New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-06-21


be improved" is a truism which is par
ticulariy applicable to motion pictures, IN
the opinion of Mary Fuller. the clever
leading lady of Edison films. II every one
In the movie" industry had half Of Miss
Fuller's talent and sincerity the saying
would cease to apply TO that branch Of
erdeavor
The Edison studio being located in the
transcaucasian Bronx, 1t is exc long pill
grimsge from Park Row, and it was
made longer by the fact that we rather
feared a dull time. True, 1t hardly seemed
probable that a person so charming on
the screen as Mary Fuller could be other
wise off, but we once supposed the same
thing about another actress and had
rude awakening. But with Miss Fuller 1t
was happily different. You know how de-
l!ghtful she is in every one Of her widely
varying roles. Well, in real life she Is
even more so.
It was no easy task to reach the royal
presence, however. The Office OF the studio
was a solid mass Of women averaging
about thirty-five years old, and all eagerly
filling out cards OF application for posi-
tons as actresses. Each and every appll-
cant in the lot wanted a chance to play
high class society parts calling for SVEN
dressing" Finally enough OF them we're
led gently outside, so that We were able
to get within hailing distance OF barber
lodging mammoth who guarded the inner
door. His suspicious were soon overcome,
and in a few minutes more We had met
Miss Fuller and we were hers.
"'Tis said" we remarked, that you
have quite serious Views concerning mo-
ton pictures"
Indeed, / have" she replied, land l
may as we'll admit it right at the start,
though in these days of art for the box
Offices sake it's almost like inviting
trouble. In the matter Of good plays well
produced conditions are improving In the
motion picture industry. but they are not
improving nearly as fasr as ! wish they
would. Some of the big feature pictures
witch are made in this country represent
a really high grade of work. but the
shorter films are sadly below the standard
which they might so easily have.
zone trouble seems to be lack Of care
in selecting scenarios. Many OF them'
probably the majority, are selected by
persons who have very little dramatic
sense, and practically no appreciation or
the artistic, and II a scenario editor does
start TO show glimmers Of intelligence, he
Is usually suppressed by the Officers OF
the concern. These men are always thor
oughly commercial, and mast admit that
arfarnrigpQ nv
their own methods. What / do believe,
however, is that it's high time for some
of them to change their ways. The meth
DDS which have met with success IN the
past will not be the best in the future
in making motion pictures. Many p1ct-
ure makers are in so much of a rut re-
garding the type of story which they will
produce that there Is a deplorable same
ness In the ordinary length films.
"The manufacturers say they have their
fingers on the pulse Of the public, and
that they are giving the public what II
wants. Now 1 think they are mistaken.
because don't really believe the people
taste is so low. II it is, then say don
give the public what II wants, but what
II ought 10 have. II might be difficult at
first, but IL could be done.
'T hope you won't take all this 70 mean
that I think the motion pictures Of the
present are bad, because they aren't. II
Is rather that they might easily be ever
80 much better.
when act in some trivial story, as
have to sometimes, I feel that have
given my best efforts TO an unworthy
cause. Some persons tell me that I an
hoping for too much when / want TO act
only in really good pictures, but l really
don't see why. A little more care and
time are all that is necessary"
"Our impression that you entertained
serious ideas seems 20 be entirely correct
we interrupted. You must have hac
some interesting experiences on which tC
base them. Won't you tell a few facts
about YOURSELF"
"oh, I'd much rather not" she replied
with one OF her charming smiles. Facts
Of that sort are such dull things. DOM
want to talk about myself. except in direci
connection with my work and plans. So
| I'll only say that was on the stage for q
short time. and rye been here for abou
three years. The reason went into pict
ures was because wanted. above al
things, TO develop myself, and they seemef
F, to offer the best chance. have never re
GREETED my choice. but feel that ye
have much 10 do. Perhaps my ambition
seem mere youthful hopes, but 1 long q
do something very much worth while"