Moving Picture World (Jul - Aug 1918)

August 31, 1918 THE MOVING PICTURE WORLD 1269 died in 1883, lived most of his life in Paris, confessing that he hated Germany. Mendelssohn spent his mature life in Paris and London. But we should everywhere, in the most insignificant film theatres, as well as in the greatest opera house, taboo entirely the works of modern German composers. They are Germans of the Germans, whose music breathes the very spirit of war." The propaganda theme of "The Common Cause" naturally appeals to Mr. Klein, and his musical setting is a reflection of his enthusiasm for the cause of war as expressed in this super-feature. The film is being produced through the BritishCanadian Recruiting Mission. Belwin, Inc., and Motion Picture Music. The old adage that a "workman cannot work without tools" is ably demonstrated by musicians engaged in film interpretation. Whatever their ability may be they cannot interpret the screen action without appropriate music. As reported in these columns a few weeks ago, a unique combination has just been formed of the entire catalogue of the Cinema Music Company. S. M. Berg, whose service to the film industry is well known, and Sol. P. Levy, whose compositions and arrangements compare favorably with those of America's foremost musicians, have now entire charge of the business and theoretical end of Belwin, Inc. Already published under Belwin's copyright are a new series entitled "Berg's Descriptive Series," bearing such titles as "Silent Sorrows," "Peacefulness," "The Crafty Spy," "Battle of Ypres," "Turbulence," "Perpetual Motion," "Slimy Viper," all composed by that renowned musician, Gaston Borch. A charming and melodious composition by Gaston Borch entitled "May Dreams" has already created a furore where music is considered of importance. Among the many other compositions already placed on the market by Belwin, Inc., may be mentioned "Impish Elves," "Over the Top, Boys," "Blue Devils," "Fighting Tommies," "Hunkatin," "Aces High," "Sinister Theme," "Two Characteristic Themes," "Indian Mysterioso," "Weird Oriental Theme," "Military Hurry," "Furioso" and "Hurry." Belwin's compositions, which are now in the course of preparation, are interesting reading, because they comprise a variety of publications unique in the annals of musical literature. Particularly worthy of mention are "Poem Symphonic," "Serenade Romantic," "Flirty Flirts," "Birds and Butterflies," "Bleeding Heart," "Comedy Allegro," "Dramatic Suspense" and "Yankee Tars." This progressive house has inaugurated a policy in which every musician engaged in the film industry should be interested. We refer to B. S. A., which signifies Belwin Service Account. This means that any musician or theatre manager who will extend the courtesy of the usual trade references will receive a credit account which guarantees that all their musical requirements, irrespective of whom the publisher may be, will be promptly supplied by Belwin at the lowest possible professional prices. Furthermore, all orders will be shipped the same day received. This assures to musicians such service as has never before been at their disposal. To peruse the account ledger of Belwin, Inc., is figuratively surveying a list of the "400 of the motion picture industry." The service which Belwin, Inc., is able to give to its patrons is due to the fact that it is now carrying an international and representative stock of every other publisher's music which is adaptable and desirable for musical interpretation of the film. adapted for the picture. Tin advertising campaign is allied with the national campaign on the photoplay, and the Bong i.s being widely exploited throughout the country. A million copies ha\ been disposed of and the publishers claim that at the rate tin \ are now uoinj^ live hundred thousand copies per month will be added to this amount. Many prominent vaudevilllans are singing "Mickey" with marked success. The Tivoli theatre in San Francisco featured this song and a famous vaudevillian sang it with a chorus slide. It was subsequently repeated at a number of other T. & D. houses, where it was equally well received. In fact Mr. Daniels advises us that the theatres are clamoring for the song — its popularity is so great wherever it is featured. Because of this enormous popularity Mr. Daniels is arranging to send a full orchestration of "Mickey," with a set of slides, to all the largest theatres in the country. This is done that when the feature is released the public everywhere will be familiar with the name of "Mickey." They have also arranged to have 15,000 retail music dealers and all the Five and Ten-Cent Store Syndicates in the country devote a full window display to the song, together with some lobby display photos from the production. This plan will be carried out in each locality as the photoplay "Mickey" is released there. The Columbia Graphaphone Company is making a dance record of "Mickey" placed by one of the best known Jazz Bands in the city. They will also exploit this record throughout the country in connection with the national campaign on the photoplay. A song record is being made by the Victor Phonograph Company and a piano roll by the Aeolian Company. Simultaneously with the first release of the picture on Broadway, New York, these four music concerns will launch a campaign to link up with the photoplay. Presentation of "The Americans Come." All songs do not lend themselves readily to a forceful presentation in picture theatres, but "The Americans Come," by Fay