The Washington times., 1915-03-08
PHOTOPLAYS AND
PHOTOPLAYERS
By GARDNER MACK
House OF Bondage" is
Photopldv With
Educational
Purpose
By GARDNER MACK.

WITHIN the past two weeks patrons
OF the photoplay in Washington have
mad opportunity to view propa-
sanda play of sort that has awak-
ened unusual comment and has been
strongly commended. although its
subject Is of a character that is
usually taboo I'm polite conversation.
1t Is the kind of play, however,
that aptly demonstrates what has
been referred to in this column as
she great educational value of the
pure drama film along sociological or
moral lines. The piece is an adap-
tation of Reginald Wright Kauff-
mans book, 'The House of Bond
age which attracted considerable
attention when il was written and
was largely responsible for the en-
a.Stment by Congress and State leg
the statute books relative to the So
called white slave traffic.
1t Will be remembered that Mr..
haunman was the author of a series
OF stories on this unpleasant sub
yect which appeared in one OF the
pig weekly publications. These
stories were each supposed to be the
real story OF some woman or girl
whose history had been told the au-
thor and which he had verified from
personal investigation. The facts
mat were revealed in these stories
were Of such a startling nature that
Mr.. Kaufman thought it would be
advisable to incorporate them in a
book of fiction. His purpose was to
take the salient features--the big
features of each Of his real life
girl who should be the heroine of his
novel.
This was the principal reason for
the writing of The House of Bond
age" The book is a lesson-it might
be called legendary. if it were not
for the fact that it is absolutely true
In its situations and has not ac-'
quircd that age which would 20 to
make a legend. 1t was written. not
for the purpose of being entertaining
or amusing-but to give in concrete
form things that may happen to any
Girl because they have really hap
pened to some girl. It's idea is
purely educational
At the same time THE House of
Bondage" makes Il most startling
story. and is full of thrills. The Diff
nculty with the understanding of this
book and the picture that has been
made from it. lies entirely with the
people wiio see it. when they view
1t they want to understand that the
author had no idea ne was writing
something pretty or nice. He knew
full we'll he was stirring up the
most noisome muck that has ever
been raked.
There are few people who like to
admit there are such things. Few
people think-or did think before the
Kaufman story was written-that
present day civilization would coun-
tenance such conditions. For this
reason few parents took the trouble
to guard their daughters against the
perils that are depicted 1t is not
pretended that these perils lurk Mt
every street corner for every girl.
1t is pretended. and asserted with
emphasis. that these perils do exist
In almost every large city to a
greater or less degree. and chat some
PERSONS daughter will be the victim
of them from time to time.
To save that daughter from such
a fate and TO give parents full
knowledge Of what that fate might
be, THE House of bondage" was
written as book and later made
Into a photoplay. It is no tnice. we
repeat. 1t is not pretty or amusing.
But it is true and it is instructive.
and very much worth while as a
propaganda play. 1t is to be en-
hibited tomorrow and Wednee day,
for the second time, at Crandnlls.
G. NJ