The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-05-09
oREN EeN~lGk
W"ws Song efSon6s"
ny LAWRENCE REAMER.

ny La " NENSE HElN MEN,
r T is interesting to hear the mana
gers discussing the possible loss
Of vogue among the well known
actresses who pose in the moving
pictures. Yet they do entertain widely
different views on the subject. Lee
Shubert and Daniel Frohman, being
more or less on opposite sides Of the
theatrical world. are likely to disagree.
They are, however. most important in
representing the different view OF the
fate that will overtake the actresses,
and for that that matter the actors,
who pose for the moving pictures.
Yet few Of the we'll known players
have refused. Frances Starr would
not, even for the sake OF David Belas-
co, to whom she acknowledges her
deep obligation, consent to appear in
1.-THE Rose of the Rancho" when that
play was put into picture form. Billie
Burke and Elsie Ferguson are two
others who have not as yet consented
to pose before the camera. But there
are many who have.
OF course to the actress who has
made her reputation on the films, just
as Mary Pickford and few others,
there can be no difference as to what
side the managers take. The present
writer confesses to q complete failure
TO observe any art in the moving pic
ture acting. A pair OF large and ex-
pressive eyes, the ability to flash them
on the audience out OF beautiful
face-that is the beginning and end Of
the art OF the moving picture player
SO far as II has been observed by this
wYiter To this no added
geration OF every symbol of the play
er's technique. Why capable actresses
should be- needed in the moving pic
lures Is a mystery. apart from the
value Of their well known names. Any
pretty girl with a slight camera train
ing will be just as effective as the
greatest actress of her time. 1t is
notable in this connection that the
moving picture plays for which Sarah
Bernhardt has posed show no trace Of
the unusual art of this woman, but
without her voice as an aid piteously
display her age and its consequences.
On the other hand young Lou-Telle-
gen. with his invincible youth and
beauty, figures in every picture in
which he has appeared with Nine.
Bernhardt as the one dominating per-
son in the tableaux. So 1t is after all
only the outward and visible that
counts n the moving picture. Per-
haps were the voice there the effect
might be different. But as II is only
the aspect is Of importance. The mug
Of sweet sixteen is after all more val
liable on the screen than the express
sive face OF the most expert actress.
So il is amusing to hear the discus
sion as to whether or not the well
known actors and actresses should
take their place in line with the movie
queens. 1t ought in way to be a
blow to their pride. None of them,
whether 1t be Sarah Bernhard. John
ston Forbes-R lbertson or Mrs. Fiske,
is going to equal in any way Mary
Pickford. Miss Pickford, who acted
in "The Good Little Devil" and made
no impression, will beat them all on
every count. More persons will want
to see Miss Pickford More money
will be paid to Miss Pickford. Miss
Pickford will have in every respect
the adulation and the kudos OF the
star. So any actress who has won
any sort Of eminence on the speaking
stage and yet goes into rivalry with
the favorites OF the screen will have
to play second fiddle to these ladies
with the expressive eyes and the
sweet sixteen beauty. One OF tn,
most successful stars OF the screen
who had appeared at the Hippodrome
this year was only chorus girl in
her previous apparitions on the stage
So there is after all only the re.
ward Of the high rates that are paid
Marie Doro is said 70 have received
$4,000 for posing in 1.-THE Morals OF
Marcus" John Barrymore has had
such offers from the moving picture
writer's that he might accept them
and then devote the rest Of his time
to artistic acting. So after all there
is something in a name despite tn.
achievements OF such dark horses a.
Charles Chaplin and before him the
late John Bunny in addition to other
personages who loom large In the film
theatre, although they are unknown
elsewhere.
But hear the differing views OF the
managers as to the attitude of tn,
players who face the camera:
MANY OF the best known artists OF
the American stage have ruined Their
drawing power by acting for moving
pictures declared Lee Shubert. "They
have lowered their importance as
players in the regular legitimate
drama. They have also injured the
business Of producing managers who
AFFORDED them the opportunity OF
achieving popularity.
when responsible legitimate man.
agcr presents one Of these actors In az
expensive production he Is likely tc
md that in the vicinity OF the play.
house at which he is Offering this par.
ticular star at regular prices there IL