Picture Show (May-Oct 1919)

26 The Picture Shov), Juhj 12t!i, 1919. Your Editor Replies THE CINEMA IN THE SCHOOL. WHEN, a few years ago, the London Polytechnic be^an a new experiment in cinema entertainments by running a series of instructive films, it was felt that the educational value of the moving pictore in this country was to receive at last its due quota of recognition. The scheme was an ambitious one, and embraced the exhibition of films (many of them colouiel) depicting in all their variety and beauty the wonders of the world, and scenes portraying various phases of bird, insect, and animal life. Had a similar ste? been adopted by other educational institutions throughout the country, the progress of education would have been advanced enormously. It may be that the war, which has been held responsible for almost all our shortcomings and offences, must be made to bear the burden of this additional failure. But now that the old conditions of life are reviving, the question becomes once more of growing importance. The moving picture entered the world of industry primarily as a new form of entertainment. And, as such, it has held captive the public liking to such a degree that the efforts to utilise it for intellectual purposes as well have been characterised by a good deal of reluctance. The occasional travel picture, which is timidly inserted in a theatre programme, is not sufficient for the purpose, though no one advocates that our picture theatres shall be turned into schools. It is the schools, themselves, which should adopt this new method of education. In America, the Government are taking up the matter ; and films of an educational character are to be issued to the schools and universities desiring them. How long will it be, I wonder, before our educational authorities begin to deal with this question in a really serious manner ? It is surely time that most of the dry text-books were scrapped and the film allowed to take their place. Imagine how much more interesting history would be if it were shown in a series of historical moving pictures, and the new interest which geography, botany, and all the other branches of learning would then contain for the youthful mind. Are not these things worth while trying ? And who shall count the cost or argue fooUsbly that the difficulties cannot be overcome when the field of knowledge will then lie revealed to us through a better and brighter vision. The day may be slow in coming — and yet not so far distant, I hope, before the cinema becomes a complement of every school. THE EDITOR. ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. EUSSEIL (Orpington). — The information was given out as authentic, but I cannot discuss the matter in "The Picture Show." J. P. (Faversham). — The Lee Kiddies have not. given up acting for the films, and if you have not seen them in " Smiles," you ought to. Antonio Moreno and Lilian Walker were botli born in the same year, 1888, the former in Madrid, Spain, and the latter in Brooklyn, U.S.A. William S. Hart's birtliplace is Xew York. M. K. (South Shields). — Your request for more about Elliott Dexter, also Tom Frohman, has been duly noted. ¥. E. ,B (London, N.).— Your letters have been forwarded. You are keen on getting on the films, and you are looking forward to going to America, " where all the big films are produced " But don't you think there is more than enough of real talent over there already ? What chance would you stand when you did go there ? G. P. (Shrewsbury). — The address of the Broadwest Studios is Wood Street, Walthamstow, London, E. Your art gallery of film stars must be quite interesting. A. K. (Coventry). — Cannot say whether you have ■■ the largest number of favourites," though you certainly have a big list. Elaine Hammerstein is a sirand-daughter of Oscar Hammerstein, of opera fame. Elliott Dexter is married, so also is Madge Kennedy and Violet Hopson. Alma Taylor is not. " Oscar " ((iillingham). — Charlie Chaplin is now writing his own plays. Alan Forest was born in Brooklyn in 1890. William Fariium was born on 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 requiring an immediate answer by post. Address : The Editor, "The Picture Show," The Fleetway House, Farringdon Street, B.C. 4. July 4tli, 1876, in Boston, Mass. He made his debut on the stage at fourteen, and played in various rarts before acting for the films. Glad you have bad such a nice letter from him " Enid " (llotherliithe). — " Pallard the Punter " is a Gaumont film featuring .1 L. V. Leigh and Heather Tliatcher. Hazel Dawn has not left the films, neither liaa Malx;l Normand. G. N. (Inverness). -Mary Odette is not married. Yes, I get quite a large mail, but I am never tired of answering (luestions, so don't hesitate with your next list. R. C. (Southampton). — You would like to meet Douglas Fairbanks if he ever visits this country. I am sure a great many of us would also, but X do