Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1913-07-26
SETTINGS FOR FILM PLAYS.
Sir Hubert Won Herk omers New En-
terprise.

terprise.
The cinema has gained astonishing
success in England. 1t has Won its
way into the lives Of the people as
perhaps in no other country. But
there are numerous alarmists who in
Weigh against the character, moral
and artistic, of the majority of finn
productions. The new enterprise of
Sir Hubert Won Herkomer-and he is
man of many successful enterprises
is a constructive effort to unite art
and the film more closely than hereto
fore The English public is interested.
There is no doubt that the cinema
(popularlY pronounced in England
with short %, or the picture theatre
in some form or other, has come To
stay 1t is based in a wonderful adj
vance in the art of photography, and
it has already created n new industry
with many varied ramifieatons. Hith-
erto the repositories of the picture
theatre have left much 10 be desired.
Crude sensatonalism has been con-
spicuous in these performances, and it
has become necessary that they should
be lifted Ia a higher moral and artis-
tie plane ffhiS is the task which Sir
Hubert xon Herkomer has undertaken.
ard ali those who are interested in the
welfare of the great masses of the city
populations will wish Inn every sue
cess. Sir Hubert has always taken a
keen interest in all technical develop
ments relating to the various arts and
crafts. and he is deyoting- himself 10
his new undertaking with enthusiasm.
"Luulaund." Sir Hubert's house at
Bnshey, has possessed a well-equipped
and detached little theatre for many
years. and many people will remember
he series of musical operettas, The
sorceiess. THE Idvi," THE Hunch-
lack, in which Sir Hubert took n
leading part and fer which he compos-
Cd the music An enterprise. therefore.
in which acting Plays such an import
ant part is not a wholly new departure
at "Lululaund." Another initial ad-
vantage is the extremely beautiful
grounds round the house, which pro-
vide 4 varied supply of scenic effect. a
now addition is rose garden with
stately colonades. great fountain
built of lava blocks. and a charming
solar or summer house, whose Win
6ows frame in the distance a classic
English landscape. In these gardens
the plots of q number of scenarios are
being busily rehearsed; and the visi-
tor as lie walks about the woodlands
and pleaehed alleys. chances upon
many little episodes of an interesting
and romantic character.
The ordinary frequenter of the pie
trre- theatre has probably little idea of
the labor which goes to the production
Of a long cinematograph film. The first
thing, of course, is tn choose the story
or, as il is technically called, the see
mario. 1t is photographed. perhaps
many times, and the result thrown by
the lantern upon the screen for pur-
poses of Inspection and criticism. Sir
HIbert's great studio is admirably
adapted for this purpose, and is now
fully equipped with all the accessories
of a picture-thcatre Already 4 few Of
the lcngthiest and most celebrated films
have been produced there for the enter
tainment of Sir IiHbert's friend. But
the main business IS the reproduction
of the sections which have been re-
hearsed and photographed in the gar
dens outside.
The cinema tograph is producing
new species Of actor aud actress. 1t
does not follow that person who sue
ceeds in ordinary drama, or even in
the dumb-shoW ballet, will possess the
special qualities required in the cine
photograph performer. The gestures
and the general development of the ac-
ton of the piece call for great deal
of careful specific study il the final re-
suit is to be natural and harmonious.
Sir fiuberts first task, therefore, was
to engage Il number of artists who
showed a special gift for this sort of
work. Scenarious have been contribut-
ed in abundance, and a few excellent
stories well adapted for the purpose
were speedily put into rehearsal. 1t
locks as though Sir Hubert would he
equally fortunate With his dramatic
helpers.
But the story and the acting repre-
sort only small part of the enterprise
Of film production. Appropriate stage
scenery has also to be erected and
painted A powerful electric installa-
ton is necessary for the provision of
artificial light, To be used alone or in
combination with daylight. Many
scenes must be enacted and photo
graphed indoors. and TO serve these va
rious purposes Sir Hubert is building
ycry elaborate annex in the grounds of
"Inlulaund" and is engaging a little
army of carpenters, scene-painters,
electricians, "projectors' Qantern ma
.nipulators) photographers, stage .man-
Layers, as we'll as other employees need
ed for this very complicated business.
The recent fine weather has been pro-
lpitious for. rehearsal and reproduction,