Evening star., 1920-03-21

DRoBABLY the least known of
- the contributing factors to the
success of the photodrama are
the picture directors. Little is
nown of the few, nothing of the
many.
The history of David Wark Griffith.
fter he produced "A Fool and
iirl." a stage failure starring Fannie
W ard, which was given its premiere
Y she Columbia Theater in this city,
1906, is more or less familiar The
public at large knows that his old
Siograph Stock Company developed
more film stars than any other single
SGency. II was the Augustin Daily
brganization of the films. so to speak.
His later productions are the pride
bf f1lmdom.
George Loane Tucker achieved fame
by series of excelIently staged Wis
Ializations of the Hall Caine stories
and placed the capstone TO his reputa-
ion by making The Miracle Man.
Cecil B. De Mile has put the stamp
rf greatness on a series of domestic
studies.
Herbert Brenons career is obscure
until he attained note by acting as
architect of Theda Bara's career as a
screen vampire. Regardless of the
Ethical value of that service the pic
lures were beautifully done. He then
devoted his entire time and, it is
flsimed. a cool million of Mr.. Foxs
financial resources TO two subjects for
annette Keliermsnn. "Neptune's Daugh-
er" and "A Daughter of the Gods"
And then the producer became con-
scious.
When Nazimova decided to trans
ate her great drama. War Brides"
FIr. Brenon was called in to super
wise the production. The result is
leralded as "a veritable masterpiece
bf crushing realism. overf1owing with
pathos and power"
Gradually but surely the push of
he picture producer has been shifted
rom the screen star to the screen
director. and il is now claimed that
kiaurce Maetriinck is being put
through course of training in the
studios which il is expected will en-
ble him to assume the direction of a
Ecries of special stories which he is
o write especially for photoplay pro-
luction.
Along with Maeterlinck's name as a
bit of magic to conjure with is an
lounceds a list of other authors. who,
90. will enter the field of production
n directing capacity, with their
forts limited to their own stories.
The move seems not only a wise
ut a very desirable one. and if only
I've art igflnorance. Unmorality and
General unfitness OF promoters" can be
o the Intelligence and decency of
eslly worthwhile authors and direct
crs the motion picture may take the
FSnk in<the field of art that it now oc-
fupies in commerce.
Ncw Educational Procexs.-If DR.
Gilbert Ellis Bailey. professor OF
geology of the University of South
ern California. scientist of the
Historical Film Corporation of Amer
lca. carries out his plans. educational
methods in the United States will be
revolutionized.
Prof. Bailey foresees the film sup
planting the printed text book and he
has worked out plan OF production
aud distribution of educational films
" hich, il is claimed. will change the
present day university into cinema
university.
I'll discussing the subject, DIR. Bailey
quoted as saying:
Universities. colleges and high
schools are crowded to overfiowins
with students. mad thousands are
turned away every year. This condi-
ton extends from Yale College in the
asst to the universities on the coast
N every one is looking for remedy
Cinema halls are one of the RENE
es. Put cinema halls. properly
oGuipped, into every educationaI
fuilding. from the common school &c
the university, and they will hold
iasses of from 200 to 1000. instead OF
the usual class of fifty. The profes-
Scr can give up-to-date lectures viv-
IDLY illustrating his theme. instead OF
rying TO stir up the minds of the
pupil to visualize things.
1T takes fifteen minutes to run OFF
one reel of one thousand feet. That
W ou1d leave the rest of an hour for
tine professor TO explain to the pupil
" hat he had seen. Every picture
would give host of details besides
hat the professor had no time TO ex-
lain.
"TEt books are usually five years
behind the times. but by using films
ne lecture and illustrations can be
ept up-to-date with the very latest
scoveries. Each film can easily be
nade so by cutting out a portion and
distributing a new portion at cost
= out a few cents per foot.
The student Is now burdened with
lot of text books often of little use
ter ne leaves school. By using the
ms he saves the price of the book
I'D can find time 10 90 a good deal
reading in the Libraries.
THE time is coming fast when the
cad professor OF the university will
q found not in the class room. but
the studio getting up pictures to
Iustrate his speciality. His class Will
g rot at one university, but all over
ne world. studying his specially, IL
lstrated as he wishes to illustrate 1t.