The Washington times., 1914-03-19
THE BEST
Photopldy Department in
WASHINGTON
Quality Not Quantity
First on the List
OF the Public'S
Demands.

the expense Of a repu-
tation for quality
This pertinent answer to the
uestion of what the public wants
to see at the photoplay house is
rather reverse English on the
original query as the writer OF
he letter containing ii addressed
himself 70 what the public does
NOT want But it is one of the
things that We wanted TO find out
and We wish 10 thank the man who
wrote it Several inquirers have
asked US if we did not mean 10
have our friends write us what
was not wanted. as such ques-
rion would be easier TO answer.
We do want them to tell us that.
1t is part Of our plan and it was
an oversight that We did not call
attention TO il in our original re-
uest.
The matter OF quality VS.. guam
tity is one OF the oldest that has
been discussed in the photoplaY
NIsiness. The business itself is
OF very old. but this particular
ne average patron of the film is
OF TO be blamed if he arrives at
he conclusion that some of the
manufacturing concerns are try
ng to establish q record for the
number of reels rather than the
kind Of reels. He has very firm
foundation for such a belief one
oncern that is famous all over
ne world announced n few years
20 that it intended to release a
.ew picture every day. 1t did. And
as a result the quality of the pic
lures fell SO low that the concern $
equation suffered severely.
The type of man who wants to
p AXE al the money in tie world at
zee is represented in the producing
I'D of the business. unfortunately
rIe =ained D foothold when il was
brand-new and established himself
secureiys II is this type who is try
ing to ficod the country with mediocre
reels of films II is diCnifging them
to highly to call them pliotoplays.
4 strong effort is being made, how
ever. to weed out this type. The pro
CuceFs lave learned that the public
viii not patroEize such productions
snd are trying to coordinate com
u.crce and art TO the end that the
-"rfect film will be the result.
Horsepower sold automobiles cnce
Tpon a time. 1t did not make any
difference how far they would so or
how long they would continue TO go
81 long as the cars would go fast
enough. But that idea is dying away.
Manufacturers of automobiles are
trying TO make machines that will &C.
long way. keep il up for long
time. and have small upkeep cnarces-
50 the film business is being slowly
revolutionjzed. TIE manufacturers
0hc really have the interest of the
husiness at heart are striving their
iiTnost to find just what thc nubiic
ants and how il wants il served.
ience cur inquiry Of Tuesday after
Oon. II will be helpful to the eX-
"Ib!tpr as we'll as the producer to
TOW = hat the public does not want.
gives then. an idea of what 10
avoid
That is why We are glad to get
-.sch letters as the following from
correspondent We hope will keep his
prOmise To write us again:
'Gardrer Mack. Pnotoplav Editor,
The Times
Dear Sir: ] once heard Of an in
cent wherein d country girl. con
alssCiTg from IN Illness in a city
.ospitsl, upon being asked what she
"ould Ike to cat named bacon ana
lbbasC as hcr faVorite menu. The
I"or Eirl called for III best she
knew.
] suggest YOU invite ycur readers
% tell what kind Of Dhotoplays they
o not like. ] am going 70 be one OF
n" rrst TO do this Nv opinion
.''Sht u 10" valuable because l am
not az extremist.
Here are a fe~ things | do not
arc TO sec and will not pay to see
or be paid for seeing:
Trashy plots aD6 plays
'Buffoonery and horscplay
Scenes from the underworld-so
called Bohemia
= always feel chea ced and indig-
ant when 7 have spent an hour OF
precious time witnessing such trashy
'hmgs as these. z. {. 4.
March IL"
The photopIay tea house is The
newest idea in showing photopiays.
y several cities OF the country on
uprising managers nave fitted up
~ozy tea rooms in the shopping dis
riCts. where photoplays are shown.
An admission price is charged that
g a bit higher than the charge at
ne usual photoplay house. and tea
s served free by daintily artired
ditresBeS There is Il small menu
on each of the forty or fifty tea ta-
blcs that incluses a number Of light
'-nche0n dishe.. Nothing hot is sold
hit tea. and nothing IS served that
would not be appropriate 20 go with
ca. The items on the menu are
"harged for at modest pTice-but.
IS stated. tea and biscuit are served
f-"e TO every patron.
Inc photoplayS that are shown
ar" supplemented by film or two
of fashions. The program is OF the
gsual length. and there is no vaude-
HE or rnUsic. except a piano and
iOHn accompaniment for the pic
tires The decorations Of such
places are quiet and restfuI. aud
"verything about il is designed with
'h' idea Of giving a weary shopper a
moment or TWO Of TeiUVenation aTrd
'ecTe"tiOn amidst pleasant sur
round;ngs
The idea seems % he one that can
D., heartily commended TO the atten-
ion OF WashingtOnfans contemplate
'r. Investment in the DhOIODiaE husi-
hess il l. brand new. and while il
would involve an outlay somewhat
IN excess Of the demands for the
average photoplaY house. We be
li@ve II would not only be given a
steady patronage. but that il would
help 10 improve the business
throughout the city. 10y the tone and
quality given the pictures. 9. NJ.