The Washington times., 1914-09-23
THE BEST
Photopldy Department in
WASHINGTON
'hotoplayerS Should
Carefully Pick a
Play for Stage
Appearance.

In connection with the remarks
that have been made in this column
from time 10 time regarding the
manner in which the stage and the
screen can be brought into co-opera-
ton. Washington had an unique
demonstration of the interchange
able character of the work OF the
two branches Of the acting pro-
fession last week Three of the local
theaters were the scenes OF these
demonstrations. At one OF them
one of the greatest OF the screen
favorites. John Bunny. appeared in
person, while at the other two we'll
known stage stars were shown in
pictures-Richard Bennett and An
nette Kellerman. of the three per-
formances il is more than probable
that the screen plays pleased the
largest number of people. This was
largely because the screen star who
appeared at the other house did not
select the best sort of a medium for
the exploitation of his personality,
although so far as showing off many
of his particular points of excellence
was concerned. it served so far as
the audience was concerned.
There is a growing demand among
the people who are supporting the
moving pictures for an occasional
view of the actors and actresses
who have become favorlteS, in per-
Eon. Practically all of the screen
stars have been asked to appear at
benefits or in vaudeville from time
to time, but the contracts that most
of them have, not contemplating
such a thing, are interpreted to pro-
hibit them. The idea of the older
type of producer was to keep down
the personality of the actor and
actress rs much as possible and put
forward only the producing con-
GERMS name. The last few years has
proved this policy to be bad. The
personality of the actor and actress
has come to mean everything to the
success of the pictures and the pro-
ducing company very little VI
course. some companies have put
out such uniformly good pictures or
pictures of such a character that
the name of the concern has been
q guarantee as to photography and
prodUction-but even with these
companies it has been found that
certain actors and actresses will
draw larger audiences than others.
II would seem, therefore, that it
is to the advantage of the produc-
to appear in regular play or pro-
Guction once or twice a season, and
tour with this so that all of the peo-
pie who are paving money Tor the
support of the pictures can have
chance to see the actors and ac-
tresSeS as they really are. There
are indications this will shortly be
done by some Of the companies. One
Of the most popular stars on the
screen told US recently that he in
tended to demand the insertion of
clause in his next contract that
would permit him to accept some
OF the many offers he has made for
vaudeville. This actor declares that
he can almost double his salary II
he is permitted TO make a couple OF
tours a year with stage show and
that his popularity will be increased
a hundred fold. That he is right
in his conclusions has been proven
by the number OF people who throng
the exhibitors balls and other places
where actors appear as invited
guests.
The selection of a medium for the
eIposition of the actor or actress
should be given the most careful at
teution. however. It would not do
for the actor to depart from the
character of work he has been doing
on the screen. We mean by this
that ar actor who had played TO
mantle drama should not try low
comedy or song and dance work.
There are many of the leading stars
who are good song and dance peo-
ple. but II would hurt their work
on the screen, hurt their popularity
with he people who want to sea
them, for them TO exhibit their tai
ent in this direction.
II would seem that the best Plan
for the actor WOULD be to secure a
,ketch or something Of the sort that
would give him an opportunity Il
do the same class of work he has
been doing on the screen-the same
general class, that is If it was
found possible for him to secure the
services of some OF the members of
the company with whom he is &C
customed to play. il would be well
for him TO put on a regular playette,
with some of the scenes in moving
pictures and som2 of them in spoken
play. The popular star to whom We
referred has evolved this idea. and
II is not improbable that before tht
end Of this season he will be seer
on tour with company of his fel'
low-players in Just such a produc'
ton. u. VI.