Picture Show (May-Oct 1920)

10 Picturt Shov NEWS, NOTES, AND OPINIONS BY FRED K. ADAMS. How Things Change. A SHORT time ago it was a difficult tiling to find anybody outside these Isles who believed that there was any future for British films, but a few months have made a vast difference. American picture-goers are clamouring to see British-made pictures, with British stories and British artistes. The trade over there are beginning to realise that American lllms arc getting even too American for their own audiences, and many exhibitors in that country have had to go further afield for their attractions. Italian, Scandinavian and other Continental films are also proving successful, and are much in demand. It was not until competition from other countries began in earnest that the limitations of American films became so apparent. Although photography and technique is, as a rule, beyond criticism, this does not compensate for such faults as ovor-acting, monotony of themes, or " provincialism." Britain To Lead. DURING the last few weeks a large army of American artistes, scenario writers, and producers have paid visits to this country with a view to investigating matters. One of the latest arrivals is Bryant Washburn, who has, during the past year, appeared in ten live-reel pictures. In an interview, Mr. Washburn stated : "I am of the opinion that Britain will shortly become the picture producing centre of the world. ALEC J. BRAID, Director of Publicity for the Stoll Film Co., Ltd., and Editor of " Stoll 's Editorial News." (Photo: Cecil Carey, Uroadstairs.) Sounds big, but , afterall. it is fairly obvious. Geographically, Britain is tho centre of everything that is worth while in pictures — variety of scenery, modernity, jostling with media-val history. Besides, Americans are tired of socing American locations in pictures. They want variety, and must have it. They want British pictures." Next year Mr. Washburn states that he will appear in four productions only, as ho considers that fewer and better films will be the order of the day. The Publicity Man. ALEC J. BRAID, the prince of publicity men, is one of those important " men behind the films " of whom the public hear very little, in spite of the fact that their efforts are indispensable to the film industry. Were it not for the film publicity man the charms of many film artistes would go unsung. It is his lot in life to acquaint the public of forthcoming attraction's, arrange for the posters, fix up private shows for the trade, and the one hundred and one other things connected with the boosting of films. Mr. Braid has earned a reputation for being the best publicity man in the trade, and in addition to this he is one of the most popular personages connected with films. He has been actively identified with the industry since the earliest days, and was the first editor of the great film newspaper " The Gaumont Graphic." Mr. Braid has always believed in the supremacy of British films, and his connection with the Stoll Film Company is therefore a task after his own heart. Eyes and Nose. A SUBJECT of interest to picture-goers is one raised in the current number of a leading American magazine. The writer advances his belief that of all deciding factors in the success of a person in any walk of life, the features are of prime importance. Many interesting instances to prove the point are cited by the author, and the cases of prominent screen artistes are brought up to bear out the convictions. A humourist, in answering the question, says that while one is tempted to settle the matter with some such answer as " Who nose ? " it cannot be denied that there is considerable truth in that belief. The writer mentions the case of Clara Kimball Young, whose popularity as a film favourite is ascribed to her elusive and mystifying eyes; while there are many other artistes whose fame in feature films is due in no small measure to their film features. Lessons We Learn From the Films. A woman's weapon/) are smiles and tears ; a man's are cheque*. » » • The fool and his money keep many clever people from starving. This Week's Best Films. THE following is a list of the best photo-plays which are being released for exhibition at the cinemas during this week, and the names of the star artistes : . . " The Forest on the Hill ' Alma Taylor. * " Love's Lariat " Harry Carey. . . " The Amazing Impostor"' , Mary Miles Minter. Palhe .. .. " The Gates of Brass " Frank Keenan. Western Import . . " Paying His Debt " Roy Stewart. Walturdaw . . . . " The New Moon " Norma Talmadc.e. Vitanraph . . "A Diplomatic Mission " Eari.e Williams. Grace Darmoxd. Annua .. .. " The Page Mystery" June Ki.vnxiE, Carlyle Blackwei.l. Walturdaw " Marie, Ltd." Alice Brady. A rlcraft . . . " The Teeth of the Tiger " David Powell, Maroaret Coltrtot. /?. <0 C " Desire " Yvonne Arnaud, Denis Neilson-Terry. Hepworlh Gaumont Astra THE PHOTO-PLAY IN THE cinema actor or actress who is really keenly interested in his or her work, and anxious that everything they show to the public is absol correct, spares no pains in the making of their plays. For instance, if a new picture necessitates in the desert, or any such outlandish place, then a trip must be made to the actual place for filming. Scenes in an Indian village were necessary for the success of Douglas Fairbanks' new photo-play, " The Molly Coddle," so he most, perforce, make a visit to the nearest Indian village, 100 miles away, for the scenes to be filmed. He spent a few weeks in the Opie Indians Reservation in the Arizona desert, actually mixing and living with the Indians themselves. You will have an opportunity of witnessing his performance among these coloured folk when you see his new Dim, " The Molly Coddle." Smoking the pipe ol peace with two Opie Indian in hi* film " The Molly Coddle," played in .hie!*, who t' « the Atimm i< *