Picture Show (May-Oct 1919)

Th<: I'klurt Show, July 5(/i, 1919. Your Editor Replies BRITISH FILMS AND ADAPTATIONS. BY the time these lines appear in print, "C. H.,'" o! the American army, whose letter lies before me, will have probably returned to his home in New York. But I am commenting on a part of his letter because the subject may interest others of this paper. While in this country my correspondent says b« visited several picture theatres, not wholly through a mere desire for entertainment, but because he wished to observe how this form ot amusement here compared with that over in the States. With the British Mms and acting he was favourably impressed, but the point which struck him was this : " Your British motion pictures are all right," he remarks, " but why is it that so many of them are adaptations of well-known novels ? In the U.S.A. we can get plenty of good, original movie stories without having to go round to the publisher for ideas. In England it :eems to be diBerent." Of course, n^y correspondent has touched on an old question, and we shall not mind his criticism. That there are several excellent British films which have be;n produced from original scripts is a fact sufficiently well known to require no cataloguing. The " adaptations," on the other hand, often resemble their literary forbears more closely in title than they do in narrative. This obvious difference, however, which others beside " C. H." have noticed between British and American films is due entirely to the lack of serious attention paid in this country to scenario writing. Unquestionably, it is an art in itself which requires to be studied. But why instead of being left to inexperienced amateurs whose work producers are forced to reject, should it not be taken up by ome of our well-known authors P Mr. E. Temple Thurston's new film play for Hepworth's is a case in point Now that the American producer intends to make the most of our scenery, it is certain that he will not depend on adaptations, but will have at his back an army of experienced scenario writers. No one doubts that in the circumstances the British producer will strive to do his best, but what he will greatly need in the scenario line is the talents of capable writers who are willing to assist him. THE EDITOR. Will readers kindly remember that, owing to the fact that this paper goes to press a considerable time before publication, letters cannot be answered in the next issue ? A stamped and addressed envelope must accompany any letter rea.uiring an immediate answer by post. Address : The Editor, "The Picture Show," The Fleetway House, Farringdon Street, E.G. 4. ANSWERS K. Y. (Crewe), managers, ) ou theatre saying. TO CORRESPONDENTS. As a hint to i>icture palace ■' Exhibit a notice outside your Admission Free.' Tlii.-> would attraet the people, and you would liave a big queue." This would be a line idea for the public, but I don't tliink managers would quite appreeiate it, E. \V. H. (Manchester).— Am afraid the fact that the young lady is " five feet and resembles Marguerite Clark in features " is not sufficient to attract producers. G. K. (Glasgow) suggests a competition for readers to compose rhymes about film players ; but he liastcus to add : " I wouldn't enter because I'm no good at poetry." I like vour candour. Mrs. B. (Bruntcliffe): — Pearl White is not dead, but the rumour seems to have spread pretty widely, judging from the letters I have had containing the same question. V. S. (West Norwood). — I shall bear your req\icst in mind, and shall not forget to give sonie more news about Henry Ainley and Creighton Ilalc in later Ksues of this paper. A full-page portrait picture of Creighton Hale next week. n. B. (Dundee). — fUad to have so enthusiastic a reader, and must thank you for endeavouring to secure others by reoomniending the paper. Herewith the answers to your questions in the order asked • (1) It is not essential, though it is undoubtedly valuable to have had previous exix'riencc in acting on the theatrical stage. (2) Sot necessarily. (3) Talent for acting, good facial expression, ability to t.»ke any part and do almost anything, such as ride, ilrlvc, swim, etc., and, of course, good health. (4) Write direct to a film company, giving full particulars about yourself, with pl'.oto enclosed. C. W. (Maida Vale). — Sorry to have kept you waiting, but as thLs paper goes to press .some weeks in advance of the date of issue, your lett:>r could not be answered in an earlier number. Helen Holmes wa-s born in Chicago in l.'iy;!. and has lirown hair and eyes. Constance Talmadge has eyes of the same colour, but golden hair. M. A. (Harrogate). — Constance Talmadge and Albert I'os ot are both featured in " The shuttle." I.ois Wdson played in " Won by tirit.' and Clara Kimball Young in " Tlie Rea.son Why." The latter did not appear in the other fihii you mention. N. T. (Hammersmith). — 1 don't mind you writing to me at all. Have you seen the full-page l ortrait of .Sessue Hayakawa ? You can write to him through this office. Just send mo a letter enclosed in an envelope with his name on, and enclose it in another envelope addressed to mc. Write to the fdin companies direct, and state your qualifications. "M.VY" (Xewcastle-on-Tync).