The Motion Picture Studio (1921)

October 8. 1921 THE MOTION PICTURE STUDIO * toAat :£/iqA{<uSui 'clcroru? George .Bishop is playing for British Photoplays in “ Where the Rainbow Ends.” Lilian Hall Davies is playing an impor¬ tant part for Thompson in “The Wonderful Story ” (Sid Jay booking). Harold Deacon plays St. George in the British Photoplays production “Where the Rainbow Ends.” — KNOW? — How many stage stars refused an engagement, through Syd. Jay, at £ 200 a week ? and — * * * If the title of the film frightened them ? * * * Whether Kenelm Foss will offer more in future ? or — • * * * Will he engage screen actresses who have not yet reached the stellar regions ? * * * Whether Olaf Hylten is the cosmo¬ politan his name suggests him to be ? and — * * * If his next screen appearance, as his first, will be with Florence Turner ? * * * How Clive Brook enjoyed himself at Billy’s Club the other evening ? * * * What the coffee-stall keeper at Hyde Park Corner thought of the party of film stars, including Stewart Rome and Pauline Peters, as customers ? Walter Gay is in “Where the Rainbow Ends.” Ernest Wallace is playing in B. Haldane’s production. Nelson Watts Philips is working at Barker’s Studios. L. G. Egrot is turning for Albert Brovett on “Who is the Boss?” Florence Nelson is now playing in the new Welsh Pearson production. Zena Dane has finished playing lead in 'No. 5 John Street ” for Thompson. Albert Brovett is directing the production of “Who is the Boss? ” at the Hackney Studios. Ruth 'Maitland has a |lead.ing part in “Where the Rainbow Ends ” (British Photo¬ plays). Olaf Ilytten has been booked by Sid Jay to play heavy in “The Wonderful Story ” for Thompson. Muriel Pointer is playing Betty Blunders in “Where the Rainbow Ends” /(British Photoplays). Kenelm Foss went to France last week to get “local colour ” for his next Thompson production, “The House of Peril.” Fred Glover is playing a leading part as Joseph Flint in “Where the Rainbow Ends” for British Photoplays. CAMERAMEN should read the details of the Kinema Club, on Page 8, and send for invitations to the meeting, on Sunday, October 16, at 2.45 p.m., in the Court Picture Theatre. IN THE LABORATORY LAUSTE exists, then the chief of laboratory must point out these facts to thp cameraman, who, I feel sure, in conjunction with the able assistance of the director, will smooth the dark-room work to conform with the quality expected from them, yet keeping the direc¬ tor’s ideal aim in view. This can easily be adjusted between cameraman and chief of laboratory, as being both interested in the art— they both depend upon the screen for their handicraft. Here is a concrete case where union of method and opinion will certainly tend to improvements in quality. All that remains is for each to work using , the same formula— in exposure and development — and one will soon observe the vast improvement gained. Now, it is up to the chief of laboratory to carry out an equally conclusive test' with each scene — in making the positive — by run¬ ning off a printing ‘test. This method, settles for once and always the best printing light and best developing factor or time, a careful record being kept on cards specially printed for the purpose, and kept religiously with the negative to which they belong. Naturally, the effect desired i$ solely, con¬ trolled by the subject in hand. Some scenes may require a strong exposure and short development, while others may require a weak light and long development to make it more plucky, while probably the whole five or six reels may go through on the same l:ght or very nearly so. Now, assuming the above has been carried out to the satisfaction of all concerned, think of the vast improvement that can be obtained by firms having several directors working. By installing unit dark¬ rooms, fully equipped and staffed for each director, where all his negatives could be developed, printed and toned, or tinted, as he desires, on the lines above suggested, all the dark-rooms being under the control of chief .of laboratory, each cameraman and director could work in an atmosphere of indepen¬ dence, knowing full well that the staff is not worried about having to turn out thousands of feet of release stuff while the master copy of a new production is being done in between, without regard to the director’s ideals. The dark-rooms should preferably be situated near the studio, so that as soon as a scene is finished, or several, they can be sent for development, and quality ascertained before the set is struck or artistes discharged. The slight extra cost of this system would be small compared with the results which would be obtainable. DIRECTORS should read the details of the Kinema Club, on Page 8, and send for invitations to the meeting, on Sunday, October 16, at 2.45 p.m., in the Court Picture Theatre. Ellen Terry is to play Buda in “The Bohemian Girl ” for Alliance. Julie Kean is playing in “All Roads Lead to Calvary ” for Thompson. Jimmy Brough is playing for Broadway productions in “Football Daft.” C. Aubrey Smith is to play Devilshoof in “The Bohemian Girl” (Alliance). Muriel Gregory plays an important role in “Sweet Genevieve” for Masters. Phyllis Shannaw is playing lead for Arthu; Rooke in his Davidson production. B. Cave Chinn plays in “Where the Rain bow Ends ” for British Photoplays. Ivor Novello’s part in “The Bohemian Girl” is to be that of Thaddeus, the hero. D. R. OverallHatswell has been playing lead in “ Sweet Genevieve,” a one-reeler for Master. Vesta Sylva plays Will -o’ -the -Wisp in “Where the Rainbow Ends ” (British Photo¬ plays). Kathleen Vaughan, is playing an im¬ portant part in “Pickwick Papers” for Ideal. Lorna Rathbone is at Iloe Street, playing for Thompson in “All Roads Lead to Calvary.” Audrey Stafford plays Matilda Flint in the British Photoplays production “Where the Rainbow Ends.” Victor McLaglan has returned to the studio again after a week’s holiday. He is to play for Davidson. Gladys Cooper has been engaged by Harley Knoles to play Arline, the heroine, in “The Bohemian Girl” (Alliance). Constance Collier returns to the screen in “The Bohemian Girl” (Alliance), in which she will play the Queen of the Gypsies. Gertrude McCoy has been playing for South African Productions in Johannesburg, but expects soon to be returning to this country. Bert Wynne is back from the Isle ot Wight, where )he) has (been securing d/xteriors for “Jessica’s First Prayer ” (Seal), and is now working on interiors at Kew. Frank Canharn has been ordered a com¬ plete rest by his doctor and he is under a specialist for his nerves. 1 his explains why he is not working on the present Thompson productions. TYPING— ’Phone Regent 4747 “SPEEDAC” STENOGRAPHIC BUREAU 41, Glasshouse Street, W. 1. Usual terms. Typing all classes : Authors’ MS., Film Scenarios a speci¬ ality under expert supervision. Write, ’phone or call for quotation. Proprietor — P. F. Buckle — Dictation Roorn.