Motion Picture News (Jul-Oct 1914)

THE MOTION PICTURE NEWS 69 A Modern Successor of the Orchestra American Photo Player Produces Music of Subtle Effect on Hearer and Pleases Those Who "Want More Than the Picture" THE evolution of the motion picture from the experimental and tcy stage to a plane of serious, dignified entertainment made it necessary for managers to make their musical accompaniment keep pace with the requirements of the pictures. At first an ordinary piano seemed sufficient for this purpose, and later the necessity of an orchestra was felt by the larger houses. At this stage of motion picture growth music manufacturers saw an opening for the introduction of instruments designed to supplant orchestras and reduce the operating expenses of a theatre without entailing sacrifices for the sake of economy. One of the latest and best instruments put on the market for rendering this desirable service is that manufactured by the American Photo Player Company, with New York office at 63 West Forty-fifth street, and factories at Berkeley, California. The instrument is not an automatic player, but falls in the class known as the pneumatic. It can be played manually by a musician or manipulated satisfactorily by one who, though not conversant with music, has a sense of time and learns the use of the stops. Five minutes instruction by a representative of the company is sufficient to enable a prospective player to gain enough knowledge for rendering the most difficult selections of classic music. The sound of the instrument is unusually sweet and compelling. There is a gratifying lack of mechanical tone. It enables the man at the keys to "play to the picture" instead of playing "music" which fails to harmonize with the spirit of the plot development. Every shade of musical graduation is capable of expression from the softest pianissimo to crescendo of the loudest volume. The most critical music lover cannot sit through a performance during which the Photo Player is used to "fit the picture" without going away with a sense of complete enjoyment for the music rendered". The advantages of this meritorious instrument will appeal to the theatre manager. An instant change is possible from the slowest, sentimental strains to the thunderous crash of battle scenes. The music never stops. This is made possible by a clever arrangement of the rolls. One rewinds while the other is playing. The makes of all manufacturers can be used. One operator is sufficient for the manipulation of the instrument, which means a salary list considerably less than that of an orchestra. Indeed, the manufacturers have estimated that the yearly expense of an ordinary sized orchestra will pay for the Photo Player. The instrument is built to fit the pit of the orchestra. The music produces a subtle effect on the patron, who now wants more than "just the picture" and likes to hear the pleasing tonal accompaniment of well executed music. The Photo Player has so many appealing points that those who have heard the instrument declared that the manufacturers do not exaggerate their claims in stating that it makes the music completely harmonize with the pictures, "supplying the grief, joys and triumphs of the people of the canvas." BUSY SEARCH AT WARNER'S FOR ONE-REEL COMEDIES P. A. Powers, president of Warner's Features, Inc., in speaking of the announcement that Warner's Features, Inc., are to incorporate onereel comedies on their program, said recently: "We are very busy selecting subjects for our comedy program. "Genuine comedies are very rare, but we will accept none that do not measure up to the high standard of our feature releases. Several studios are busy working on comedies that will meet our requirements. The old, worn-out themes are to be avoided and only those unusual and original in conception will be considered." ALL STAR FEATURES LEW DOCKSTADTER in "Dan" By Hal Reid Five Acts —IN AUGUSTETHEL BARRYMORE in **The Nightingale" By Augustus Thomas Five Acts -IN SEPTEMBER— James A. Heme's SHORE ACRES Five Acts All Star Feature Corp. 220 West 42nd Street New York Oflf Factory Is YoBrsI Negative assembles, projecting machines and an equipment second to none, with an organization of experienced people always at your SERVICE for DEVELOPING and PRINTING. EVANS FILM MFG. CO. ^— — Incorporated — 416-22 WEST Tel. 7652 Aadnbon 216th STREET at Broadway. New York Lantern Slide Mat Co. Manufacturers of Lantern Slide Mats and Reel Bands Prompt Service Prices Right Best Goods 627 Greenwich Street, New York General Electric Company Building Telephone : Spring 8558 DEVEL.OF»ING ANO F>RINXING carefully done for professionals and amateurs. The largett factory in the world devoted exclusively to MaLiwifatcturing Commercia-l Moving Pictxjres Prices and factory description sent at your request INDUSTRIAL. MOVING F»ICXURH; CO. Watterson R. Rothacker, Gen. Mgr. 223-233 West Erie Street, Chicago Manufacturers of the Wonderful Kembusch Patented Glass MIRROR SCREEN and all other kinds of Curtains for Moving Picture Projection GLASS SCREENS Mirror Screen Mirror Screen Split Glass Transparent Screen for L Rear Projection METALUZED SCREENS Gold Fibre Silvercloth Mirror Cloth Seamless, with stretchers White Opaque r. J. REMBUSCH, Pres. Phone Seven-Eleven. IVIIRROR SCREEN COIVIF* ANY INCORPORATED SHEL.OYVIl_I_E, INDIANA And the Journal of the American Medical Association says regarding eye strain from the Movie habit ; "The Mirror Screen, consisting of a Mirrorglass, seems to be the most desirable." Nine different finishes For wide or narrow houses In writing -dvertisers please mention "THE MOTION PICTURE NEWS'