The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1914-04-27


 writers and many of the better pro- ducefs. One rnanufacturer has re- gently retained for such supervision a we11-known writer and dramatic critic. The fact that this person was a dramatic critic, as we'll as writer, has seemed to me particularly prom ising, for no one can deny that fault of many motion pictures was su bstitution of narrative for dramatic interest, which substitution seems on the whole an undesirable thing.
 The legitimate theatrical manager after a period of watchfu1 waiting, has now come upon the scene and screen with this band of widely known--I will not say more highly -trained-l actors, and his recognized successes.
 There has also been shown of late a more general appreciation of the fit ness for picture production of much standard literature - Shakespeare, Browning, Scott, Dickens, Fenimore Cooper and Dumas have already yielded magnificent pictures.
 SCIENCE SHOULD GIVE AfORE.
 The scientist and the philanthropist have contributed most valuable ma teria1 but they have not reached the public as they should, owing to a re- luctance on the part of many man agers to include them in their exhi- bifions. Bird, beast, fish and fowl have been presented to audiences largely unscientifc so as to reveal the processes of nature which only the student has been able to grasp. In dustria1 conditions and methods have been wildly analyzed; social prob Iems powerfully set forth
 For the perfect example of the ar tistic picture we must look to the for eign manufacturer That this is a fact is not due to any lack in Ameri- ca of able men or scenes of beauty,
 
 ingness of the producer to avail him self of them, possibly because he underestimates the discrimination of his audience. The scenic beauty which we do find in our American pictures one feels has been achieved accidentally. There is rarely the sense of the master hand of the, arr tist in the composition and this lack Is felt also in the interiors which one sees; there one finds not only the lack of the artist, but the lack of a direc- tor with plain, ordinary good taste The combinations 5f furnishings and costumes which are presented for ones acceptance are often amazing. am speaking now of the average, not of the exceptions, which are master ful and to which too great praise cam not be given. Altogether there has been an amazing improvement. both in the quality of the picture produced and. in the public taste.
 STANDARDS NEEDED.
 In determining what is best, one must have a standard. The question of censorship has been and always will be of greatest moment. Many forms of censorship have been sug- gested but the most feasible so far developed is the National Board. This board is at present made up of volun- teers. While appreciating their gem erous and efficient service, I believe that all such work to be completely effective should be the sole duty of paid experts. Only by such con centrated attention can the immense production of today be properly cen sored.
 -s The duty of the Censorship Board, as now organized, does not include ar- tistic, dramatic, literary or photo graphic criticism, it being concerned solely with the standard of morals. This is unfortunate. for much benefit and improvement might be derived from able criticism of these neglected phases. I have lately read of the Chicago Official Censor. am inter ested to find that 1t is considered to have worked well. If I understand correctly it is committee of the police to whom the films are shown and from whom a certificate of ap prova1 are received. Now this at once raises a most important ques- ton. Does 1t not imply certain QuaI- ifcations on the part of the police which, if Chicago has been fortunate enough to find existing, can other large cities hope to find as well? I can understand the ability of the po- lice to pass upon certain features in pictures, but it seems to me imperative that their judgment should be supple mented and completed by the judg- ment of experts, not only in crime, but in literary, artistic and dramaiicc values, experts capable of a broad and comprehensive Judgment. The great danger of all censorship is the dan ger that exists where a question of art is concerned; the danger of the narrow minded, preJudiced person in the picture whenever it occurs will not be an admirable member for a censorship board. Crime which is brought into a picture for no special reason and leads nowhere, had bet ter be omitted. Crime when it hap pens to be a part of a well told and pictured story of dramatic, artistic and moral worth, should not be omit 1 ted.
 CENSORSHIP BY THEATRES.
 Careful analysis of the needs of our present situation leads me to feel that the most effective censorship should 1 come from the manager. for with | him. at least in New England. where