Variety (August 1925)

VARIETY PICTURES Wednesday* August 6, 1988 AMERICAN FILM PRODUCER ON ATKINSON By B. P. 8GHTILBEB0 (Mr. Schulb«rg organizad and it pr««ld«nt of B. P. 8«hulb*pfl Pro- duction*, Incn at 780 Qowor otroot, Loa Angola*. Ho haa boon a rocognixod producor for aovoral yoara. Praviouaiy Mr. Schulborg was ono of tho infjaortant oxocutivos of Famous Playora whon that organization was in tho procossos of its building up, in whioh dovol- opmont of that day Mr. Sohulborg playad a larg* part). ''':' . Loa Angeles, July !•. Editor Variety: Replying to your printed suggentlon that American film pro- ducers aid in "Variety's" defense of the American photoplay and particularly because Mr. Atkinson has singled out one ot our pic- tures, "The Breath o>t Scandal," as Illustrative of his point of view, we would like to submit the following: "The Breath of Scandal" and all the pictures ot which that la typical is by no means an exemplification of the Nietxschean theory, by no means unmoral or Immoral. It is rather a six reel defense of the marriage sacrament. It is a story of the new girl, who, •instead of being totally ignorant of the problems of life and social or sexual laxity, is fully aware of them and able to cope with and combat them, which neither her mother nor grandmother were able to do, with the result In this particular photoplay that she brings back to her mother an erring father and keeps the knowledge of the unpleasantness from her. If such a picture destroys the ideals of the young generation, then It must b« very patent that they have no ideals to be destroyed, for surely it is as much an Ideal ar any other to stimulate and Illustrate filial devotion and sacri- fice. So much for the specific defense of "The Breath of Scandal" as a single unit in the controversy. Taking up the more general subject ot all the American pictures, which are the target of Mr. Atkinson's criticism, this psychological truth should be conveyed. America is not going through a period of moral laxity, due to post-war prosperity, which he names as responsible for this condition. Jt is going through no period simi- lar to the one before the fall of Rome. It is rather an awakening than a decadence. The American public have Just emerged from the period of crinoline prudery and "concealment" of the big prob- lems of life and is today facing them in a scientific spirit of research and a frank facing of facts and solutions. American Girl ths Finest The new American girl Is the finest girl America ever had, as well as the brightest and most competent to deal with life. As a' result of the modern tendency to look upon sex as an Integral link in the universal scheme <H things, she will have in much fewer number than her mothers and grandmothers, disillusionment, insan- ity and suicide. The rate at which Insanity and suicide have been decreasing in America In the past generation prove, not in the forensic manner of words, but in the scientific manner of evidence, that morality in the true sense Is advancing, and not receding, in America, for any philologist or scientist knows that wherever morals become lax in a steadily descending line. Insanity and suicide become Increased in a correspondingly ascending degree! This is in defense of American morals and their depiction In American pictures from a purely physiological point of view. From a theological point of view, also. It is apparent that iin advance, and not a retrogression, is occurring. The pitched battle now going on in America between fundamentalism and evolution, which Is arousing the sarcasm and ridicule of the British public, is but another illustration of the awakening previously pointed to. Mr. Atkinson refers to Nietzsche, whose cynicism has undoubt- edly hurt the world, but forgets altogether Havelocke Ellis and Freud, who are not merely the sour philosopher that Nietzsche was, but who are true scientists and mind explorers, and who have given the world a new constructive conception ot lite and human relationship. Punishing Villains In 14 years of close contact with picture making, during which I have attended thousands of scenario conferences, I have never known a single one to terminate without someone saying, "We haven't yet punished the villain," and proceeding to do so. This is entirely typical of the American picture-making attitude. There Is always compensation for evil and reward for virtue. Mr. Atkin- son cannot point to a single American picture ot refcent months which has not adhered to these two fundamentals. In fact. It is so well understood in Hollywood that there is a trade term called "poetic Justice." Every day in Hollywood scenario conferences, some voice will arise and say, "The penalty for this man's act does not correspond with the evil—it Is not 'poetic Justice'"—and forth- with the penalty is increased. It seems to me that if all the conditions that Mr. Atkinson de- plores as portrayed in the American films, such as "Secondary Wives," "Temporary Husbands," "illegitimacy," "divorce," etc., did not exist in the world, but were portrayed In American photoplays notwithstanding this fact. It would be a vicious condition and his entire criticism of the American photoplay Justifiable; but it