Motion Picture Story Magazine (Aug 1911-Jan 1912)

140 THE MOTION PICTURE STORY MAGAZINE A. N. D., Cincinnati. — Photoplays are sometimes held for weeks or months after making. Others are released as soon as made. That is how it happens that the same player may be apparently working for two companies. You are seeing the recent films of one and the old films of another company. F. V. K., Canton. — We cannot advise you as to the disposal of your scripts. Study the styles of the different managers, and send your scenarios first to those who would appear to be the most likely to use them. G. M. K., Houston. — We do not know "the most expensive moment in a Photoplay," but there are several with scenes costing more than a thousand dollars a minute. "Admirer," Hanover. — Miss Turner is still actively engaged with the Vitagraph. If you have not seen her in recent films, it is because you have had other of the four weekly Vitagraphs instead. H. C, Richmond. — We have no record of a trained pig in Photoplays. It might have been the reproduction of some vaudeville act, such as Pathe^occasionally makes, but we do not recall it. H. C. N., Boyerstown. — The Photoplay directors do not lose the best of their cowboys to the Wild West shows each summer. The studio pay is better than the show managements can afford. A, V. R., Terre Haute. — We know no State law that prohibits the employment of babies in Photoplays, but in some States the provisions of the factory law, framed for an entirely different purpose, operate to prevent the use of children in the studios. W. M., San Francisco.— In Kalem's "Big-Hearted Jim" the title part was played by George Melford. Carlyle Blackwell played "Tom." (2) Mr. Blackwell was at one time with the Vitagraph. (3) Frank Lanning is not an Indian. L. M. G., Portland. — We cannot undertake to answer your extensive series of questions. Fourteen questions is Liaiber taxing the space allowed this department. "Marie," Camden. — F. X. Busman is the new Essanay leading man. He has had rather more than "some" experienaglion the dramatic stage. We do not believe that the pictures you mention show. him^fet his best, in spite of his good work. He is not yet wholly used to the pictures. "Daisy," Taunton. — Miss Will^ains is not an animal trainer. She is cast for parts in which wild animals are used? because she is not afraid of them. (2) We do not classify films by merit. M. D. S. — Eugenie Bresserer, of the Selig company, was injured severely by being thrown from a horse, but she was not killed, and by the time this is in print should be entirely recovered. J. T., Pennington. — We do not know where you can see the film that reproduces the unfortunate drowning of Albert Brighton. The film was advertised as a special release, but we have no record of any person having the bad taste to exhibit the ghastly "novelty." The Belmar company has not released pictures regularly. R. E. M., Burlington. — We do not believe that you can obtain the hand camera for Motion Pictures, of which you have read. There is such a camera being made by an English concern with a gyroscope to steady the box, but we have not seen it advertised as ready for the market, and believe it to be still in the experimental stage. For a position as operator, apply by letter or in person to the various companies. O. M. E., Tucson. — The riding stock used in the making of cowboy and other Western Photoplays is range stock, not specially trained to the work. When the Melius company left Texas for California the stock was taken along, not only because the animals were a fine lot, but because they had grown used to camera work. The bang-tailed "cow pony" happened before the companies set up Western studios. If you are an exceptionally good rider, you might write the companies at Los Angeles. "Jack," Greeneville. — The "life" of a film is about thirty days as a feature, and six months or more as a "commercial." Film is eventually returned to the maker, in the case of the licensed product. The silver may be recovered by chemical process, and the film itself is moulded into various articles. In France, some of the film is turned into varnish for patent-leather shoes. L. T. E. — Yes, we think it is perfectly safe to patronize any of the concerns advertising in this magazine. As far as we can learn, they are all reliable. • T. P. O., Memphis. — From nine to eleven Photoplay reels are released daily, except Sunday, of which six are licensed product and the rest "independent." B. T. R., New York. — Send your scenario to some company you think it will suit. W. W. K., Dayton. — "The Spirit of the Gorge" was made by the section of the Edison company which was working in the historical series along Lake Champlain. Some of the pictures were made in Ausable Chasm, which accounts for the impressiveness of the natural settings. A. C. W., Philadelphia. — Miss Tayne played opposite to Miss Lawrence in the Lubin "Higginses vs. Judsons." We haven't any idea how you "could manage to meet Miss Lawrence." She works at the Philadelphia studio, except when she is in the field.