Motography (Jan-Jun 1918)

June 22, 1918 MOTOGRAPHY No Dialect Used in Ebony Comedies President Pollard Explains It Would Be Too Difficult to Grasp at Quick Reading SINCE the Ebony comedies, with all colored casts, have been played generally over the country, comment has been heard upon the sub-titles and inserts of a very favorable nature. The fact is being commended that the inserts are not in negro dialect. This attitude toward the elimination of dialect bears out the judgment of President L. J. Pollard, who decided at the outset not to attempt forcing the comedy by recourse to dialect. To an official of General Film Company, Mr. Pollard said at the first review of these comedies, when asked how he had managed to sidestep the pitfall of dialect: "We had very good reasons for eliminating dialect. First, all dialect is hard to read and understand on the screen where there is such limited time allowed. The simpler the wording of a sub-title or insert, the better. "Second, dialect is not necessarily representative of the speech of the race, and has really no standard, since the cleverest of writers disagree as to its predominating peculiarities. "Thirdly, the humor of the negro is mainly in his mannerisms and his actions, and he makes these inimitably humorous when he tries. "This is demonstrated in the Ebony comedies, because nine-tenths of the spectators, after seeing one run off, are not able to say whether dialect was used or not. Those who have heard colored people talk are led by the screen action to translate the words, not into dialect, but into the habitual tone and inflection of the negro, which is really inimitable in cold type and which is entirely apart from occasional mistakes in pronunciation and grammar." Cincinnati Exhibitors Vexed Exhibitors in Cincinnati are somewhat indignant about an ordinance which was introduced in the city council compelling theatre owners to admit soldiers in uniform free of charge. They do not object to the proposed plan, but they object to the manner in which it is being handled, since none of the exhibitors were even consulted about it. In all probability, however, the ordinance will fail to carry. It has been referred to a committee for consideration, and will not be voted on for several weeks. Outdoor Play for Williams Earle Williams has begun work on the story "The Man from Brodneys." Jack Conway is directing this production and Miss Grace Darmond plays opposite Mr. Williams. There will be very few interior sets in the making of this feature, nearly all action transpiring out of doors. A great many scenes will be filmed in Montecato, near Santa Barbara. 1179 Rowland Suggested as Leader of the Industry Two weeks ago Motography in an editorial called for a leader to guide the industry to a safe and happy future. The editorial asked: "Who Is the Man?" To this Mayer Silverman, manager of the Liberty Film Renting Company, Pittsburgh, writes: "I noticed your editorial: 'Where Is the Man?' and say it is best that he be neither manufacturer, distributor or exhibitor. It would take a very brilliant man quite some time to familiarize himself with the necessary essential knowledge to carry out the program. How about Richard A. Rowland, president of Metro Pictures Corporation?" An anonymous correspondent suggests "Bill Fox." This correspondent also protests that Motography is wrong in opposing Frederick H. Elliott, executive secretary of the National Association of the Motion Picture Industry, as it did editorially. The editorial about Elliott said: "As we understand that Mr. Ochs is not a candidate for re-election (to the presidency of the M. P. E. L. of A.), we are moved to ask another question — of what real practical use is Elliott to the industry now or in the future?" "He is O. K.; you're wrong," the anonymous correspondent wrote. The letter bore the postmark of New York. Constance Talmadgc and Norman Kerry, her leading man. in the new Select picture for June release, ''Good Night Paul." Paramount Managers Meet A highly successful convention of the mid-west Paramount district managers, exchange managers and assistants was held Saturday, Sunday and Monday, June 8, 9 and 10, at the Hotel Sherman in Chicago. J. W. Allen, Famous Players-Lasky special representative to the exchanges, conducted the meeting, aided by the heads of the three districts included, Max Goldstine, who has charge of the Milwaukee, Minneapolis and Chicago branches; A. D. Flintom of the Kansas City, Omaha and Des Moines exchanges, and James Steel of the Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, Cleveland and Detroit exchanges. The exchange managers, their assistants and salesmen were present. Saturday, the opening day, was1 given over to a discussion of plans for the coming year and the complete details of release. A larger number of releases than ever before are offered, three features a week in the selective star series being planned. All of the big stars of the past year will be represented, including Mary Pickford, Marguerite Clark, W. S. Hart and Douglas Fairbanks, together with the new Fred Stone pictures. Other features also are planned.