Motion Picture News (Aug-Oct 1920)

2972 Motion Picture News Kipling Will Adapt Personally Works for Pathe Release Paul Brunet Effects Important Arrangement with Famous British Author AS a result of negotiations conducted between Paul Bru-net, president of Pathe Exchange, and Rudyard Kipling, the celebrated British author, the latter, according to a statement just received from the Pathe headquarters in New York, has agreed to the picturization of certain of his novels and has moreover signified his willingness to adapt personally some of his well-known literary publications for showing on the screen. These screen adaptations will be released by Pathe. The screen author, continuity writer and technical expert commissioned to advise with Kipling in the preparation of the scenarios is Randolph Lewis, well known as a pioneer of picture-writing in this country, and whose services as scenario editor have gained especial value from his intimate knowledge of all the details, mechanical and otherwise, which enter into picture productions. The statement issued by Pathe Exchange follows : " Probably no news could be more welcome to the multitudes of motion-picture patrons all over the world than the authoritative announcement that Rudyard Kipling, at last, has been won over to screen authorship. This achievement of the seemingly impossible is to the personal credit of Mr. Paul Brunet. Under the arrangement effected by Mr. Brunet, Kipling does not merely consent to the picturization of certain of his novels and poems; he becomes in effect, the scenario writer, personally adapting celebrated examples of his published works for picture presentation bv Pathe. " Mr. Brunet admits that this projected winning of the greatest of modern English novelists to the field of picture writing was one of the most important objects of the three months' visit to Europe, from which he has recently returned. In the course of several conferences, Kipling's characteristic and wellknown objections were overcome, details agreed upon and the arrangement consummated. In making this, his first public announcement on the subject, Mr. Brunei says : " It is not necessary for me to remark that Rudyard Kipling in literature is the voice of the century. For more than a quarter of a century he has been read everywhere, in all languages. He knows no fear and makes no apology. More effectively than any other in modern Ltters has done,, he combines the powers of the inspired prophet and the born story-teller. Governments are influenced by the clarity of his insight and the force of his warnings, while the people, delighted with the entertainment he gives them, are guided — unconsciously, perhaps, — by the valuable constructive . truths which underlie all that flows from his pen. He never is obscure; all can understand him. And it is this combination of qualities which is so rarely found in an individual of the writing craft, that have given him so lofty a place in the literature of the world. " But there is another reason why, more than any other living author, Rudyard Kipling is needed as a writer for the picture screen. In his capacity, both as a poet anda story-teller, Kipling powerfully visualizes, and he 'contributes that power to his readers. In their mind's eye they see his character in action. Thus even the humblest of his creations is naturally and easily translated into terms of a motion picture. This scarcely could have been more evident had he adopted the picture medium in the first instance. But he chose the printed word, and, to that he has adhered wiih even more than the customary fidelity of a master of his art, until finally convinced that both his art and his public would benefit from an excursion into the world of pictui <_s. " Many and various attempts have been made to bring Kipling to this state of mind. They were unsuccessful formerly because the cinema had not received general recognition as a literary art medium ; and, latterly, owing to lack of faith in the knowledge, judgment and good taste of the picture producers to whom he would have to intrust his work. Kipling was not so stubborn as to cling unduly to the former objection, and what the name of Pathe stands for, and has stood for since the beginning of motion pictures, has finally removed the latter objection. " Up to the present time the works of Rudyard Kipling are represented in motion pictures by . two examples only. These were Pathe productions, by special arrangement with the author, of the novel, ' The Light That Failed ' and the poem ' Naulahka.' Kipling took no personal part in their picturization. But the adaptations were faithfully made, and public reception of the result more than equalled anticipation. In the three years that have elapsed since the making of these productions, many improvements, tcth mechanical and in the technique of picturization, have been made. A definite technique applied to writing for the screen now is established, and many distinguished novelists have become masters of it. " Although Kipling is not ignorant of the art of original composition for picture production, he welcomes expert suggestions. He is especially interested in the vastly enlarged resources of the motion picture camera during recent years, and the screen's ability to avail itself of the enormous art advantages of control of all degrees of light and natural atmospheric effects. In his original writing, and adapting from his published works, for motion pictures he will have the assistance of a technical expert, who is considered one of the most capable continuity writers in this country. " Kipling is under contract to write several picture features. His technical assistant sails this week to join him in England. The first Kipling script is expected to arrive in November. These productions will be supervised by Robert Brunton, who is a lifelong admirer of Kipling and an authority on his writings. " Mr. Brunet is frank in his enthusiasm over results to be anticipated from bringing Rudyard Kipling into the motion picture field. He was not ready to name the popular published works which would figure in the pictures to be written bv the famous English p iet-novel1st, but he felt assured that the selection would meet the approval of the mass of picture theatre patrons, as well as of those who considered Kipling pre-eminent in the world of literature." Roger Lytton Recovers from Accident It is not generally known that the motion picture industry narrowly escaped losing another well known actor, and one of sterling ability and character, Roger Lytton. Only Mr. Lytton's intimate friends are aware that he has returned from abroad, because upon the day of his arrival he was the victim of a dangerous accident, being run down by a motor truck and hurled against a lamp-post, injuring him severely in several ways, and rendering him unable to walk, the ligaments of his ankle being torn and a most painful strain, in addition to other serious lacerations. "Jesse James" Picture Making Progress Director Franklin B. Coates, is reported to be busily engaged in making " Jesse James Under the Black Flag," for Mesco Pictures Corp., of Kansas City. All locations and principal characters have been secured and the picture is entirely cast. Indian Picture Given Preview on Coast " The Daughter of Dawn," written and directed by Norbert Myles, in which only native Indians appeared, was given a preview at the College Theatre in Los Angeles thii week. The picture was made in Oklahoma by the Texas Film Company.