Motion Picture News (Jul-Aug 1916)

260 MOTION PICTURE NEWS Vol. 14, No. 2 SPEAKING PARTS FOR ACTORS, FARNUM SUGGESTS William Farniim, the Fo.k star, believes that, for realism's sake, screen actors will have to be provided with definite speaking parts. " Spoken parts for screen stars seem inevitable to me," says Mr. Farnum, " because moving picture fans are now becoming so adept that they can decipher many of the words which the actors utter. This means that the day when the star could, and did, say almost ' any old thing ' has gone. It will never return. " Of course, action will probably always remain the dominant note in the films. It is undoubtedly true that the biggest and steadiest advances will be made in obtaining new and better photographic effects, but, after all, the foundation of every good picture is the scenario. And in the higher grade scenario, there are many scenes in which the only action is the good oldfashioned word of mouth kind — with appropriate gestures. " Pantomime is naturally out of the question in such cases. The actor has to say something, or the scene falls flat. Why not make the thing natural by giving him a definite speaking part?" Noted Psychologist Brings Out Volume on Motion Pictures Munsterberg Traces the Development of Photodrama and Explains the Philosophy of Photoplay Appeal in Book Issued by Appleton and Company the photoplay, beginning with Roget's de RHEA MITCHELL WITH BENNETT IN "SABLE CURSE," AMERICAN Because of her work in recent American and Signal Mutual Masterpieces, De Luxe Edition, Rhea Mitchell has been chosen to head the company of players appearing in support of Richard Bennett. His initial American feature is " The Sable Curse," which will be released as a Mutual Star production. In this production Miss Mitchell will play opposite Mr. Bennett in the role of " Mary Redmond." Miss Mitchell's most recent appearance as the star of an American-Mutual Masterpicture, De Luxe Edition, was as co-star with William Stowell in " The Man from Manhattan," a five-reel production. Previous to the release of this feature she had been co-starred with William Stowell in " The Overcoat " and in " Overalls," both Mutual Masterpictures, De Luxe Edition. She has also appeared in several short length features filmed at the AmericanMutual studios. THERE must be a reason for the phenomenal growth of the motion picture industry. Up to the present time most of us have viewed with amazement the tremendous public interest in pictures and have possibly concluded that the cheap admission price has been responsible for much of their popularity and that the possibilities of large returns have been the reason for the activity of the producer. To Hugo Munsterberg, however, not only the industry as a whole owes a debt of gratitude, but the thinking public that is interested in the photoplay. For in the book which he has just published the results of his psychological and aesthetic investigation of the motion picture, we have the first scientific statement of just what the motion picture is and just what it may accomplish. While some of the pages are a little heavy for other than the student, the conclusions are all in such plain and distinct form — usually in italics — that even a casual reader may grasp them. There are three distmct divisions of the. book. The historical development of moving pictures is a valuable bit of literature in recording at this time the early stage of scription in 1825 of an interesting optical illusion of movement. This is followed by a chapter on the inner development of pictures — depth and movement, attention, memory and imagination, and emotion. These lead to the conclusion that the outside world is molded by the interest of the mind, that the great difference between the motion picture and the stage drama is that on the stage we see and follow things as they are actually done, while the motion picture develops such a wealth of ideas in us that it really becomes a part of us. While on the stage we only see outwardly, in the motion picture we see inwardly. Professor Munsterberg is quite emphatic in his declaration that the motion picture is not and ought never to be an imitation of the stage. " The drama and the photoplay are two co-ordinated arts, each perfectly valuable in itself." Part three of the book is devoted to the proving of this premise and it is quite conclusively done. " The Photoplay " is published by D. Appleton & Co., New York City, and the prije is $1.00 net. Haydon's Cameramen Get Militia in Action for an Essanay Director of " Sting of Victory," Featuring Henry Walthall, Goes to Camp Logan, III., with 5 Assistants and 8 Men with Cameras to Film Troops for the Picture Victory," Essanay's new five-reel feature with Henry B. Walthall, the members of THE clash of saber and bayonet, the sound and smoke of fifty thousand cartridges, the gallop of horses and the shouts of fifteen hundred men, filled the air at Camp Logan, 111., as a meager Sunday sun was finally and thoroughly obscuring itself for the day. From his perch Director J. Charles Haydon waved a flag and eight tired cameramen gave their cranks a final spin. The soldiers dropped to the ground a moment for rest. Then the first stillness of the day was broken by the clear notes of a bugle a mile away at headquarters sounding " boots and saddles," a prearranged signal. As one the regiment leaped up for a mighty cheer and all, horse and foot, charged toward the camp proper. All day while working for "The Sting of Good Things in Paste-Pot and Shears Go Direct to Public As Editors of Publications for General Circulation Found Items in Selig House Organ Fine Pickings, Company Decides to Bring Best Out on News-stands REEL .STL^FF is the name of a unique publication which has just made its appearance on the news-stands. It contains many of the picture paragraphs and verses that have appeared in Selig Paste-Pot and Shears during the past year, and which have been widely copied in magazines, newspapers and other publications. The introduction reads as follows : " We present in the following pages, some real and near stuff culled from the pages of Selig Paste-pot and Shears. They must add to the-joy-of-living, for editors of photoplay lore seem partial to them. If there is an exhibitor of motion pictures, or an editor, who has not yet given Paste-pot and Shears the once over, we'll be de lighted to hustle sample copies. Paste-pot and Shears is free every week to newspapers and exhibitors. To others, the subscription price is fifty cents yearly. Pastepot and Shears brightens the home, including the furniture, and dispels gloom. Address right this minute. Editor, Selig Paste-pot and Shears, Selig Polyscope Company, 58 East Washington street, Chicago, 111." Reel Stuff sells for ten cents a copy and will appear on the news-stands every month. E.xhibitors will be furnished with a sample copy free of charge by writing the Selig Company. Special prices can be obtained for quantities and there is a space for the name of t!i? theatre. the First Regiment, Illinois crack guardsmen, had been awaiting the president's order to mobilize for Mexican duty. Director Haydon with five assistant directors and eight cameramen was sweating blood to finish all spectacular battle scenes before the soldiers would be ordered away, and nullify all efforts. Oddly enough, the call to go to the front reached the boys two minutes after the final scene had been taken. Although battle scenes are secondarv in the new Walthall picture, some wonderful effects were produced. This was largely due, it is believed, to the enthusiasm of the guardsmen, as they were momentarily expecting the call to Mexico. Vicious hand to hand conflicts in which Mr. Walthall participated, were accomplished with beautiful results and without a serious accident. The Chicago newspapers took advantage of the opportunity to get their home soldiers in action on the very eve of their departure for the front and the motion picture cameras were not the only ones trained on the spectacle. " The Sting of Victory," with Mr. Walthall, was originally announced as " The Little ]\Iusketeer," but several suggestions of Mr. Walthall have acted for the betterment of the story and made the new title distinctly appropriate. Camp Logan, the headquarters and rifle and artillery range of the Illinois National Guard formed an ideal location for the Ijattle scenes. Other beautiful exterior locations have been found in the magnificent residence section of Lake Forest and many scenes will be taken in this millionaire suliur!). ' •