Moving Picture World (Jul - Aug 1918)

July 6, 1918 THE MOVING PICTURE WOULD 73 the pictures of the Marines were shown. The spotlight effect upon the flags hung a few feet in front of the proscenium arch was stirringly patriotic. It made one's blood tinkle with the love of country. Following this the orchestra struck up "Over There," dying away as the curtains were drawn aside, showing us an old man seated in a chair by the window where the light streamed in upon his spectacled and blind eyes. Seated by him is a girl who does his seeing with the glowing eyes of devoted affection. Marching is heard in the distance and Greek Evans (for it is he) sings "The Americans Come." This song is strongly reminiscent of "The Veteran's Song" which held all England in the time of the Boer War. It has a martial swing and is intensely descriptive of the fulfillment of the hope that the Americans will come to turn the tide of battle. Never have we been so favorably improssed with Mr. Evan's voice. It showed a richness that we hardly thought possible, while his top tones rang out with the clearness of a bell. The song suited him admirably. The feature was "Hit-the-Trail Holliday," a comedy by George Cohan. It was well fitted though it required nothing but the lightest treatment. The opening showing Rome, Egypt, London and New York had special excerpts to indicate the atmosphere, which we considered par excellence. This little touch evinced the careful thought given to details that has made the Rialto-Rivoli shows what they are and which must be followed by every theater in the country eventually, if they present pictures properly. Music At the Symphony. The long-delayed -opening of the Symphony theater occurred on' June 14, when a private showing was given to warm the house. This home of the motion picture should be a big success. It is well laid out with every possible appointment for the convenience of its patrons. There are no posts to obstruct the view and the balcony arrangement is ideal and different. Naturally the first performance is a bit ragged and we will not criticize it in the usual way. After the musicians have had a chance to acclimate themselves to picture playing there will be no question as to merit. The Symphony orchestra is composed of fifty musicians of more than ordinary calibre, conducted by Carlo Ronchi and his assistant, Enrico Leide. These leaders are excellent musicians and should give a good account of themselves when they have had a little experience in picture fitting. The overture, which consisted of excerpts from "La Boheme," was rendered with true traditional interpretation, and though a little long for a picture show, was duly appreciated by the large audience. Mr. Ronchi certainly knows his "Boheme," and from this first taste of Italian opera we can expect some fine examples in the future. The "Dance of the Hours," from the opera "La Gioconda," by eight ballet dancers and Mile. Clara Tosca, was the finest thing we have seen outside of grand opera, and even there it has not been excelled in artistry. Some years ago you will probably remember it as it was put on at the Hippodrome, of New York. You will remember the furore it occasioned. To our mind this little divertissement shown at the Symphony is far and beyond it, in point of all-around excellence. Mile. Clara Tosca compares favorably with the celebrities of the Terpsichorean art, and her miniature ballet ably supports her. This one number should be seen by every music lover who can get into the theater, and our opinion is that it will hold the boards for some time. At least we hope so. The next best thing on the programme was the first number, called a Patriotic Tableau, and showing the village of Chateau-Thiery as it was being sacked and burnt by the horrible Hun. The music for this was wonderfully effective, and the lighting effects and fire scenes made the village seem intensely real. This was followed by goodlooking young ladies appearing enwrapped in flags, representing the Allied nations. During this part of the tableau the orchestra played the National airs of each nation, and played them from beginning to end. This made the posing very long and slowed up the performance. A strain of each would have given the number more snap and is always good showmanship in the presenting of incidental numbers in the picture business. A Mutt and Jeff comedy was shown and the organ played it. This is bad picture presentation musically. The organ is not suited to follow comedy matter. It spoils the fun and cannot give the necessary grotesqueness to convey the spirit of burlesque to the auditors. The organists at the Symphony are Harold Smith, formerly of the Broadway, and Mr. Cooper, who is also *well known about town. Here we have a duo of tremendous possibilities. They are both long experienced artists in picture playing and one can rest assured that the organ portion of the programmes will be right up to the highest standards. The feature was "The Unchastened Woman," featuring Grace Valentine. The picture does not give wide scope for musical setting, but the music used was satisfactory. The picture deals with a psychological subject with little physical action and, musically must have been a hard nut to crack for the first attempt at picture fitting in this new theater. Altogether, the music was very good and great are our expectations. This theater is featuring its music, which is the right idea. It has the orchestra capable of doing big things. It has