The Washington times., 1914-09-03
THE BEST
Photoplay Department in
WASHINGTON
Misrepresentation Of
War Pictures Is
Bad Business
Policy.

A condition exists just now in the
film world which is an apt illustra-
ton of the comment we have made
regarding exhibitors who have fail
ed to consider tomorrow in their
conduct of their business. One OF
Ghe greatest and most valuable serv-
ices of the moving picture to man
kind has been to instantly aCquaint
the people OF all sections of the
world with the scenes that were
created by the unusual incidents
given space in the newspapers. The
European war is one those things.
The people OF the entire country
have been anXiOuSly expecting 10
see pictures of the European war
and the producers of pictures have
been expecting TO show them. The
exhibitors have been demanding
them OF the producers. There have
been very few actual or war scene
pictures obtainable. Pictures OF the
British and Begun troops are
ABOUT all tnat have been sent out.
and these relate to mobilization
scenes only. There have been some
pictures taken of the British and
German fleets in the North sea, and
OF the British and German and
French cruisers that are in the At
.anuc. There are no pictures of
any of these ships IN action, how
ever. Of course, the ships of all
the navies involved in the war are
cleared for fighting at all times, so
that ii is not strange for the vessels
70 be shown ready to fight.
Now, while there have peen no pic
lures far nf he harflari.liS
cept some photos made during ma
neuVers and during the Balkan war,
theTe have been several exhibitors
no advertised pictures of this kind.
And these are the men who are go-
ing TO have a very hard time eX-
planning 10 their patrons and finding
phrases Tor advertising the real war
PICTURES when they do come. Several
Of the reputable producers have
gathered in single set of films all
II the pictures they could obtain of
the European armies. and have sent
Them out-but they have invariably
sent them with the statement that
they were pictures made of the
armies that are engaged in battle,
but not while they were engaged.
The George kleine collection of this
Kind contained picture of the Aus
tT1an Grand Duke Francis Ferdinand
reviewing a body of troops which
vas the most recent film in the COL
lection. Mr. kleine called his film
war film but he frankly stated
that his pictures We're prepared long
before the war started and We're
FOR the purpose OF giving an idea OF
the various armies engaged and not
TO show pictures of troops that Were
actually lighting or were marching
into a fight. There was absolutely
20 attempt made TO impose upon the
people. Some of the exhibitors did
not heed the warning of Mr.. kleine.
however, and his very interesting
And instructive set OF films were
shown as real war pictures
Without reference to what might
he called the dishonesty of the en-
hibitOr who adVertises a film in this
way. isn't il the worst sort of busi-
ness policy? 1t will only be a short
time now when the real war pic
'ureS Will begin to come in. 1t will
not be long before pictures OF troops
on the march to the battlefield and
Of the battlefelds themselves will be
shown. What is the exhibitor plan
ming to do with these? He has de-
strOyed the punch they would have,
has used up all his advertising am
~nunition with misleading statements
about these pre-war pictures. 1t is
his kind of conduct that is hurting
he business of the reputable eXhibi-
t0r-the exhibitor who is striving to
build up a business and keep his
patrons abreast Of the times both
with his news films and his photo
plays And this is also an example
OF what We mean when we say the
business is being very much hurt by
men who are trying to make all the
money at once. q. NJ.