The Moving picture world (January 1924-February 1924)

The Pep of The Program News and reviews of ShopCT subjects and serials Effect of Depth Achieved in Film Educational Will Handle Pathe Has Elaborate Serial Plans The third dimension, the illusion of depth, a goal long striven for, has been successfully incorporated in motion pictures in a practical manner and will soon be available to exhibitors in a special which will be distributed by Educational Film Exchanges. This single reel picture, "Plastigrams," has proved a big hit at the Rivoli and Rialto Theatres in New York, where it was shown for the past two weeks. Not only highly amusing but startling effects have been achieved. Objects on the screen apparently come right out over the audience to spectators who instinctively try to dodge them, they seem to be so near, as, for instance, when an auto rushes toward you or water from a hose is pointed in your direction. These Plastigrams are made by the Ives Leventhal process, which uses a well-known principle of color photography. The picture is printed with red and blue images taken from different angles and when projected both the red and blue images appear on the screen out of register, but when viewed through special glasses the two images are combined and perspective and proportion are achieved in a startling manner. Fortunes have been expended to produce this effect, and it has been secured already, but involved great difficulties and expense. With this process, complicated apparatus is dispensed with and the only accessory necessary is a cheap pair of colored "glasses" made of cardboard with one blue and one red gelatine "lens" which is furnished to the spectators. This practical process is the invention of Frederic E. Ives, inventor of the half-tone photo-engraving process and other inventions dealing with stereoscopic photography and color printing, and Mr. Leventhal, who has been identified with motion pictures for many years. He was associated with the Bray studios and during the war originated a method of making animated mechanical drawings used extensively by the government in the instruction in operation of big guns, aircraft, etc. Later he was associated with Max Fleischer in making "Out of the Inkwell" cartoons. President E. W. Hammons, of Educational, believes this to be the biggest forward step in motion pictures, the possibilities of which cannot be foretold. It introduces new sensations, as the actors seem to approach so near you feel you can reach out and touch them, besides being extremely lifelike. Situations can be produced that are indescribably thrilling and realistic, and the spectator can be made to feel he is actually undergoing danger. Exhibitors Want Diversified Shows, Says Gibbons of Pathe Miles Gibbons, short subject sales manager of Pathe, who has returned from a tour of territory served by exchanges in Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, St. Louis, Kansas City, Omaha, Des Moines, Milwaukee and Chicago, reports that exhibitors are protesting against the detrimental effects of excessively long features and are finding that diversified programs are the mainstay of their business. Mr. Gibbons reports that the demand is especially great for programs made up of five or six reel features with two or three reels of high class short subjects, comedies, novelties and topicals, and he finds this situation is being met by the ever-increasing popularity of the Pathe releases. Business conditions in general are described by Mr. Gibbons as being prosperous. With reference to the agricultural situation he reports that he found that while farmers are complaining at the low price of wheat that this disadvantage is being compensated to some extent by the good price for the former crop and in others by the fact that farmers are making their crops more diversified. Being on the ground, Mr. Gibbons was in position to judge the effect of the reception of the special Wilson Memorial of Pathe News and he reports that it was enthusiastically received. In some instances, as for example the Stratford Theatre in Chicago, the manager on receiving the reel on Sunday was unaware of Mr. Wilson's death and called up the newspapers to verify it before running the special. Previews for Century Century announces the use of a system of theatre previews. Every Century comedy before being sent East is given an unheralded preview in a neighborhood theatre in Los Angeles. Laughs, suspense, gags, etc., are recorded with their audience reaction, and this data is used in giving the picture its final touches. Announces Personnel Julius Stern has selected the personnel of his recently inaugurated script building department. Pinto, the well-known cartoonist, is the head, and associated with him are Tom O'Neil and Max Alexander of the technical department, Sig Neufeld and Bert Sternbach of the production staff, together with Edward Luddy and Ray Herman. T. N. T. Hotel Astor, March 29 Following closely on the announcement of the start of "The Fortieth Door" comes the news that the young playwright, Philip Barry, whose "You and I," the prize Harvard play, was a success on Broadway last season, has written a story, "Ten Scars Make a Man," which will be adapted by Robert Dillon as a Pathe serial. Further indications of Pathe's eleborate serial plans is shown in negotiations now in progress with Albert Payson Terhune for use of his story of the Florida Everglades, "Black Caesar's Clan," as a serial. Century Schedule During February Universal will release four Century Comedies, each a two-reeler. The first will be "Keep Going" starring Jack Earle, the youthful giant and Harry McCoy. It was directed by Bob Kerr and concerns the love affairs of a traffic cop. Marjorie Marcel has the feminine lead. Henry Murdock, William Irving and Helen Stocking play the leading roles in "You're Next," directed by Al Herman. Dave Bader, the Century publicity representative is responsible for the story which concerns an ingenious barber who has a shop on a motorcycle. "Quit Kidding" stars Buddy Messinger, Al Herman also directed this comedy. Sadie Campbell, Joe Bonner and Fred Spencer are in the cast. The final offering is "Peg O' the Mounted" starring Baby Peggy, the last comedy she made before starred in features. Showmen in Snapshots "A little reel of big features," is the way C. B. C. described Screen Snapshots No. 12. One special item shows prominent exhibitors and stars at the big Theatre Owners Ball in New York. Other sections introduce wellknown screen celebrities, including Mary and Douglas, J. Stuart Blackton, Will Rogers, and also Marion Davies and Rudolph Valentino being crowned king and queen of filmland. Boost for Educational The Bulletin of the National Motion Picture League recommends for showing to adults and young people the following educational releases: "Easter Bonnets," a Tuxedo Comedy; "Aggravating Papa," a Christie, and two Bruce subjects, "By Lantern Light" and "The Home-Maker." Langdon's Latest Harry Langdon, Mack Sennett's newest comedy star, has begun work on "The Lady Barber," in which he is subjected to considerable rough treatment on the part of one of that profession.