Picture Show (Nov 1919-Apr 1920)

4 Th> Ptetuft Show, February I4tr>, 1920. CINEMA CHAT Muea ftcm page 3 practically, save one. He doesn't know what *' ambition " is ! It is possible to mako him portray affection, hatred, joy, sorrow, shame and reverence. His director has had him since birth, and believes he will make a great screen actor, because he so quickly catches the significance of his voice and drops into the mood he desires. The first time t lie Goldwyn studios get a story calling for a clever dog, Bobby is to get his chance before the camera. The Censor at Work. MUCH has been said for and against some of the pictures shown upon the screen that it is interesting to know the various processes most films go through beforo being shown to the public. As you know, at the commencement of practically every film exhibited to the public in this country there is given the information that it has been passed by the British Board of Film Censors. Every picture-goer is familiar with the announcement that appears over tho characteristic signature of Mr. T. P. O'Connor, tho president of the board ; but few of these are aware of the anxious care that is expended by that board to ensure that nothing harmful or offensive is placed before a British audience. Here is tho president's own account of the work in which the board is engaged. The Censorship Is Voluntary. SEVEN years ago," he said, " the British Board of Film Censors was formed for the purpose of defending both the trade and the public. " In one sense, the censorship is voluntary, in that there is no compulsion to submit films to the board ; but as it has the support of nineienths of the trade, and its authority is complete and undisputed in nearly every cinema theatre, that in no way impairs its function as tho protector of one of the people's most popular pleasures. Indeed, one of the conditions of the board's inauguration was that its decisions should stand without appeal, and I should like to state now that the most complete loyalty has been shown to those decisions, even to the extent of pecuniary loss. The Work of the Examiners. THE work is very laborious and exacting. Threo examiners see the film, and they spend from five to six hours every day at their work. When doubt exists in their minds, or a question of principle arises, I am called in. These examiners take full notes, especially as to those portions of a film they consider to bo objectionable. Three courses are always open to them. Firstly, they may ban the entire film ; or, secondly, they may suggest the omission of certain ports ; or, thirdly, they may hold the film up for my personal consideration. "When issuing films for public exhibition , the board places one of two marks upon them — U, indicating that the film may be shown to all ages ; A, to adults only. In this respect, also, the board, has the full backing of nearly all the licensing authorities in the country. Conferences are held usually once a month to review the whole situation— a situation which is continually varying." A Hero Wanted. DO you want to be a film artiste ? I hear that the Donalda Campbell Film Company are looking for an exceptional type of man to play hero parts. He must be tall, and distingue, versatile, well educated, below 40 years of age, and willing to travel. All communications are to be regarded as strictly confidential, and preference will be given to men who have served in the Army. Here is an opportunity for anyone who is interested in film production combined with travel. Previous experience is not necessary. If you would like to apply for this vacancy, you must write in the first instance to The D. C. Films, c/o Messrs. H. S. King & Co., Cornhill, London. A Mammoth Encyclopedia. TUESDAY, February 10. should be a redletter day in the lives of thousands of ambitious men and women of to-dav, for it marks the initial publication of the greatest, most learned and most complete work of reference in the English language — Harmsworth's UNIVERSAL ENCYCLOPEDIA. This mammoth production, written and compiled by over 400 of the most noted specialists of our day and dealing with over 50,000 different subjects, conveys in simple, condensed and attractive form all the valuable knowledge which is so essential to self-improvement and success in life. There is not a single subject you can think of that is not fully explained in the UNIVERSAL — not a single fact that is overlooked. It is, indeed, a thousand reference books in one — accurate, reliable, easy to follow and entirely NEW and complete. Sumptuously illustrated with over 14.000 magnificent pictures, maps and plates, many in colours, this wonderful new work will be issued in fortnightly parts, at Is. 3d. each — only a jienny a dav. Harmsworth's UNIVERSAL ENCYCLOPEDIA is an investment within easy reach of all, and one that will repay a thousandfold the wise and enterprising reader who loses no time in placing a regular order for it with a newsagent or bookseller. ray Filmsr. CAPT. W. B. GOODWIN, MX. MISS M. GOST. Above are two clever artistes that have made their name on the screen. Capt. Goodwin is now playing important parts for the B. & C. Co., and Miss Gost, who is a clever daneer you may have noticed in " Chu Chin Chow," has also appeared on the .screen. Both these artistes, I hear, were trained by the Victoria Cinema College. FROM "OVER THERE." Notes and News From Los Angeles. Not That Cold. ROSCOE ARBUCKLE recently entered a fashionable tailor's here in Los Angeles and asked to see some overcoats. One particularly struck his fancy, and having tried it on, he asked the price and told them to break it to him as gently as possible. Having learnt that the "' damage " was 265 dollars, Fatty thought that it was " pretty stiff." " But surely, Mr. Arbuckle,"' cooed the storekeeper, " a man with your income ought to be able to purchase a 265 dollar coat." "That's not the point," retorted Fatty, " I can afford it all right. The point-is that I'm not that cold." Saying which, he rolled out of the store. Eis Only Hobhy. BRYANT WASHBURN'S only hobby is his home. He lives in a beautiful place with wide verandahs and spreading lawns, and surrounded by an orange and lemon grove. He has his books and his garden, and his wife and piano, and their whole world is centred in little Bryant aged four, and Dwight Ludlow, the new baby, who was only born a few weeks ago. Lives Up To His Name. HOBART BOSWORTH has just pensioned off his favourite horse " Busy." " Busy " is 19 years old, and rode with Bosworth in some of the first pictures ever made. The reason for his odd name is that he is never idle. If Mr. Bosworth stoops down to look at his hoof, " Busy " bends his neck and tugs out his master's shirt. If put in a corral with other horses, he at once lives up to his name by pulling off all their blankets with his teeth. When Mary Was a Little Girl. MARY PICKFORD'S time, as a little girl,' when she did not happen to be working ~bn the stage, was chiefly occupied in looking after Jack, who, her mother declares, was the grubbiest boy in the State of Ohio. Mary was always as neat as a new pin, and her one ambition seemed to be to scrub and polish Jack till he shone like the sun. Another of her passions was sewing, and Mrs. Pickford says that when Mary had no more sewing to do, she would stitch up the family's clothes, till they couldn't get into them. Here you see CARTER DE HAVEN, jnr., MARY PICKFORD RUPP, GEORGE BEBAN, jnr., and MARJORIE DE HAVEN, who have banded themselves together, and want it to be known that they are " the little four." They think in time they may outdo " the Big Four." What do you think ? It is Not True. CHARLIE CHAPLIN emphatically denies that (1) he is making an aviation comedy ; (2) that he has purchased a Chinese house ; (3) that he has adopted a baby. All these rumours have been going the round of the American press; and at last Charlie has burst; into print on the subject and kicked, hard. Elsie Codd.