Movie Makers (Jun-Dec 1928)

to lighting. Behind every department of their activity lies a long period of careful experimentation. For example, Mr. Packard has shot some five thousand feet of film in lighting experiments, embracing the use of a single five hundred watt incandescent to the use of five arcs and banks of incandescents. This film, edited and shortened to a four hundred foot reel, will be available to League members and clubs producing amateur photoplays through the Club Film Library. The cast required for "Narrow Paths" was studied and the types secured much in the Hollywood manner. In the selection of the role of Myrtle, Mr. Packard found himself one day in front of a well known bookstore with a young woman who developed, on discreet inspection, to be the sought-for type. There followed all of the confusion, embarrassment, explaining and what not that the situation necessitated and Marion Harding, with screen test, leisure hours and ambition, evolved as Myrtle. Similarlv. L. A. Morrison was drafted THE PRODUCERS OF HARROW PATHS J. V. Martindale, Left, and Frank W. Packard, Right, with Marion Harding, a Featured Player JANET DALZELL AS "KANSAS' KITTY IN HARROW PATHS from his automobile store to become Commissioner Garvey and E. P. Meyers became a dope fiend after selling Mr. Martindale a suit — with no reflection on Mr. Martindale, of course, nor his eye for screen possibilities. The cast thus selected, according to the Russian theory that those chosen with an eye to the character that they can best portray and without previous dramatic experience are the best actors, included Kenneth Alexander, L. A. Morrison, E. P. Meyers, Harry Butland, Russel Giveans, P. C. H. Wentworth, Harry L. Lopez, Mae Brown, Marion Harding, Janet Dazell, Martha Vaughan, with Mr. Martindale and Mr. Packard, who also took small parts. The Marquard Pictures are planning another production in which they are going to make use of new cinematic effects, the result of recent experimentation in an attempt to develop amateur movie production to a plane commanding separate and distinct recognition as an art medium. They are seeking a great many different types who are willing to give leisure time to amateur photoplay production. Anyone in or about New York is eligible and requires only the ability to pass a screen test and the willingness to give time and effort in return for good fun and constructive dramatic development. No dues are charged those selected as the cast. Readers of Movie Makers interested can get in touch with the Marquard Pictures through the League's Club Department. Lighthouse Cinematics THE Cinematograph Committee of the Comedy Club of Stamford, Connecticutt, has initiated its activities with the production of "Slim Doolittle, the Lighthouse Keeper". Approximately a third of the picture that will run about eight hundred feet, 16mm. has been shot. Mortimer L. Doolittle plays the role of the horny fisted keeper of the light who jealously guards his ward, Alice, played by Alice Bredin. The regularity of their life is broken by the appearance of Alexander Harvey, cast as Dan Hardly, who after an aquatic courtship elopes with Alice in a stolen yacht. The island on which they seek refuge from the irate lighthouse keeper proves to be a rum-runner's base and subsequent action becomes fast and furious. John A. Ten Eyck, 3rd, is chairman of the Cinematograph Committee and is directing the production. The other members of the committee are: Robert C. Montgomery, cameraman; Francis Guerrlich and Walter B. Johnson, assistant cameraman; Mrs. A. Herrick Bredin, film editor; John W. Clark, continuity and Clarence W. White, business manager. They Show It With Film /COMBINING recreation, school ^— ' spirit and propaganda with a very intelligent understanding of the psychology of all three, the Roosevelt High School of Seattle, Washington, has scored another accomplishment in its cinematic development. The school health committee, after searching for an already produced film to indicate the dangers of vacation carelessness and finding none suitable to high school students, decided that the school should reel its own propaganda. Arthur Rarig, League member, and one of Roosevelt's faculty, undertook the production of such a film, associating with him, Miss Sylvia Adams, Miss Helen Denecke, Miss Elvena Miller and Sheridan Berthiume of the high school faculty and developing the cast from the student body. The film, happily titled "What Price Folly?" sets forth the dangers of carelessness in vacation, such as overeating, over-sunburn, drink(Continued on page 617) 579