Picture Show (May-Oct 1920)

The Picture Show, June 5th, 1920. 21 The Cinema Help the Theatre ' says Hoiman Clark, an Old-timer in Pictures. ALTHOUGH his film experience has not been extensive, Hoiman Clark can claim the proud distinction of being something of an " old-timer " in pictures, for he ap« peared in one of the earliest made in this country, "A Message From Mars." " It wa« produced about three years before the war," he told me the other evening HOLMAN CLARK. as we sat chatting in (Photo: Claude Harris.) his dressing-room at the Queen's Theatre. I was the Messenger, and I remember walking in Regent's fark, attired in chain armour. Then 1 appeared in ' The Brass Bottle.' Later came] 'Rod Pottage,* and finally 'Her Heritage.' These, I think, are about all the pictures 1 have done. You see, I am so busy that 1 have not much time for film work, for, in addition to inv performances here I go in for producing : 1 am produc ing Barrie's latest play at present." A Boon to an Overcrowded Profession. HAVE you ever thought of producing films ? " 1 asked. " No, I do not consider that I know enough about them. I think such work requires long and careful study before one is capable to undertake it. As regards appearing in pictures again, I would certainly do so if sufficient leisure presented itself, and the role proved interesting, but I would not go out of my way to seek picture work with so many other calls upon my time." Your opinion of film acting as a profession ?" I queried. " A great boon to an overcrowded profession," was the reply. " Also. I think that the more einemas there are, the better it is for the theatres. A surprising statement, you think 1 Ah, but you see, the cinemas get the public into the habit of going out at night, and that is a very great thing. The Value of Repose. 1DO not think it is necessary for one to bo a good actor, and by that 1 mean good according to the standard of the theatre, to be a success in films," continued Mr. Clark, "any more than it is necessary for an actor to haves proved his ability in pictures before he appears on the boards. An artiste, for instance, may possess the 'beauty, but, alas ! the rnrri also of a peacock, and yet be a success on the screen, whereas nothing could save that person from being a failure on the stage. Naturally, it is possible to be good in both mediums, but I think the legitimate actor stands the greater chance of a dual success because he has the inestimable advantage of being able to see and correct any faults be commits in his new artistic sphere, thereby enabling him quickly to adapt himself to its demands. For, of course, some adaptation is necessary ; apt to exaggerate his actions before the camera at first, ho quickly learns the value of repose after he has seen himself once or twice on the screen." Pictorial Possibilities of the Films. DO you think the screen has assisted the stage, Mr. Clark ? From the point of view of spectacular production, for instance ? " " Xo, though I admit it possesses peculiar advantages in this respect. The magnificent Habylonian seenes in ' Intolerance,' for instance, could never have been produced with such effect within the comparatively small compass of the stage, while it is, of course, a platitude to remark upon the beauty and spectacular value of natural scenery which only the film producer can employ." Mr. Clark then went on to discuss the future of the film, which he considers to be enormous — ■ unlimited. " From an educational, scientific, ayid dramatic standpoint, I believe," he added, ' that the film of the future will rely more and more on its dramatic values and pictorial possibilities for the telling of its story, and less and less on its subtitles, and that when subtitles are used they will be employed far more skilfully than at present." Mr. Clark confesssed that as an entertainment he does not care greatly for pictures, and that he has never seen Douglas Fairbanks ! But of the film artistes he has seen his favourites, if he can be saiel to have any favourites, sre Elsie Ferguson and Pauline Frederick. May Herschel Clarke. For Worse. THE artiste, whose duty it was to play the part of the dashing hero in an American film, was rather disappointing. He laid his hand on his heart too often, and. what was worse, he rolled his eyes about like a fish out of water. These things combined made him very unpopular. Just before the crisis of the film he clasped the heroine to his manly bosom, and said, according to the sub-title : " Sweetheart, keep a brave heart ! The worst is yet to come ! " Thereupon there tame a pathetic voice from the hall : " Oh, he's going to sing to her ! " — ♦-♦ — Quite Like Him. Old Lady visitor to studio : " Are you any relation to Montgommery Harold, the wellknown film artiste ? " The Actoh : " I am Mr. Montgommerv Harold ! " Old Lady : " Ah, then that explains the extraordinary resemblance." Misunderstood. " It would please me very much. Miss Prim," said Mr. Muchly, " i£ you would go to the pictures with me this evening." " Have you secured the seats ? " inquired the girl. " Oh, come now, he protested, 3_ou are not so fat as all that." A Worse Evil. Scenario Writer : " My dear, I can't afford to buy you that hat." Film Artiste : " You'd save money if you did." Scenario Writer : *" How elo you make that out ? " Film Artiste : " Because I shall fret myself ill if I don't get it, and you know what doctor's bills are." Too Difficult. " Why don't you take up cowboy roles, old chap ? " . " Not suited for 'em." " Nonsense ! You can fake shooting." " But you can't fake rolling a cigarette with one hand." — ♦-• — She Was Old. Producer : " Do you have any trouble now with your leading lady who is playing the part of the little girl of fifteen in your new picture ? '* Screen Director : " No ; whenever she has a tantrum now I threaten to publish portraits of her two sons, taken with .their wives and two little girls." • +4 Didn't Seem Real. The movie actor was honestly and truly in love, but when ho tried to propose the object of his affections seemed slightly cynical. " Are you in earnest," she inquired, or are von just rehearsing a scene ? " Astoniihirg Hair Beauty re sultsfrom QuinQ'denna hiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiift. il! HOW IT IS DONE Proper Shampooing with QUIN QUENNA. 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