The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-05-04
BY LAWRENCE. REAMER.
pedasogues in less en-


crossing subjects freely adj
= mitted when the instructions in
playwriing impended In various seats
OF learning that they viewed its intro
duction with alarm. Anything so fascin-
ating as a part Of a college curriculum
might reasonably be expected to.have a
prejudicial influence on other depart
ments. Students might reasonably be
absorbed in hemysteries Of such educa-
ton while Indifferent TO the enlighten-
ment on less picturesque topics else
where provided. The opportunity to
grow suddenly familiar with the thea
tire and all its mysteries under the
guise of education was naturally a
source of apprehension to the profess
sors, who were compelled to struggle
along with the handicap Of conven-
tional subjects OF the results of this
new department in the colleges 1t may
mot yet be possible authoritatively to
speak. 1t seems, however, from a SUI
perficial view OF the field. as IL some
students were still to be found in other
lecture rooms
But what will happen when the col
leges follow the announced example
of Columbia University and set out to
instruct students in the mysteries Of
the cinema? It is said that a careful
census would reveal even more writers
of scenarios in this country than there
are potential dramatists. Few have
escaped this new ambition. All ages
and kinds are represented among the
workers for the movies. They may
be expected TO enroll numerously in
the new classes.
Will they be taught the means OF
writing the kind Of a scenario that the
producer will like? Will they be able
to detect the rapid changes in the
wishes of the producers presumably
founded on the knowledge of what the
public wants? For instance, no lesson
10 the scenario writer's just now could
be so practical as the manner in which
they should write play for the cam
era in which there should pc as little
outlay for scenery as possible and az
much as possible for frocks. For the
cinema Is Just now passing through q
dressing mania which at a somewhat
earlier period afflicted the drama The
as elaborate as possible in order that
the spectators of the Same sex may be
kept enthralled as the fashion show
discloses itself reel after reel.
OF course correspondence schools
have for years been aiming to teach
that large proportion of the population
OF these United States interested II
writing scenarios this difficult an(
erudite art. but the acquisition Of such
knowledge in tho classic shades of Co
lumbia University must be more thrill
ing.
Think Of being able to discourse
learnedly OF the rise and fall of thu
vampire, the comparative vogue OF tn,
Western drama of William Hart, al
compared with the athletics of Doug
las Fairbanks, the influence Of TIN
ancient art OF pantomime on the salary
OF Charles Chaplin. Elsie Ferguson!
Interpretation of Ibsen as shown "
the cinema OF "a Dolls House" II
comparison with ALA Nazimova's act
ing of Heddd Gdbler, the advantage
OF a whirlwind tour in vaudeville t,
refurbish the popularity Of declining
vampire, Cuddles Lee as future Mar,
Pickford, the income tax as n final cri
terion of the merit OF n movie star
all these themes will be easy to tn,
cultivated alumnus of the cinema dc
partment OF such a university as Co
lumbia-
There are many other details, more
over, in which the culture of thu
earnest student will be highly i'm
proved. When Is a prima donna voice