Foster, published by J. Fischer & Co., of New York, holds wonderful possibilities in this line. A suggestion offered recently by a well known musician is certainly worthy of repetition. Enthusiastically he outlined his idea as follows: "Get a first-class baritone. Dress him as an old man, blind and upon crutches. Have him placed left-front with a good looking soprano by his side. The set should show the interior of European living room, having a large French window at the back a little to the right. "Usual bits of furniture can be found about. Open with dark stage until the singer begins. Then gradually dim up in red, increasing with a white, until dusk effect is produced, and then by the use of side projection throw a strong light from the back through the window, indicating sunshine. If the theatre has side panels have a moving picture of marching soldiers thrown on them from the projection box during the refrain. See that your sunlight effect does not conflict with your projection of this. "As the song draws to a close dim down on your sunlight, then dim your foots, closing in semi-darkness, but at the last note flood the house for applause effect. It will make the song and give the audience a real thrill." There is no question about the wonderful power of patriotic propaganda inherent in this song, and if you present it properly it will prove a drawing attraction. n i in future 'Aii h all tl of i he tnastei Th< i 'ling in the lyrics that appeal! to the heart of every tint American The music is particularly melodious ami catchy. This is made evident I nlstllng of it upon the streets by precocious urchins Us patriotic fervor is blended with a gentleness of spirit thai permeates our being. One would naturally BUppose from theBe qualifications that it could not be anything but a popular "shOO-fly" numlc i It is nothing of tin kind. It can be Si catalogued under the heading of classic, ami the fact that it is printed by Boosey & Co, i.s sufficient evidence that there is nothing trashy In the music. Besides our famous and dearly loved John Mi ' 'ormack is singing it with immense success. This surely bespeaks merit. "God Be With Our Boys To-Night" has been beautifully arranged for orchestra and should find a place in every leader's library. Typically a theme, It can be used for many other purposes effectively. The plaintive movement of the refrain will suit pathetic situations, while the verse part has a hopeful rhythm most adaptable to 'cello solos. As a song it has been sung at all the big theatres with great success and the exhibitor who wants new material for effective propaganda purposes will do well to get this season's success. Picture Playing Creates a New Industry. Throughout the ages no occupation has been able to stand alone, and the profession of picture playing is no exception to the rule. It, in itself, was called into being through the requisition of the film and work allied to and contingent upon it has spung up. We have the arranging of musical scores, the providing of cue sheets, the selling of photoplay music and the art of autographing. Little is known regarding the all-around efficiency of autographing, and until "Music for the Pictures" became of vital importance nothing had been heard of it. In the few short years since the exhibitors awoke to the fact that good music meant larger box-office receipts the autographing of scores has been brought to a high plane. In fact Charles Greinert, a pioneer in this industry, has built up a large and successful business along these lines. Connected with G. Schirmer, Inc., he followed its growth from its earliest Infancy, continually improving upon the old methods and experimenting with new fluids. Later branching out for himself he procured a suitable building for his needs and installed up-to-date machinery, and no longer is there the long delays in procuring printed music. Mr. Greinert's assistance has proven invaluable in the compiling of some of the well known picture scores, as his long experience has given him a keen insight into the needs of the picture musician. We can expect many great developments in the music of the future, but the art of autographing will always stand predominant as the mechanical stepping-stone to greater efficiency in picture playing. "Mickey" Inaugurates Novel Campaign. About a year ago "Mickey" was first introduced to the exhibitors and public through the trade papers. Daniels & Wilson, music publishers, are putting out the composition "Mickey," John McCormack Sings Great Ballad. It has been said that the war has brought no great musical epic. The one who perpetrated such a pessimistic thought dwelt in the broad halls of Ignorance. "God Be With Our Boys To-Night" will Composer Inspired by Aurora Borealis. Just as the Marseillaise came through the disturbed conditions of the eighteenth century, so "Pershing's March" was inspired in the lonely heart of a soldier's mother. Mrs. A. S. Watt, who has contributed her share of stalwart sons to fight for democracy, Is a musician of i liar temperament. She lives by and for her music and writes only occasionally as inspiration impels. One evening while she was visiting in the Thousand Islands a beautiful Aurora Borealis appeared in the north. Always a lover of the artistic, she w . spell bound by its grandeur. Going to tier piano she improvised the theme which is heard in her famous march Her friends liked it and music critics implored her to publish it. The result has been that wide popularity accorded "Pershing's March."