— No, Pearl White !ias not been on the film? all her life. She started a-s n child in a touring theatrical conij)any, and later on joined a circus with which she stayed for several years as a bare-back rider. ,She then took up acting lor the films with Pathe's, and scored her first big success in " The Exploits of Elaine." D. Mc. (.Tedburgh), O. M. (Southall). E. T. W. (Durham), E. P. (Wmclimore Hill), A. C. P. (Gla.sgow). D. T. (Hull), U. Y. L. (Gloucester), J. F. ( Uourncmouth), W. B. (Portsmouth), A. T. (Edinburgli). E. D. (Hampstead), and J. H. M. (EdinburglO. I regret that no addresses of cinema arti.stes can be given. I shall be plea.sed, however, to forward any letters sent through the office of tliis paper, ]>ri)vided such letters are sent in envcloiH-s, hearing tlie names of the addressees, and enclosed in other envelopes addressed to me. Will Miss M.\Y Moore (address unknown) kindly write and inform mc to whom her letter in a clased, staruped envelope and bearing no name is to be sent ? B. B. (Halesowen). — Francis Ford has not given up acting for the films at all. He will be appearing soon in a new serial, " The Silent Mystery," which, I understand, is particularly exciting. Mrs, ,T. A. (Worcester). — The address of Butcher's Film Service, Ltd., is Camera Hovise, Farringdon Avenue, London, E.C. 4. HINTS TO P CTURE PALACE MANAGERS. When ranning a serial wby not issue books of tickets for the complete run of it ? The object being to give your regular patrons a small discount. — 2/6 awarded to Mrs, F Simms, 113, Park Road, Upper Caterham, Surrey. DO YOU KNOW ONE? If to, write it on a postcard and addr^t it to The Editor, " The Picture Show," Cough House, Gough Square, Fleet Street, E C 4 A p-ize of 2/6 will be awarded for every hint printed. When more than one competitor sends in the seme hint, the prize wUl be given to the ssnder of that first receiv,:d. P. S. (Oldliam), G. J. A. (Cricklewood), Mrs. E. Y. (Paddington), A. N. (Stavelcy Town). E. K. (Kew Garden.*), C. B. (St. Heller's, Jersey). V. H. (Northampton), R. B. (Portfimouth), M. S. (Twickenham), F. H. S. (London, S.W.), C. E. C. (Birmingliain), O. W. (Northwieh), L. K. (Grimsby), L. E. C. (SmaU Heath), A. T. (Shcfiield). L. E. (Carnarvon), A. S. (Southend), L. M. (Nottmgham). J. C. (Rve), and D. D. and B. N. (West Kensington).— The only advice I can give about getting on the films is to write direct to the film tomiauies — addressees obtainable from the Post Office Directory, or from one ot" tlie trade journals — stati'xg your qualifications and previous experience in acting, if any, with plioto enclosed. " ROBERT " (Hythe). — John Mason, Leah Baird. and Anne Luther played in the cast of " Moral buicidc." Jliss Marguerite Clark was bom in 1888, and is married to Lieut. H. Palmerson Willianis of the t'.S. Navy. I really caimot say wdiether her husband would object to you asking her for a photograph. Why not \vrite to her ? Y. C. (Surbiton). — Thanks for your photo, which is very nice. Neither Constance Talmadge nor Eugene O'Brien are married. With regard to your ambition to .ict for the films, ydease see reply to S. S. (OldhamV and others. 'The film play you say you have written should also be subirutted to the film companies. Sorry, I shall not be able to do anything with it iiiyseli. W. L. (Dorking)*— Mae Marsh is a Goldwyn star, and does not play for Patho s at all. Dorothy and Lillian Gish are sisters, hut Marguerite and Ethel Clayton are not related, although they bear the same surname. E. W. (Finsbury Park).— British Lion Films, Ltd., Boreham Woods, Elstree, Herts. Firoadwest Films, Ltd., Wood Street. Walthaiiistow. Hepworth Picture Plays, Ltd., Hurst Grove, Wa!ton-on-Tliames. The result of our " What did Charlie Say ? " competition, with names and addresses of the prizewinners, will be announced next week. S. F. (Hounslow). — "The Strike Bearers" i» a Tran.s-Atlantic film featuring Eddie Lyons and I>ee Moran. Mollie King and Creighton Hale i)layed in " The Seven Pearls." Hale Ls not an American, but Irish, and was born in Cork in 1892. Yes, Fatty Arbuckle Is married, and his wife, Mias iUnta Dutfce, b also a film actress. J. K. (Pontypool). — Yrm will have seen the storv and portrait o(, Edna Purvianee, Charlie Chapiin's leading lady, in The PicTrRF Show. I don't thijik it Is likely she will accomp.any him and Mildred Harris if the two latter ever do pay a visit to thi-, country, as I hope they will. R. N. (Gainsborough).