Motion Picture News (Nov-Dec 1921)

2408 Motion Picture X ew s Chaplin Inclined to More Serious Roles Alternating, 50-50, Between Comedy and Drama His Ideal, He Tells Diners \ CHARLES CHAPLIN, on the occasion of a dinner tendered him by the Associated First National Pictures at the Hotel Biltmore, New York, October 21st, gave voice to some very interesting opinions. Among other things he declared that he had a leaning towards more serious drama in the future and stated that his ideal lay in an alternation of both comedy and drama, say in the ratio proportion of fifty-fifty. He declared he might, for the nonce lay aside his famous shoes but onlv to return to them in a following production. Mr. Chaplin expressed it to be his hope to continue business through First National after his present contract with that organization expires" and furthermore expressed the wish that the theatres affiliated with the First National system would continue to do business with him. Regarding the use and abuse of subtitles, Mr. Chaplin stated that in his opinion the question of more or fewer subtitles was unimportant in that while one picture might be excellent through the absence of interlarded words, another might lie equally excellent with them. It was all a matter of the particular picture, he thought. Asked, in connection with his recent visit to Europe, his opinion as to the relative merits of American and European productions, Mr. Chaplin believed that there was much to learn mutually on both sides of the Atlantic. " American stars and producers," he said, " must look to their laurels. The Germans take their work very seriously. They think something important can be made out of the films, though they are not doing it for propaganda purposes. The Swedish are also doing some capable picture producing. " In Europe they recognize that we are ahead of them in photography and other technical details of film production, but they believe that they excel us in story value. They consider that the American psychology is too obvious, and that audiences here have to have made-to-order stories that are sweetly sentimental without touching on real life. "' They say we have too many bedroom farces and they're tired of our sex plays. I agree with them. What we want is more of the subtlety which they say we ought to have. Original stories written especially for the screen will. I think, be the salvation of the American producer." Mr. Chaplin paid a high compliment to the artistry and personality of Pola Negri whom it had fallen to the lot of First National to introduce to the American screen public and whom he had met abroad. Yet while he had had the pleasure of meeting that star and other screen luminaries over there, Mr. Chaplin pointed out he had but little time to visit theatres. Mr. Chaplin stated that he still preferred to write his own stories rather than to make over plots " translated " from books and expressed his intention of continuing in that preference. The speaker delighted his audience with the ready wit and sparkling repartee with which he met a barrage of questions laid down upon him by the newspaper representatives present and a spirit of humor and good fellowship pervaded the gathering in consequence. • In addition to Mr. Williams other speakers who paid tribute to Mr. Chaplin as an artist and as a man included, H. O. Schwalbe, Arthur James, P. C. Skours, Dr. Gianninni, Frank Vreeland. J. Dannenberg, James Dean and Nathan Burkhan. Others present were : Wm. A. Johnston, Motion Picture News ; Messrs Boynton and Sohn, Exhibitors Trade Review ; John Spargo, Exhibitors Herald ; Loella Parsons, Morning Telegraph ; Carlyle Robinson and James Grainger of Mr. Chaplin's executive staff, W. Morgan, W. E. Mulligan and Horace Judge of First National and members of the newspaper press. Mr. Chaplin left New York for the Coast, Sunday October 23 planning a stop off in Chicago where Associated First National was in " Get-Together " Convention and would, it was stated, if possible attend the opening of the Balaban and Katz, First National franchise holders' New Chicago Theatre. Indiana Exhibitors Hold Annual Convention Election of officers and plans to hold the organization intact so as to be in readiness for any great piece of work which comes before the exhibitors of the state was the chief business discussed at the annual convention of the Motion Picture Theatre Owners of Indiana, set for Oct. 26 at the Hotel Severin in Indianapolis. The association was active in fund raising and anticensorship campaigns this year. Would Require Permit for All Song or Dance Acts An ordinance prohibiting any song, dance, act or other like performance in motion picture theatres in Kansas City without obtaining a permit from the board of public welfare was introduced in the lower house of the council last week by Alderman John P. O'Neill. The measure was referred to the conference committee. The purposes of the ordinance, as explained, is to prohibit " anything immoral, obscene or detrimental to the public good " from being given in 1 motion picture theatre in Kansas City. > Asks Exhibitors to Adopt Special Measures for Observance of Armistice Day A STATEMENT addressed to the motion picture theatre owners of America by President Sydney S. Cohen, of the M. P. T. O. of A., recommends the adoption of special measures in connection with the celebration of Armistice Day. The statement, which is entirely advisory in character, follows: " By appropriate proclamation, Hon. Warren G. Harding, President of the United States, has decreed that on Armistice Day, Friday, November 11, 1921, the people of the country follow certain lines of conduct which will enable all to cooperate in spirit with the ceremonies associated with the burial of an unknown American soldier in the Memorial Amphitheatre of the National Cemetery at Arlington, Virginia. " As theatre owners, having a direct and constant communication with the American public, I feel that we should do everything in our power to entirely cooperate with President Harding and other officials in making this observance of Armistice Day measure up in every way to their highest expectations. Such action on our part will be but another open evidence of our sincerity in our already established lines of co-operation with the President and other Government officials in carrying forward essential programs through our Department of Public Service now established at Washington. We have pledged the motion picture screens of the nation to President Harding in the furtherance of public work of every character. He has cheerfully accepted this tender of helpful co-operation and has commended our purpose and patriotic spirit in this relation to all Government officials and the people of the United States generally. " I, therefore, feel assured that in this connection our co-operation will be cheerfully given in carrying forward this very patriotic project in the observance of this great international holiday. " In accordance with this program, we request that you exhibit slides in your theatre for several days previous to Armistice Day, calling attention to the President's proclamation, the special ceremonial at Arlington Cemetery and the two minutes of silent prayer between 12 noon and 12:02 P. M... which he has made a part of the nationwide observance. " We especially urge that you display the national colors at half-mast on Armistice Day from sunrise to sunset and that patriotic music in the form of an overture feature your performance. " Army and navy officers and other public men and women will aid in this work. Your personal judgment will, of course lead you to the right line of action."