Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1914-01-07
PRODUCING
THE MOVIES

One of the most interesting expe.
rienccs in recent European trip
by an AleXandrian, was watching the
operation of making q, moving picture
finn at Heidelberg Castle. AS thu
tourists approache3i the castle they
saw a large concourse Of persons, II
,metiaevai dress, gathered at the cas-
tie gate. At first they could hardi.
believe their eyes. 1t Scored as il
it must be dream. But these were
no dream peaople, as the activity anc
the noise and motion soon CiSpciied
the thought of dream. Il was one
of the large German film companies
who were engaged in making Glass;:
reproductions of historic scenes. The
subject of this film was "The Min
strcEs Curse" In a few moments {
bob tailed horse that stood near hat
been transformed by its trapping
into a ncdiaeval steed. Upon 1t sal
an ole patriarchial minstrel, holding
in his hands a harp. The horse was
le. by a young minstrel, and upor
his back was beautiful show cir!
from neighboring town, whost
blond hair and tinted complexion was
toned down to suit the occasion.
The pcstcrn gate WIS opened anc
after some parley the portcu'lls
swung up and the castle yard wa
seen in. all the hustle and life tina;
would have characterized it in the
middle ages.
One after the other the scenes fol
lowed in rapid succession until th'
closing one when the old mlnstre
came out of the castle, bearing II
his arms the slain boy, turned
and pronounced his curse upon the
castle and its goddess inhabitants
Breaking his gol:en harp he flun'
himself down beside the body Of his
child and he too, died. In mo-
mont the scene had shifted and WI
were once again in the twentieth cen
fury. 1t took several minutes Il
gain our natural poise and not fee
that we were in fairy or dream lsno
The making of films is today nc
- ~ n,oct nynenSiVe EI
also one of the most esthetic me
of activity. Anything will pass upon
Tho stage. If an awkward paus'
romes it can be quickly overcom'
bv the movement of an actor, cur
the Photographic Tense depicts eV
crvthing with cruel cxactncsS. there
fore every detail must be perfect
The posing, the expression, the TIMES
fold of dr2pery must be as It Shou'
be seen.
When Forbes Robertson poses a
Hamlet for the films castle wa:
rcnted at a cost of $4,000 and 4o'
roonIc were costumed for their pur.
noses Tic cntire expenditures.
amounted to $3.50 600, but they sol
s,ooo. 600 feet of the films fol
$750,OO0. -,
One of the most expensive linn
ever made was that of the lise
Hunt, costing nearly 100000, but i
was sold for % cents loot. III
anarctic films of Capt. Scott cos
$3.50 900. but the royalty already col
lcctc:. by Mrs. Scott amounts to NOR
than the original expense.
OF all the forms of commentaries
amusement none arc more cagaolc o.
being of value to the world than th'
movies" They appeal 20 al tlasse'
and as form Of aruscmen. and edu
cation combined have no equal. NJ
class of persons are more interested
in getting, the most out Of them thai
TIC manufacturers themselves. Like
the picture post card. if dcbased tf
immora! and degrading purposes. the!
will lose ttllcir popularity and be forced
to vacatc the Gcl for some otheI
form Of amusement that will rot b.
harmful.
Il lies in the hands Of the "cncra
public whether they shall be of valu,
or not. If the picture houses thai
show good educational films az;
popular and goo mloncy-makerS "a
others will De sure to fellow .heit
lea%. Municipal regulations ana
boards 81 c"rsnrS "'n :" n'urh !,