not know when that is likely to be. He was born in 1883, so you are six years out in your calculations. L. B. G. (Eastry). — " Can you send me twelve coloured portraits of my favourites ? I have the frames all ready." Then, I am afraid, L. B. G., you will have to use those frames for something else. Why not our full page portraits ? S. C. (Swansea). — Tom Santschi is not Spanish, but Swiss, and was born in Lucerne. Mae Marsh has grey eyes and auburn hair; Anna Luther, blue eyes and auburn hair; and J. Warren Kerrigan, hazel eyes and black hair. The account of your holiday was most interesting, and made me feel quite envious. F. B. (Exeter). — What has happened to Marguerite Clark ? JVothing that I know of, for she is still on the films. If your friend has written to her, why need you be backward ? The title-role of Marie Corelli's novel, " Thelma," was played by Malvina Longfellow. As your letter was only a page in length it was not long, so you can write more next time if you want. K. N. (Krome). — Tom Duncan's nationality is Scotch, and he and Alice .Joyce have played in several films. They are Vitagraph players. Constance Talmadge was born on April 19th, 19U0, and (ilad.vs Leslie on March .'itii, 1899. Edna Purviance played with Charlie Cliaplin in " A Dog's Life." My thanks for your many good wishes. C. S. (Willesden Green).— Glad you like Marguerite Clark. I could not tell you, however, whether she would send you her photo. Tiie only way to find that out is to write and ask her. Your best plan is to apply to the film companies, enclosing your photo. J. H. D. (Chcadle). — There are a good many " tricks " resorted to in Jjie making of picture plays, and what you sometimes think is real when seen on the screen is not so in the acting. P. E. F. (Norfolk). — I .shall bear your request in mind about Melbourne McDowell. As regards " the real Red Indian actors " you mention, some of them are not Red Indians at all, but white men made up for the part. The names of the real Indians have not been made known to the general public, because the former only play in crowds. .T. B. (Wallsend). — Have you noticed our full page pictures ? I am glad you like The Picture Show. Mrs. W. (London, S.E.). — I must thank you for your suggestion, which, with a number of others, is under consideration. W. V. K. (Plymouth). — If you apply to the Famous Players Film Co., Ltd., 166-170, Wardour Street, London, W., with regard to the film " Battle Royal," I have no doubt they will be pleased to furnish you with the particulars you desire. G. R. W. (Mcrthyr Tydvil).— Much regret I am unable to oblige you with a photograph of William Farnum, as I have no photos of any cinema artistes for disposal. W. R. M. (Cardiff).— Miss Alma Taylor is not married. E:' D. a. (Sanderstead).— What a long letter ! Anyhow, I was glad to read it, and to know that you are " exactly like Marguerite Clark." About the film you a.sk, I don't think it is out. Yes, there are two film companies at Croydon — Harma Films, at 16, Limes Road ; and Gaiety Protluctions, Wadden, New Road. I think it would be better to wait till you have left school before seriously thinking of trying to get on the films. Glad to know you have such a nice garden, and hope the rabbits, chicks and little canary arc <lolng well. N. F. (Seven Kings). — Yes, I intend having a largn photograph in the paper every week, so that your album in time ought to be quite an interesting one. Wluit matU-rs it if your envelope was a bit soiled (and to tell you the truth I didn't notice it), so long as your letter was all right ? Yes, write again as promised. G. B. (Shepherd's Bush). — If you wrrite to Mary Pickford and Madge Kennedy through the office of this piper, they may (|uite possibly send you their I)liotOKraplis. Ho|)e you will have had a pleasJint stay in this country, and that you will still contiiuio to be a reader of this paper. C. H. (Southend).— Pearl White and Antonio Moreno are not married to each other, and whatever makes you think they arc related ? Florenae Vidor is a Vitagraph i)laycr and has brown hair and eyes. Charles Ray has hair and eyes of the same colour. " Leslie " (Cambridge).— The part of the hero in " The Perils of Pauline " was played by Crane Wilbur. " The Heart of the Sunset " is a StoU picture, featuring Anna 1. NiLsson and Herbert Haye. Owen Narcs is married. Did you miss our issue for June 2l8t ? N. T. (Windsor).No, I haven't got a complete list of the heights of all film players, as many of them luive failed to oblige with their measurements. .Still, what dilferencc does it make to tlieir acting ? Of those you ask me, however, Mae Marsh is five feet three ; Creighton Hale is five feet ten ; Billit? Burke is five feet five, and Marguerite Clark is foiir feet ten. J. K. (Edinburgh) tliinks that the " beautiful rugged scenery of Scotland should not be neglected,' and would like to see " some real, Scotch pictures before long." Can I use my influence to get this done ? I wish I could. R. E. W. (Dewsbury). — Sorry, I do not remember your previous letter, unless it was one of the anonymous ones which I liave not answered. You want to know if Zoe Rae is English ? No, she was born in Chicago in 1910, and will celebrate her ninth birthday on July 13th. William Farnum is married to Olive White. H. B. (Bridlington). — I have made inquiries and fin<l that " The House of Hate " is not publislied in book form. F. J. (Hull). — What is Mary Miles Minter's favourite flower ? I really could not tell you, F. J. You can write to her through this office as no addresses can be given. N. M. (Falkirk).