Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-01-02

nut street OpCld AlouSS,
Adolph zukor refutes the charges made
4, recent issue of theatrical weekly
rainst the stars of the legitimate stage
,ybo have appeared in or contemplate
Undertaking screen portrayals. The ar
,,c,o IN question aroused some interest,
rot so much because of any illuminating
slgniacance as for its unestablished con-
illusions
or thought the attitude reflected in this
article had been abandoned by the entire
theatrical world long ago." began Mr.,
1vlor of the Famous Players. "Now
chat the greater number of legitimate
managers are actively participating in
tbe proAts and artistic development OF
tho screened drama, such TRADE is
mildly surprising.
oIf. as stated in this article, the stars
who 20 into moving pictures will find the
legitimate field closed to them, then that
means that the legitimate field of dra-
matte endeavor will be closed altogether
The theory that a star is cheapened by
appcarlng in motion pictures was sue
! cessfully contradicted after the first two
Famous Players releases, when it was
uroven conelusively that Sarah Bern
hardt and James X. Hackett, the stars
Of these early subjects, gained appreciably
IN national popularity and personal pres
tige
1T has been proven to the satisfaction
Of the most conservative theatrical man
ayers that stars appearance in mo-
tlon picture is ultimately beneficial, as
the film brings the stars of the oral
stage before a multitude who would never
otherwise have been able to witness their
portrayals, and who are induced after
their first acquaintance with these stars
through the medium of the screen 10
see them In the flesh.
"In this connection the distinction must
be established between motion pictures
In their narrow sense and 'photoplays
based on famous dramatic successes, and
which are so closely allied with the orig
inal dramas that the stars, instead OF
lowering their dignity by appearing In
them, rather increase their prestige
through the distinction of repeating for
sner successes in a new form and under
more exactIng conditions. 1t is generally
accepted that the screen Is the greatest
test OF an actors art; and when critics
are Inclined to credit the success OF
star to the clever lines or effective situa-
tlons provided by a play, this criticism is
ellenced when the same star performs the
same characterization before the camera,
shus proving, through pantomimic ability
knd without the aid of forceful lines, that
The original success was brought ABOUT
by inherent ability rather than through
kxtraneous assistance.
In Tt he Will
artists who may some day attain glories
hnd>distinctions In the verbal drama, and
Rho may otherwise have never been
known 70 the stage. Because of the wide
range OF the photoplay and its illimitable
Possibilities, a certain number Of artists
whose dramatic careers began In motion
plctures are bound to become so perfected
N the principles of dramatic interpretaN
lion as TO be desirable acquisitions to the
blage; and the future may disclose as
Nany famous film stars winning honors
Il The legitimate drama as at present
laefe are legitimate stars succeeding In
Screen work"
ODDS AND ENDS.
Louis Cashier. chief director OF the
Palhe studios in Jersey City. has sailed
I e' Italy. Mr.. Cashier is to be at the
fauls Italian studios for several months
4 4der TO give them the benefit OF his
laag experiences in making pictures.
iee Willard has a new pet 1t is a little
tdsseh owl which he captured near the
Aanay village at Niles, Cal. Lee has
pssa troubled with insomnia. He says that,
Hpsn The owl sereeehes 1t puts him to
tsep a. It sounds so much like baby
.slsns Rom pain he thinks he should get
ana walk the floor with it. His dis
..Hnsuon for this pastime puts him in
Hniand at once, he declares. ITS just
sep always feel sleepiest when the
~ ~ elock goes off in the morning" he
Pllned. The other actors are looking
us owl for quite another reason.
scenario editor OF the Lubin Com
N Philadelphia and his stan OF
stl7 Qld some exceedingly clever and
ss.sleuYe acting this week In Emmett
Aae9sn Halls new play, such Things
81 nAppen" George w. Terwilliger,
aifectlng the play. admits the act
eAl the writer's themselves c0ncede
y was a great occasion IN the
staalos, for the scenario board
pefform for the camera
new play called for several scenes
scenario room OF a big motion
PlAnt ana TeFwilliger, instead Of
ssuiaf actors, went boldly into
seln scenario department and COM
aesfed the stan And nobly the stan
a. This. too, they admit
20 the department were some
- Tea 70 see Lawrence MeCloslzey,
io editor and his writer's busily
making themselves as beautiful
ana makeup preparation would
put i was as nothing to the sem
aesed when the stan appeared
s.eal2 and the hundreds Of players
zH them
nsn. be arm IN the trenches
saoH tie world something new
g artistic acting, SAID Nc
Fsfrilh tne Writers sAt lhens-