The Washington times., 1921-03-26
Mrs. William Vaughn Moody
Helpedto Film Husbands Drama

The familiar phrase, The plays
the thing" might be modified to read.
'The scenarios the thing!" The i'm
portance of the scenario of a motion
picture, whether 1t be an original or
the correct adaptation of a play, story
or novel, cannot be underestimated.
1t Is the foundation. so to speak. of
the finished photoplay-the main
spring OF the entire artistic mecha-
nism. II the scenario is faulty. then
the picture will be likewise faulty.
for the scenario is nothing more nor
lees than the picture itself. expressed
In word pictures instead of shadow
images
A this realization has dawned
upon producers, more and more atten-
ton has been given to the choice Of
the artists who write the scenarios.
Great authors and celebrated novel
lists and short-story writers are work.
ing and in training for this work.
Photoplay-goers will be interested
in knowing that the scenario for
George Melford's forthcoming pro-
duction of that immortal play, "The
Faith Healer" which begins an ex-
tended engagement at Loew's Colum-
bia Theater tomorrow afternoon. was
YIOPdT GU " NAu6nU
Moody, widow of the late author of
the play. working in cooperation
with z. Wall Covingto ton. Milton Silis.
who plays the title role. also assisted
In adapting the drama to the photo
play.
Consider the results Of the work of
such a collaborating team. Mrs.
Moody, having been an interested OBJ
server of all her husbands work. is a
most capable proxy for the author.
Were he here in person to aid in the
Perturbation of his play, the work
would perhaps be no better done.
Mrs. Moody knows in just what light
her husband would have regarded
certain changes necessary to screen
production; she doubtless felt the
very inspiration which spurred him
on to the creation of this notable lit
that no point Of importance. none of
the real spirit Of the authors work.
has been left out of the screen YER
sion. 1t is all there, just as 1t was In
the play. in spirit, IL not In the exact
letter.
Mr.. Stills Is q seasoned actor on both
stage and screen. Before taking up
screen work he had several years
stage experience in famous produce
tions. and during his screen expert
ence he has consistently ranked
among the foremost favorites. He
knows every point and every impor-
tant step in the adaptation Of a play
to . photoplay.
This combination of the authors
point Of view. represented by that of
his widow. with that of the actor and
leading player Of the picture, Is con-
ceded a most ideal one in the work of
preparing the scenario, and the re-
sulting script ia declared by Producer
George Melford to be one of the most
perfect and ideal scenarios which has
ever guided him in the direction of q
picture.
The cast Of this new Paramount
special includes. besides Mr.. Stills. Ann
great favor by her work as an emo
tional artistic in big productions. She
plays the leading feminine role Of
Rhoda williams. Others are Fanny
Midgely. Charles OE1e. Loyola O'Con-
nor. May Giraci. Robert Brewer.
Adolph Menjou, Edward Vroom,
George Berrell and Fontaine La Rue.
Paul Perry is doing the camera work.
Mr.. Stills will be recalled for his
work in several notable Paramount
pictures, including the leading role in
"The Woman Thou Gavest Me-" from
Hall Gaines novel. Also he played
the principal masculine lead in the
recent George Melford production of
Sir Gilbert Parker's novel, 1.-THE
Translation Of Savage" which bears
the screen title, "Behoid MY Wifew