The Moving picture world (January 1926-February 1926)

668 Moving Picture World February 13, 1926 able effect can be secured by having a slide made of similar design, and projected from front on the plain scrim. (b) Cut Drop A drop, opaqued, with a large circular opening is hung back of the painted scrim. To make this scene effective it is suggested that the opening in the drop be the same size of the setting sun painted on the scrim, and that the opening should be directly back of the painted design. The drop should be opaqued so that there may be no light leaks though the drop during the action of the prologue. Light leaks are annoying to an audience and detract from the effectiveness of a scene. (c) Mast Piece This is the principal scenic unit of the set and is very effective in its impression of a ship at sea. The mast may be constructed of battens as indicated in Diagram C. of the accompanying sketches. A small platform large enough for one or two singers to stand upon is attached midway to tlie mast. Another batten above it may be fastened upon which a rolled sail is attached. The mast piece should be dressed with the various ropes, halyards, etc The bottom of the mast piece may be set into a mounting box which is fastened to the floor, braces running from the box to the mast acting as a base support. At the top of the mast an eye bolt may be adjusted with two cables attached to it, one running vertically to the batten above, and the other on an angle to the right to take the strain off of the mast piece when the characters are upon it. This is a very inexpensive piece to construct, old strips of canvas may be used to wind around the mast itself. The whole unit should be painted a dark blue which assists in the silhouette treatment which this piece must have against the colorful background. The cut drop forms the frame of the picture as indicated in Plate 2. (d) Water Row A Water Row with an uneven edge painted a green-blue extends from right to left back of the Mast Piece. It is suggested that it be slightly raked when set as this lends a better surface to the water effect which operates upon its surface. (e) Cutout Ship This is a miniature sailing ship. A flat piece in silhouette effect cut out of compoboard mounted on a wooden strip as indicated in Diagram B. The wooden strip with the compo-board cutout ship inserted in it is placed in a grooved track which extends across stage back of the Water Row. The track should be given a good treatment of graphite so that the ship may move easily without any jerks or jumps. A lash line may be attached to a screw-eye in front of the wooden strip and led along the track and this acts as the traveler for the ship, an operator pulling it slowly along the groove during the action of the unit. (f) Back Drop This may be a plain blue sky or it may be an especially constructed drop of blue with painted gray streamers running horizontally across its surface. A large sun box is placed back of the drop or may be painted on the special drop. LIGHTING TREATMENT With the introduction of the painted scrim in the last movement of the overture as previously suggested, the lights may be brought up gradually on the scrim starting with a blue in the foots and first border with the same treatment in the flood. As the blues reach half, introduce the reds. When the blues are full bring the reds into one half. A wave effect may be operated on the scrim if desired but this is not recommended. As the reds start on up full bring the blues down one half. When the reds reach full bring in the ambers about one quarter. As the red reach one half with the blues still at one half take out the ambers. As the overture finishes and goes into introduction of the theme song gradually take out the reds and as the blues are brought down after the reds are out the lights back of the scrim highlighting the scene of the Second Movement are brought up full with the foreground dark. The lighting in the Second Movement should be very colorful. A deep blue sky blending with a green-blue tone at the horizon. A deep blue-green on the Water Row with an amber Water Row. The Mast Piece in silhouette may be caught with a light blue and amber from right with the under part of the sail tone a green. As the character mounts the ladder to the platform a spot off stage in amber should highlight him in contrast to the silhouetted mast. The cutout ship should be silhouetted against the drop and a green-blue spot may be focused on it from the sides. A large sun should change slowly from a dark amber to a rose. For the finale the lights dim out slowly as the first titles of the picture are brought on, being irised in on the scrim, tlien scrim taken away to sheet. THE ROUTINE The routine principally concerns the Second Movement. One or two male singers dressed in costumes similar to the characters in the picture sing one or two of the chantrys, especially "They Are Hanging Johnny." One may be discovered on top of the platform which is attached to the mast, while another one ascends towards him. W'e do not recommend many characters in this unit, as the main demand of the picture is to register the theme song or chantry. COSTUME FEATURES OF GRAUMAN'S PROLOGUE SID GRAUMAN whom we all recognize as one of the outstanding exponents in the production of real presentation and prologues, has recently produced a spectacular feature entitled "The Pageant of the Allies" which was a part of the mammoth prologue for "The Big Parade" shown at Grautnan's Kgyptian Theatre, Los Angeles. The various costumes which created so much comment and which perhaps were the most pretentious of any ever designed strict!v tor a motion picture house, were created l)y Erte, the famous European designer who is now in this country. Erte has the ability to suggest a picture, create an atmosphere with a costume in a manner similar to those engaged in achieving the same effects with scenes and lights. His costumes are symbolic, they mean something, and in each of the characters he has caught the theme or keynote of the particular nation and reflected it in his design. Mr. Grauman in conceiving this Pageant selected beautiful girls typical of the countries he wished to introduce and when they were garbed in the Erte creations, it was only natural that the Pageant "stopped the show." We are pleased to publish herein photographs of a few of the characters. SID GRAUMAN'S MAMMOTH PROLOGUE to "The Great Parade" (Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer) introduced "The Pageant of the Allies" with characters displaying costumes by Erte. At right is the personification of "Italy" center group "America," at left "England."