The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-07-14

A FTER a careful and extensive
Il canvass Of conditions in the
film industry, Jesse Lasky of
the Famous Playerv> Lasky Corpora
ton has decided that his company will
produce no more pictures of a morbid,
depressing or tragic character; nor
will y handle those films dealing
with religious problems. fairly tales,
costume plays, allegories or anything
Of the sort during the course OF the
war. Only those subjects will be pre-
sented that will help to cheer the
nation.
Such a step is significant and in ac-
cordance with the policy Of this COM
pany. which usually keeps some dis
lance in front Of a great many other
producers. 1t betrays an analysis ur
conditions that few men have and the
results are rather certain to be bene-
fetal
The present conditions throughout
the world" says Mr.. Lasky. "have
resulted i'll a pronounced revulsion 0.
feeling, it is scarcely necessary to OBJ.
serve, and a decided alteration Of the
public thought may be noticed. Both
OF these have had a marked influence
upon the character of amusements
provided for public entertainment and
edlfication to-day. 4,
America is finally involved to vir-
tually the fullest extent in the war
and each day brings closer to the peo-
pie Of this country the struggle for
democracy" A bit rhetorical. but true.
AT such time" continues Mr.
Lasky. ''it is obvious that the duty of
those engaged in manufacturing NOV
ing pictures or producing stage plays
Is TO inculcate the spirit of cheerful
ness. striving invariably to lift the
thought OF the people above their
troubles. or by the tone of entertain
ment offered to relieve their minds If
only temporarily from the tragedy now
at our very doors.". --...
1t is not so much that folks desire to
he entertained as that they desire the
obliteration of wretched war films that
are only too plainly done by a nitwit
director and others of the same sort
Mr.. Lasky remarks: From the ex-
hoitors and the. public we have re-
ceived assurance that cheerful pictures
are the need and must be produced
This is more than n mere matter of
good business sense; it is a national
DUTY. Wars are as much the concern
of people at home as of the men in the
trenches, and without the spirit OF
optimism, cheerfulness and confidence
at home no battle is likely to be won
II is simple psychology.
In addition we have become con-
WINGED that photoplays dealing with
religious subjects, fairy tales and such
Ike things are neither desired nor &C
cepted to-day. Therefore, i desire to
say emphatically that the Famous
Players Lasky Corporation will here
after eliminate pictures of the kind
mentioned. Wholesome dramas up
lifting in character, clean comedies,
comedy dramas and plays dealing with
the more cheerful aspects of life will
be exclusively chosen for production"
Mr.. Laskys stand is excellent. 1t
seems hard on the public at times that
there are not more men like him in
such an important industry.
The decision of Provost Marshal
General Crowder in fixing the status
OF the cinemas as an essential indus
try was gratifying to a certain extent.
As TO those conscious handsome male
types who cavort through a picture
with saccharine smile and initiate
real men, no objection could be raised
against their being made TO either
night or work. But on the other hand
there is great deal of necessary work
that the movies can carry on with and
IT is Just as we'll that Gen. Crowder's
decision was just what ii was.
Among those who were stirred to
speech by the affair was Adolph Zukor
president Of the Famous Players
Lasky Corporation, who talks so sell
dom that what he does say carries
weight.
The industry is already on a war
basis said Mr.. Zukor. 1.-THE Ameri-
can film will battle on the screens OF
the world for the defeat Of German
autoCraCy."
The present days have no time for
industries other than those concerned
with winning the war, Mr.. Zukor
pMn,s out. This demand the moving
picture industry meets, and further
more. he explains, the cinemas have
laoored faithfully and efficiently for
such patriotic movements as the Red
Cross. the Liberty Loan, food conser-
walton and the building of ships.
President Wilson has publicly
thanked the exhibitors for turning over
their theatres to the Four Minute Men
and for war propaganda. The greatest
MIN stars. at the request of the Sec
rotary Of the Treasury. have toured
the nation in the Liberty Loan cam
paigns. The moving pictures have
paid hundreds of thousands Of dollars
In taxes. The exhibitors have opened
their doors for war work, but have
only just begun their splendid share in
the war"
The moving pictures mightiest
task is TO keep up the morale Of the
folks at home. 1t ID the national
amusement. filling a national need.
We have pledged ourselves to produce
only moving pictures that will make
good Americans better Americans.
We shall keep that promise. In the