The Washington times., 1914-07-10
THE BEST
Photopldy Department in
WASHINGTON
ill Produce Plays
and Films Made
From Them on
Same Night.

A new plan for the distribution
Of big feature productions is to be
put into effect by the producers
no have formed the booking
oncern known as the Paramount
LECTURE Corporation. Most OF the
members of this company are old
heatrical men and the plan they
7ropose to try involves not only
he simultaneous production OF the
picture and the play from which it
vas made. but also the scheme Of
swing their show on a percentage
oasis. as is done in the legitimate
theaters.
1t will be most interesting TO
watch the development of this plan
IS il applies to the simultaneous
reduction of pictures and plays.
his sort of thing has never been
attempted before and there are all
sorts Of doubts expressed by pro-
ducers and exhibitors that IL will
le OF any particular benefit The
rOrporation controls the produc-
ons on the screen of the Famous
layers. the All Star Players, the
Sosworth Company, and the Las
<ey Company and these producing
-oncerns have control Of the pro-
guction Of the plays Of the Froh-
mans. Belssco, and other theatri
al producers, on the screen. IL Will
ne entirely possible, therefore, for
hem 10 arrange TO show produc-
lions OF film plays and stage plays
at the same time. Just how the
gublic will receive them is a ques-
lion that is bothering the exhibit
CTS who have been discussing the
scheme
The Paramount plan. intended pri-
narily to interest producers who
Eave hitherto worked in the So
Cslled legitimate" branch OF the
amusement business, lie the identical
plan under which these producers
Rave always operated in their old
he handled on a percentage hSsss.
he producer OF the picture maL;hz
much OF little money in accordance
With whether his product is or IL
rot satisfactory from the public's
point of view, alter il has been pass
ed upon by the distributing agency.
For the percentage plan, which is
4 new one in the feature film field,
the Paramount people claim as the
Principal advantage that II will keep
live spirit o. cooperation between
manufacturer and distributor which
II sometimes lacking under other ar
rangements.
While no statement to the effect
has been made, it seems quite EVIL
plan devised by tns Paramount has
had much to do with influencing
such producers as David Belascor to
enter the photoplay field. Certainly,
II hr. Belasco has ever objected
% The photoplay on the grounds
hat IL might belittie his art. this OBJ
1ection has been removed If provid-
spend as much TIM and money upon
q photoplay production as he can
4etermine to be justified, reasoning
hat superior merit in a photoplay
wll cell for superior reward in
which he is to share.
Nothing definite has been said
Upon the subject of filming New
York dramatic successes while they
re still running on Broadway. but
,har this plan is being seriously con-
s.dered is quite evident from re-
marks let fall by the Paramount
people.
The plan. then. to present q
'rEt might of both the regular stage
~ersion and tn. phouoplay version
OF something winch gives every
promise OF proving a success, seems
perfe city within reason. Certainly
the advertisement of Broadway
run would do greater things for a
pho'Oplay Of the reigninS success
offel ed in every corner of the coun-
Try within six weeks time than il
would for road companies striking
communities months or even years
sfterwaT6, when tire enthusiasm for
the original SUCCESS had begun to
wsne.