The Moving picture world (March 1925-April 1925)

588 moving picture world April 11, 1925 RADICAL change in the art of light ing moving picture sets has been forecast as an early screen development. The change was predicted by George Folsey, of the First National camera staff, now photographing Ben Lydon and Viola Dana in Earl Hudson's production, "The Necessary Evil," which George Archainbaud is directing. Coming changes will bring into the processes of set lighting the principles evolved by Rembrandt, Corot and other old masters of the painting art, according to Folsey. Lighting then, he holds, will become less a medium of illumination for photography than of expression. "Of no less importance than the furthering of the photographic art of the film drama is .the saving in volume of light, and the climina'ion of much of the delay in what we call 'lining up' sets," Folsey says. "Film photography has been passing through a fascinating state of experiment, out of which the fundamental and enduring principles are just being evolved. Canicn work began to be an art with the discovery that electrical illumination could supplant natural light. "After that camera men began working toward heavier and heavier concentration of lights, flooding their sets from all angles. De Miile Starts Building First of Contemplated Improvements Now i Under Way Work on the first of several new concrete fireproof buildings at the Cecil B. DeMille studios was started last week as the first step in the plans for the enlargement and improvement of the equipment with which DcMillc. will work in creating his first releases through Producers Distributing Corporation. This initial concrete unit will be a wardrobe building, SO by 90 feet, two stories high. Its cost will run well into five figures. It will be on the Ince boulevard frontage of the studio and eventually will be the center of a solid row of concrete buildings replacing the old frame structures of the former Ince studio. Work will be rushed on the new DeMille wardrobe structure by orders of Studio Manager Fred Kley, as it must be ready for Cecil B. DeMille's first independent production, a Leatrice Joy starring feature to start the middle of April under the direction of Frank Urson and Paul Iribe. Circuit "Color" Bookings Largest Chains Playing Sering D. Wilson & Co.'s Short Subjects Balaban and Katz, of Chicago; Gordon, of Boston; Kunsky, of Detroit; Finklestein and Rubin, of Minneapolis; Stanley, of Philadelphia, and Ascher Bros, and Lubliner and Trenz, two of Chicago's circuits, are playing the color short subjec's produced and distributed by Sering D. Wilson & Co. These bookings include "The New Redhead Satires," '"Color Shots." "Karlo Kolor Komics," "Ebcnezer Ebony" and "The Wonder Book." The Piccadilly, in New York, played one of "The Color Shots," "A Cottage Garden," and featured it two weeks. The Criterion, Los Angeles, featured a "New Redhead Satire" when it opened its doors, and when Chicago's new Capitol opened with a packed house and had to cut the program, "The World in Colors," a Sering D. Wilson short, was held on the program. "Lights!" George Foloey of First National C?mera Staff Forecasts Developments The secret of filming is in the illumination, which is one of the most elaborate and expensive processes. Powerful lights have been devised which can turn night outdoors into day. "Cut the more powerful and profuse the volume of light the further from the basic possibilities of art camera work moved. The trend now, however, is toward reduction, and it will not be long before cameramen will be using half the earlier volume of light. "As a result of the new trend new lighting apparatus is being perfected which will revolutionize set illumination. The present lights arc too big, powerful and cumbersome. The present manner of barrage lighting ofte.i "Stop Flirting" Completed Latest Christie Feature-Length Comady Is Now Being Edited "Stop Flirting," the latest Al Christie feature-length comedy, directed by Scott Sidney, has been completed and is now being cut and titled. The production will be previewed with several different types of neighborhood audiences in Los Angeles, as is the custom at the Christie studios while editing all new pictures, and will then be shipped to Producers Distributing Corporation for early release. John T. Murray and Wanda Hawlcy head the cast of featured players, playing the same roles which Fred and Adclc Astair played while the musical comedy from which the picture was filmed was having its two years' successful run on the stage. Hallam Coolcy and Ethel Shannon arc another prominent pair of players in "Stop Flirting," while the balance of the cast includes Vera Stedman, Jack Duffy, James Harrison, Jimmie Adams, David James and Natalie Joyce. Flinn Speaks Volumes In Seven Words John C. Flinn, vice-president of Producers Distributing Corporation, attended a try-out preview of the forthcoming Weber and Fields picture, "Friendly Enemies," before a regular audience in a Glendale, Cal , theatre last week and after the ccreening he summed up the reaction of the audience and the big possibilities of the production in a telegram to Paul C. Mooney that speaks volumes in just seven words. Mr. Flinn's wire reads: "Don't worry about this one. It's great." uses up an entire half day in getting a set ready for a single scene, with highly paid players waiting around indolently, straining their nerves and patience. "The new type of spots will give a more compact light with lower intensity. Less equipment and man-power will be necessary which, aside from the cutting down of current, will bring a great saving in time, which means money in the film industry. "With softer and less glaring lighting the effects of contrast and emphasis — the light and shadow effects — arc easier to get. Furthermore, the reduced strain on the eyes of the players minimizes the danger of 'Klieg eye.' "Lights heighten and accentuate dramatic effects, depending upon the way they are used. Film lighting is a form of sketching, using beams of light for lines. It is harder to bring up impressions when the lights are spread on thick and heavy." Folsey is one of the younger leaders in camera work. He has evolved an individuality of style which has won admiring comment. He filmed "The Bright Shawl," starring Richard Barthclmcss, which ranked high as an artistic achievement. He handled the camera on several subsequent Barthclmcss pictures before Hudson engaged him to film "The Necessary Evil." Pathe News-Radio Tie-Up Distributes 23,450 Radio Maps in Tiaup With Twenty-four Broadcasting Stations One important result of the tie-up between the Pathc News and radio broadcasting stations throughout the country came to light this week with the announcement that to date over 23,450 of the maps-have been distributed and that the number of broadcasting stations using the semi-weekly Pathe News letter has now reached twenty-four. The idea of distributing radio maps free ever the country was started by the Pathe organization on February 6. On that date it was announced (via the radio) that anyone desiring a map of the United States, listing the broadcasting stations, could have one free on request. The idea met with the instant approval of the public. An additional twenty-five thousand is now being printed to fill the ever growing demand. "Wizard of Oz" on Broadway Chadwick's "The Wizard of Oz," has been booked for the new Colony Theatre for an indefinite engagement starting April 12. A special prologue is being prepared for this New York s.howing that will be in keeping with the fantastic theme of the play. World premier showing of this new Larry Semon feature established several new records at the Forum Theatre in Los Angeles. Further pre-release bookings of "The Wizard of Oz" are now being arranged in every other key city. The picture has already been scheduled for an early engagement in Chicago. New Managers for Pro-Dis-Co. Two new members of the executive sales force of Producers Distributing Corporation are announced by Paul C. Mooney who has appointed Louis Reichert as branch manager at Kansas City and Robert Mochrie as branch manager at Albany, N. Y.