The Moving picture world (February 1920-March 1920)

2164 THE MOVING PICTURE WORLD March 27, 1920 Miniature Masterpieces Much in Demand, Says Mack Sennett, Relating His Plans MACK SENNETT'S first-of-the-year announcement that he proposed, during 1920, to produce several multiple reel photoplai's of the type and importance of "Down on the Farm" and "Mickey," coupled with recent arguments carried on amongst "the fans" as to the future of the two-reel comedy, gives timeliness to Mr. Sennett's recent utterances on the value of the short comedy or farce from an entertainment point of view. "It would be a grave error for exhibitors and producers to conclude, because there have been exceptional demands for effective five and seven-reel productions, that there is any diminution of demand for effective two-reel comedies," he said. "The fact is that the public's demand for the latter will always be keener than its demand for long productions, for the very excellent and obvious reason that a miniature masterpiece is scarcer than a triumph in large forms. Length Does Not Indicate Quality. "No critic would be fool enough to measure the value of a book by its length. Bulk and quality have nothing necessarily in common. A gem of a short story is just as difficult to create as a masterpiece in novel form. There will always be short film plays just as there will always be seven-reel productions. The only thing for the producer to decide is whether his plot will require two or five or seven reels for its proper, concise and effective unfoldment." That the public is in favor of the two-reel comedy needs no argumentative prophets to expound, says Mr. Sennett. Exhibitors know best that the "two-reeler" which they insert as "spice" is frequently the bulk of the fare provided, and that featuring the short comedy productions of Sennett has independently developed a house clientele that is faithful to the bill no matter what the longer production may be. Avoids "Padding" Meagre Plot. Mr. Sennett's devotion to the two-reel comedy on which his first fame was securely founded remains complete. He is, he says, more addicted to it than ever, which is evident, he points out, by his firstof-the-year promise to produce them in fewer and better numbers and quality. His devotion to the five-reel "super-production," of which "Down on the Farm" is declared to be typical, is itself, perhaps, an outgrowth of his two-comedy development. "I permit my story," says Mr. Sennett, "to determine the length of my production. At our studios we seek to avoid the common mistake of 'padding out' a meager plot in order to sustain five reels. If the story naturally goes to five reels we permit it. If it spins itself into a maze of complications and then out again in two reels, so much the better. On the stage 'the play's the thing,' not the star nor the cast. On the screen 'the story's the thing,' not the number of feet nor the number of principals nor the brilliance of the star. Know When to Stop. "Let your story tell itself concisely, naturally and with sufficient, not labored episodes. When you are finished, stop. The science of stopping in time is of enormous importance in making good pictures. The producer must know when — not too soon nor too late — he has come to a full stop. If he has found a good story and has told it properly it will determine its own length." Included in this year's output thus far the Sennett studios in Los Angeles have put forth "Down on the Farm," a five-reel super-production soon to be released ; "Gee Whiz," "The Gingham Girl," and two other two-reel comedies yet to be named, in one of which Charlie Murray will be starred, and a five-reel super-production of a quality to match "Mickey" and "Down on the Farm." Cissy Fitz-Gerald in New York. Cissy Fitz-Gerald, of the Cissy Fitz-Gerald Picture Corporation, has just arrived in New York from Los .'\ngeles on a flying visit, and is negotiating with Lawrence Sterner for the picture rights of his successful farcial comedy, "The Club Baby," which played for over a year in England. mmm Fox Buys Ridgewell Cullum Novel. Negotiations have been closed with those handling the literary works of Ridgewell Cullum, whereby William Fox secures the world's rights to that well-known author's western novel, entitled "The Twins of Suffering Creek." This is not the first of Mr. Cullum's works to be converted to motion pictures, but it is regarded as one of his best efforts and is certainly well adapted to the silent drama. William Russell, increasingly popular, has been selected as the star. Work has already been begun on the adaptation of the story at the Fox scenario department in New York. Arthur Zellner En Route to New York to Write New Script ARTHUR ZELLNER, of the Metro scenario staff, is en route from California to New York, where it is planned that he will write the continuity for the first of the special productions to be made at Metro's Sixty-first street studios under the personal supervision of Maxwell Karger. According to present arrangements, Mr. Zellner will write only one 'script in New York, and then return to the Pacific coast. What Mr. Xarger's first production will be has not yet been announced by Metro officials. "The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse" and "Polly with a Past" have been mentioned among the early possibilities. It has been definitely settled, however, that June Mathis (who is still at the western studios) is to picturize Blasco Ibanez's novel. She has completed the first draft of the scenario. Mr. Zellner may make the scenario for Ina Claire's starring vehicle, although this is not settled. Mrs. Tom Moore's Mother Die*. Racing to reach the bedside of her dying mother, Mrs. Tom Moore, wife of the head of the chain of theatres bearing his name, arrived at her mother's home in Washington, D. C, only a few minutes too late. News of the serious illness of Mrs. Alice Martin reached Mr. and Mrs. Moore while they were in New York. Every effort was made to return to Washington before she died, but, despite the best speed that could be made by trains and automobiles, they were twelve minutes too late. Mrs. Martin, who was 74 years old, resided at 1120 Euclid street northwest, and had been a resident of Washington for many years. Death was due to an attack of heart trouble. Rub-i-Dub-Dub, Rub-i-Dub-Dub! Oh, Beg Pardon! It's Just One Man— in a Fix. Said man being Billy Fletcher, who, with Vera Reynolds, is beautifully beached here in the Gayety comedy, "Dry and Thirsty." Loew Books "Dangerous Talent." That the patrons of first class theatres give a "velvet" reception to "Jim the Penman" type of drama is evident, and the Loew circuit of New York leads the chain theatres in booking this American superfeature, "The Dangerous Talent." Only in this film version the role of Jim is taken by an unsophisticated young girl, which adds greatly to the appeal of the story. Other big bookings are scattered all over the country, in first class houses. The Strand of Denver, the Hippodrome of Seattle, the Orpheum of Akron, Ohio. Rex Theatre of Dallas, the American of Salt Lake, the 20th Century of Chicago, the Amphion of Brooklyn and the Casino of Cester, Pa., are recent contracts for extended runs.