the conductors known for their musicianly ability, ably assisted by excellent organists. All it needs is time and experience to build up a name for picture settings that will set yet another high mark of perfection. Musical Suggestion Synopsis. CITY OF DIM FACES (Paramount — Five Reels) — Theme — Andante. Suggest "A Japanese Sunset" — Deppen, of "Japanese Reverie" — Bartlett. This is a Chinese picture and of course the Chinese atmosphere must be held throughout. Chinese music is very limited, and a judicious use of the traps will aid materially in conveying the necessary effects. We would suggest that the opera "Iris," by Mascagni, be used, if possible, as it has woii'l possibilities. The following list may be helpful ' der m selecting for this picture : Hop Sing — Chinese Fantasie Katzenel Sultan's Guard — Patrol Chinese Wedding Procession — March Ilosmer In a Chinese Tea-Room — Andante Lady Picking Mulberries — An Episode Kelley Sunset Land— Moderate Oriental Nights — Valse . Grant Chinese Highbinder Patrol Johnson First Born — Chinese Serenade Johnson Chinese Serenade Puerner Ching Chinese Patrol Puerner Cue sheets can be obtained from tin' Paramount exchange. ELEVENTH COMMANDMENT, THE (Advanced Motion PictUN Co. — Six Reels) — Theme — Andante. Suggest "Elysium" — Speaks, "Peacefulness" — Borch, or "Extase" — Ganne. "Extase" — Ganne. The character of this picture is a modern drama of the tense variety. You will need rather classic stuff for this feature of the heavier nature. A good effect can be made by carefully selecting quiet numbers to fit the scenes where the heroine is shown, and where you are not playing her theme. Long selections will fit till you reach the fifth reel, when you will require a misterioso, followed by a dramatic agitato, a dramatic andante, a dramatic tension and an agitato. Close then with the theme. Cue sheets can be obtained from the producers. KAISER'S SHADOW, THE (Paramount— Five Reels) — Theme— Unnecessary. This is a picture filled with dramatic events of the time of war. You will need agitatos, a few misteriosos, and a furioso. There is a good opportunity to use the Marseillaise Hymn, and you may be tempted to incorporate the Star Spangled Banner in the fourth reel. Do not use our national anthem, but select some other well known American patriotic air. The scenes are laid in Berlin and an American city. Cue sheets can be obtained from the Paramount exchange. LAST REBEL, THE (Triangle — Five Reels) — Theme — Andante Semplice and Southern. Suggest "Pleading"— Wood, "Southern Reverie"— Bendix, or "Ponderings" — Langey. This feature is divided into two parts, one portion showing a story during the Civil War times, and the other enacted fifty years later. The atmosphere of both is Southern, yet a distinction should be made in the music transition to strongly emphasize the different periods. Open with old Southern melodies, getting in suitable numbers to fit the darky characters. The music of the later period should be chosen after careful research work. There is much pathos in the feature, and you should note the fight with the band of thugs and the attempted drowning of the heroine. No cue sheets are available for this picture, so it would be well to get a pre-viewing if possible. It deserves a good musical setting. MADAME SPHINX (Triangle — Five Reels) — Theme — Andantino. Suggest "Premier D'Amour"— Benoist, "Enchanted Hour" — Mouton, or "Serenade" — Jeffery. This is a mystery story wound about the murder of the guardian of the heroine. Open with the first movement of the Unfinished Symphony which will carry the action nicely to the end of the first reel. You will then need some dramatic tension stuff, misteriosos and agitatos. Note the big fight in the Apache den which lasts for almost five minutes. A long hurry will fit this. Close with the second movement of the unfinished. Cue sheets have been discontinued by the Triangle Film Co. ONLY ROAD, THE (Metro— Five Reels) — Theme — Moderato and Spanish. Suggest "Serenata"— Crespi, "Serenade" — Tarenghi, or "La Paloma." Here is your chance to get some Spanish atmosphere into your setting. The action takes place on the Mexican Border and is intensely dramatic. You will need some misteriosos, agitatos, dramatic tensions, and so forth, but try to select your incidental concert numbers with a view to their Spanish flavor. Cue sheets can be obtained from the Metro exchange. SOCIAL QUICKSANDS (Metro— Five Reels— Theme— Allegretto. Suggest 'Impish Elves"— Borch, "In the Shadows"— Finck, or "Mussdora" — Leigh. This is a comedy drama enacted in society of wealth and position. Light and trippy music will be needed almost entirely. A few two-steps, one fag, and some light waltzes. Note the piano solo towards the end of the third reel. Cue sheets can be obtained from the Metro exchange. STOLEN ORDERS (Brady Production Co.— Eight Reels)— Theme for Miss Gordon— Andante. Suggest "Andante"— Mendelsohn, "Wedding Morn" — Luscomb, or "Meditation"— Leigh. Melodramatic music in laVge quantities will be needed for this feature It is a war picture, the action taking place in America. When the balloon is chased by the aeroplane don't use a galop, but select a number with sweeping string effects and vivace in tempo. Note the fight between the hero and the German diplomat. Be careful to refrain from using too much obvious German music. Cue sheets can be obtained from the World Film exchange. You may not be able to fight, but you can save and buy War Savings Stamps.