The Motion Picture Studio (1921)

June ii, 1921] BRITAIN'S FILM OPPORTUNITIES The greatest opportunities in the film world to-day are not in America, but here in England. The moment is at hand when British pro¬ ducers may come into their own and establish themselves permanently among the great picture -makers. Opportunity is knocking vigorously at the door. To those who hear and understand a golden future is certain. There can be no mistake about this. The situation is crystal-clear. Here is the precious secret : First and foremost, there is no real con¬ spiracy against foreign-made pictures in the rich American market. If pictures do not break into that market, it is solely because the)? are unworthy. Despite anti-German feel¬ ing, "‘Passion.” a German-made product, is achieving a terrific financial success. You can talk all you want about post-war hatreds, but money inevitably dominates, and picture magnates will go out every time after pictures that will get the money. So German, or British, or French pictures will always find an international market if they are the “ goods ” ; just as Viennese operas are now on the London stage, solely through superior qualities. “It is always a bad year for a bad show ” ; unquestionably America is a bad field for bad pictures. America, craving irelief from Los Angeles BRITISH Alrofilms, Ltd., The London Aerodrome, Hendon. London, N.W.9. Phone : Kingsbury 120. Telegraphic address : Arfilodro, Hyde, London. African Films Productions, Ltd., Killarney, Johannesburg, South Africa. Alliance Film Co., St. Margaret’s-onThames. Phone : Richmond 1945. Barker Motion Photography, Ltd., Eal¬ ing Green, London, W.5. Phone : Ealing 211 and 1582. Telegraphic address : Barmopho, Ealux. B. P. Films, Ltd., Cranmer Court, High Street, Clapham, London, W.4. Phone : S treat ha m 2652. British and Colonial Ivinematograph Co., Ltd., Hoe Street, Walthamstow, E1.7. Phone : Walthamstow 364 and 712. British Art Films Co., Ltd., Princess Stu¬ dio, Kew Bridge, Brentford. Phone : Chiswick 574. British Famous Films, Ltd., “ Wood¬ lands,’’ High Road, Whetstone, N.20. Phone : Finchley 1297. British Picture's, Ltd., Tuileries Street, Hackney Road, London, E.2. Phone : Dalston 3454. British Mastercraft Films, Ltd., Princess Studio, Kew Bridge, Brentford. Phone : Chiswick 574. Broadwest Films, Ltd., Wood Street, Wal¬ thamstow. E.17. Phone : Walthamstow 399. Telegraphic address : Broadwest Films, Walthamstow. Cairns Film Co.. Watcombe Hall, Torquay. Phone : Torquay 886. Telegraphic ad¬ dress : Cairnsfilm, Torquay. Central Film Producing Co., Eel Pie Island, Twickenham. streets, cacti and mesquite, wants foreign subjects and a fresh atmosphere. But Ameri¬ can audiences will not tolerate pictures technically inferior to their own. The mar¬ vellous estates and old-world gardens here ; Scotch and Irish village life ; the sea coasts and fishing villages ; the Thames and its beauty ; Cornwall, Devon, the palaces and castles : and Paris, the Riviera, Holland and Belgium at England’s front door. What scenic splendour ! An American director would revel in such beauty. And the tragedy is that all goes to waste because scenario and production are found wanting. My pleasant sojourn here has created such friendly Ponds with your picture-makers that 1 sincerely hope your opportunities will not pass by unheeded. If I were permitted to give a word of advice in the most friendly spirit, I would urge the studios here to bring their work up to such technical perfection within the next seven months ithait when 1922 is ushered in, and a survey of the world’s markets is made, Britain’s answer can be : “ Ready 1 ” That answer will mean a fortune to those who oan speak the word. “ Ready ” means two things : First, the scenario, the basis of the whole thing, must be perfected. Stories must be simple, powerful, skilfully and dramatically Davidson, I. B., 588. Lea Bridge Road, Leyton, E.10. Phone : Walthamstow 634. Eros Film Productions, Pavilion Studios, Portsmouth Road, Esher, Surrey. STUDIO MANAGERS are requested to co¬ operate in keeping this Directory upto-date and complete, by forwarding details of any changes of address, telephone number and so on to the Motion Picture Studio, 85, Long Acre, W.C.2 Famous Pictures, Ltd., Woodlands, Whet¬ stone, London. Phone : Finchley 1297. Famous Players Lasky British Producers, Ltd., Poole Street, New North Road, Islington, N.l. Phone : Dalston 3704. Gaiety' Productions, Wadden New Road, Croydon. _ _ _ _ ■ — THE MOTION PICTURE STUDIO DENISON CLIFT handled ; and must, as .entertainment, be worth while and embrace some criticism of life. Secondly, the production must be technically up to the highest standard. Money must be spent to make sets, lighting and photography adequate. This does not infer extravagance nor excessive expenditure. Money alone never did make a successful picture — and never will. Some of the most successful pictures have been the simplest stories, simply told, and economically produced. The answer to this is : Intensive study of the most modern methods of the world’s masters of the kinema. Don’t go through the milling process. Start in where the oither fellow leaves off. Use your competitors’ supreme efforts as your starting point. Gaumont Co., 59, Lime Grove, Shepherd's Bush, London, W.12. Phone : Ham mersmith 2090-1-2. Telegraphic ad¬ dress : Prolougue, Phone, London. Harma Clarendon Co., 16, Limes Road, Croydon. Phone : Croydon 921 and 2084. Telegraphic address : Cinemat Hepworth Picture Plays, Ltd., Hurst Grove, Walton-on-Thames. Phone : Walton-on-Thames 16. Telegraphic ad¬ dress : Hepworth, Walton. Ideal Film Co., Ltd., Boreham Wood, Elstree, Herts. Phone : Elstree 25. Telegraphic address : Idefilms, Borehamwood. Master Films, Weir House. Broom Road, Teddington. Phone : Kingston 1617. MiiJland Actors Film Co., 76. Broad Street, Birmingham. New Agency' Film Co., 115a, Ebury Street, London, S.W.l. Phone : Victoria 6856. Progress Film Co., The Beach, Shorehamby-Sea, Sussex. Phone : Shor-eham 19? "■ Samuelson Film Co., Worton Hall, Isleworth, Middlesex. Phone : Hounslow 212. Stoll Picture Productions, Ltd., Temple Road, Cricklewood, N.W.2. Phone : Willesden 3293. Telegraphic address : Stollpic, Crickle, London. Success Films, Ltd., Strand Street, Liver¬ pool. Phone: Central -1903. lelegraphic address : Success Films, Liver¬ pool. Torquay and Paignton Photoplays, Ltd., Public Hall, Paignton, S. Devon. Welsh,' "Pearson and Co., 41-45, Craven Park, Harlesden, N.W.10. Phone : Willesden 2862. STUDIO DIRECTORY O