Motion Picture News (Sept-Oct 1921)

1198 Motion Picture News Music und The Theatre "Fall and Winter Music Questions THE main question I could propound is this: Are you ready for your big year — ready in a musical way ? Just what does this mean? Just what does this cover? Let me survey the situation with the manager or the musical director. First of all, in the case of the manager — Have you the right musical director? Do you believe implicitly in him? Do you feel that confidence which permits you to go about your other business with satisfaction ? (If you are not satisfied with your musical director, settle the question at once. Either permit the man to prove his worth, remove your prejudices, perhaps you're wrong, perhaps you're doing him, yourself and your public an injustice. But if you cannot be satisfied, well, get a man you believe to be good. The musical director is the starting point, the pivotal centre of your music. Whether it's a one-man orchestra or a huge organization and ensemble, it's exactly the same principle. In selecting a musical director get a real musician — a man who can play the best music — opera, good solos — a man who knows the finest things of the standards of all time. Don't just pick a jazz-ragtime-vaudeville man. For, while the musical director must be able to perform the popular hits and catch the jazz spirit at times, nevertheless, it is impossible to succeed with a man whose level of attainment is cheap stuff. Where zvill he be ivhen it comes to performing what is essential in your show where good art is demanded? Your musical director, then, must be a good musician who has no false dignity concerning what he must play. He must be quick to see the need for familiar music at the right occasion. He must be adaptable and he must have a sense of humor. Principally, he must be aware of the "alphabet of musical By Charles D. Isaacson meanings" — knowing how to pick his own music to a picture by its plain, unmistakable descriptive meanings.) If you have an orchestra, is it too ambitious in its number of members (size of personnel is a thing so many yearn for, to "put on airs," and in many that I have seen I have made up my mind that I could clip one-third of the men and be nearer to the number justified by other conditions. On the other hand, have you enough musicians? .\re you saving on musicians through losing good will among your customers? That is one of the biggest mistakes I ha\e observed in all this musical discussion. So many managers think it is just as good to have one lonely player, or three or six, when the addition of others to the ensemble would exert a vital change in the whole atmosphere of the show. Please do not imagine that I believe the one-man orchestra doesn't belong! Indeed, there are some houses where one good organist or pianist is better fitted than other places with their five-piece bands. The point is to know whether you're right in having a large or small group and whether \ou have all good, loyal, intelligent, artistic players, with your interests at heart. Question: Have you put your organ in good shape? Does it "speak"' promptly enough, or is it too slow in answering the keyboard ? Is there anything wrong in the acoustics of your house and can anything be done to improve that without too much expense ? Is your musical library sufficiently stocked? Have you the standard works covering all ideas, moods, stories? Are you fixed for the late popular hits? Is your library well indexed according to its descriptive, emotional mood aspects? Is it easy to get at? Are you acquainted with it so you can pick just the best part Application for Membership ASSOCIATION OF MOTION PICTURE-MUSICAL INTERESTS Accepted Temporary Headquarters Suite 402, 729 7th Avenue. New York City Address herewith desire to apply for membership in this association. Class Dues CLASSES A — Those of the motion picture industry seeking to broaden their appeal thru music. B — Those of the music industry and musical profession seeking to widen their scope thru the film. C — Those seeking to give the public a greater opportimity to hear good music. Dues are paid in advance. 12.00 for individuals $10.00 for corporations and companies. for every scene? Question: Are you paying the music tax? If not, have you made sure you're not going to fall into the trap of using some of this taxable music and so being heavily fined? Have you joined the Assd'ciation of Motion Picture Musical Interests and so added your name to this importaiTi 'force for better picture music and conditioni?^.. Have you looked into local union conditions and prevented in advance any mid-season upsets? (In case of trouble with arbitrary union chiefs, investigate what happened to the powerful New York City local — which was fired from the national federation because of its high-handed methods. The union cannot be unfair with you, and most of the executives in the musical federation do mean, I honestly believe, to do the right thing.) Are you looking into the new type of music cue sheets? Have you in\estigated the synchronized music 'idea? What have you done to line up cooperation among your local music teachers, schools, conservatories, etc. ? Have you planned any special music events for prestige? Are you going to use solos, duets, trios, etc.? Have you spoken with the better known agencies now booking and routing this sort of necessity? Have \ ou investigated the folks w^ho are winning popularity in this growing field of usefulness? Isn't there some valuable local talent waiting for the asking? Can you use some ballet numbers? What are you doing to satisfy the growing craving for opera selections, verv fine, popular classics? \\ hat are you planning in the way of special publicity for the newspaper music critics? Are you getting your share? What are you doing to take advantage of the call for music news in the picture houses. If I succeed through the questions indicated above in making my readers do some thinking which will put new life into the music of the comine season. I will be well pleased. Now — if you have any questions to fire at me, do not forget that that is what I am here for — to be of serv'ice to you in anv musical matter. EXHIBITORS' BOX OFFICE REPORTS Will Appear in the NEXT ISSUE