Evening journal., 1921-01-13
By HAROLD d. -JACONs,
nited Press Stan Corresnondenf

United Press stan Correspondent.
MAAiARONECK. n. Y, Jan. i3.-The
entire movie industry is in the process
OF thorough reorganization, which
VIII place IL on the stronges. basis
IL has ever known from the stand
point OF both the producer and the
public, David Ward Grinlth declared in
an interview today.
According to the famous producer.
the apparent slump in the motion-pic-
ture business is due to three factors I:
4. Complete readiusting affecting
every one, from the high-salaried stars
10 the unskilled laborers employed
about the lot.
?. Manufacture OF bigger pictures
to run several weeks, replacing the
"one-night stands" and thus produc-
ing more films with smaller personnel
and less mechanical outlay
3 Creation Of a surplus Of pictures
following the years Of under-produc-
ton that resulted from the war
Griffith emphasized that there had
been an appreciable falling of in at
tendance at movie thcaters, and that
increased production had been more
than Offset by greater receipts. Com
pairing his latest bis picture with
The Birth Of a Nation" which he
produced five years ago. he presented
records 10 show the following:
The best week Of the older film in
New York showed receipts Of Si3.S00
compared with s2i .376 for his latest
picture, in Pittsburgh, $4,000. COM
pared with s2i ,6i6. and in Chicago
$4,000. compared with S22, ,3f3.
zone picture alone has had a gross
income Of S3,5O0O00," Grinlth said
II happen 10 know that Douglas Fair.
banks made more money on his las
iilm than any other, and Charlie
Chaplin, who is supposed 10 have los
on his latest venture, really mad,
SS00OO0."
Grinth was asked what he though
about reports that The One-candle
power movie star" is on the wane
cannot qualify as an expert OF
cclluloid astronomy. because ! neve
went in for it," he replied. but ] d,
know that, with the rapid improve
ment OF the quality Of motion pictures
the individuality OF the actor Is be
coming submerged, as In the case O
the greatest stage productions, and
can apply Shakespeare words TO tn
films:
1.-The plays the thing.
"Of course, there are a few real flr
stars whose personality never cOul
be dimmed. ] refer 10 Chaplin, Fair
banks, Mary pickford, Charles RAJ
Lillian Gish, Norma Talmadge an
Nazimova.
IN the past, 10 has been the cusior
Of some producers TO seize upon som
.curly-haired boy, or big-eyed ingenuu
and feature them 10 death. Just bs
cause they were good 10 look at Nal
urally, there Will always be some dl
mand for that type Of pictures-th
matinee idol has never wholly lost hi
popularity. Discriminating person
however, are demanding we'll writer
we'll produced and well acted picture
regardless Of whether or not the ca,
Is as fun Of stars as the milky way.
~ predict that within ten year
possibly half that time, persons wi
be paying 50 each 10 see one motto
picture, running two and a half
three hours. as they do now for n
best stage plays. The smaller pictur,
will occupy a position analogous
vaudeville.
"The period OF readjustment prol
ably will be governed somewhat I
have six or eight months elapse b
tween manufacture and showing
their pictures, TO allow for prop
distribution and advertising. III
present so-called slump may not
Obviated before next summer or IA
But 10 illustrate the confidence IN
real flnanciers have in the future
the industry, / may say that a grOl
of big men is planning to spend s
2j0O00 in making one picture. q
book rights alone 10 cost S600000
1T is superiluOus for me TO say IN
some OF the reputed salaries OF moN
siardOm are purely legendary. 10
true that many actors are still maxi
eXOrbitant demands and are bel
turned down"
Griffith concluded by saying N
from now on, American produce
must expect serious competition frC
foreign concerns.
90 q