The Washington times., 1915-04-27
80 lIppi I,SE b"f0WV ,
. THE BEST
Photoplay Department in
WASHINGTON
Theatrical Managers
Are Beginning to
Realize Value
of the Film

Some little amusement was ex-
pressed among theatrical people a
few months ago when the suggestion
was made in this column that the
motion picture was a branch and
not an opponent of the theatrical
business. They believed 1t was an
opponent-a very weak opponent,
they insisted, that would soon die
a natural death. With about one
fifth of the population of the coun-
try attending motion picture exhi-
bitions every day and at least one
fifth of the number of managers,
actors, and actresses Of the legiti-
mate stage trying to find Jobs as
walters or chamberInaids or any
thing else because Of bad business.
the managers are changing their
ideas.
No better indication of this
changed condition can be found than
In the attitude that has been adopt
Cd toward the film by periodicals
devoted to the stage. More particu-
larly Is this the case with those
papers that are usually considered
the property Of the theatrical man
ayers or their agents. Because OF
this perhaps one Of the most sig
nificant statements that has yet
torial In the current issue OF the
New York Review. q newspaper
which is popularity believed to be the
organ of the Shubert interests. The
Review editorial Is a complete re-
version OF the attitude which has
been shown toward the pictures by
the interests it is supposed to rep
resent. 1t follows:
"The most significant feature of
the theatrical situation today Is the
constantly growing closer relations
between moving pictures and leg1t1-
mate theatricals. Looking back over
the past two years the progress
which the movies have made as n
popular form Of theatrical entertain
ment is astonishing. They have
steadily encroached upon the legiti-
mate field, as pictures have improved
in scope and quality Of production.
1T needed but the conversion of the
Hippodrome into a mammoth NOV
ing picture theater. and the embel-
ed by operate features, living pic
lures. water spectacles and new In
novations of staging, to give motion
pictures that dignity which entities
them to consideration upon terms OF
equality with regular theatrical pro-
ductions.
THE success Of the new policy in
augurated by the Messrs. Shubert
has held the entire amusement world
spellbound and the effect Of this re-
markable triumph upon the entire
fabric Of the theatrical business is
certain to be immense in the future.
THE art of exhibiting moving pic
lures is a branch Of the business. but
It Is still undoubtedly only in its in
fancy. There is no limit to its de-
velopment. Anything in the way Of
stage entertainment can be utilized
as an added attraction to a picture
exhibition.
The whole gamut of amusements
from circuit acts to grand opera may
be used as an adjunct II 1t is desir-
able. Given such a stage as the Hip
podrome with it's magnificent facili-
ties for spectacular production, 1t is
quite within reason to expect that
entirely new and amazing forms OF
theatrical spectacle will be originat-
cd in connection with the exhibition
of motion pictures.
1T Is equally true that the art OF
picture production has a great future
and that vast sums are going to be
spent on the making of gigantic
spectacular films in a few years. We
are certainly on the eve of an era OF
marvels in the motion picture world. u