The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1915-02-09
SAYS DRAMA Is
MUCH AFFECTED
/ BY THE MOVIES
Public Demands Play Full of
Punch and Sensation, De-
clares Geo. Middleton
FAMOUS PLAYWRIGHT
Is DETROIT VISITOR
Calls One Of His Big Successes
"Mere Trash"-Talks To the
Drama League Tonight

at II unquest ionable that motion
|ictuIes have had great effect on
be drama In America. The public de-
bands plays full of punch, sensation
demands nthographic drama"
SO said George Middleton. dramat-
1t writer Of many plays which have
|ecoms widely known on the stage.
|hd OF others less repute, but far
bore excellent, In Mr.. Middleton's
|biDion. than 'The House Of q Thou
knd Candles" Is Of his big successes,
hich he characterizes as mere
lash" These more worthy dramas
i've been published at various times
bring the past four years in EN-
ers." Tradition" nowadays" and
. new. book, Possessions" from
hich Mr., Middleton will read, Tues
~ evening. In the green room Of the
otel Pontchartrain. to members OF
% Drama league and their friends.
Mr.. Middleton Is a big man, physir
lily. with q wellJshaped head, keen
ue eyes made almost piercing by
tlliant nose-glasses, square mouth,
|aped for talking. and q firm chin.
Is to be expected that man of
Is type will live his own life, with
much regard to what other people
hnt OF him; and this. Mr.. Middleton
ys, he IL trying to do. He Is about
years old. !. In. the past 10 years
has had The Cavalier produced by
liza Marlowe; The Wifes Strategy.
Dyed by Margaret Anglin; the Sin,
r. acted by Robert Edeson; The
buse OF q Thousand Candles, pro-
ced by James X. Hackett; The En-
hy, played by Herbert Kelcey and
he Shannon, and several other sue
Psful plays. Yet Mr.. Middleton
esn't think that he has been very
plific. Moreover, Of late years he
been literary editor of LaFol.
te's Weekly. Senator LaFollette's
lighter, Fola LaFollette, well-known
an actress, Is Mrs. Middleton.
n his room in the Hotel Pontchar.
In. Tuesday morning, Mr.. Middle
said that many playwrights of his
buaintances are in mortal fear lest
ir plays be put on the stage.
They don't want them produced
this time; there has not been sue
sful high-class play In New York
season" said Mr.. Middleton. "The
ywrights fear that production now
ans failure, and they are terrified
enever "a manager calls them up,
fear they will be told that their
ys are to be produced.
] don't believe that the managers
altogether to blame for the pres
situation. They are honestly try
to give. the people what they want.
the people, affected strongly by
lion pictures, want episode rather
b character In their plays. / don't
that there are not plenty of peo-
who want the other sort OF drama;
TO are. but these people don't go to
theater In fact. the theater
Bn't offer them anything that they
L to see. The theater-going crowd
New York at present demands its
ashes and Parlmutters, and I don't
ne Mr.. Cohan for giving II what II
It's. I have a great admiration for
he public. and Is even greater at
sing entertainments to hit It's
The remedy for this situation lies.
lieve, In publication, In the build
up of audiences by such means as
Drama league Is employing. In
little theater movement. While
business OF the theaters has been
Oily declining. the number of plays
ished has been steadily increas-
and the demand for published
Is growing steadily. The people
want good plays, and can't get
they want In the theater, are
ing 10 the publishers. Five years
II was hard to find a publisher
would bring out a volume OF
b, but the publishers are learning
there Is great play-reading pub
hat Ii increasing constantly.
Is for myself, am executing COM
ions for certain managers, and
Ing other plays that mean more
be. for my own pleasure. These
Lhe plays I like. and they are the
I mean to continue to write.
man must sell himself. I think
hould sell himself at the highest
he can get; but for heavens
let him refuse to take that part
10 product seriously. I've got
gh revenue In sight to let me
what l want to write for at least
years more. and intend to keep
ding as / please Just as long as