The Washington times., 1914-04-14
THE BEST
Photopldy Department in
WASHINGTON
White List of Catholic
Thedter Movement
Contains Some
PhotoplayS

TT may interest photoplay enthusi-
asts to know that there are
twenty plays on the white list
Of the Catholic Theater move
nfent. just issued, that have been
transferred from the stage to the
screen. These twenty plays may.
therefore, be seen either at the regu-
lar theater or at the photoplay house.
The Catholic Theater Movement
was organized for the purpose OF
advising Catholics as to the best
plays for them TO see. The editors
of the list have striven to make it
as clear as possible that the basis
upon which the list has been pre-
pared was to select plays that every
member of a Catholic family. young
and old could safely attend. The
conditions upon which the tudg-
ment of plays for this purpose were
based are:
"A play must not, with regard to
morals occupy debatable ground.
There should be a general agree
rnent that play is clean and whole
some
The appeal should be simple and
universal
The play should be fit for theater-
Foers of all ages, and suited to
varied tastes"
The persons who prepared the list
desire that 1t shall be understood
that no pretense could be made of
setting up high literary standards
Or making fine distinctions as to dra-
DC II Drafan6pd
that the hundred or more plays in
cluded in the list are all that should
have a place on the white list"
II is the intention of the people be-
hind the movement to supplement
the list from time to time and pub
lish the additions in bulletin form,
much as the Drama League publish
es its booklets.
To the people who hold photo
Plays in high regard it may be said
that almost every legitimate play
that has been adapted for the screen
during the past year, and several
included in the list. This proves the
judgement Of the people who have
selected the plays for use In the
picture theaters. OF course II must
be understood that the people who
prepared the white list did not
have the photoplay in mind at all.
but the list they have selected Is
interesting. It follows:
Arizona Brew sters Millions,
Brown Of Harvard, Classmates.
David Garrick. Jim the Penman,
The Lion and the Mouse, The Little
Minister, The Littlest Rebel. A Mes
sage from Mars. Mice and Men,
Monsieur Beaucaire, The Only Way,
Peter Pan. Rip Van Wrinkle, Sec
ret Service, Sherlock Holmes,
Soldiers of Fortune, Strongheart,
The Third Degree.
Some of these plays, as stated,
have not yet been produced in film
form. This holds true Of The Lit
tie Minister" Strongheart, Peter
Pan" Sherlock Holmes" Secret
Service" Monsieur Beaucaire,"
etc, But preparations are under
way for the production of all of
Them and they are Included in our
photoplay list for that reason. 1t
will be noticed that everyone of
these plays comes within the cate
CORY Of the plays that have been
Endorsed in this column from time to
time-the kind We would like to see
produced exclusively in the photo
play house.
1t Is probable that before they
sre through with their work the
people behind the Catholic Theater
movement will turn their attention
specifically to the pictures. In this
connection. why would il not be
good idea for the Drama League to
give the benefit oS its services TO the
PhotOplay? The so-called national
hoard of censors Is a film play
drama league. in a sense 1t per-
forms an unofficial service for the
photoplay lovers jusA as the league
does for theater goers- The. only
difference is that the censors' re-
ports are of general yalue-that is.
are utilized for the general benefit
OF all the photoplay enthusiasts.
while the Drama League bulletins
only go TO members of the leaSue.
II is probable that something will
be done at the annual meeting OF
the league in philadelphia during
the course OF the next ten days
that will bring this matter up for
discussion. G. NJ