Evening journal., 1914-04-04
Novels Transmitted q
Into PhOtOdrama.
Famous Authors Commend
Presentation of Their Master
pieces BY Famous Players

A"o"e' AAutuy eno LOUIS Joseph Vance
as Critics Of Their Own Works in
Film Form--''The Silver King, by
Sir Arthur Jones, in Course Of Pro-
duetion
1t is an obvious and natural fact thar
the sternest critic Of a motion picture
production based upon popular novel
is the author himself. 1t has not so long
been customary for authors to see repro
duced upon the screen the characters and
events that have before lived only Ia
their minds or between the covers Of
book.
When Thomas Hardy the celebrated
novelist saw the Famous Players pro-
duction Of his masterpiece, Tess Of the
D'Urbervilles," he said according to the
'London POST that It was a very fine
production and showed the high perfoc-
tion to which the cinematograph had
come. I'm some ways' he declared, st
was superior to the stage play which he
saw IN America The DAILY SKETCH
another London paper, relates: "Mr.
Hardy himself was even more pleased
than the Daily SKETCH He was pres
cnt yesterday at the production. and IN
conversation with Mr.. Sidney NJ. Baber.
general manager Of the Famous Players
Film Co., Of England. said he was de-
lighted with the pictures"
On January 2lgt. Louis Joseph Vance.
author Of 'lhe Day of Days" which has
just been released by the Famous plny-
ers, wrote that concern as follows:
This afternoon, for the first time, ]
witnessed q run of your film version Of
my story The Day of Days and / hope
you may care TO learn how thoroughly
pleased 1 was. My delight indeed was
only equnlled by my astonishment at the
sympathetic imagination with which your
scenario department arranged my story
IN order TO make an Ineligible picture,
the admirable acting not only OF Mr..
Scott, but Of every member OF the cast
the dcftness of the stage direction, The
careful attention which has been givol
20 each and every detail, down to ths
very props"
Such endorsement Of film productions
by the authors Of the originals is quite
significant.
Hugh Ford. the famous theatrical;
producer, who, together with Frederick
Stanhopc and Edward A. Morango. re-
Gently became allied with the Famous
Players Film Company, to collaborate on
the production Of mnssive, spectacular
film subjects, is now at the Los Angeles
studio Of the Famous Players, making
preparations for the first Of these pro.
ductions, "'1he Silver King" the celo-
braied play 10y Sir Arthur Jones.
Hugh Ford and Edwin s. Porter.
technical director, will organize a conf
lpany to enact this famous play, which
in the course of the production viii 50
10 Europe for the exact atmosphere ia
which the action occurs.
When fhp nllinuco hnfyVppu Marorn.
Ford, Stanhope and Morange and the
Famous Players Film Company was an
lnounced, recently, IL created sensation
in the industry due TO the international
reputation Of these men and the impor-
ltance OF their productions, among which
are numbered 1.-The Garden of Allah
Joseph and His Brethren" "rhe Melt
ing Pot "Ihe Deep Purple" and
numerous other plays Of equal pronil-
lnence.
Mr. Ford has had as extensive an ex-
lperience In the producing of plays and
large spectncles as any producer Of our
time. Ontside Of his wide knowledge of
the drama IN oil its phases, he has the
ability 70 strip play Of all non-essentials
that might cloud its motive and minimize
It's central interest. His keen sense Of
the pictorial and his belief in the neces-
ity OF its employment to heighten dram-
attic situations have resulted IN the won
derfully beautiful productions that bear
his name, and, coupled with his quick
intelligence and artistic receptiveness,
augur much for the work IN the field OF
motion pictures 10 which he has chosen
to bend his energies.
Lois Weber, Of the Rex brand. Univer.
sal films, has written one scenario a week
for the last three years. More than this.
her works are never mediocre and the
vast majority Of them are masterpieces la
the art OF action and continuity as wen
ns IN the originality Of the theme. Only
a scenario writer knows how difficult L
must be to sustain such n record.
However, Miss Weber says that she Is
never nt a loss for original ideas. She
Is OK an intensely emotional character
and all the little incidents Of her life and
| those she reads about. In the newspapers.
She views with an eye 10 their heart IN
tercst. When she is lining a scenario
up, she says she keeps in mind the Inv
I dividunl actors in her company, and as
she thinks the prospective story over, she
thinks Of the characters In it as her own
people. In her most recent story, which
is now in course of production, entitled.
Once Upon Time There Was a Fairy
Princess she built the story around
the character and appearance of Miss
Ella Hall, member Of her company. 1t
is laid in old England in the olden time
and is a beautiful, romantic, heart-throb
II
acters as mere names in the scenario or
story. She always conceives them as
/ ilcsh-and-bloOd people with their friends
interests, affections and sorrows.
In this production Phillips Smalley
plays the part of n good prince, and Ru-
pert Julian the role of an ogre.
The third great mystery story Of my
Lady Rallies series which is being pro
duced by Francis Ford and the scenarios
of which are being written by Grace
Cunard, Mr.. F0rds leading woman, is
now in course Of production at the Uni
versal Pacific Coast studies. 1t is in two
reels and is entitled, "The Mysterious
Leopard Lady"
Francis Ford plays the part Of the
professional detective and Miss Cunnrd
that Of MY Lady Rallies" In the
wreckage Of two automobiles two dead
bodies are found and the police presume
that the two men were killed as result
that one of the dead men had been dead
In the dead mans hand he finds piece
20 a theatre where my Lady Rallies
now reformed, is exhibiting some trained
lcopards. She also possesses a leopard
coat and all the evidence points to the
fact that she murdered the mysterious
dead man. The development Of the
story and MY Lady Raiiies" escape IN
balloon lead up to a stirring climax
Harris Gordon. the good-looking young
leading man who Is well liked on the