New-York tribune., 1922-02-26

to 'charge 1t. But there came day OF recK-
oning. Too much was charged, husbands
wouldn't pay and thus the foolish shopping
ladies placed in the SPIDERS web. 1t WAS
then that the naughty dressmaker suggested
that if husbands wouldn't pay she knew some
rich old roues (Chorus by little girls reading
the caption, "Maon, what Is roo?") who
would settle the bills, and set them up TO
racy midnight supper in low joint TO boot,
There followed several distressing episodes
after night shot Of Hobokcn or somewhere
captoned:
Paris, City Of Wickcdness
Now, when that serial was billed for Car-
ada the French Canadians are said to have
"blown up" Their Indignation knew 10
bounds at the filming of such characters ard
sach Vaccinations in La Belle France. AS 3
result "The Devils Pass Key"-that was the
name Of the pcture-failed to unlock the
doors of any Of the movie houses in Canada.
II has also burst upon the consciousness oS
the makers Of movies that English villains are
not always good policy. And that has proved
9 great hindrance to the historical trend which
the serials have taken of late There is
wealth Of material in the Revolution, say the
gerialists, and none Of it available. While Va
might be SO carried away with the enthusiasm
incident to seeing the screen Paul Revere
ready to ride and spread the alarm that ne
would ccme right out and applaud, the de-
scendants Of chose who we're alarmed aga et
would not be inclined TO term the perforli.-ncs
top-drawer.
During the war Germany was, OF course,
happy hunting ground for villains. There was
splendid assortment, ranging from the Kai-
down, and if you only used enough Of them
you might catch distinguished service medal.
German evildoers were in vogue. They vera
propaganda. The pianist4 all played patr otto
airs at the demise Of these rapscallions But 4
when peace came the German villain market
sank as low the mark; 4 moratorium was
declared on them, and the impression prevailed
in movie circles that Germany should be al
lowed to recover, pay her reparations and rs
sumo imports, among which might be included
a reel or so Of American motion pictures.
But it is not only the larger nations which
expect to exercise self-determination in regard
to movie villains. Several years ago a picture
called "The Vanishing Dagger was released,
and who should be doing the heavy" and
bounding the heroine TO distraction but
swarthy demon who purported to be an Abys-
sinian. No sooner had the news Of this fell
deed reached tn domain # Abyssinia than
good King Men l;k was WI tn The d piction
of a subject of Abyssinia in vilainous garb
got right royal rise. Summoninc scribes.
the monarch bid they ndct royal rlissive to
the company perpetratng the film, inquiring
what went on. The scribes did as he bade
them, the film company got the epistle and by
return mail made the promise that henceforth
when seeking inspiration from the domain Of
King Meneik they would confne themselves
to Abyssinan maids Raging the blues on dull
cimers And that promise they have kept
But to bring the complaints against villains
right home, it took the American Indians. Rep
reservations We're made by the red men that
they averse to members of their race
continually biting the dust the crack Of .
rifle rang out. They might have made tho
excuse that they knew nothing of much Of ths
viany imputed to them, and in that contau-
ton they would be borne out by the trials Of
tn. direction in recent wild West picture.
The hard-working directors were forced TO
teach the modern Indians how to surround and
massacre wagon trains in the manner of their
forefathers, and how to scalp, with emphasis
the caution that, like the two grasshoppers
in the song, they only, only foong.
nations, it may be hazarded only the Esquf-
maus and few others still are available vii.
lain material. And as villains the Esquimau.
have serious limitations. They cannot assume
that conventional costume, the top hat and the
dress suit, into which all villains shift at one
time another in their screen careers, nor dc
they "smoke innumerable cigarettes, lighting
one from the butt of its predecessor"
To what have the movies, in such sore
straits for villains, resorted? For one thing
they have sunk to the fabrication of fictional
countries. Villains in fanciful costuming and
makeup have been described coming from
Myopia, Delravia, Duodenum Panaguay, Bun
coma and the like but such hybrid rogues are
apt to resemble some nationality enough t<
hurt it's feelings. SO there you
The solution of this problem seems to be!
When in search of movie villains Americs
first Let Villany reside with Virtue, since
Villany must reside somewhere. But let vi
have a care. Let US regard sectional, paren
tai, rustic, urban, industrial. censorial ant
other rejudices. ~
Or the unhappy movie villain may prove y
be indeed the modern Man Without Country