Los Angeles herald., 1910-08-07
MOVING PICTURE SHOWS

that popular version, the moving
picture show" are being discussed at
great length.
In a recent issue of Health, the sub
ject is discussed quite exhaustively and
pertinently.
No form of entertainment has ever
taken such surprising hold on the
people as that which is variously
known as moving pictures" motion
pictures "cinematograph," vita
No class, age or sex seems to be
proof against it's fascinations, and
there is little doubt that 1t has come
to stay. Since the infancy of the
drama--the days of Fantoccini-no
form of entertainment has exercised
such an apparently irresistible in
fiuence.
Some of the best theaters in the
large cities have been diverted from
their original purpose as temples of
the drama to cater to this new and
popular form of amusement, while
there is scarcely town or village that
cannot boast of one or more of such
places. In New York City hundreds of
stores have been altered for the pur-
pose of exhibiting moving pictures.
And there is much to be saic in favor
of this triumph of the Photographic art.
In its better aspect it is highly educa-
tional, and may be made the vehicle OF
much valuable information. Scenes
from foreign lands illustrating strange
customs and ceremonials are repro
duced in a manner infinitely surpass-
ing either painting, panorama or d.
rect photograph, for here we nave tne
very motions of life itself, imparting a
vitality to the picture that is the des-
pair of any other method of repro
duction.
Imposing pageants at distant points
can be witnessed without leaving ones
own neighborhood. Interesting and
complicated mechanical processes can
be presented to the earnest inquirer
with a fidelity to detail that Is nothing
short of marvellous. In short, 1t is an
educational factor of the highest pos
sible value, and further and more
startling developments may be looked
for.
But even as every rose has its thorn,
so even moving pictures have their
drawbacks. The effect upon the nerv-
Gus system produced by gazing at them
for any length of time Is untavorapie'
to say the least. 1t is productive OF eye
strain, which, as any oculist will tell
you, is a prolific cause of headaches,
and not only that but granulated lids,
together with that most unpleasant
trouble known as hondeolum, or stye.
other visual disturbances result from
protracted exposure of the eyes to TINS
form of optical enjoyment, for 1t must
be borne In mind that it is not mat
ter of a few minutes exposure, but OF
two or three hours, and the eye is one
of the most sensitive organs in the
body, and sight one Of the most
precious of human possessions, there-
fore 1t should be conserved with the
utmost care. It is no uncommon thlng,
when new and attractive pictures are
being shown, that many of the specta-
tors will remain to see them second,
and possibly third time. Such pro-
longed strain upon the visual organs
cannot be other than reprehensible.
There is another feature in connec-
tion with these exhibitions, of vital
Importance from the hygienic stand
point, and that is the insanitary con-
ditions present in a large number OF
the places in which these performances
are given. As many of them are simply
stores or large rooms that have been
converted for the purpose, ventilation
is usually defective, and as the floors
or tiers of seats are inclines, those oc-
cupying the rear seats are unpleasantly
close to the ceiling. The air, II not
absolutely foul, is invariably highly
impure, and this is being constantly
breathed and rebreathed by the aud
ience
This can scarcely be wondered at
when we reflect that in most of these
places there is a continuous perform
ance going on, lasting from eight to
ten hours, so that little time can be de-
voted to ventilating the auditoriums,
unless the proprietor is an earnest
aanita rian