The Washington times., 1914-09-04
THE BEST
Photopldy Department in
WASHINGTON
War Has Pdrdlyzed
Motion Picture
Industry in
Paris.

Interesting news to the photoplaS
patron comes from PARIS reSardihs
the condition OF the motion picture
industry there as a result OF the
European war. Paris has been what
might be called the moving picture
capital of the world. 1t was IN the
beautiful French city that the pic
tures received their first Big lmpe-
tus, aI,u il is there that the develop
nenI OF artistic photography ana
proj. ction first reached It's hlSheSt
plane. Ii is there that the largest
uhotoplay house is located. and that
the pictures have riser to the high
est cisn.ty as a form of amusement.
The picture has become as much a
part of Paris life as the theater or
the cafe or the dress making es-
Establishments. Therefore, anything
that would affect Paris life would
affect the moving pictures. This Is
the reason that the picturing of con-
dltions with regard to tine flim IN
dustry in Paris is interesting to al
most everyone and especially to the
people who are most interested IN
iilm shows here. In the last issue
Of the Moving Picture World there
was a most complete story OF the
situation in the French capital. The
statements of the Worlds CORE
spondent are dated three weeks ago.
showing that the letter was very
much delayed i'll reaching this coun-
try.
I'm common with every other
trade. the moving picture industry
In France has been seriously dlsor-
ganized through the terrible Euro
pean war now being waseo,' states
:he correspondent.
The immediate effect of the mobl-
lization order was to strip small and
lorv.a of n q lnU estimate M
per cent of their STATS. Simultan-
eously export of films from Paris
10 the provinces and foreign cour-
tries was Immediately rendered in
possible. Studios. which up till ten
days ago were working at top speed,
are now silent and empty.
The most famous French photo
PLAY artists are now playing a part
In the greatest and most terrible
drama the world has ever known.
One and all went with a will that
has won the applause of the entire
civilized world. Many players offered
their automobiles to the war office
and took them to the front.
1t is probab that some of the big
flm manufactures will be turned
INTO hospitals. At the present time
millions of feet of film lie idle on
the manufacturers and renters
shelVes. The several English firms
acting as agents for American
manufacturers who have their posi-
tiVes printed in France are unable
TO get supplies through to London.
instead of the usual eight hours,
travelling TO London now takes IF.
teen hours. and no luggage is a.
lowed. None but English, Americans
eho french people are permitted 20
make the journey, and all must no
Iurnlshed with the necessary papers
ana passports. Both in France and
Ensland 1t is dangerous to carry a
~ a A London cinematographcr
told me that while taking mob;i;-.
uon pictures at Portsmouth he a.as
Gated -'' ''i'e cohns-
NO photosraphcrs or War cor-.
kponoents have vet been aIIoUaj -
-edse Tor the front. A whole -,
OF journalists and camera ,nen M
80 IN fdrIs' awaiting instructions
from the authorities Even who, ~
men do get off it is feared that tbar.
VIII not Be allowed to q, Ilsithi-,
couple of miles of the f1rinr In
ihe last topical pictures to he taiten
IN the French capital wsre thc.a
n.ncwlnS showing the mobilization scenes
Ihese are now being shown at the
Ie~ picture theaters which have re-
,nalhed open The exhibitions urko
have been able To co-tinna .,i,";r,.'
SAhibluons are doing extremely pooS
business on account of the fact tbo+
me cafes and restaurants aro a1I
closed at o'clock at night. In most
instances prices of admission bave
pen reduced to 10 cents and Tho
bCik of the profits is being hardnd
over to the RED Cross.
have Just beer informed tho.
Messrs Gaumont have arranged 10
tulp.y exhibitors with films at re-
cuccd rates. OF course, no new, pro-
auctions will he issued. Patriotic
pictures are greatly in demand and
+iI French. Russian, ami English
Ih tuIe pays are being reissued as
rapidIE as possible. Messrs. Gau-
mont announce that their toricoI
service will he continued
AS may well be ina yi1ed +Ia
picture tnHlter audience II TODAY is
Tar from CAV. for the people Of Paris
:-iH very sad. Now and again pic
lures of Pr asident Poincare aud
french. Belgium. and British SOL
diers bring forth applause, but on
the who!e the halls are Significantly
silent. The people here don't asl
how man. Germans have bc.n
killed: they want - know the
FIR nch losses Paris is I'm 2 -nond
that have never seen her in before
she is grave. and sobbinE for those
- her gallant sons who ara fighting
tor their country. Tha great white
comes Of thu Cathedral of the Sacred
F@aTt on ~" summit Of ionrualtro
overlook 7 g-ief-striCxen cauitaI-a
capital that will soon he a CITY ~
hospitals and crvin-. sobbirg. be-
reaNed mon and women Gurh IA
war"