Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1922-03-18
Dallas Van CIeave.

T1r
only imaginary. An examination OF boA
office records show that The Connectl-
cut Yankee which was a costume or
period play done with delicious touch
of satire. was 4 tremendously big box
Office attractions. I Will admit that the
name of Mark Twain as the author
helped to increase the vogue OK this
movie.
It is noted that several Of the movies
Of Mr.. George Arliss were costume plays
and although the box Office appeal OF
these classics varied in different local
ties. vet it is conceded that Mr.. Ar
liss has established himself as a recog-
nized favorite among movie patrons.
"Kismet" with Otis skinner belonged
TO the COSTUME extravaganza" type OF
entertainments Grifith's THE Birth OF
a Nation was a period" play.
The box office success Of Douglas Fair
banks in The Three Musketeers,' is OF
such tremendous proportions that many
producers for weeks have been rushing
productions Of a similar nature. Car
ina" a new Broadway production, which
Is ess entially q costume play, Is right
among the big money getters at the
present time on the stage
[ have before me a notice from the
Cosmopolitan Productions to the effect
that a movie version Of when Knight
hood Was in Flower" is nearing com
pletfOn Marion Davies is TO be featured.
Although Mr.. Van Cleave has devoted
most OF his time TO appearing with
Bobbie Vernon in Christie comedies (by
the way Mt. Van Cleave IS appearing in
g Christie comedy, which has been on
view at LOew's State all week, he has
appeared with NazimOvR and Norma Tai
madge. He longs to do dramatic work.
He has been in the movie game for
about three years. He is married and ,
lives IN Hollywood.
There are many good men IN Holly
wood he stated.
He has faith that VIII Hays will be
able to bring about needed reforms in
the movie industry.
Mr. Van Cleave viii return Monday to
the coast to resume his work in the
Christie studio.
I thought that you would be interested
to know how some Of the leading editors
of the country consider the appointment
aof VIII II. Hays as the mead Of the
sanovie industry and what his task really
In the April issue, the editor Of Photo
play Magazine. in an open letter to the
industrys new head, Mr.. VIII II. Hays
answers these questions while outlining
a sound, constructive policy. lie says;
Dear Mr. Hays; You have just ac-
cepted a position which makes you the
representative head Of the motion picture
art and industry. You are the ideal man
to occupy that position. Your traits Of
character and your proven ability, san
ity. directneSs and fearlessness qualify
you for this great responsibility.
81 am taking the liberty Of writing
you a letter; and the things I am going
10 say TO you are the OutgrOwth Of a
six years undivided association with the
motion picture industry-its leaders, its
directors, and IS stars.
you are confronted by the biggest job
in America. You hold in your hands, as
a sculptor holds a piece Of clay, an in
dustry which yields perhaps a more d.
rect and personal influence upon the pub
lie than any other in the United States.
1T has become a necessity in the lives
Of many millions, and because Of its
vastness and influence, Is almost a pub
lie utility.
You have II in your power 10 do a
greater and finer service for this coun-
try than any other man today You
are, indeed, not merely face TO face with
a gigantic task-you have 4 sacred duty
TO perform as well.
in motion pictures, as "a all great
industries, there are Observation-Disclosures
vicious persons who work injury to ev-
cry one with whom they are associated.
There is the INSCRIPTIONS producer
who. for a temporary profit, makes his
appeal to the baser instincts in human
nature
There is the actor and the actress who
live loose, immortal lives, and who
thrive m scandal and lurid notoriety.
And there is the exhibitor who at
tempts to capitalize this scandal and to
benefit by this n0toUiety. On Los Ange.
les, while the press was at the height Of
a recent orgy Of sensationalism, a local
theater threw across its entrance large
canvas banner bearing the words: I
love you; ] love you; love you" quoting
a note which Mary Miles Minter wrote
TO Taylor. the murdered directory
There are the self-appointed guardians
Of public morals, who forget the spirit Of
our form of government and in their
frenzy OF egOmania. busy themselves in