Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-07-29
METROPOLITAN SOLVES
MOVIE ACTOR PROBLEM
The New York Opera Organiza-
tion to Take Toll on All Sal
aries Earned by Their Sing
ers in Photoplays.
BY the Photoplay Editor

the problem of the legitimate actor in
filmdom has been solved by the last or
ganization that one would expect to find
troubled by 1.-THE Metropolitan Opera
Company. The Frohman Company and
AL II. Woods may think 1t best simply to
forbid any of their actors to appear on
the screen; but the opera people have a.
better and saner way They merely as
sumo that they have hired the exclusive
services of their singing actors and
make all contracts for their appearances
in photoplays.
The move of the Metropolitan has un-
doubtedly developed as result of the fat
contract which Geraldine Farrar signed
for acting in Carmen" 1t begins to
have its effect in the case of Scott. A
New York paper thus chronicles the
affair:
1T was some months ago that Signor
Scotti announced to a waiting world his
intention to enter the field of motion
pictures, which has just become the most
liked summer sport of the opera singers
But the weeks have passed without fur
tner information from the popular barl-
tone on the subject. He was to appear in
the Leoni one-act opera called in Italian
'L'Oracoio, and made from Fernald's
play, The Cat and tine Cherub' Sgnor
Scott made profound impression by his
acting in the opera at the Metropolitan
last season.
1T appears that his hesitation in MAX
ing known his plans with greater detail
was due to the delay of the MetropOli-
tan Opera Company in deciding how
much of the amount paid to the singer
was to go into its treasury, for the di-
rectors of the opera company have suf-
fered n change of heart They intend to
share hereafter in the profits Of all ar
lists under contract to the company who
&c into movng-picture enterprises. They
are going to take a certain percentage OF
the players earnings in every case"
Thomas H. Ince. production chief of
the New York Motion Picture Corpora
ton, is at present engaged in supervis-
ing the screening of four new multiple
reel features, a task never before under
taken in screen history. They are THE
Ccnqueror," starring Willard Mack;
"Matrimony" with Julia Dean In leading
role; "The Last Act" featuring Bessie
Rarriscale and Redeemed From Bond
age" starring Forrest Winant.
Lewis j, Selznlck, general manager of
the World Film Corporation, has this TO
say about actors appearing in photoplays
and in dramas on the legitimate stage;
World Film stars may appear on the
stage (or In the pulpit, If they like so
long as they carry out the spirit and
letter OF their contracts with my COM
pany and satisfy exhibitors and the
public 1Hie more they are seen and ad-
yertised the better for themselves and
for us, 1t all means publicity, and that's
what we live on in the amusement world.
Bernhard appeared in pictures Ave
years ago. Did she hurt her stage and
reputation thereby? No; she's
worth more now in public than she ever
was.
Some years ago in London the theatS
rical managers tried to stop plays at the |
music halls and wouldn't have the actors |
IN the halls appear at the theatres. Now
adays the halls are making more money |
than the theatres and the big theatrical |
stars are glad to act in them.
I'm for freedom of trade and obsery-
lnce of contract. Robert Warwick
few weeks ago, while playing In World |
light In "A Celebrated Case at the En-
,ire Theatre, He advertised himself and
,ur pictures, and so Increased his value
o himself and u.s."
David Horsley, inventor OF the double
camera and sponsor OF the
Nina films which last summer began 10
Lppear on the General Film program. Is
eported to be going hereafter 10 release
lis product under Mutual auspices. The
licensed company retains the brand
lame. however. The Horsley interests
re a studio in Bayonne, y. j., and zoo
With a new pie-shaped stage, permitting
he turning Of the camera. located on a
livotal stand in the centre, to different
cts which may be prepared ahead OF
ime. Mr.. Horsley has done lot OF
work IN experimental fields OF a
imilar sort-the double exposure, for in
tanee,