The sun., 1916-11-12

hat So and so is putting out n repro
ductrn picture play Of some well
known novel or play. with the authors
name in big type-but reproduction.
mark you. Good writer's cannot af-
ford TO write scenarios for the present
ridiculous sums that are now being Of
fered by ever the biggest firms. Hence
We have a c~onglomerate mass OF in
c.dents. generally of manufactured
connection one with the other. sub
mitted land, alas accepted) by all
sorts and conditions Of people who
deem the scenario a delightful field in
which to turn an extra dollar. From
the society woman. who does II just
for a lark. you know meaning really
the desired sensation Of a new expert
ence. TO the bootblack. they all try
their hands at the new American in
door sport. And when the really ex-
perienced writer. either dramatist or
story writer. ventures TO send in some
thing really worth while his or her
work is judged by one with absolutely
no qualifications for the job. possibly
an eX-artisan or tradesman. II Is a
fact that In one of the biggest con
Germs in this country found the
scenario editor to be a young woman
Of only six weeks experience, while
In another instance, a man. whose
name, II mentioned, would be quickly
recognized, kept reminding me that
he was the 'skenariO editor" The
man or woman employed to select the
| plays upon which the manufacturer
| f'anas HE ,,r.1na,,8 i,.Ae., ,A.n
later his reputation as he presents the
Aim before the public. should at least
he n who knows something OF dra-
matte values. one who, in the ability to
criticise and analyze. should be on an
equal standing with the hest author.
The theatre Is always an economic
demand, and anything wanted will live
u handled properly. The theatre was
created by the people. and by the peo-
pie IT will live. And since the silent
drama or picture play embodiee that
highest form OF dramatic art. panto-
mime, II will hive. But one terrific at
lacking force is TO be reckoned with
Characterization.
characterization has ruined more
than aueht else. A phrase will kill
For instance, We constantly hear that
80 n so Is a great director: we heal
1t so often that we come to believe It
that IL, unless We stop TO analyze that
the wonderful structures were the
work OF his mechanician, the huge
mobs collected by his assistant. We
go to see a far advertised star, We are
instantly charmed by a personality. blu
as we consider during the first e~ntr'acts
We md that we have been pleased with
a gown. captivated by a smile. II 1,
an old axiom of advertising tell
person a thing often enough and h,
will believe 1t. But that 10 Just where
managers have gone too far: the,
treat the theatre Is IN impulse. Il
YOU are going to manufacture some
thing, why a bubble?
Take many Of our young stars, .,
called, famed in electric lights, arrived
overnight. They have absolutely n,
past training. no previous exper.enc,
or value. Why, personally. hav,
found among h extra people some O
the best actors and actresses in THU
country.
Nj art is n naturalization Of tn
imagination. The photo play, to ex
press II n little more definitely.
INSTALLATION Of the imagination. Ca
any one censor the Imagination? On
| OF our Congressman might Just as wei
attempt to censor the kiss, But d.
adhere to this-whatever IL agreed o,
as being vulgar. obscene, that must b
eliminated. And that governed by
strict rule. II every photo manufac
tlrer would see to 1t that his plan
comprised a scenario editor who 1
capable Of judging plays. a dlrecto
who can direct, capable actresses an,
actors, then We would not near abou
so many committees and sub-commit
tees delegated to confer upon censor
ship.
And to come down from a genera
discussion to matters more personal
while We are not yet prepared to giy,