The Washington times., 1924-11-24
TYPES IN MOVIE
PRESSEDBY
MUSIC
Picture Theater Gives True
Music Appreciation to Pub
lie, Says AIart

IF the picture theater had
answered no other purpose than to
bring a large portion of the public
to true appreciation Of music, it
would still have filled, successfully.
Iong.felt want in our public life. :"
Bailey F. Alart, musical director
Of the Rialto Theater, for the
Universal Pictures Corporation,
made that statement in his library
at the Rialto in this city last week,
giving some very illuminating facts
about fitting music to the motion
picture. That library, by the by,
has 1000 compositions on its shelves.
Mr.. Alart has conducted the
Rialto Orchestra for about year.
He has been playing for the photo
play, however, for ten years and has
watched its development from
behind the scenes. As composer
he has two light operas to his credit
Franz and 1.-THE Little Milliner.
''Only certain pictures have spe-
cially written scores for them," he
saws, mot more than ten year in
an entire city. The others are com
piled by the musical director Of a
theater and 1t depends upon his
Judgment and taste, often, just how
well picture satisfies the public.
The music should fit a play so per-
fectly that it seems a part of it. If
It jars. you may be sure it isn't
good"
Music Mood in Movies.
"In scoring photo-play, Mr.
Alart, what is the first thought, the
emotion or the period?" he was
asked.
Mood is the chief thing" he an
swered, and that means emotion.
unless the play is historical, then the
period must be adhered to. The
conductor has two things to consider.
himself plus his public. They are
two different propositions
Last week, for instance, used
eighty different selections in, my
Feature score. But movie fans
must be considered, their taste
must be the governing influence.
They must recognize, even un-
consciously, the characters, to
which we apply certain special
rapsic themes.
In setting a play OF romance, 1
try to make the leading theme one
Of both romance and Of melody.
something they can go away hum.
ming. An audience likes that. IAN
introduction with majesty. some.
thing to command attention, is de.
sirable If possible.
Characterization Music.
Emf last week We Aad : rlvs,
terry play. so something uncertain.
with excitement had to be carried
al through the picture. It's a
Main Street Middle West scene
that includes the many nationali.
ties in Americas Melting Pot'-so
AZ once you see. the, limitations ant,
yet the breadth of musical material
we may use.
"Dovetailing the different themes
together il always a task. often
spend half an hour or more search
ing for just the main theme OF a
picture. The feature is NOT All
however. There is the news
reels. that can be definitely spoiled
ny the wrong music. And here the
music has to be timed to what we
call the split second The News
Weekly is very important.
Another Inkwell cartoon re.
CURED real comedy last week.
foud be surprised how the short
subjects demand just the right
thing
So in listening" to a photo
play, there are several questions
one might ask himself. The music
VIII give the answer to "Where
am II 1t should also reveal the
KIND OF people the drama is pre-.
senting.