— filadys I,.esl:e has brown eyes and light hair, .md is with the Vitagrapb. Pauline Bush is married, her husband's name beina Allan Dwan. A photograph of Mary Pickford's summer residence apiwaredSn the first issue of this paper. Sorry, 1 sliall hot be able to reproduce it. M. T. (Dulwich). — Chrissie White is not American, but Pearl is. The fonuer is " quite F.ngltsh." Marie Walcamp was bf;rn in 189 1, and is not married. By all means seiid mc your " next list of questions." '■ Lily " (Brighton). — I presume you mean " Ti e .Scarlet Road," as I do not know of anv film called '• The Red Road." It featured (iladys Brockwell. and some of her other films are " Fires of Conscience, " " Sins of Her Parent," " Her Temptation," " To Honour and Obey," " Revelations," and " Birds of Prey." She did not appear in " Rose of Paradise.'" S. P. (Oxford). — Stewart Rome now plays for tl.e TSroadwest CkjmpanV. Chrissie White, who plays for Hepworth's, has blue eyes and golden hair. She has been on the theatrical stage, like a good many t)ther film stars. Charles Clary was bom in 137:J Sorry, I don't know his height, nor the colour of his hair. " Don " (Brooklands).— I do not know about Sessue Hayakawa being a painter, but I know he is ;i poet as well as an actor. The cast of " La Tosca " as follows : La Tosca (PauUne Frederick). Baron Scarpio (Frank Losec), Mario Cavaradossi (Jules Raucourt), Cesarc Angelotti (Henry Hebert), Spoletti ( W. H. Forestelle). The other play is not released yet. 51. W. (Bradford).— Edward Earie. 5Iary Pickfor l and Jack Pickford are all Canadians, having been bom in Toronto. Douglas Fairbanks, however, is an American, and Denver, Colorado, is his birthplace, the year being 1883. G. J. (York). — Your letter to Olive Thomas was dtdy forwarded, but as she receives many hundred.; of others, you cannot, of course, expect a reply at once. Of course, I shall be interested to know if she replies to you. I hope she will. A. L. (Mitcham). — Thanks so much for your "heaps and heaps of Congrats." from your!>elf acd friends. You seem to be quite keen on serials, from the number you have seen. Glad you have such a fine collection of postcards, but am sorry I have none to send you of any film stars. Will " Blue Eye " (Manchester). " A Welt, Wisher," and others please note that no que-stions from anonymous correspondent.s can be answered ? Names and addresses must always be given, though not necessarily for publication. " FiLMiTE " (Croydon). — Her name was given as Odette Goinibault in our issue of June 7th. becaase at the time of going to press, wliich was some weeks Ijefore that date, it was not known that her film name was to be " Mary Odette." So you got a dozen new readers. Splendid : G. R. (Reading).— In " A Doll s House." Elsie Ferguson took the part of Nora, and H. E. Herbert that of Helmar. Dustin Farnum — who, by the way, is not a cousin, but the brother of William — is forty-five, and is married. Don't apologise. Write again. A. H. (Rhyl).—" What does Roscoe Arbuckle eat to make liim so fat ? " Is that a conundrum ? If so, I give it up. Yes. he is married, and his wife is Miss Slinta Durfee. I do not know of any studios near your town. C. M. (Cliiswick). — I am glad you tliink this paper " absolutely great." I sliall not forget your requests for more photographs of Norma Talmadge and Billie Burke. Sorry, there will be no bound volumes for sale, so save your copies and have them Iwund. R. 51. (Nuneaton). — No. JIae Jlarsh is decidediv not Spanish, although she was born in Macirid, because this particular birthplace of hers happeas to be in New Mexico. I *am interested to know you resemble her closely. The photograph of yourself w,-i3 not enclosed in your letter as stated, so when it does come 1 shall be pleased to compare it with Mae Marsh's likeness. Ol/jre (i>i$irers »ezt wek.) fN answer to the many inquiries we have received from readers as to how they can send letters to Cinema actors and actresses, ' " The Picture Show " will forward all such letters on, bat it must be distinctly understood that we cannot guarantee such letters will be replied to. Moreover, as many of these Stars travel all over the world, a considerable time mast elapse before the letters reach them. Address your letter c/o " The Pictvre Show, " The Fleetway House, Farringdon Street, London, E.C. 4.