New-York tribune., 1922-12-23
Not Yet Too Late


"a It's too rapid development. Be
lore men Of taste and intelligence
saw what Il might do It fell into
sha hands Of people whose eyes
were solely on box ofhee receipts
Tawdry and banal pictures made
meney. Mushroom "stars," created
overnight, became popular heroes
and herbines and were paid enor-
mous salaries because they filed
TIE theaters that sprang up over
the country by hundreds Of thou
sands
VIII at last a few good actors
and ssill fewer able writer's, were
brop.<ht into the business because
Of their regulations they found
themselves unable 20 make any ef-
fsctivo improvement. The pro-
dSter. already enriched by trashy
flm plays, fancied he knew all
there was to know about the busi-
ness and accepted few sugges-
tons
Meanwhile a city, peopled with
newly enriched aet5rs who had
never had to learn the business Of
acting, grew up in California.
Lacking the balance that can be
supplied only by hard work, their
chief aim was TO strut before the
public while they spent their vast
salaries in the only way that would
oceus 10 people Of their sort. Like
o, Henry's suddenly prosperous
wsste7ners, who could think Of no
method Of proving their wealth
other than by buying gold watches
aud employing them in a throwing
contest, these people found the most
spectacular means Of displaying
their salaries that their limited
msnsalities could devise.
The result has been that an in
vnn Ion which might have been rich
M benefit to the whole nation has
become--with certain honorable
yeepiIons-a means Of disseminat-
ing cheap amusement by cheap
people for unreAeeting audiences,
largely composed Of children. What
this means to the rising generation
IA not pleasant to contemplate.
The entry Of Will II. Hays into
the industry as its Gear" was
locked upon hopefully throughout
tie eountry-particularly by par
ents. But II would seem now that
Mf. Hays's ezardom is a very mar
rowIy limited monarchy. There
has been little general improvement
IN the character Of moving picture
plays since his advent. There has
been nc Improvement whatever il
- ths conduct Of many Of The
stars"
Mr. Hays is a man Of high mind
ard Of great ability. The fact that
he left a Cabinet portfolio 10 take
his present post is proof that hi
does not "need a job" Never wa'
man in a better position TO assert
himself. 1t is not yet too late fol
him to adopt this course. Men Of
intelligence and earnest purposG
are embarking in film production II
increasing numbers. Many unex
ceptionable plays have been pro
duced. Abundant opportunity for
hetter start is at hand. But the
light beats 80 fercely upon the film
that all that is bad in it stands out
IN strong relief, whether it be the
nature Of a picture or the character
of the actors who make H.
III behaved actors and dull anC
mischievous plays will have to b
got rid Of il the industry is TO take
the place in amusement and in edu.
cation that il is splendidly adaptet
"a take. This result, The Tribune
believes, Mr.. Hays can bring about
He has reputation and independ
srce, and the public viii listen re
spectfully to everything be has e
say. The film is daily before th'
eses Of millions Of people. 1t neces'
arily exerts a profound influence
II Mr. Hays can make this infu.
snce an influence FOR good, he viii
have achieved a greater work for
the people Of this country than h'
or any other man could achieve II
any position in the Cabinet II h'
cannot, If TO remain is but to be a
party 70 more Arbuekle episodes
ans 70 see the old forces eontrYl IA