The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-04-09

Then, it will be accepted as a pur- veyor of beauty and demonstrator of intellect as naturally and unquestionably as any other art medium. No intelligent man of tomorrow will need converting to the two-dimension platform, any more than he will require an evangelism oT poetry or painting. In the afternoon of tomorrow she will palpitate over her op- tic novel even as she gets print thrills from her story in covers today.
 In the opinion of the writer the photo play is destined to drive the drama more and more into the realms Of fine art; briefly, the spoken play must, presently, be very fine and wonderful art-a mar yellous fabric from life itself-in order to survive at all. For lifes external phases, incidents and surroundings have now been given an infinity of betterment within the black box. The camera has made null and void all the material, ephe- neral substance of our contemporary stage.
 But if a new Shakespeare were to rise tomorrow he need not fear. The real drama and the true photoplay are not rivals, but allies and brothers
 
 EMBARRASSING
 Now that M. Chaplin has embraced the Mutual faith we cannot help wondering what will become of George Ovey whom Mutual's Voice in the Wilderness has so lorg and ardently described ''the fun niest man in America"
 THE SOUTHERN SCHEDULE
 A romantic drama, with Anita Stewart; a comedy, with Lillian Walker, and drama with Edith Storey This is the fc.,,t tati eoIn 1,,1o fnr ~ OnfI of the screens most notable 1916 acquisi- tions from the legitimate stage. MT. SotEern signed Q contract for three pho toplays with Vitagraph, soon after his announced retirement from the stage. According to early announcement he was to appear in film versions of ''If Were King" '"The Proud Prince, and Cap tain Letterblair,' but a more recent statement by the company had it that the scenarios had not been selected. Vitagraph states that Sothern is to re- May 1 has been fixed as the starting ate.
 SOME CONTEST
 Ar enterprising film corporation is pro- noting handsome man. contest by. faithfully promising that one of its pretty young female stars will, on SUD- pliant knees, propose to the winner.
 All of which recalls the new thought anent the early bird and worm proverb. We were brought up to admire and vote for the sunrise fowl. We have just be- gun to consider the worms status, and wonder what he thinks of alarm clocks.
 This contest is fine for the lovely yolel, but what about the willy-nilly love of poor Jane Doll?
 0ROMONAo at@,l The popularity of Ramona" and Of Donald Crisp, it's director, was strilIingly illustrated in Los Angeles recently when a disparaging article was published in enc of the maga zines. It brought forth q strong editorial from one of the fore most dramatic editors in Los Angeles and a perfect torrent of letters from individuals. The fact of the matter IS that Crisp has given us Ramona with out any thought of precedent and his originality has startled many of the old timers The appeal of Pomona" is di- rectly to the people and despite it's length it is remarkable how many householders have paid Ramona 8 return visit and after all it is the public and not the members of the profession who deter mine whether a picture shall be popular or otherwise. The verdict of New York and other big cities will be interesting to students of the photoplay
 WHISPERING SMITH"
 J. P. McGowan. director general of the Signal company. has provided great