Moving Picture World (Dec 1920)

December 25, 1920 MOVING PICTURE WORLD 1075 Bartholomae Pays Tribute to Ziegfeld for Using Stage Players in Pictures Philip bartholomae, playwright, pays a tribute to W. K. Ziegfeld, the producer, acclaiming him as probably “the first one to consistently use nothing but talent recruited from the dramatic stage in his picture work. He says : “Before very long Apollo will have to add a tenth muse, the muse of motion pictures, for this popular amusement has developed into an art, the power and possibilities of which, as an amusement and educational factor and even from the standpoint of art and beauty, are unlimited. At first simply pictures were made. Then came the commercializing of personalities, that is, motion picture stars. This was followed by the exploiting of the director and of late the acquisition of the services of eminent writers of literature. “The rise of motion pictures came so suddenly, and so overwhelmingly was its magnitude, that for years it floundered around in chaos, but it is slowly but surely finding itself. The goal of perfection is as yet distant, but after creeping the infant is learning to walk. Can Borrow from Stage “The motioh picture comprises all arts but that of speech, thus appealing to human nature like a book, and yet it has one factor that books have not — it speaks in concrete pictures while books deal only in imaginative pictures brought forth in the human imagination. Consequently its borrowing talent from the speaking stage was only natural, for here is an art much further along in its development that can apply its knowledge beneficially. Striking re sults may not be noticeable at once, as the dramatic playwright, the stage director and the actors and actresses of the stage must accustom themselves to a new mode of expression. “To my knowledge, W. K. Ziegfeld is the first one to consistently use nothing but talent recruited from the dramatic stage in his picture work. Every one connected with his new venture has been successful on the stage in the same capacity they are being used in pictures. Even the supers in the large scenes were supplied by the Actors Equity, who sent only people who have had stage experience.” “The Gamesters” Scoring Big Success Everywhere American’s production of “The Gamesters,” a Margarita Fisher feature based upon Lois Zellner’s western story of dice and roulette, is attaining great success in all parts of the country. The producers declare every important exhibitor interest will be represented in the final list of bookings, according to the rate at which bookings of this character have been received to date. So far every effort to reach exhibitors of the highest class has been made and the sales force will now begin to reach out for volume business. It is too early to predict just how big a success “The Gamesters” will become, but at the present there is not a quota that has been established in any section that was not far surpassed. Critics and fans who have seen “The Gamesters” pronounce it the best Fisher photoplay of its type ever produced. A few of the contracts that call for early playing dates are the Regent, Kansas City; Loew’s Casino, Salt Lake City; Drury Lane, Detroit; U. S. A., Vancouver, Wash., and the Casino, Gary, Ind. PHILIP BARTHOLOMAE IV ell known playwright who agrees with IV. K. Ziegfeld when he recruits stage players for the screen A CHRISTMAS TEN SPOT Since it is more blessed to give than to receive, you will be twice blessed if you give yourself a subscription to Moving Picture World instead of buying it next year from News Stands. FOR YOU pay $3 for a year’s subscription, rather than $13 a year buying from News Stands. BY SUBSCRIBING FOR MOVING PICTURE WORLD you can pocket Ten Dollars, and be sure of every issue of your favorite Trade Journal. Make Your Christmas A Merry Christmas The Coupon is Ready to be Filled In and Sent Us. ! MOVING PICTURE WORLD, 1 516 FIFTH AVENUE, NEW YORK, N. Y. 1 To be “Ten In” I am sending you herewith my .$3 for WORLD, One Year. 1 Name i 1 Theatre i Address i City State i Connection with Industry