The Washington times., 1916-05-19
Jesse Lasky Praises COMPETE
tors, Directors, and Actors In
i Frank Statement.
BUT eRlLLs pLAywRleHTs
Admits Writers Get Little Pay,
But Insists They Get wat
Work Deserves.

Because some days ago. in re,
Spouse to an inquiry from n motlon
picture patron, The Times happened
TO mention two plays produced ny
the deMille brothers FOR Jesse =.
Lasky as representing an approxt-
nation OF what real photopiay
ought to be. 1t is interesting TO resu
a long statement from Mr.. Lasky
himself about photoplays In which
ne declares that the Industry II
standing still. waiting for authors TO
come forward with real photopiays.
Mr.. Lasky says these things IN 4
manner. lie undertakes TO review
the industry and incidenty toss a
few bouauets at actors and direc-
tors who are not in any way con-
nccted with the Isasky encourage.
This is not at all In accordance Win
the Hoyle of the press agent, and
consequently gives to Mr.. Laskys
remarks rirg of earnestness and
truth that deserve their REPETITION In
this column.
After the most rapid advance, the
most marvellous progress achieved
by a new art. the motion picture
producers have suddenly found
themselves at standstill." Mr..
I.asky asserts. 81 admit this Is a
very general statement. To dissrin
criticism. l will also admit that a
real progress
Compliments For Competitors.
Mr.. Lasky then pays his compile
David Wark Griffith, Of the Tri-
II predict" he states, that Grif-
dth's Mother and the Law will
surpass his greatest film. Ince shows
marked advancement In. his 'Ctviliza-
tion.' Three months after his Car
men was pronounced his master
Cheat
"Still. when one considers there
are approximately twenty-five Ave-
reel features released in America
every week, the majority Of them
not worthy of the name, we are
forced to the conclusion that the
wonderful advancement Of the earl
large degree. and that the art of mo-
tion picture producing is at a stand
=, still.
"There must be some cause for this.
With the survivors of the old pic
tiire school and the newcomers from
the legitimate stage. We have the
best actors in the world.
The Gish sisters. Blanche Sweet,
Mae Marsh, are examples OF the mo-
ton picture school who have devel-
oped wonderful technique of their
own. Tyrone Power. Theodore Rob-
erts, Bessie Barriscale are. with the
best and greatest stars OF the stage
world. devoting themselves to screen
drama. with such a corps We can
eliminatae the actors as a cause for
present conditions.
> All Up To the Author.
The camera man Is not at fault.
He has developed a great genius.
The director Is the real thing.
Therefore 1t would appear that II Is
our dramatists. short-story writer's.
and novelists who are not delivering
the goods.
'"If the motion picture is to progress
and strengthen the hold II already
better stories than 1t has been re-
ceiving Of late. The situation is
critical and the authors are not ris-
ing to II. Mr.. Dramatist conceives
an idea for a picture and dashcs 1t
off In a week. The same dramatist
would spent six months to a year in
writing a play for the stage.
"They complain that the reward Is
not enough. that they are not we'll
enough paid. l am inclined to agree
: that-.they are not well enough paid.
the material they are at present
turning out. predict that when
our drsmatists give us real plays.
Mays that will live on the screen,
and that the public will want to see
more than once. the producers will
gladly pay by outright purchase or
royalties. sums that will satisfy the
most exacting demands Of our
greatest writer's"