New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-01-03
Nv HECTOR TURNBULL.

legitimate players Of reputation are
likely 10 find that an Occasional HP-
nearsnce in motion pictures VIII prove
serious setback 20 their careers
retber than an easy method OF earn
nc extra money, If the present az
tide OF the local theatrical Managers
results I'm a concerted action. VI rave
-bcre have been many vague rdilCI
10 the effect that stars VINO pose !oi
The films viii be barred from IegiN-
,sate productions and mucn talk OF
-,soting OF managers 20 take up inc
Ihieot The following statement Dy
Tee Sbubert puts the attitude OF
-Ie managers clearly and mas all lhe
srg of a crave warning 20 players
,gno are availing themselves or the a.,
.ractive offers Of film companies ahu
a the same time appearing on 'he
legitimate stage
"Many Of the best known ARTISTS
NJ tho American stage have rulneu
+beir ranking and drawing power
bv acting for moving picture pro
ductions." declared Lee Shuoert'
"Thev have not only lowered their
inheritance as players in the regu-
lar legitimate drama, but they
have similarly injured the busl-
ness Of producing managers VINO
afforded them the opportunity u
achieving popularity WIN the 'he-
satre-going public. Ill.
.Iowadavg when a responsible
Legitimate manager presents one
+bese actors I'm an expensive
production he IS likely TO find that
I'm the near vicinity 10 the play
sbouse Al which he IS Offering this
-particular star az regular hlgh
lass priccs there is a moving pct
So theatre where this artist IS
ss,,oultanoouslv being famboyant-
81, featured ~ 3 and I'D cents adj
Emission prices.
"Thc picture house promote
buses the same stylc--oi snow Dill
-ine As does the legitimate mana
scr, with the result that the mlhols
sof the smusement-seeknS puolle
sberone so confused that often
iGmes one is az loss TO know at
(which theatre certain actor -
sappearing In person and IN "hleh
shc is playing on the screen
AN example Of tins point oc-
scurred not long ago. william far-
snum was appearing al the Lyric
sTheatre in The Battle Cry reg
.IIfr lFNL CLASS iN bttAit4e.NN
zion. Al a nearby motion picture
playhouse Mr. Farnum was also
appearing In another producuoh'
on the screen but not IN person
since the advertising for both OIL
ferincs was very similar. the pub
Tic was at a loss 20 understand
which was a moving picture and
which was not.
a few Of our legitimate stars
have refused tempting offers from
picture producers, because they re-
alizc the ultimate outcome OF such
action. They should be complI-
nonted for their sincerity IN Wish
INC 10 uphold their standing IN the
regular dramatic field.
Authors. too. have done mueh
"a destroy the value % legitimate
productions. DramatIsts VINO VIII
sell a play 20 a regular manager
only upon terms ranging from 20
90 per cent Of the gross receipts
viii DISPOSE Of their work 10 NOV
inc picture producers for almost
anything they offer
While on the subject Of moving pct
oyex and their influence u is interest
inS 10 note that poor business IN m
theatre or any failure Of note IN m
nroducing world is straightway attrio
NEED 10 the pernicious effect OF th'
uictures. The most recent failure-tna
81 Harrison Grey Flske-ls suppose
fo he due 20 the war and the erect o
film dramas. according 10 the state
rents given out by his lawyer. I'M
NAV be. Of course. quite true: but u
our opinion Nr Fiske. like the Lieolers
lost his money because OF mlstakei
managerial tactics Poor plays, or ever
good plays, when presented at an un
reasonable period, are certain 70 laci
patronage. And this truth is by ~
means the growth Of war times or IN
increasing spread Of film dramas.
was lust as evident when the theatres
,vere few and far between as u IS now
The managers Of successful. popular
money making plays (and there are
Ssvs ~ tbis sort on Broadway now az
not complain much Of the war and mo-,
inc pictures. II they do II is on prinei
ne only. Perhaps these lucky or shrewt
managers have sensed the yearning g
bsautlfully expressed in the following
noem BIZ one Of our readers, Leo !
Rvsns. whose reactionary verses seem
Ssirly 10 jump from his pen in has dis
gust with moving pictures and moaeri
methods Of play produetion;,