The Washington times., 1914-08-18
THE BEST
Photoplay Department in
WASHINGTON
hortdge of Film Is
irst Effect Of the
War in Europe on
MoOine Pictures

The first effect OF the European
Fs- on the moving picture industry
b likely TO be felt in the decrease
n the supply of raw film, as the
1h oons of celluloid are called before
thCy are coated with the sensitizing
err ulsion and perforated for use in
he camera or projecting machine.
II ere is much concern being felt
hcw in the raw film market, IL is
Fts ted, because most of the material
bf this sort comes from abroad. AS
nos ST people know, celluloid film is
(ne of the most important needs
bf the Photographic business nova
hsys. Most of the cameras now on
he market are built for the pur-
bose of using film instead of plates
because of the convenience in hand
ing. And film, of course, is abso-
utely essential TO the moving pic
ure. There have been several SUBJ
titutes put forward for the trans
ps rent celluloid of which most film
S made, but up to the present time
bnly a few of these have shown
prs ctical value, and the manufac-
ture of these has not yet reached the
Stage where they can be said to be
N = position to take the place OF
eelluloid.
II is very likely that the shortage
bf stock in the present popular form
of raw material will give great i'm
4pe us to the search for q substi-
tue and especially for a non
|fvr - q bet &c -alT
kn own that the principal ingredient
pr celluloid is gun cotton. a high
eXplosive. Much of the gun cotton
nsed in the manufacture Of celluloid
BONES from Germany and Belgium.
II Will be readily seen that the war
IN europe will have the effect OF
tut ting or the supply. not only be-
pause the sections of the country
where most of the gun cotton origi-
bates is the theater Of the war, but
kiso because all high explosives will
b. in demand for purposes entirely
Foreign to the making OF photo
Era phic film.
The abrupt discontinuance of i'm
bcrtations has caught unawares the
american manufacturers of the raw
Eilm stock, according to report.
LTheir stock on hand is extremely
limited, and the foreign makers or
khe same picture necessity have very
Eittle to offer. It in said the foreign
manufacturers would not contract
During months back for any speci-
FLED delivery Of large quantities.
The matter that is worrying the
Terican picture manufacturer just
[now, and also the foreign picture
|fiTms that turn out some films on
fthis side, is how long the supply on
k1nd of the raw stock will last BY
fEoHle II Is estimated thre or four
weeks will use Up all available raw
stock in this country, when picture
making viii be forced to a stand
still on the part of those makers who
nave not protected themselves by
securing big advance deliveries.
should war end within that time
III will not Immediately remedy the
present shortage of raw stock, ac-
|3Urding to a picture man who ap-
|peared anxious about it. The Bel
|glsns and the Germans have called
|oCt all Of their able bodied men to
|ftght for their respective countries.
] hese have been taken in the main
From the fields and factories. With
|tEe losses OF warfare and the conse-
|Quent interruption to the industries
|of the country engaged in fighting, il
would be at least three months be-
fore either Belgium or Germany
would be restored to normal business
|co nations, after peace had been
One big firm practically has a mo-
ncpoly in America of the raw film
stock manufacture. and this con-
c"rn produces more than 50 per
c.nt OF the entire raw film stock
To- the world.