The Washington times., 1915-02-09
PHOTOPLAYS AND
PHOTOPLAYERS
BY GARDNER MACK.
Props Are Important
Element In Making
Of the Film
Dramas.
By GARDNER MACK.

One of the features of the produce
ton of phott play which requires
the most constant attention. and Is
probably more difficult than any
thing else, Is the securing of the
right properties for the plays. The
finer details of a production are the
things that the producers are most
careful to perfect. At least, that Is
the supposition. We have frequently
taken occasion to criticise the lack
Of attention to this detail, which
makes a film ridiculous.
The putting on Of "a play Of the
early period Of the history Of this
country. for instance, with people
carrying arms that were not invent
ed until the latter part of the last
century. This has been frequent
occurrence. The garbing Of the char
acters in clothing of an entirely diff
ferent period from that in which the
action of the play Is supposed to take
place. is also a matter of frequent
occurrence. One film recently pro-
duced, of an ancient period before
the invention of watches. was rem
dered ridiculous by one of the char
acters pulling out a watch to de-
termine the time.
The comment which has been made
from time To time on this feature of
the film in this column has called
forth statement of just what the
him property men are called upon
TO 40. from II. M. Horkheimer. presi-
dent OF the Balboa Company. Mr..
ttorkheim,r consiuers this the most
important element in the manufac-
ture OF mC.ion pictures.
you see," he explained, Swe know
we cannot take photographs with
out good cameras. skilled operators
and perfect negative. We know @e
must have competent directors and
experienced. actors. We know we
must have scenery and a stage. We
can decide exactly how many or
how much of these we need, but we
never have enough props. We have
two buildings packed to their roofs
With props: and we think we shall
never have to buy any more. the
collection Is so complete. but the
very next photoplay that comes out
Of the scenario department may call
for a dozen little things we have
forgotten. Ana il is the little things
that furnish the finishing and often
the most artistic touches to a photo
play.
I'VE buy everything outright and
onr investment runs into lot of
money. We have furniture of every
period. Some new and some showing
signs of long usage. Both are
indispensable us are also the many
contrivances for home adornmenr
that have gone out of vogue. such
as What-nots. the old-fa shioned conf
bination, hat, coat and umbrella
rack, floral wreathes on box frames,
InottOs. shells and the various knick-
knacks that were near to the hearts
of our mothers and grandmothers.
We have cottage organs. melodeons,
pianofortes. accordions. consertinas,
kithers and many musical instruments
that will remind you OF the dear.
dim PAST We have those quaint
chairs. sofas. stands. dressers and
beds Of from. fifty to one hundred
years ago The old stuff is as neces-
sary as the new.
with the furniture we have We
could equip a great Broadway hotel'
while our objects Of art are SO
numerous that they require num-
Der Of stockkeepers to keep track
of them. The assortment comprises
genuine bronze and marble statuary,
replicas Of famous sculptors. ana
thousands of pieces of china. crock
cry, earthenware. cut glass. hand
hammered brass. hand-wrought iron.
and handmade copper vessels,
vases, lars, drinking jugs. and prac-
tically everything that man has de-
vised for use and establishment
since the world began.
There are thirty different work
baskets filled with needles. scissors,
tkimbles, and sewn & materials.
There are lamps in POO designs. from
the kerosene burner up to and IN
cluding gas and electricity. Coun,
the clocks. Enough of them to start
a jewelry store. Notice the flower
pots and jsrdinieres-a carload o,
them. There is hardly thing yor
can think of that isn't here. ano
vet We are buying more every daH
l doubt II we will ever nave
enough props"