Arizona republican., 1920-11-21
RIDERS IF THE DAWN NEW IN
 MOTION PICTURES

Riders of the Dawn" photoplay Of the famous Zane Grey best-seller The | Desert of Wheat" which appears at Mauks Columbia theater commencing today, represents something new ln motion picture producing. The theory of motion picture production has been upset by this and other screen editions of novels filmed by Benjamin B. Hampton in the last year-financlal theories, artistic theories, and dra- matic traditions. Three pictures, ad- mitted artistic and financial successes, are now on the market in support or the new producers revolutionary theories, and bids fair to follow up those successes.
 Once everyone believed that star, who was supposed to have an army of followers always eager to see his or her pictures, was the only safe invest inert for the motion picture producer. Mir. Hampton believed that an author of the calibre of Zane Grey. for in stance-who leads in popularity would have far greater army of peo- pie eager to see one of his books 1n a | true picture version. But how to make true picture version Of novel! | Here Mir. Hampton shattered another tradition. He thought that a fine dramatic photoplay could be made of novel without changing the novel, and proved it by making three of them which bore the authors endorsement on the screen and at the same time ranked on the very top of the scale as box office attractions. The fans of Zane Grey, Stewart Edward White and Emerson Hough novels proved that l they wanted to see good screen ver- sions of the works of their favorites, just as soon as word of mouth adver- Using told them that these works were really good, and really bore the authors endorsements. On the other hand. the habitual movie goers, super critical in matters of photo-play merit also proved by attendance that, aside from all consideration of the famous novel idea, they considered the Benja- min B. Hampton product good photo plays.
 But MT. Hampton went further. Tn place of the one star, he gave several
 stars; an assemblage of the best talent
 obtainable in the field of motion pic
 lures cast for their fitness and abil-
 ity. Even in the smallest roles ht
 uses players whose ability and salaries
 most producers would consider alto
 gether disproportionate to the i'm
 portance of their roles. T want real star; that is, an actol
 qualified as a star by his ability, dowr
 to the smallest role" MT. Hampton says By that I do not mean tha any star would do, or that all the play CTS I use are advertised as stars Many a star whose name you SCI featured in front of theaters could no qualify for acting ability to take role in my pictures.
 T take Joseph J. Bowling as an ex ample of a real star in a small part He did that wonderful title role in 'Th Miracle Man In Riders of tn Dawn I am using MT. Bowling a MT. Anderson role not so impor tant in proportion to the picture, bu something I would not think of lettin anyone else in the business but Josep Bowling play.
 ITO my mind, every role that is be fore the camera in any close action 2 all is vitally important. and may, de pending upon its dramatic possibili \ ties, demand the best. of players { enact. For instance, again, I us A Arthur Morrison in Riders of Il - Dawn in a part in which he
 scarcely noticeable. But he is maI
 terful character artist, and he mak,
 that little part tiny masterpiece;
 less gifted actor could have bungle
 and made it the one jarring imperfe'
 tion in the picture"