— Pearl White has blue eyes, but her real liair is auburn and not golden, so you are wrong there, N. M., although you claim to " know " her. It is true she wears a blond wig because she believes it photographs better, although she has a sufficient quantity of her own hair. Sorry, I am imable to oblige you with any postcards of your favourites. Mary Pickford was twenty-six last April. R. B. (Oldham). — I really thought you were a girl when I first looked at your photograph. Your " make-up " is quite good. Did you win a prize ? Certainly, write to me again. " Private H. L. I." champions the British films, and believes tliat everyone in tliis country should back them up. At tlie same time, he admits a liking for American pictiu-es, because they deal with " the rugged side of life and are more thrilling." C. P. — ^Pearl White is not married, and, as far as I know, is not engaged to be either. A. E. M. (Watford Junction), A. E. H. (Oxford), B, T. (Batley), T. D. C. (Belfast), and " Gladys " (Watford). — All letters to artists must be sent tlirough this office. Sorry no addresses can be given. Clarendom (Tottenham).— Pearl White will be seen again in a new serial, "The Lightning Raider." though at the moment of writing I cannot say when it will bo released. Sorry, I know of no vacancy, but hope you will have got something to do before tliis appears in print. (More amtvers next week.) RESULT OF "WHAT DID CHARLIE SAY?" COMPETITION. In " Shoulder Arms," Charlie discovers that his identity number is the unlucky one of 13. After being Uiird to use a mateh to light a cigarette (another omen of misfortune), and smashing bis pocket lookingglass, he was given the order to go " over the top." He knew that his luck was out, and readers were invited to put themselves in Charlie's place, and write down what they thought he would say, under the circnmstances. TJic first prize of £25 for the best solution sent in )>as been awarded to the following competitor ; JOHN RIGGINS, 469, Oallowo.vte, Glasgow, Fc« the line, " If I'm not ' calm ' I'll bb * COLLECTED.' " The Twenty-Five Prizes of ii each for the next best solutions have been awarded as follows : Bliss M. Wilbcrforce. Henley Stud Farm, Crewkerne, bomci'sct : Edward Butler, 142, C^umbia Square, Columbia Road, Bethnal Green, E. 2 ; Miss Bailey, 35, EatonvlUe Road, Upper Tooting, S.W. ; Mrs. A. Jessop, 9, Westgate Terrace. Southampton ; A. G. S. Tabb, " Incents," Berkliamsted, Herts. ; Miss B. Tomlinson,27, King Richard Street, Coventry ; Leonard A. Rogers, 34, Cumberland Street, Barnsbury, N. ; H. G. Brownell, Lieut. R.A.F., 35, Northwood Road, Forest Hill, S.E. 23 ; William L.'Kneale, 9, Bromford Road, Oldbury, Birmingham ; Mrs. C. Fruin, 27, Shaftesbury Road, Hornscy Rise, N. 19 : Norman Langley, 311, London Road, Dover; A. I. Smith, 31, Warren Road, Chingford, E. 4 ; R. S. Scott, Heatherdcne, Lytchett Minster, Poole, Dorset ; E. E. Bowers, 55, Flaxton Road, Plumstcad. S.E. 18 ; William Ridley, 42, Brighton Avenue, Walthamstow, E. 17 ; Watson McKay, 42, Kimberley Gardens, Harringay, N. 4 ; E. T. Clitford-Jones, 97, Meldon Terr.ace, Heaton, Newcastle-on-Tyno ; Miss P. M. Parker, 25, Torliill Road, Torre, Torquay ; James Holland, 13, Back Lane, Gallowgate. Ncwcastle-onTyne ; T. HoUinshcad, 134 King Street VVest, Stockport; B. L. Smith, 58, Victoria Street, Braintree ; James Peart, 37, Wylam Street, Craghead S.O., Durham ; Walter Scoftin, 53, Alfred Street] Lincoln ; Miss M. Culverhousc, Logan Villa, Ro'^k Road, Trowbridge, Wilts ; Lieut.-Commander E. L. Morant, R.N., R.N. College, Keyham, Devonport. Here is a selection from some of the other clever lines sent in ; " Anyone got a ' life preserver ' .? " " I vote for an adjournment." " If I'm not back in time for tea, you will know I am where I expected to be." " Hero's where I get my wings." " Bill ! Send for one of my imitators." " One minute to go ? That's all right, my wateh has stopped ! " "I wish my front was my back." " Where'll you have yours, matey '! " " Have you got me square, operator ? " "I do not ask to sec the distant scene, one step enough for me." " This way to the ' Holey ' land." " I hope the other team does not turn up." " Gee whiz I Reckon tlio boys will be using me as a cullender to-night."