The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1926-07-19
challenged admiration quite lost their heads and
pcded in sputter of wrath and Indignation.

ing more or less than impudent piece of propa-
ganda nicely calculated to give the impression that
America won the war and that the British were mere
| supernumeraries. The resentment of the entire
English press could not have been greater had there
been evidence to show that President Coolidge and
his cabinet. with the assistance Of congress and the
connvancc Of the department Of state, had conspre
to cast a deliberate and official affront upon our
late allies So high did feeling run that Of
clever and able editors were momentarily bereft Of
their accustomed judicial poisc and gave utterance
to sentiments which will scarcely bear cool exam
nation These things said in the heat Of cx-
asperaton and despite tho fact that the picture
private commercial venture and had no national or
political significance whatsoever.
Though the fiercest of these critics had not
logical leg to stand on it is still quite possible t,
understand their irritation and to regard it with
tolerant sympathy. Had this been British pic
turc the British Lion would have roared rough music
into British ears and the Eagle would have been
dumb as any oyster. Being an American produc-
ton, and primarily for American consumption, the
Eagle did the screaming and the Lion furnished the
silence. What else could have been expected?
The perennial English criticism that many Amcri-
can movies arc childish trivial in bad taste is
much worthier of respectful considerations 1t may
be true and there may be good for the truth
Hollywood makes secret Of the fact that it is no.
in the movie business for it's health The magnates
OF the industry have openly declared that they are
purveyors Of thrills laughter and heart throbs to the
many and not to the few If they arc to break even
they must cater not only to the tastes but to the
intcects of tho hundred million rather than to those
Of the hundred thousand The audiences that pro-
duccrs visualize not those Of educated Philadcl-
pha or of sophisticated London but asscmblages of
~ & -
dramatic subtlctics they cannot grasp.
Cultivated London critics who deplorc the quail
ties and tendencies Of the less admirable American
movies do SO in much the same terms as those en-
ployed by their American brethren There is a con.
siderable body Of sound and wcll-informed criticism
OF motion pictures both sides of the Atlantic; but
much Of it quite misses the point because it dis
cusses an industry under the misrepresentation that
it is art. This is serious error Painting is an
art. 1t can develop along it's own lines because the
painter paints at his risk. In the event Of fail
ure, he alone is the loser Even the novelist has
scope almost broad IL his work shows any
promise at all, he has good chance of finding Il
publisher who will run tho risk Of losing two or
three thousand dollars in the hope that he has dis.
covered genius, or what he is apt to regard
| better, best seller Much of our current fiction
sees tho light as result Of this policy.
| The movie magnate afford few such conces.
sons to uncertain art. Where the book publisher
thinks in thousands, the picture producer deals in
hundreds Of thousands, and he is afraid TO let his
production stray too far from paths which expert
cnce has taught him arc safe and smooth and some
where have homcward turning
The fundamental disadvantage which cramps the
development Of art in the movies is this: Art may
continue to Be free air as long as she will pay
hpr ,vAv fnr col hoc
but the cash she demands for her adequate
scf-cxprcssion, the more cautious her hackers be-
come.
Such the conditions which, TO the outsider, to-
day appear to dominate the silent drama. But much
may happen and is likely to happen to better the
situation Screen drama is still based upon the
youngest of the arts. Despite the swiftncss with
which it has been maturing, it is still as eggy and
gangling week-old calf II is entirely too soor
TO expect it TO have shaped up into forms Of comedy
and sympathetic beauty. 1t is too early to look TO,
the high peak Of creative genius upon horizons sc
lately discovered
Genius of order will day to de-
liver art from her bonds and shacklcs. The deet
will be done by those who have learned how Il
frame effective appeal to every layer of humanit,
in every land rather than to certain elements II
certain countries. Their universally will be tn,
ton, the Twenty-thrd Psalm. We know that it il
q work Of inspiration Of genius, because where
ever the Bible is read it is daily bringing cheer an.
confidence to the highest and to the lowest No in
! telect is too mean to comprehend its purport; NJ
mind is so great learned 4asto y able to lool
down upon it. Its appeal is universal, and this il
enc Of the chiefest badges Of its authority: Muc
that is possible to words is possible to pictures.
c Few Of US superior that we can find moth
ing to praise in the movies, with their presen
9 limitations. Curously enough, those who denounc
them most bitterly find hardest to keep away from
e them. This appears to be especially the case i
England Is it not fair to suggest to these caption
critics both sides of the Atlantic that they saw
their quarters and shillings and stay away from tn
picture houses until the arrival Of the cellulod mil
lenniun or else sit down before the silver i
faith, hope and charity. and make the best of Il!
The Durkin Verdict
Chicago Daily Tribunc)
Durkin killed two men. For the killing of tn