The Washington times., 1916-01-26
PHOTOPLAYS AND
PHOTOPLAYERS
n
Fake Acting Schools
Target for Wrath
Of Screen Stars,
Actress Asserts
BY GARDNER MACK.

Motion picture actors throughout
the country are much incensed over
the propaganda of the fake schools
Of motion picture acting that
spring up throughout the country
and simply take money from mis-
guided young men and women
without giving them fhe slight
est instruction. That schools can
teach acting to the person who
has natural ability in that direc-
ton, the average actor or actress
will admit. But they will not ad-
NIT that acting can, be taught to
anyone who is not naturally adapt
ed to work on the stage and they
are especially severe on the
schools of acting that have been
referred to for asserting that such
a thing can be done.
Beatriz Michelena. who has been
the star of several notable picture
plays, is one Of the most outspoken
of her craft regarding the schools
and Miss Michelena has recently
started a movement against the
schools among the members of the
acting profession working for mo-
tion pictures.
These schools" declares Miss
Michelena, ARE doing Infinitely
more harm than many of us, real
ize. Their pernicious influence is
not to be at all measured by the
dollars they take away from their
victimized pupils. What Is to be
far more regretted, and condemn
ed is the false Impressions they
create through their advertise
ments and literature as to condi-
tions in the motion picture pro-
fession,
1T is largely due to them that the
impression has gained circulation
that there is a great demand for
pretty faced girls as picture actress
es, and that, with no other requisite
than this pretty face and a short
course of instruction, one might find
immediate employment at a fabulous
salary. We all know that there
is this misconception among many,
and that innumerable girls believe
motion pictures a short cut to easy
money. We also know Just how
far mistaken they are in this. They
will also be disillusioned. but often
too late. Relying on the rosy eXpec-
tations engendered in the first in
stance by the fake schools and their
criminal publicity. they have started
out to become picture actresses with
out ADEQUATE equipment i'm Sither
courage or talent. They have broken
away from previous mooSings and.
when the shock of disappointment
comes, often have no place to turn.
Shattered hope means moral strain
that many girls are unequal to.
II believe that motion picture peo-
pie should employ every device to
show these fake schools in their true
colors."
Charlotte Burton. the American
star, nearly lost her hearing during
the explosion of a powder mine in
the filming OF the Mutual Master
picture, De Luxe Edition. THE
Thoroughbred" Miss Burton play
ed the role OF angela Earlo." In
guarding the life of Klose Hamilton
(William RusselD, one of her ears
was slightly injured.
Herbert Standing, popular known
as the Grand Old Man of the Films"
as Spicer south in The Call of the
Cumberlands." presents his greatest
characterization on the screen. His
well-known. skill at make-un is
plainly evidenced in this new Pallas-
Paramount photoplay, and in his
support OF Dustin Farnum, the star.
he handles several of the most inn
portant scenes of the play with re-
markable realism. Herbert stan
ding. incidentally. is The proud faith
er of'seven motion picture actors.
G. NJ.