The Washington times., 1921-09-25

VIC VI thooSVS TobOy nh-
buckle, which may be seized be-
cause Of having been used to
transport liquor to "Fatty's"
rum party. ...,..
ray, Mabel Normand, Fatty Arbuckle,
Chester Conklin, Bebe Daniels, Wanda
Hawley, Fay Tincher and others of
the aristocracy Of moving picture star.
oom. 49,
Excessive Salaries. -
Both these men paid ''paltry" NOV.
ing picture salaries or about ten times
what the actors could have made in
any other line of endeavor and, in
many cases, twenty times as much as
they were worth. They are both hard
taskmasters. They demand more of
their people than other producers.
And they get 1t.
= After every big Griffith or Sennett
picture a group of new stars have
made their first appearance before the
public. Consequent to the publicity
that follows their appearance, they
show certain signs Of the inevitable
In the event that they are not
under contract. both Griffith and
Sennett cheerfully allow them to go
to other companies under contracts
calling for tremendous salaries and
bend their energies to the creation of
new stars.
IT can make a star out Of any man
or woman presentable In appearance
and reasonably intelligent. David
Griffith has said time and again. But
I cannot often get a story that
want. II stories were as easily made
as stars there would be no money in
the moving pictures"
Movie Depression.
So other producers are beginning
to recognize this. Proof Of it can be
found among the agencies furnishing
actors for moving pictures both on
Broadway and on the coast. The last
two years Of depression in moving
pictures have sounded the knell Of the
star.
Prominent actors, quoted on the
market at $4,000 a week, are now
for S1,100 a week and are
very glad to get It. Among the lead.
ing people who once demanded and
received from $3.50 to 81 900 a week,
The price has dropped to 5000 and $3.50.
A well.known star who has just fin
'ohOe oih CiBHt-WOCH COHIThCI dI u
weekly salary Of $4,000 has an.
that she is available to pro-
1ucers at S2,5o0. Other stars who
nave been in the eyes of the moving
picture public for years arc being
iropped because Of temperament, old
lse. tncompetency or excessive salary
demands.
In the spring Of last year one great
producer imported one OF Ensland's
dramatists and writer's
Ind several Of the best-known Amcri-
an authors to write directly for the
screen. These authors had a hand
n every stage OF the production, from
he making of the sets to the casting
II the pictures. The star was rele-
rated to second place, and obeyed the
director unquestionably.
Orchestra Stunt"
The orchestra stunt" as Is called
he presence of an orchestra on the
set. to enable the actor or actress to
EEL the atmosphere Of the scenes he
'r she is portraying was done away
with. The stars worked under the
luiet direction Of the director, who. in
urn. listened very respectfully to the
suggestions of the author, who sat
ACNt W oii tIC oh SCtOE
rhe result was better pictures and in
creased revenue for the producer. And
hat is the only answer that will ever
satisfy the producers and that will re.
'ult In increased moral standards In
he moving picture industry.
1t Is not believed In movicg picture
ircles that the story Of Fatty Ar
,uckle and Virginia Rappe or the
tory Of Zelda Crosby and her moving
,icture magnate will seriously affect
he attendance at movins picture
heaters. But II will undoubtedly
trensthen the hand Of tho Puritan
clement which has been seeking for
ears TO control the production of
,ictures and to say what shall and
What shall not be shown to he Amer
can people.
Moralists Cry Out.
Already ciergymen and other pro-
essional soul savers have raised their |
'oices and their hands against q
ranch Of activity than can show such |
errible absence Of morality. Billy
sunday, that wise student Of human |
nature, advises that the regulators" |
seep their hands Off, that the moving
'octures will correct themselves. But
lis voice is lost In the chorus Of short. |
sighted reformers who .clamor for Pur.
tan controland their names In the |
'apers. 4
The American people have un-
ioubtedly been shocked by the |
case and the tales
" Wild orgies that have grown from
T. Legislators are already being ap- |
and. pressure has been
brought to bear upon them To mass
avs giving control Of the novels |
nto the hands Of the reform element. |
This condition Is importing the
Millions OF dollars that have been
invested In moving pictures. And
when money 10 imperiled, the owners |
" that money seek 10 better condi. |
ions. Public opinion has been forced |
nto the situation by three gigantic |
that are the result OF the |
tar system. And the answer IN |
hat ths star systsm- must 70.