The Optical Lantern and Cinematograph Journal (Nov 1904-Oct 1905)

THE OPTICAL LANTERN AND CINEMATOGRAPH JOURNAL. XIV. film. It is of interest in this connection to mention that for the purposes of these photographs an expenditure of £280 was incurred for turning on the water for the fountains of Versailles, You cannot get views in France without paying for them. The Clarendon Film Co. have secured the hit of the season with the film called 1 Ml for the Holidays. It has been our pleasure to see this film exhibited at several of the leading London halls, and we must say that in every case the audience was convulsed with merriment whenever the film was exhibited. This after all is, perhaps, the highest criterion of what a good film should be. We feel certain thai anybody who has not secured a copy has missed one of the best and latest comic subjects. The Warwick Trading Co. have a number of good and interesting films, the principal amongst them is to our mind a new idea in comic films, entitled Illustrated Songs. In this subject a number of well-known songs are shown with the titles and music, such as Home, Sweet Home, The Lost Chord, Give me Back my Heart Again, etc., and immediately following the exhibition of the title sheet and music conies a parody on the title. This is very cleverly worked out, and we can confidently recommend it to all who desire a good laughable subject. Another of their films, entitled The Dog Factory, is well executed, it being an old idea put forward in a new manner. We would, however, pick out Flephants Shooting the Chute as being likely to be the most popular film out of the many that this firm possess, being beautifully clear, and the effect of these prodigious creatures sliding down an inclined plane into the water is particularly thrilling. For those who need a film with natural scenery we would recommend their Otter Hunt, which has just been placed upon the market, as it is one of the prettiest country films on the market. It is also particularly stereoscopic at one point, and conveys a wonderfully realistic idea of the whole incidents of an otter hunt from start to finish. It will be noticed in reviewing films of the month, we have used the word "Stereoscopic,'' a qualification which is merited in varying degrees whenever an animated subject is envolved. A subject, such as a landscape in which trees are shown waving under the influence of the wind, sometimes exhibits an illusion of relief, producing in the mind of the observer what may be termed " a partial stereoscopic effect." On the other hand, a perfect stereoscopic effect accompanies all subjects that have been photographs in pano ramic order, from a moving vehicle, and with the axis of the lens pointed at right angles to the direction in which the vehicle moves. Thus, in the panorama of Barcelona Park, referred to above, these conditions were fulfilled with the result already mentioned. To ensure stereoscopic effects in every class of subject, and without a need of panoramic progression, has been the subject of much study and experiment, issuing, we are glad to saw in a practical solution of the problem, proofs of which will shortly appear. -s 5 -*• Our Suction Bureau. We are prepared to pay £50 per month for new ideas for Film subjects. For every suggestion put into practice we shall pay the author 10/-, our relationship with film manufacturers enabling us to make this offer, and we can find immediate use for any really good sugges= tion. CONDITIONS. /. — Each suggestion to be made by a written outline of the scheme envolved. 2. — If the subject needs more than one scene enacted, each section to be indicated. 3. — Trickery is allowed, either in the scene or after treatment of negative. I. — Each suggestion must be accompanied with a Coupon, cut from the current issue of this Journal. 5. — On the payment of 10/ to the author for each suggestion, the copyright becomes the property of the Proprietors of this Journal, who shall have full liberty to dispose of the suggestion as they please. 6. — Each suggestion to be written on a separate sheet of paper, sent in an envelope, marked at the top left-hand corner, with the word " Suggestion," and addressed to the Editor, the Optical Lantern and Cinematograph Journal, 34a, Castle Street, Salisbury. Note. — Some of the most trivial subjects and most inexpensive to produce have sometimes proved to be the most popular, and therefore most valuable. This is the experience of the manufacturer, and should encourage suggestions even from the person without kuowledge of the cinematograph trade.