The Washington times., 1914-10-08
avs Screen Give S
Author a Bigger
Scope For His
Stage Play.

Within the next year or two prac-
tally every play that has made n
tI[ success on the stage will have
ben reproduced on the screen. At
tie present time there are four big
concerns ttat are devoting their time
I nothing else. In addition to these
there are two or three other COM
J MES engaged in picking out big
J ays and putting them into film
fu~m. AS we stated some months
40, the managers of these produc-
ons have found that experienced
screen aotCrs are better for the
proper presentation of the plays,
than companies of men and women
with only stage experience. In many
Cf the bigger plays the original stars
have been obtained to take the same
part on the screen that they ap-
Jared in on the stage. These stars
az usually supported solely by
pnotoplayers. however. In other
cases plays that are better suited to
the individuality of well known
photuplayers are produced with them
alone.
With the appearance of stage and
rCreen versions of the same play 4
'uOst interesting field of comparison
% the two branches of the acting art
: opened. In Washington this week
TauCns of the theater have had a
flretaste of what this will be. At
Poll Theater The House Next
& -
T-1duCtions that can be obtained in
The stock company. At Crandalrs
: . was given a screen production yes
l-rday. Persons who saw the two
avs will readily understand what
"e have meant when We have called
ne stage and the screen supple
~ ental to one another. We are more
han ever convinced that this is so
nd more than ever convinced that
me legitimate drama-the real plays
nave absolutely nothing to fear
I~CIn the screen. At the same time
q screen is the best vehicle for the
. roduction Of a host of plays that
re now given on the stage. Artis-
tCally and in entertainment value,
81 q honestly believe that the screen
nd the stage will stand side by side
b. public esteem.
IL is interesting. in this connec-
on. to read what one of the men
' no has been most instrumental in
Itting these big plays on the screen
has TO say about il. Barry O'Neu
IS one of the really great phOtoplay
directors in this country. He was
-.rst with the Thanhouser Company
nd now is one of the big men of
ne Lubin forces. He has staged
the Charles Klein plays that Lub n
hotoplay from the stage. He was
, stage director OF ability before
. was induced TO try his. hand at
Erecting Z photoplays. He became an
'lStant success because he brought
cars OF experience with the public
taste and ripe understanding 10
Us task In discussing his work
r. O'Neil makes some very inter
"sting observations in The Dramatic
Mirror.
There's a deep pleasure in it." he
-3ys. Il suppose it's because l have
ed so much of my life within the
acater and I erioy producing these
.ays for the camera Here are
orks that will be recorded in stage
story, and I am contributing a
gapter to their life story. 1t is
I an unimportant chapter either
.,Hen you consider how many the
g.thors Of these plays would never
Zach were it not for the picture
Errecn.
How long do I think the public
III continue to care for screened
r'ays? Why, Just as long as there
e good stories to tell. Primarily,
isn't Z question of whether your
r.cture bears the name of a we'll
EUOwn stage success or whether IL Is
origiLal-the sole important factor is
Dur story. While We have plots
zig enough in heart interest to tell in
multiple reel lengths. We will have
lectures that appeal to the public.
he story is the factor that governs
everything"
During the early days I pro-
duced Uncle Toms Cabin in one
reel: a Dickens novel. also in a
single reel, and many other classic
works. They seemed to be good pic
:rIres in those days, and they prob
ably were, but l imagine they might
bs y-ry funny nowadays. / produced
he first two-reel picture for Mr.
Thanhouser, and II took him weeks to
get up courage enough 10 release
Fuch a recklessly long picture. Down
here at Lubin I was also the first 10
produce multiple-reel pictures.
Since the days when i induced Mr..
Thanhouser to film old novels, | had
been looking longingly toward the
stage successes. When the opportun-
ity came to produce the Charles
Klein plays for the screen therefore
took to them with delight. But it's
hard work, and exhausting on the
nerves. How many sleepless nights
spent trying to whip The Lion and
the Mouse into picture form. But
it's worth IL. I enjoy the work; !
am contented. In fact, ] don't see
how any man could come from the
stage 10 the screen and not be more
than satisfied with his new line. Blu,
then they'll all tell you that; II isn't
nv own thought"