The New York herald., 1921-11-27

An interesting turn has been taken
In the discussion as to whether the
high powered arc lamps used in the
studios for interiors are detrimental to
the eyes of the actors, or whether it's
Just the night life that makes them look
SO groggy. 1t was generally believed
that the intense illumination crystal
lized the theatrical optic, but recently
the view has been held among others
by L. B. Jones of the Eastman company
in a paper read before a. cinema engl-
neers' society that the artificial light
ing tires the eyes but does not wear
them out, say. to the point reached by
stars who are constantly staring at their
own mirrored reflections.
In England some concern Is being felt
concerning the effect on the eyes of the
audiences Of the flckering on the screen.
or possibly OF the white heat of passion
sometimes shown there. Exhibitors have
been compelled to move their first row
of seats about forty feet away from the
silver sheet, so that the nearest specta-
tor hasn't that awful presentiment that
the newly shot villain is about to fall on
top of him. Germany is said to have de-
yeloped a screen that makes blinking out
OF order.
No similar movement has developed
in this country. where it seems to be
felt that the inhabitants move so swiftly
and energetically past the observers
eyes on the street that he becomes accus-
toned to the Pickering effect.
Sympathizers of Charles of Hungary
have sent an appeal to various movie
companies for donations of films to
make the former Hapsburg ruler feel
air Of al m
civilization. Winfield Sheehan. general
manager Of the Fox Film Corporation,
IS going to send him Justin Huntly Nc
Carthy's IF / Were King"
Truly the movies as exhibited in the
country districts are among the most
marvellous works Of man. Sophisticated
city audiences seem to be forgetting
how TO clap the unresponsive figures on
the screen, but rural crowds are not so
easily relinquishing this proud privilege
In a town up the Hudson River near
Kingston the spectators in a nickelodeon
recently visited. cheered and clapped
everything that was a bit more exciting
than the brewing of q cup of coffee.
Probably this was their natural reaction
TO the circumstance that the local
Paderewski at the piano played as his
only selection Peggy O'Neill." regard
less of the scenes.
Then In another rustic cinema palace
where the protector was turned by a
crank the operator suddenly bawled out
in the midst OF the picture: Hey.
you'll have to wait few minutes. My
hands are all tired out" And for five
minutes hero and heroine were left on
the screen in an amorous death grip
while the deus ca mdcht,td rested up
The highly important status OF the
movies, among the natives of Bayside,
l.. l., may be gathered from this
authentic remark by n man there over
heard In one of those conversational
closeups over the back fence: Tin
going to see that new picture, Treasure
Island I hear it's so good they're
going to turn II into n book"
Certain among the cheaper film
magazines have methods that must
have been devised by a brother OF this
man. Recently a gem by O. Henry
-Sas converted into a picture. and then
an obscure hack writer was engaged
20 turn the picture back into words for
"A fan periodical.
James Rennie instead OF surrendering
himself 20 Goldwyn directors for only six
weeks is now going 70 have his playing
moulded 70 their hearts desire for n
year and win waive all rights 20 a
voice on the stage for that period. lie
is out In Culver City listening to words
OF wisdom through n megaphone. His
wife. Dorothy Gish, who was being
given n trial TO coax out her voice for
the footlights, will join Rennie instead
for further haunting Of the camera In
California as soon as p. w. Griffith
has directed the course Of her last tear
Al The Two Orphans"
Rfcherd Bar.hslmess, youthful screen
star. was asked tho other day to give
his opinion of women by one of those