The Washington herald., 1919-05-04

One Of the most significant indica-
tions Of the real development Of the
art OF the motion picture is found in
the rapidly increasing number of dis
tinsuished names listed among those
who are writing and adapting dramas
for the silver sheet. Authorship was
the last element of Importance in the
intricate business of photoplay produc-
ton to respond to the public demand
for a higher quality of product upon
the screen. Photography was infin-
itely improved. as were acting meth
ods. and the housing Of silent drama
became almost palatial before real
dramatists and personages of recog-
nized literary distinction took serious
" the task of constructing plausible
plays for a form of dramatic art that
has no permanent literature. Happily,
this condition no longer exists.
Two excellent examples of the care
that Is now being exercised to harmon
ize play and personality and thus
,bSing about a thoroughly human de-
.piction of some interesting aspect of
contemporary life are to be seen upon
the local screen this week. The
Yelled Mystery" was written by julia
Crawford Ivers to provide Constance
Talmadge with an opportunity to re-
fresh the picture public with a
sprightly romantic comedy prolific IN
the sort of youthful spontaneity that
Miss Talmadge can convey upon the
screen perhaps better than any other
young actress.
-iiarly, "One of the Finest" a
r. ntic comedy-drama of San Fran
cisco's police force, was written by j.
Mnnra
to do before the camera those things
which a talented young Irishman
might reasonably be expected to do
best. 1t will be apparent to patrons
Of the Metropolitan that the resultant
determination of the merit OF the pic
tHres justifies the painstaking care in
authorship.
The Metropolitan next week will link
with the screen another name of gen.
uine distinction in the American The
ater when for the first time in Wash
inston will be shown Augustus Thorn
as own film adaptation of "As Man
Thinks" one of the most notable and
one of the most profound Of his many
stage successes. Mr.. Thomas Is said,
in this production. to have transferred
10 the wordless form of drama all OF
the charm. all of the brilliance and
all OF the climacteric power Of his
original play. The personal participa-
ton in production OF the playwright
who conceived the drama in its first
form magnifies the privilege Of which
Crandall's Metropolitan has availed
itself in introducing to the Capital one
of the most engrossing dramas Of the
decade and one of the most profound
tributes to the sacredness of American
home life that the screen has known.
The symphony orchestra from Grand
aITs Metropolitan Theater, Mr.. Jesse
L. Heitmuller, conductor. furnished
the music at the Victory Loan meet
ing held at the B. F. Keith Theater
last wednesday afternoon. The entire
organization OF twenty-five solo art
lists contributed their services to add
ing impetus to the drive.
a. 4 special benefit performance will be
given at Crandalrs Knickerbocker
Theater on Thursday. May s. under
the direction of the local chapter of
the Daughters of the Loyal Legion. A
list of distinguished patronesses are
devoting their time and their interest
TO this event. the proceeds OF which
are to be utilized in purchasing pianos
and player-pianos for the returned SOL
diers, sailors and marines convalescing
from shell shock at st. Elizabeth's $
Hospital
Secretary of Labor Wilson and a
group of department heads last We'd
nesday made use of Crandalrs Knick-