The Topeka state journal., 1919-03-22
TOPEKA STATE JOURNAL >
IN F ORM ALTON
Blu RE AU.
FREDERIC J. HASKIN. Director.
Washington. D. C
RECONSTRUCTIN THE MOVIES.
/, MFR, McAdoo's Job,


l. Mr.. McAdoo's Job.
New York. March 1S-Wm c. Nc
AGoo's new job is at once a sensation
and mystery. Everyone knows that
the famous secretary, son-in-law and
presidential possibility mas gone into
the movies, but no one seems to know
exactly why. or in exactly what capa-
city. 1t is known merely that he is
general counsel for a new organiza-
ton called the United Artists corpora
ton. and that Mary Pickford, Charlie
Chaplin, Douglas Fairbanks and d. W.
Griffith are the artists who have thus
united under the leadership of the
famous tunnel-digger and liberty
loaner.
But why should the moving picture
industry desire Mr.. McAdoo's services,
and, even more mysterious, why
should Mr.. McAdoo seek a career in
filmland? This latter question especi-
ally has been the cause of much
speculation. 1t has been suggested
that Mr.. McAdoo counts on winning
the hearts of the sixty million Ameri-
leader into the White House. perhaps
on a platform of flickerlesS film and
six reels for a nickel.
without pretending to answer all
questions or set all speculations at
rest, it may be said that Mr.. McAdoo'S
movie job probably has nothing to do
with his political aspirations, that it
will rot take much of his time, and
that, indeed, its chief importance of
his personal fortunes is that it en-
ables him. after his lean years in the
treasury, to draw a fat salary for fill
ing a position which may be fairly de-
scribed, and without diSparagement, as
that of a figure-head.
The slap-stick comedy Of the three
star movie actors tickles the Chinese
diaphragm no less than the American.
A sleeping man is kicked in the stom-
ach and the whole world laughs. 1t is
the real triumph of internationallsna.
Let the league of nations take a back
seat.
And a man with an engaging grin.
jumping over chairs and tables as he
enters alroom. and assuming in all his
roles a grossly exaggerated physical
proWess is more famous than Mark
Twain. The continent of South
America is described as being crazy
about him
Add to these three the man who
was lucky enough to produce the first
big spectacle picture and you have the
financial hackers. the board of direc-
tors and the stock in trade of the
new United Artists Corporation.
Never was corporation more capa-
bly, manned-and womanned. What
ever you may think of the artistic ca
pabilities of these four. you must ad-
nit that they have all shown con-
spicuous ability to get and hold mon
ey And that is what makes corpor-
ations go.
The movie business is one of the
biggest, youngest and most spectacular
, in the world. Likewise. it is one of
| the most badly organized and eXtrava-
! CANT industries in the world. 1t
; wastes film by the ton and money by
| the wagonload. 1t borrows most of
the ideas for it's stories. and then Won
! ders why theater-goers reject about
| half of its product. 1t has one of the
! greatest patronages in the world, and
vet it is always in financial difficulty
The movie industry is the newly
rich the bounder and the upstart of
| American business. 1t has all the
marks of its class. 1t is a spendthrift,
it is vain, it is self-conscious.
/ Now the astute four mentioned
above realize all this. They are bent
upon rescuing the movie business
! from its faults and troubles, present
and threatened. That is where Mr.
McAdoo comes in. 1t has been sug-
| gested that he is going to get finan-
cial backing for the new corporation.
But his right-hand man, Mr.. oscar A.
Price who has been made president
of the new corporation, denies this
| He says that the four stars are them
! selves putting in all the money, and
that any other stars which join the
constellation will have to Go SO on the
same terms.
Mr. McAdoo's real function, it ap-
pears. is to lend this new venture an
unimpeachabie air of respecta billty
and Importance. Any corporation with
which Mr. AcAdoo is connected be-
comes automatically beyond reproach-
The moving picture industry is not
hiring Mr.. McAdoo primarily for his
legal acumen nor for his organizing
ability. There are plenty of good law
, yers to be had for a great deal less
than Mr.. McAdoo is probably getting
and he is not taking any part in the
| actual work of organization. according
, to Mr.. Price. Mr.. McAdoo will not
, even have an office in connection with
the venture. You must envision him.
, therefore. as sitting in a remote ano
separate place, dispensing oecasiona
legal advice. and. above all, shedding
upon the proceedings the mellow light
! of his accumulated glories and hi;
high personal integrity. He is the le-
gal counsel-yes- But. above all, he
is the fairy-godfather who waves tbs
+ magic wand and converts the young
movie business from a scrambling Bo.
8 hemian sort of thing into a supremely
: sound and conservative corporation
l president of the United States at it:
: head. He is a flaring announcement
TO the American public that the movie
business has quit sowing its wild reel:
| and becomes as dignified and respect
I able as Standard Oil
This new corporation. apart from
! Mr. McAdoo's connection with it
. means also that the movie industry il
= going to modernize itself by eIiminat
! ing competition. For the movies ar
: | one of the very few industries of an,
Importance in which the medieval ant