The New York herald., 1921-01-30
SCREEN SHADOWS
By FRANK vREELAND.

r OS ANGELES will not hold her
premier position as n motion
picture producing centre with
out strong battle from Jacksonville.
Fla, especially from the army camp
near there, which is 10 be turned into
a movie hothouse. Film producers
have discovered that Hollywood hasn't
monopoly on all the best sunshine.
The Southern city is said to offer al
most the same diversity OF scenery as
the Western site of hectoc emotions,
except for the riotous mountains OF
California.
Another strong factor in Jackson
ville's favor is its relative nearness to
New York. permitting OF the taking
of those views Of the metropolis which
are so essential when the young hero
comes to Manhattan either to wrest a
fortune from its cruel skyline in less
than a reel or else TO drown in jaza
his memory of the gal who wouldn't
take him unless he parted his hair
differently. The Oakland water front
can no longer masquerade as New
fork's playground for longshoremen,
especially when a Gotham audience
catches sight of cop strolling in the
background with a hat like a dog
catchers
Moreover, prints of new pictures can
be shipped more quickly from Jackson
Vile to New York for first showing.
for, at the risk of mourning all the pent-
up wrath OF all the native sons, picture
isn't considered to have arrived even in
California until New York has sat on II.
Similarly. 1t has been discovered that
Jacksonville is closer than Los Angeles
to Europe. This Is important in view of
the fact that Europe seems to be con-
vinced that its economic life won't re-
vive completely after the war unless a
brisk trade in pictures is done with
America. And as a third determining
element the Florida city permits of the
shooting Of scenes at Palm Beach, so
necessary not only to give a picture
high finish. but also to let the feminine
stars wear luscious apparel somewhere
besides On the screen
Several pioneer producers. mindful Of
these advantages. have already tried
Jacksonville and found 1t to their liking,
city that wasn't liable to put any
NIulhieS III tnelT DTOWS or InelT pocket
books. The local Chamber of Commerce
is reported to be wishfu to encourage
the movie advent. not being deferred ap-
parently by the reputation which parts
OF Hollywood have developed.
AS a climax comes the news that a
group Of New York capitalists and
screen producers have adopted the novel
expedient of buying most of Camp Jo-
seph T.. johnson. where on 700 acres
devoted formerly to the arts Of war the
battle OF grease-paint will hereafter be
waged. In this area, which has been
rechristened Fine Arts City by the Fine
Arts Pictures. Inc. of New York. among
the unoccupied barrack buildings and
dining halls where the dougbboys once
learned how to be heroes with no cam
eras TO snap them, there Will arise with
typical movie magic studios and attrac-
tive bungalows where heroes will regis
ter their $500 week gallantry before
innumerable cameras.
With twenty complete film lots" this
company. headed by Murray w. Cars
son. promises the largest studio space
OF any producing centre in the world.
irclrding permanent sets where Western
cowboys can shoot up the town when
the grape juice Is running strong a
ghetto where the pale little heroine can
water her flowers with tears until It is