Omaha daily bee., 1909-12-12

ing picture theaters-the thea
tiers where the pictures are
- made, not performed-the social
hsX9&%M side of the players lives differs
$y very much from the lives
of the players in the ordinary thea
ters. All the important moving pic
ture makers now rave regular stock
companies Of players. In this country those
companies are recruited from the ranks
OF the spoken play theaters and probably
such is the case in England. In France,
where pantomime is taught as a branch
of theatrical training, the two great NOV
ing picture makers have naturally taken
advantage of the market open to them
and to some extent at least recruit their
companies from members of the profess
sion who have had special training in
pantomime.
In this country the first experiment in
that line was made recently by the Edison
Manufacturing company, of which the
moving picture business is a branch. The
Edison theater is in The Bronx and is
equipped with every appliance of. New York,
the regular theater. There are four stage
managers, because often in the big roomy
stage sets of two plays are in position
and in use at one time, while perhaps
q third play is being rehearsed.
-
This fact suggests the necessity which
exists for a large stock company. The
people OF the moving picture stage work
in the daytime only, because as much as
possible the scenes are photographed by
daylight. This working by daytime only
is the first great change made In the
manner OF the players lives. That and
the fact that 1t permits the players to
live In a regular home and not, as Is
the case with many of their profession,
30 live usually in sleeping cars and hotels
makes engagement in this new industry
very attractive for them, Another reason
and this the non-professional might never
think OF, is that it gives the players
opportunity to see theatrical perform.
ances.
IT nave been on the stage for twent,
years" remarked one Of the men in thu
Edison company, "and in all that time
did not see from the front as many play.
performed as I have seen in the last sil
months when 1 nave had all my evening
20 myself.
Another player referred to the work a
the best kind OF training for the regula
stage.
-'Whe YOU come 10 realize said hC
'that every effect you are expected TO ge
across TO the audience must he by expires
sion and action. that those who watc
your performance hear never a word [
give them a clue to your meaning, it make
YOU value the Importance OF acting a
opposed to elocution at its true worth"
%
Reference was made above to one e.
pertinent in tho employment Of a traine
pantomimist made by one Of the America
manufacturers. Recently the Edison con
pany engaged Pillar Norm 10 produce b.
fore the camera at the Bronx theater son
of the pantomimes in which she made h,
fame before her many years Of playing
MADAME Butterfly" In those plays, an
one or two others which Pi'ar NORM h,
herself arranged. she was supported
the regular Edison stock company. n
writer, who witnessed some Of the pc
f~ormances. Vas struck by the intense /
terest the regular performers showed
Anne. Morin's work.
This interest was reciprocal. for I
-pantOmimist showed a lively interest
~instrucung the players In some OF the fin
points OF pantomiming, In her hands a
work IL not altogether facial eXpressi
and action, hut partakes OF the art OF 81
Eestion. This win be understood by tho
Who have seen her In the famous scene
MADAME Butterfly" where the Japans
Ein waits apparently an night for the
AN VI hsr lover.