The New York herald. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1920-1924, 1922-09-10
High Lights and
ShadOnS on Mems
of Motion Pictures
American Films Praised From
Acknowledgment Busy
Again.
BY FRANK yREELANp.


countries as weak sister. more to be
pitied than screened. Now they are
the standard of comparison, although
some foreign producers will admit this
only when they're not thinking 1t
constantly creeps out In comments by
the British cinema folk, who indirectly
hand the Yankee product the palm
even as they seek TO boost their own
line of celluloid goods.
For instance, Edgar Wallace, well
known British author, in compliment
ing Director George Ridgwell and his
scenario writer, Pat hammock, on the
excellent work they did In licking
Wallace's story, THE Crimson Circle"
into shape for the films, pays the su-
preme tribute with the oracular state
ment that they "have produced a pic
ture as good as any American film
drama that has even been seen in this
country
And J. Stuart Blackton, who founded
Vitagraph with Albert e. Smith and
learned the photoplay business here
from the ground up. returning to make
pictures In the land of his birth. enunci-
ates his belief In the future of British
films and then. to stimulate other pro-
ducers to frenzled efforts. points out that
"Americans-to take ono big market
are tremendously Interested in English
| life, literature, history and romance"
| Obviously. when IL comes to turning out
romance by the yard. America. both as
producer and consumer, Is looked upon
| as the land of promise. incidentally
| Blackton, who turned out THE Glorious
Adventure" with Lady Diana Manners
sending UP London in smoke according
TO the Przma process. announces that
having finished his filming of Georges
Carpenter in "A Gypsy Cavalier" he
intends to make another picture with
Lady Manners In her natural colors.)
Despite their understandable desire to
be optimistic about the future of English
photodramas, the British press has been
stirred recently trying to answer its own
| conundrum, whats the matter with
| British films" A reviewer In the Lon
don film periodical. the Notion Picture
Studio, in speaking of the screen YER
sion of "A Bill OF Enforcement says
rather wistfully, "If this film is taken as
standard OF British productions we
| can beat the world" In the next breath
he awards chief acting honors to Con-
stance Binney, petite American star.
| though IL you followed the billing you'd
| imagine she just got by through making
third place, two British players being
| listed before her.
One way OF solving this conundrum
seems to be to turn TO America for
players or for directors who. born In
| England, have learned the Eleusinian
mysteries of waving megaphone over
4 here Thus In the same magazine Is
| the list OF current productions being
| filmed the names of Peggy Hyland and
Mae Marsh bob up with startling faniil-
iarity. Donald Crisp, directing an or
ganization called International Artists
/ after having worked for Famous Play
ers-Iasky until their London studio be-
came lost In the fog--learned how to
| look the camera in the eye In America.
George Clark, the young millionaire who
has threaded his way into the films.
spent some time here getting his bear
ings In a studio. And Terriss Is having
| his trousers creased In London while
directing for the Ideal.
Harry Millarde. who went to Eng
| land to direct the screen version OF
ar Winter Comes" for Fox In the very
localities that s. NJ. Hutchinson
TURNED into a best seller. spoke his
mind thus in recent interview over
| there;
"As regards facilities for filming. no
tone could BIO kinder than the English
people In helping the director to obtain
exactly what he requires. Wherever
/ have been every one has been most
| kind and helpful and has been willing
| to do everything possible to assist me.
! Although many of the scenes I have
directed take place In main thorough
| fares. there has been no hesitation
about our obtaining permission TO
i film"
Either times have changed in Eng
land or Millarda was exceptionally for
tunate, or else no was just being inter-
viewed. 1t was quito the reverse or
| these favorable conditions that to
| prea extent led Famous Piayers-LaslSy
| TO break up tho happy home for the
| filrl art II had sought TO establish In
LONDON. The natives themselves seemed
to DE quito genial and tolerant OF the
Americans who were trying TO grind
out English life In sausage FORM. But
| the Government, ever conservative,
seemed 60 regard any ono who wanted
| TO stand on a street corner and take
mere photographs IA simple nut,
| thoInh harmless.
The scene where "Spooryo in "Three
live Ghosts" crosses piocadilly---or Is
II charing Cross 7--wheeling baby
carriage with n toy balloon and lamb
| attached wns taken with much diff
! Guilty, IL IN HHiu, WHeTeAs IN hDS
Angeles such an incident would have
been welcomed with open arms as
vital contribution 10 life. Nay, more.
the Mayor OF Los Angeles might have
insisted on crossing tho road with the
BAH CARRIAGE 90 an escort
| A scout newly raturned from Holly
wood reports that In trailing through
the underbrush there he ran across 1872
units going at fun TIT. This r. the
largest number OF companies hitherto
observed IN action around the holy OF
holic, OF the movies. unless memory
IA up 20 its old tricks. In the boom
peri ID Immediately following the war
l47 Units was the biggest total or
pedestrian talent scurrying about with
their minds on the all important ques-
ton of celluloid art, when do we
eat?" The latest report from head
quarters indicates that the movies have
arisen in their might once moro to
smitc tho taxpayer between the eyes
The automobile statesmen OF Los An
geies are no doubt once more waxing
optimistic on the installment plan.
Constance Talmadxc. II In reported,
viii next take over an opera bodily
except for the music--and subjugate II
| 20 the screen with her eyes. Since do
Ing "East IL West" Miss Talmadge
| n .n,re~ 70 pursue more serious work