The Washington herald., 1914-05-20

/ It Affords me q great deal Of pleasure
to publish the following letter, which
may enlighten the moving picture public
better than an observer ever could. just
how carefully the entertainment Of the
Olympic's audience is provided for.
Editor "Motion-Picture News: 1t In
very unusual for an art critic to COM
ment on the frame around a painting,
particularly II II be a very modest
frame. Five nights each week I make
music frames for the Oiympic'S motion
pictures, and desire to thank you for
that portion Of your very complimentary
Fleeing View" which applies to me.
While making acknowledgment ! wish
to pay my compliments to the very able
little lady who relieves me the other two
nights each week; to a management
which is kept In perfect condition.
The selection of music which. In con-
nection with the pictures, shall not be
Suggestive and which shall not inter
fere" with them, Is my first thought. Ro-
tation-not repeating too often-comes
next. A proper mixture of new, stale.
old and dead music is very important to
please all elements Of patronage. New
music fresh from the press does not aid
q picture story as does song well
known. l do not say this because ! do
not play all of the latest music.
I memorize my music, and my inter
probation is accommodated to the pic
ture. II II impossible for me to watch
picture and music at the same time. I
do not profess to be a sight reader. in
fact, reading II difficult when given all
Of NV attentie,,. / commit &c memory
for immediate Jse such songs as. being
peculiarly topical" fit well the pictpres
and make selections always with a view
to their possibilities OF wear. In four
hours one plays considerable" II he va
rfes style and tempo to avoid monotony.
I average more than four hours continu-
Gus playing. though the management
does not require 1t. my arrangement be-
Ing for the usual ten-minute rest period
each show; but / become interested and
ind myself trying to improve upon a
preceding effort
To please patrons early and late is a
problem. The first show is fresh to me.
and the problem is to automatically Sc
lect and play the proper things. The
next show Is case of remembering
cues and mental notes Of places for
improvement. When tired physically and
my interest In the picture lags. to force
expression into my music is the problem:
for the late crowd 10 as discriminating as
earlier ones, and 1t perhaps does not real
ize that it is getting the fag end Of a
four-hour stunt. However. / can, as a
rule, play Good might. Ladies' with
great "gusto" and expression along about
l0:S p. m.
owe something to my wife She lie my
critic. my censor. Her suggestions are
always valuable. her ideas splendid.
ask your verbal or written criticism
and suggestions. One cannot know. with
out asking. whether or not his efforts
are pleasing those whom he is trying to
reach.
thank you for your very evident sin
cer,ty In your compliment to me.
~ II. L. NJ.
Motion picture frame maker at the
Olympic.
Motion Picture Editor: Would you
What does Pop" Anderson look like?
OF course. have never met him, but. In
my minds eye. have pictured him ss a
stout, elderly gentleman. with a bald
spot. and as a sort of near-philistine. So.
II / have guessed right concerning his
age. please warn him very earnestly
about following that snowstorm scene
around In very hot weather. as sudden
charges OF temperature are risky for
elderly people. r. L B.
think Pop appreciates your kind
regard for his health. Your description
is almost perfect. except that your state
ment with reference to a bald spot Is de-
cidedly conservative. I should never call
II anything 30 minute as spot
Motion Picture Editor: I have just
finished reading your Queries and Com
ments. and I have one that I would like
to make. Why as a rule in Washingtor.
ID. C.. do they have cashiers at the
moving picture houses that will not tell
the truth? When you go up a little late
and ask her - you can see the whole
show. nine times out of ten she will say.
certainly" and you will say ARE you
sure" and she will say certainly" II
isn't the value Of the nickle SO much. but |