Little Falls herald. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1889-1950, 1916-05-19
SPECIAL TRIUMPH OF A NEW
ART


coming to the Victor Theatre at Lit
tie Falls, May 81, June 1-2, is that
of making history live. He has touch
ed the high peaks Of American history
the introduction of slavery, the war
of secession, the surrender at Apo
matox, the death Of Lincoln, the mis-
cries Of reconstruction and the restor-
alton of the south to it's own. These
things, it would have seemed a year
ago, were beyond the motion, picture
faith Of an enthusiast Within $4,000
feet of celluloid film he has success
fully combined a thrilling, plausible
and dignifed presentment of national
upgrowth with a real and human love
STORY based on Thomas Dixon 8 book
romance, "The Clansman.' AS it ap-
pears to the newspaper and magazine
critics, Mr.. Griffith has not only sur
passed the art Of the "indoor' thea
tire, but he has also developed new
art-form far superior to the old-style
history or historical novel. The best
characterization of it so far is that
Of very eminent public man who has
called it "history by lightning.''
Mr.. Griffith employed $4,000 peo-
pie in taking these historical pictures.
The battle scenes were actual dupli-
Gates of several Of the Civil War con-
f1icts, and so were the facsimiles of
important events. We see Lincoln
among his councillors issuing the call
for volunteers, Grant and Lee shak-
ing hands at Appomatox, the shot that
John Wilkes Booth fred, the Freed
mans Bureau, the carpetbaggers' ex-
cesses, and the famous rides of the
Ku Klux. The realism is almost un-
canny. Often the old war shouts are
heard in the audiences from the lips of
veterans who momentarily forget that
it is only picture. It is hard to
keep ones feet from dancing to the
well-beloved tunes Of the martial mu-
sic. Scenes in the latter half of the
pictures are so skillfully managed
that often the applause is practically
continuous for half to three quarters
| of an hour.
"Cabria' and "Quo Vadis'' mark
ed great steps forward in the screen
drama. "The Birth Of A Nation'
points still more wonderful develop
! ment, and old dramatic form having
been thrown away and the epic or
historical form substituted. The old
reproach against the "ten-cent
movie' is forever removed.
It is curious sight now in New
York to see dozens Of spectators
asking three or four dollars for a
seat for moving pictures, whilst in
side at the box-offce the public gladly
pays the regular scale Of prices at
fashionable metropolitan theatre.
The labor involved in this newest
sort of picture-making is enormous.
There are 5000 separate and individ-
ually posed scenes involving about
100000 interesting details. The musical
score is as complex and elaborate as
| that of any grand opera. Although
not word is spoken on the stage, the
musical and mechanical effects employ
a hundred f1esh-and-blood helpers
| nightly. In brief, the magnitude Of
| the stupendous film dwarfs the aver
age stage play into insignifcance.
Theotrical producers and observers
are wondering what will be the next
evolution Of the art. Will the cinema
replace the textbooks in the public
schools9 Will the Walter Scots and
the w. NJ. Thackerys of the future do
pictures instead Of novels? Will the
historian be replaced by the camera
man, and the still-life painter by one
who, like Griffith, can turn out hun
dreds Of Rembrandt, Carrot and Tur-
! ner-like scenes in an evenings enter
tainment?
Some of these queries seem daring
now, even grotesque. Yet, in view Of
what is happening around us, it is
hard to say, impossible set any
limits to the future achievements Of