Pictures and the Picturegoer (October 1915 - March 1916)

PICTURES AND THE PICTUREGOER 400 Week Jan. 29,'i$H STAGE STARS T°„NE SCREEN I A M 0 U S A ETI ST ES W II O HAVE P A I D FLEETING V I S I T 8 T 6 FILHDO M. By ERNEST A. DENCH. NOl manj years ago, it' a staid stage player bald been asked to make an experimental rfeiwi before the motion picture camera he would have considered it an insult. Blind to the younger art, lie fondly imagined the cinema as something beneath his dignity and gave it no attention. He believed, too. that toact for camera plays was to take the bread and butter out of his own mouth, for it never occurred to him that the silent drama had attracted an entirely different public. To-day. however, the boot is on the other foot. Those who had previously stood aloof have rushed to have their actions recorded upon the film. At first slow progress was made, but as one stage star followed another the more narrow-minded players were forced to see how wrong their attitude had been. Some have become so enraptured with motion picture work that they have forsaken their first love altogether. Others, more fortunately situated, have managed to appear before the camera in the daytime and grace the footlights at night. In this article I propose dealing principally with stage stars who have paid only fleeting visits to filmland. As far as records go, Sir Herbert Tree is the pioneer. It was as far back as 18915 that he appeared in King John, which, by the way, was filmed in London. He is to be congratulated on his achievement, for the cinematograph in those early days was a somewhat crude contrivance. 1908 found him accepting the £ i .UK) offer of the Barker Company, of London, to "star"' in a film version of Henrp nil. To avoid the picture reaching the -ramy stage, and thereby ruining his reputation. Sir Herbert stipulated that the film was to be burnt after being on public exhibition for six weeks. Two copies, however, of the picture were retained one the distinguished actor kepi for his own gratification, while the film company placed the other with their reco ds. . Sir Herbert wa s picture-acting again in June. 191 I, when he shone in Trilby, produced by the London Film Company. Speaking of his experiences under the oved conditions of the day.hesaid: I frequently found i( necessary to do tbingson the spur of the moment, which made ii slightlj different to acting in I he theatre. But I said to myself, Til just obey Mr, Shaw, and do as be tells me; then I'll be all right. Be kno and I don't/" Sir Herbert Franklj admits thai the realism possible m film drama has left the stage far behind. L912 witnessed Mme. Sarah Bernhardt, whose portrait appears elsowhere in this issue, taking part in n-> fewer than three photo-plays, [n each, bei exteasive theatrical experience served her iu good stead, and it is no exagge ration to say that by avoiding theatrical mannerisms she shone as brilliantly on the screen as she has always done on the speaking stage! This year. too. will her again on the film as the Mother in Jeanne Dore, the wonderful French si s play. In 1912 the Famous Players Company was formed. One of their first efforts was The Prisoner >>l Zerida, in which James K. Hackett, a famous American stage star, was seen in his well-known rule of the daring hero. Naturalness characterised his acting. His experience at least gave him a wrinkle for a new plan in connection with his theatrical work, for now prior to producing a stage play he has it filmed, thus giving the producer opportunity to study his efforts through his own eyes, besides allowing him scope to pounce upon those outlets for improvement. His other reason may be best summed up iu his own words : " Better even than this help to the producer is the aid it will afford to the player. Faults, perhaps entirely unsuspected, will be shown in such sharp and pitiless detail that the acting of the player is bound to improve, and if other managers follow my plan it will prove, I am certain, a wonderful help toward the development of the dramatic art." Lillie Langtry was not so fortunate in adapting herself to the younger art, for her screen portrayal was rather stagy? tied. The same may be said of Madame Jane Hading, the famous French actress, who was filmed ljotli ii s ' . It i Mi— Langtry's opinioi the greatShe furthermore thinks tbadvantage of the cinematograph i~ than one can be in all parts of the world atj the same time. Thanks to the Kinemaci pany, we had the pleasure of wit William Jefferson, Anna Held. Lillian Russell, Raymond Hitchcock. Fh-ra Zabelle. Weber aud Fields, and Eddie Foy in their famous natural • pictures. With the exception of William Jefferson, who shone as "Bob in The Bicah, they merely pos interest films. The All Star Featui ration^ was also formed with the object of introducing American star actors in til ins. Dnstin Farnuni was featured in /"/«! rs of Fortune. He has since b a full-fledged " picture " Btar, and i* no* seen in Lasky product: It was their need for classical type? that prompted the Universal Company to engage Constance Crawley anc Arthur Handle to *" star "' in P< fl V Isdnde. Two years previous to his lamentabh death Harry Frags m played in i comedy with Max Lander for Putin Fivres. After the tragedy the him wa: revived, and it is indeed a grand thins that by the film's aid the dead can b brought to life again. This is why it i up to every great artiste to api at least one film so that future _ HERBERT TREE in his famous stage part of Syeugali. from Trilby produced by the London Film Co. A scene