The New York herald., 1921-10-23

Special Cable to THE NEW YORK HERALD.
Copyright, 1891, by THE NEW YoRK HERALD.
New York Herald Bureau.
London, Oct. 22.
Rudyard Kipling Is the latest convert
to the films. He held out long time,
but it is now reported that he has
gone heart and soul into the business
and will release his best works for the
camera. American enterprise is re-
sponsible for his change Of feeling.
Only few months ago he was invited
to private showing of a picture at
the Pavilion Theatre, but he confessed
he could not follow the tricks of the
film and said he was so confused by
the CLOSE ups" and the fade outs"
that he felt a person must have film
sense in order to appreciate them.
But Randolph Lewis came here from
America to instruct Kiplng in the
technical side of the business and the
author and poet soon was enthusiastic.
His first scenario, without Benefit
Of Clergy" was brought across the At
lantic especially to be shown before him
for his approval. according to contract.
and he was 80 impressed with the film
Installation and unanticipated re-
has set to work recasting many scenes
Of the Gate of Hundred Sorrows
which Is now being made in America.
His friends say that Kipling lovers soon
will be able to see other famous works
by him filmed.
While American film productions are
establishing records here and are maxi
ING tD0 tns hnn fneyl ID
film circles pretend to see In the recent
visit to London of the big Three, :"
Douglas Fairbanks Mary Pickford
MRS. Fairbanks) and Charlie Chaplin.
the first sign of the transfer of the
worlds movie" capital from Los An
geles to London. They Jealously claim
Miss Pickford and Chaplin, and say, as
the British say. that Fairbanks sees the
handwriting on the wall, this explaining
why he has decided to work half Of
each year abroad.
Movie fans here say that both the
American and the British public are firing
of the eternal California settings and are
demanding to see the scenery Of other
countries, and picture makers are keenly
alive to the demand. They are casting
their eyes about, and many persons see
London as the future hub of the picture
industry. The Daily Mirror recounts a
llSt OF Signs pointing TO thlS direction,
but publishes them on the day Of Lon
don's first autumnal fog Of this year,
when street lights were almost necessary
In midafternoon. The Daily Mirror says
the big Three" intend to make pic
lures here next spring. including TT Is
Safe to Assume" and that many other
American producing firms will follow
suit.
Meanwhile the popularity Of the Amer
lean feature film was never as great in
London as II Is to-day, and houses with
out American productions cannot COM
pete. These Aims have invaded the most
exclusive West End theatres. Way
Down East" has broken all English box
office records at the Empire, where 1t is
booked for six months, thing hereto
fore unheard OF in British theatricals
This is the first instance here of a film
definitely succeeding In attracting the
regular theatregoing public, who are pay
ing regular prices to see It. "Over the
Hill to the Poorhouse" promises to be
almost an equal success after the first
week.
Pictures still are shown hero months
behind their appearance in America,
with the result that visitors here from
the United States find no interest in the
current attractions In the cinemas.