seems to me, likewise, that since they do exist, they, are true subjects for dramatic and photoplay treatment—^Just as any social tendency or condition has always been considered within the rsaim of drama and literature; provided only that they be not extolled and that they be made to adhere to the truest ideals of the race's progress by punishing the evil-doer and rewarding those .who uphold the standards of honor and rectitude, which the American photoplay consistently does. Mr. Atkinson evidently does not yet know that we cannot bar De Maupassant and Balzac from the young generation, that the most we can do is to prevent or make more difficult the obtaining of specific books written by De Maupassant and Balzac, but we cannot, nor never will, prevent young people from obtaining simi- lar books. Truths and Lies ' ' " The same Is true of the photoplay. The young generation merely has stopped reading books in favor of seeing photoplays. It we bar from their sight, or their consideration, any of the vital things to which their stirring consciousness attracts attention and give them Clnderellad and Little Red Riding Hoods exclusively, they will In turn stop seeing photoplays in favor of reading the books which deal with the subjects to which a growing curiosity for Information will lead them. What we must do, however, is to uphold the sanc'lty of the home—to which Mr. Atkinson calls emphasis—the sanctity of par- enthood, and the other essentials of a sane life, which, it is my contention the American photoplay does. Without contrast, how- ever, there can be no emphasis and Mr. Atkinson wisnos us to emphasize truths without showing the lies—he wishes us to create drama without conflict, which Mr. Aeschylus told him 2.000 years ■go was not jwssible. B. P. 8chulberff. Body of Stiqiid Censors San IVancisoo, Aug. 4. ▲ battle of satire Is being waged In Berkeley, ths oollcge town, across the bc>/. Tbe Better nims Committee, well-meaning club women, who are often in print as a result of their ridiculous views In regard to film entertalnn.ent presented there, have roused the Ire of a local group of men known as the Berkeley Defense Corps. Every film coming to Berkeley is censored with the report printed daily in the local paper. A small body ot women appointed by the club's president sat in at c screen- ing ot "The L.ast I^tugh." the now- tamona German play, heralded as ttas first shown without sub-titles. and In their review they classed it as an English play with a London locals—"the story of a London ma- jor domo in a large hotel becoming too oM tor his fortune"—Is the way tb«y pot In In print Ths Berkeley Defense Corps read this review and for a time ceased be- ing a "defense corps"—at least long enough to take a Tigorous offensive. In fact, they turned against the Films Committee, that organisation's own guns ot criticism. "Bo It resolved," they formally, bat mlrthtuUy, resolved, "that In the future we recominend that the Bottw Films Oommlttee, as long as it porsists in censoring films, dep- utize people at "least sufficiently Intormed to tell English people from Oermans, the streets of Lon- don from those of Berlin, and fur- nish Intelligent criticism instead of innocoons twaddle." They sent this resolution along to the same paper that had published the report, where it appeared in i prominent position. FORUM'S STRING GROUP Hous* Bxpsrimonting With Lubo- viski Csnducting Los Angelesi Aug. 4. John Goring, managing director of the Forum, is making a new de- parture with respects to the type of music that will be used in his house in the future. Goring has engaged Calmon Lubo- vlskl as director of a string orches- tra which is to be augmented by a piano. This unit will make a spe- cialty of "Chamber" music on the stage In an endeavor to Introduce this typo of melody to theatre pa- trons. Should It prove a success, Lubovlski Is to enlarge his combi- nation ot IS pieces and "Chamber" music will be attempted In conjunc- tion with the general film program from the pit. At the present time, the program music is provided by the house organ. Prior to engaging Lubovlski, Goring made a canvass among pa- trons to ascertain whether they pre- ferred the string or the Jazs brass music, with the result that Max Fisher and his orchestra, who were in the house for around IS woeks, were relieved last Saturday. KUTOH OOLDBAUM BOBBED Harrisburg, 111., Aug. 4. Milton . Goldbaum, representative ot the Columbia Film Producers, with headquarters mt St. Louis, ar- rived In Harrisburg foot-weary and notified police that he had been robbed ot $3,000 in diamonds, his automobile and a suit case full of clothing. Two armed bandits accosted him on the State highway near here and left htan stranded, he said. Greater MoTie Season Los Angeles, Aug. 4. More than S00,000 people lined th* route of the Greater Movie Season parade, in which there were 1,004 people and about 400 floats. Dougkia Fairbanks was appointed grand marshal of the parade in the ab- sence of Joseph M. Schenck. In tha machine with Fairbanks rode Mary Plckford and Will H. Hays. The procession took three hours to paaa a given point. Norman Manninc was director of the parade. The musical division Included St bands, the largest