The Washington times., 1914-04-28
THE BEST
Photopldy Department in
WASHINGTON
Selection of Music
Big Problem for
the Photoplay
Exhibitors.

suggestions regarding the music
that is used in the theaters. Sever
al OF these letters have been pro-
tests against the kind Of music that
some of the houses have and one
or two of them commended the
music at others. For the benefit
of other patrons it might be sug-
gested that the matter of music IS
one of the things that gives the
exhibitor the greatest amount of
worry 1t is extremely difficult 20
get the right kind Of musicians, We
are informed. The difficulty being
that the sort of performers who
will give attention to the film and
play what should be played are
worth much more money than the
average exhibitor can afford to
pay.
There is much question among the
exhibitors as to just what sort of
music should be given. In the
cheaper houses. it is. of course.
impossible to have a very elaborate
list and drummer are usually en-
ployed-in some of them only
pianist. The music adds a great
deal TO the picture. The exhibitors
are well aware of this. A poor
selection of compositions can utter
~ spun a very SOOu plCluTc- oH
the other hand good selection can
help put a poor picture in a very
much better light.
1t seems absurd 20 speak of tradi-
tons in the noying picture business.
and yet il is a fact that the use of
q drum with a piano in sucR places
is purely a matter of tradition. To
many persons the drum seems abso-
lutely ont of place. 1t is, with the
kinds Of shows that are being given
now. But II must be remembered
that the moving picture is n lineal
descendant Of the side show of the
circus. and in this form OF enter
tainment the drum played a very
important part. Sometimes il formed
the sole orchestral instrument and
was used by the barker outside the
tent to make a noise and attract a
crowd. In the museums" with
winch the country was filled some
Years ago. the drum first came into
combination with the piano. 1t was
used mere. for, its old sideshow pur-
pose-of attracting 4 crowd-and was
continued as part of the or
chestra" because its noise give
notice tc. people on the outside that
a STOW was in progress and drew
them in.
The moving picture show is an
outSroWth Of both rhe side show and
picture exhibitor was a side show
man and many Of his early sue
cessors were OF the type that oper-
ated the mussuus'' and medical
shows This was manifest in the
character OF the decorations OF the
ur,slnaI houses in which pictures
were shown. They were covered
with gilt paint and crude libels on
sculpture done in stucco-thev were
IN ract, truly representative of what
might be called the Barnum-Fore-
paugh school of art. They resembIed
lmothing on earth but a circus van.
The posters were Of the most uriJ
type and the advertising On the ont
side of the theater--as w.II as the
aoverusing distributed among the
uaoe by the manufacturers-.wer
initiative of circus advertising.
Inc hlppodrome element Is cred
uaIy passing away, however, and
me me photopiay Is claiming recogni-
tlon as distinct form of amuse-
ment-as distinct as the theater and
lne circus. as great as either, and
with larger following than the
other two combined. But the drum
sun remains In the orchestra II
sun thumps its way through the
pictures, punctuates heart thnobs
and comedy falls alike. II Will nass
away, eventually. and the music ele
ment OF the picture will secure
greater recognition.
The manufacturers OF film are do
ing their best to bring this about
as soon as possible. They have
recognized for a long time that the
poorly chosen and badly played
musical program initiated against
the success OF their productions.
For several years past they have
carried on an active campaign for
the betterment of the music They
have gone so far. some of them, as
10 employ a musical director whose
business IL was TO study the films
when they were ready to be sent
10 the exchanges for release and
plan program of music to be used
with them In the trade papers
there have been columns devoted to
the selection Of the music The
manufacturers house organs-the
pamphlets issued by them to the
eXhibitors-now all carry sugges-
tions for music 10 be used with
every film.
II is a serious question with ex-
hibitors who have given the matter
thought whether or not they are
justified in going to the expense of
purpose Of providing music for the
films. We do not believe they are
justified in going to this expense. I'm
the case of the neiehborhood thea
tiers. In the downtown houses,
where feature films are shown al
most exclusively. 1t would seem that
an orchestra does add TO the en-
joyment of the entertainment Of
fered. In the neighborhood house.
however. this does not seem TO be
the case. But it would be an eX-
cellent thing if the drum was cut
out of these places. and the money
used to pay the drummer added to
the salary of the pianist. so as to
insure the employment Of a good one.
This can be said for Washington
It has better music and better Sc
Iected music as a rule than any
other city we have ever visited.
There seems to be a better idea Of
the needs OF the pictures and the
value of good accompaniments. Still
there can be an improvement shown
there is no business In the world
where progress shows palmer than
in the photOplay-and the Washing
ton exhibitors appear to have as
stunned the attitude that IL is up to
them TO show u. g. NJ.
A Daughter of the Hills.