The Washington times., 1915-08-21
THE BEST
Photopldy Department in
WASHINGTON
TWo-Dolldr Pictures
and Private Yacht
in Same Class,
Says Expert

The 81 motion picture and the mil
uon-dollar yacht, or the violet
scented limousine appear to he in
the same class. according to the
opinions Of all the motion picture ex-
perts who are not engaged N produc-
Ing 81 pictures. Up to hS Sate tsIs there
formed Triangle Film Company an
nounces that when 1t has finished its
improvements at the Kniekerbocker
Theater. In New York. some Of the
seats will sell for as high as Sand
the company managers have reason
to believe they will get sa regularly
each day for majority Of such
This being the point the very much
debated question Of the admission
PRICE for motion pictures has reached
So date. Both sides have the strong
1Nt sort Of arguments. The q ad-
vocates have the success Of one big
Chicago as the sole specific instance
Of a practical demonstration of their
theory.
The other people have. Of course.
the major part Of motion picture
history to draw on. As matter OF
reason to believe there will ever be
% standard of motion pictures prices.
There too many pictures being
shown at 10 cents that are entertain
ing. Besides that 10 cents 10 the
standard Of motion picture amuse-
ment-it is that which has brought
tho picture to the high place 1t now
holds In public esteem.
At least this Is the opinion Of w.
w. Hodkinson. the head Of the Para
mount Company, who Is rather In
terested in the matter by reason Of
his enterprises.
ut may seem Inconsistent for me
to have taken the stand for higher
prices originally and now say that
others are advocating prices that
are too high, but my reasons for
this. / believe. are logical" !" he
said. There was a reason why we
should get away from the scent the
ments.
"As long as five years ago my ex-
perience had convinced me that in
creased charges of admission to mo-
ton picture entertainments. that is.
admission up to 50 cents, were feasi-
to a limited number Of seats in the
largest and finest amusement places
in the largest cities, and at that time
l thought. and still think, that the
average admission Of 10 and 20 cents
should prevail to permit Of the best
Delng given 10 tne puouc' anu tHdt
there Is no necessity for an average
price exceeding this:
There are many fundamental rea-
sons for this belief. Possibly the one
most readily appreciated Is the fact
that II certain percentage Of the
population could afford to pay 81 to
times as great a number could at
ford to pay 10 and 20 cents.
IF per cent of the United States
public will pay 81 and - to see a
particular motion picture. there will
be at least 70 pei. cent who can af-
ford to pay 10 and 20 cents, in either
case making the same. amount Of
money available for production pur-
poses.
1T is doubtful If the 81 and 50 pic
lures could continue in competition
with the 10 and 60-cent picture in op-
position, as even the most fastidious
would find the surroundings OF the
beautiful places conducting pictures
from 10 to 50 cents not only equal
but superior to the accommodations
afforded by the places of small seat
ing capacity attempting to cater to
select at exclusive prices.
I'm the very near future subjects
will be put into film that will be
worthy Of being seen by the entire
public and a very large percentage
say from 25 per cent to 80 per cent
will see them. And II from 2b to 80
per cent Of the public see them at
the revenue win be 50 great that the
producer will be warranted In spend
ing any amount in making the pie
tureA"
Inquiry has been made Of the mo-
tion picture editor Of The Times as
to whether or not THE Birth of the
Natinp' will no aho1un In w q shit n o..
ton. It is impossible to say. The pic
ture is now showing in New York
and Chicago at 50 prices. Whether
the men who own the film think they
can get 80 per seat in Washington
is not known. If not. they will not
show the film here until It has COM
plcted It's run in the cities where
the high price can be obtained.
G. NJ.