The evening world., 1914-05-02
Bv Charles Darnt0n.

David Belasco didn't
waste words over the
- latest movie" scheme
to combine actors with pictures In
houses where plays ire reeled OF In
short order.
whats more" he added, this isn't
a new stunt. As every ono knows. 1t
has already been done In musicaj
shows. the actors starting OFF in .
wild rush to catch train or a steam
ship. and the pictures then taking UP
the actors a chance to catch their
breath. The thing may be done for a
time and perhaps appeal to the public
as a novelty, but / do not believe it
will last nor do l think it will affect
definitely the American theatre as an
institution. 1t is not at all likely that
this plan will work any change in the
stage proper"
the situation. Evidently the Movies
no matter what turn they might take.
did not disturb him.
And We managers" he reminded
me. with n smile. ARE all Indians
with our ears to the ground to hear
what Is coming. In my opinion. the
combination OF actors and pictures
will soon pass. But you may be sure
OF one thing-the moving picture Is
here TO stay. II Ii now approaching
70 hax,lAx, thnnDh hn
not be reached for a year or more.
Then 1t will be the survival OF the
fittest. ! should not be- at all sur
prised to see motion picture theatres
fall off to half their present number.
There IL already a surfeit OF little
places. and these. II seems to me. will
have to go. except In the small. far
OFF towns. where they are like the old :
time magic lantern shows"
Half closing his eyes. Mr.. Belasco
leaned back in his chair and INDUCED
In the luxury of "Reminiscences.
"You didn't know that | was once
picture show magnate. did your
he inquired. THE truth Is that the
present craze takes me back to my
old magic lantern days. At the age
Of twenty-three l entered upon q
managerial career as the producer OF
Peppers Ghost and The Egyptian
Mystery The Ghost walked by the
light OF a magic lantern. while the
Mystery was a matter OF q large
plate glass and an oven from which
the actors-there were two Of us-re-
fiected the glory they felt. This was
more or less difficult, as we were
Obliged to lie fat on our backs while
fighting duels and performing other
heroic deeds to thrill the multitude.
h.
glass ruin and disaster would have
descended upon us. But as luck
would have II, we got along very we'll
After hiring a store building in San
Francisco for $40 n month we put In
some benches and managed to fill
thea for several weeks. Then we
started OF on triumphal tour
Everywhere managers threw up their
hands and cried out against us. Pep.
per's Ghost and The Egyptian Mys-
terry we're considered a menace to the
theatre. Fear turned to consterna-
ton when | recited Little Jim.s
don't know whether 1t was the poem
or my manner o rendering 1t that
made such terrible impression, bu,
the managers throughout my chosen
field of endeavor lifted up their voices
and walled that they were done for
But somehow or other they managed
to worry along. and it so happened
that on one very rainy day for which
! had made no provision traded thai
old magic lantern for an equally Ole
umbrella and made wet and mudd,
tracks for home.
I'VE didn't put the theatres out oi
business then. and ! don't believe fol
moment that a combination of act
| ors and pictures could do II now
The one thing the theatre has 70 feal