to be the highest paid man in his line in the world. Is his astonishing statement true? Can it be possible? Are there countless thousands of people yearning to write, who really can and simply haven't found it out? Well, come to think of it, 'most anybody can tell a story. Why can't most people write a story? Why is writing supposed to be such a rare gift? Isn't this only another of the Mistaken Ideas the past has handed down to us? Yesterday nobody dreamed man could fly. To-day he dives like a swallow ten thousand feet above the earth and laughs down at the tiny mortal atoms below ! So Yesterday's Skepticism doesn't count any more. "The time will come," writes the same authority, "when hundreds of thousands of people will be able to write — there will be countless playwrights, novelists, scenario, magazine and newspaper writers — they are coming, coming — a whole new world of them!" And do you know what these writers-to-be are doing now? Why, they are the men — armies of them — young and old, now doing mere clerical work, in offices, keeping books, selling merchandise, or even driving trucks, running elevators, street cars, waiting on tables, working at barber chairs, following the plow, or teaching school in the rural districts ; and women, young and old, by scores, now pounding typewriters, or standing behind counters, or running spindles in factories, bending over sewing machines, or doing housework. Yes — you may laugh — but these are The Writers of To-morrow. For writing isn't only for geniuses as most people think. The Creator gave you a storywriting faculty just as He did the greatest writer! Only maybe you are simply "bluffed" by the thought that you "haven't the gift." Many people are simply afraid to try. Or if they do try, and their first efforts don't satisfy, they simply give up in despair, and that ends it. They're through. They never try again. Yet if, by some lucky chance, they had first learned the simple rules of writing, and then given the Imagination free rein, they might have astonished the world! But two things are essential i n order to become a writer. First, LETTERS LIKE THIS ARE POURING IN ! "With this volume before him, the veriest novice should be able to build etories or photoplays that will find a ready market. The best treatise of its kind I have encountered tn 24 years of news* paper and literary work."— H. Pierce Weller. Managing Editor The Binghampton Press. •'If anyone wants to make money writing, the first thing they should do Is get this book— and study It through and through. "-M. G. Wynn. St. Paul, Minn. "I sold my first play in less than three weeks after getting your book."— Thelma Aimer, Helena, Mont. "Itls the most sensible thing I ever read on the subject. "--J. D. Burleson, Hereford. Tex. "Mr. Irving has bo simplified story and photoplay writing that anyone with ordinary intelligence ought to master it quickly I am having no trouble in selling my stories and plays now."—B. M. James. Dallas, Tex. "Received the book. I could give myself a shaking, if possible, for not sending long ago. Why, everything is so plain a blind person could see."— Rosa Beard, Nelsonville, O. "I have already sold a synopsis --written according to Mr Irving's Instructions— for $500.00, and some short sketches for smaller sums. "--David Clark, Portland, Ore. "Your book opened my eyes to great possibilities. I received my fir?t check to day — $176.00." --H, Barlow, Louisville Ky. 'It is the most complete and practical book ever written on the subject of writing. "—Harry Schnlts. Kitchener, Oat. "It Is a wonderful book, worth many times the small price you ask for it. "--Andrew Kohli. Lansing, Mich. "The book Is all, and more, than you claim it to be." — W.T. Watson, Whitehall, N. Y. "I am delighted with the book beyond the power of words to press."— Laura Davir chee. Wash Wenat learn the ordinary principles of writing. Second, learn to exercise your faculty of Thinking. By exercising a thing you develop it. Your Imagination is something like your right arm. The more you use it the stronger it gets. The principles of writing are no more complex than the principles of spelling, arithmetic or any other simple thing that anybody krtows. Writers learn to piece together a story as easily as a child, playing on the floor, sets up a miniature house with his toy blocks. It is amazingly easy after the mind grasps the simple "know how." A little study, a little patience, a little confidence, and the thing that looks hard turns out to be just as easy as it seemed difficult. Thousands of people imagine they must have a fine education in order to write. Nothing is farther from the truth. The greatest writers were the poorest scholars. People rarely learn to write at schools. They may get the principles there, but they Really Learn to Write from the great, wide, open boundless Book of Humanity ! Yes, seething all around you, every day, every hour, every minute, in the whirling vortex — the flotsam and jetsam of Life — even in your own home, at work or play, are endless incidents for stories and plays — a wealth of material, a world of things happening. Every one of these has the seed of a story or play in it. If you went to a fire, or saw an accident, you could come home and tell the folks all about it. Unconsciously you would describe it all very realistically. And if somebody stood by and wrote down exactly what you said, you'd be amazed to find your story would sound just as interesting as many you've read in magazines or seen on the screen. Now, you will naturally say, "Well, if Writing is as simple as you say it is, why can't I learn to write?" Who Says You Can't? Listen! A wonderful 300-page book has recently been written on this very subject— a book that reveals a startling New Easy Method of Writing Stories and Photoplays. It explains all this so simply and clearly that anybody can understand it. It was written by a man who has criticised thousands of stories and plays. This amazing book is called, "How To Be a Successful Writer." The author is James Irving,, who for years was Editor-in-Chief of one of the largest literary institutions in America. We cannot begin to describe this book, but will make it so easy for you to get and examine it, that you will send for it at once. You may have it Absolutely Free For Five Days' Examination. The book has over 300 pages, is elegantly cloth bound in royal green, and stamped in gold. You don't obligate yourself and you don't send a penny. After you get the book, look it over for five days to your heart's content, then return it or simply send us $3 for it. And then ! Then you will just naturally pour your whole soul into this magic new enchantment that has come into your life — Story and Play Writing! The lure of it, the love of it, the luxury of it, will fill your whole being from head to heel. No more wasted hours, dull moments, unprofitable evenings. _ You will have this noble, absorbing, money-making new profession! .And you can do it all in your spare time, without interfering with your regular job. Who says you can't make money with your brain ! Who says you can't coin dollars out of your imagination ! Who says you can't turn your ideas into cash ! Who says you can't do it and make your dreams come true! Nobody knows — not even yourself; But the Book Will Tell You. So no need to waste any more time wondering, dreaming, waiting. Just fill out the coupon below — you're not buying anything, simply borrowing it. A book that may prove the Book of Your Destiny — yours for Five Whole Days. A Magic Book through which countless ambitious men and women may learn to turn their spare hours into cash ! Get your letter in the mail before you lie down to sleep to-night. Who knows — it may mean for you the Dawn of a New To-morrow ! THE AUTHORS' PRESS Dept. 47, Auburn, New York I would like to look at your book, "How to Be a Successful Writer." Will return it within five days or send you three dollars. Name Address City and State.