number collects ively in any line ot march here, and 660 musicians. hi Gov. on Bhe Laws Indianapolis, Aug. 4. Governor EA Jackson has inau- gurated a new policy in the en- forcement of the Indiana blue laws. Where there is no request froip ministerial associations or other groups of citizens the Governor will not interfere with Sunday enter- tainment. EmAK ABBAMS OH COAST Los Angeles, Aug. 4. Hiram Abrams. president of Unltod Artists, arrived in Hollywood this week and Is making his head- qtiartera at tho Falrbanks-Plckford Studio. Abrams will remain here until the return of Joseph M. Schenck who departed suddenly for the east. W. L. MABS^ALL ARRESTED Loa Angeles, Aug. 4. W. L. Marshall, a partner in the Whltehurst-Marshall Productions of Hollywood, has been arrested on a charge of using the malls to de- fraud. According to the indict- ment, Marshall and Whitehurst sought by federal agents in Chicago, sent out letters claiming to have under contract several film celeb- rities. Marshall is also accused of having Induced Dr. L. M. Connor of Fair- fleld, la., to Invest $20 in a picture with the understanding that he would receive $80 in three months When the period expired Connor advised the postal inspectors of the questionable methods employed hy Marshall and they became active. Chicago, Aug. 4. Saturday's parade ushering In tho Greater Movie Season was a floit. Much was promised, but little shown. The press-agentlng far out- distanced the results. If anyone benefited. It was th< smart mer- chant who put his wagons and auto- mobiles advertising everything froai coca c6Ia to Kelley's stables. Balaban A Katz, with their hug* organization, had two floppy float%^- The laundry vans proved a satire^ and among the onlookers it becam* a gag that pictures needed cleaaw^ Ing up. ''■'} Tho Orpheura Circuit had a float of a 24-sheet sign advertising tho— new Diversey theatre that was se^pi^ ^ several times on the street, but thsirt;' must have realized how bad It wuii^-} and it did not Appear in the paradt^!* 'V < Boston, Aug. 4. '<v'^ Just as the "Greater Movie Sea«r' son" was about to get under way there came a news story from Basle, Switzerland, July SI that a motion picture had inspired a 16-year-oId boy to kill a woman. It got a big play in the newspapers elsewhere, and In New England was invariably used as a first page feature. In the story, carried in approzf^iLi mately 200 words, the only connec- '" lion between the boy and the films was that the police said the boy's confession stated he was prompted to commit his crime after he had seen a motion picture. Bushman's Daugktors on Coast Baltimore, Aug. 4. Virginia Bushman, it, daughter ot Francis X Bushman, has left this elty tor Hollywood, or there- abouts. Miss Bushman and her 17- year-old sister, Lenore, according to their mother, Mra Josephine Bushman, of this city, have offers ot contracts with film-producing firms on the West Coast Harfs Production Manager Los Angeles. Aug. 4. Wallace Kerrigan has been en- gaged as William 8. Hart's produc- tion manager and is now working on Hart's Orst picture tor United Artists. Picketing Injunction Granted Portland, Me., Aug. 4. An injunction was granted against striking picture operators who have been picketing the Portland and Casco theatres here. Renaming Rothchild Buy San Francisco, Aug. 4. There Is a report the new name for the Rothchild Interests, includ- ing the Granada, California, Im- perial and St. Francis theatres, will be the Greater Western Theatres, Incorporated. According to the rumor, this unit of Famous Players-Lasky, will have Edward Barron as president and Jack Partington as general manager. Aside from this change the personnel will stand as at present. Vola Vale After Divorc^ Lios Angciies, Aug. 4. Vola Vale, screen actress, will file suit for divorce for non-support In the Superior Court against Al- bert Russell, brother of William Russell. Russell has been employed as a director, but is not working at present. The couple were married In New York nine years ago. -^1 Children's Hsalth Considered Los Angeles, Aug. 4. Should Phillip Rosen, director, be peijnltted to take his three small children to his home overnight twice every week, there would nat- urally be a change in diet and en- vironment. This could disrupt the routine ot their lives and ruin their health, declared Mrs. Leah Rosen, the divorced wife, to Superior Court Judge Gates. The court agreed with Mrs. Rosen and directed that the director should confine his attentions to the chil- dren in the day time twice eacB week and would return them to th* mother's home before bed time. PUBLICITY PLAN "Don Q" at 3 8t Louts Houses St Louis. Aug. 4. Fairbanks' "Don Q" has been pen- ciled In for a 10-day run, opening Aug. 12, at the three Skouras the- atres. Grand Central, Capitol and Lyric Skydome. SERVICE In [ IS a simple and inexpensive manner of keeping your name or business before the show business of the world each week. Gives displayed or pictorial publicity for 62 weeks each year. Amount may be regulated by the advertiser. Write or call at any Variety office: ' ' * ' ' ' NEW YORK CHICAGO LOS ANGELES 154 W. 46th St. SUte-Lake Thea. Bldg. Chapman Bldg. LONDON, 8 St. Martin's PL, Trafalgar Square