Motion Picture (Aug 1919-Jan 1920)

Letters to the Editor A Canadian officer, but recently returned from overseas, has waged a pen war against those who would prohibit the showing of "The Unpardonable Sin." It is to be hoped that the sincerity of his words will strike deep down in the hearts of our readers : Dear Sir: — In reference to your criticism of "The Unpardonable Sin" in the August edition of the Motion Picture Magazine (page 111), may I, as a monthly reader, say a few words? As far as the production and directorship of this or any other photoplay is concerned I know nothing, but I imagine that many others, who, like myself, have spent four and a half years "Over There" or even less time, and have seen a few of the atrocities you speak of in "The Unpardonable Sin," will agree with me when I say that the world as a whole is forgetting too quickly these atrocities. Have you seen women and children who will have to go thru life with the "Brand of the Hun" on them? I have! Yet you say such a picture should not he shown in theaters which children and young people of the impressionable age "frequent. That is just what should be done to warn the future generation what beasts the huns are, and if they (the huns) had the chance they would do the same tomorrow with more vengeance than ever. Belgian "children and young people of the impressionable age" had not only to see these atrocities enacted before their eyes in reality, but to be in deadly fear their turn might come next. I realize that thousands, nay, millions, do not need that or any other picture or story to remind them of the brutalities perpetrated by the hun, yet there are some to whom, mayhap, this picture will bring home the realization of a few things they have escaped thru the fearless pluck of our men. There are others, too, who will see this picture, like many others they see and forget it quickly.' I trust that I have not intruded, but it was against my nature to let a criticism such as 3'ours pass. I am, sir, Yours very truly, LOCKSLEY CEAR, R., Late Lieutenant Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve. 494 Roger St., Collingwood East P. O., South Vancouver, B. C, Canada. A protest from Hawaii: Dear Sir — It seems to me an unnecessary mistake that the motion picture companies should repeatedly produce pictures of things and countries of which they know absolutely nothing. A great many "Hawaiian" pictures have come here to the Islands and some have excellent plots and scenery, but, no matter how tragic or dramatic the picture may be, the audiences are forced to laugh at it as if it were a Sennett corned)-, and all because of the ridiculous scenes supposed to happen here on the Islands. The picture I have in mind at present is "The Marriage Ring," produced by Thomas H. Ince and featuring Enid Bennett and Jack Holt. Most of the scenes were supposedly taken in Hawaii, or, (Continued on page 14.) CMOTI< MAGAZINE. Motion Picture Directors say: "THIS Man can Teach You how to Write SALABLE Photoplays" 1 GOOD motion picture stories are scarcer now than at any time in the entire history of the industry. The film companies are searching the whole world for suitable material for their stars. They must have these stories and they are paying, and will continue to pay, enormous prices for them. As a result of this condition there is a golden opportunity offered people who can furnish real motion picture stories. Now, there is only one way in which they can furnish these. They must first learn motion picture writing. It is absolutely impossible for anyone to do anything until they have learned how to do it. There is not a person on earth who can work at any trade without first learning it. The writing of motion picture stories is a trade — a profession. It has got to be learned just the same as any other. There is absolutely no use of any writer preparing a story unless he prepares it as the director wants it. The director is the one who finally selects the material to be filmed, and he is the one who must be pleased with the story. Unless you write as he wishes yon to write, you might as well never mail out your scripts. F. McGrew Willis I have been besieged with people wanting to know where they could learn motion picture writing. And I have had to tell them that I knew of no one who could teach it to them as the director wants it taught. Now, however, conditions have changed. A man has stepped from a studio position paying thousands yearly, to teach writers the correct way of preparing their stories and to aid them in finding a market for their work. He is known in every studio in the country as a writer of feature photoplays. He knows the things to do and not to do — the things vital and necessary to the successful writing of salable motion picture stories. I consider him the best motion picture writer in America. This man— F. McGREW WILLIS— is showing writers the studio wav of writing — THE DIRECT, DETAILED METHOD THAT STAFF WRITERS USE IN SELLING THEIR OWN STORIES TO THE PRODUCERS. And this is the first time in the history of the motion picture industry that writers outside the studios have been offered this opportunity. Here is a wonderful chance for people to put their ideas into photoplays. AND IF THEY WANT TO GET THEIR STORIES TO THE DIRECTORS PERSONALLY THEY MUST WRITE THEM ONLY THE DIRECT, DETAILED WAY-THE WILLIS WAY. Famous director of feature photoplays lor Triangle, Universal, Fox, etc., director of Tom Mix, Frank Mayo, Alma Reubens, Gladys Brockwell, Peggy Hyland, Olive Thomas and a host of others. An Endorsement Unparalleled in Motion Picture History Mr. J. C. Jessen of Motion Picture News, the leading trade paper of the industry, in a signed statement endorsing the F. McGrew Willis Institute to the entire motion picture profession, said in the "News," July 19, 191!) : "For more than five years I have known F. McGrew Willis personally. He has written innumerable feature stories and has prepared vehicles for more than twenty of the different big stars. His total produced stories run into the hundreds. He knows, absolutely, the motion picture game. "I am giving him my personal support because he is honestly trying to better conditions by establishing an Institute to help producers secure better stories. And I believe him thoroughly qualified to undertake this work. THERE IS NO QUESTION AS TO THE INTEGRITY AND RELIABILITY OF THE INSTITUTE OF WHICH HE IS THE HEAD." F. McGrew Willis' Offer If you are in earnest about writing photoplays I want you to have a copy of my book, "The Inside Story of Motion Picture Writing." It is absolutely free for the asking and it tells of the Institute and its FREE SALES BUREAU where directors may select stories written by members. No fee or commission Is charged anyone for this service. It is advisable that you act at once, in fact, RIGHT NOW. Just send me your name and address. Address The F. McGrew Willis Institute F. McGREW WILLIS, Sole Head Suite 419 Wright & Callender Building LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA "Teaching Photoplay Writing Correctly'* I SEXOLOGY I by William H. Walling, A. M., M. D. | imparts in one volume : — = Knowledge a Young Man Should Have. | Knowledge a Young Husband Stioutd Have. § Knowledge a Father Should Have. i Knowledge a Father Should Impart to His Son. § Medical Knowledge a Husband Should Have. § Also includes other kindred subjects. § ~ All in one volume. Illustrated. $2.00 postpaid. 1 Write for "Other People's Opinions" and Table of Contents. § I Puritan Pub. 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