Evening star., 1928-12-23
.HE monthly bulletin of the
Academy of Motion Picture
Arts and Sciences is issued

Arts and Sciences is issued
= from the offices in the
Roosevelt Hotel in Hollywood. An
explanation of the organization
and its object is explained in a
letter from Frank Woods, secre-
tary. He says that $50 much has
been published regarding motion
picture people, of sensational
character by irresponsible writer's,
and of a controversial and critical
nature by cultured persons, not
always well informed, that it
might be well to consider also the
other Side-the developing con-
science of the real makers of mo-
tion picture entertainment. This
number of the bulletin is, in part,
a record of what actually has been
and is being done within the pro-
duction industry along the line of
constructive, cultural and artistic
advancement. Admittedly, it is
only a beginning, but as such it
may very well merit serious con-
Sideration.
The president of the Academy of
Motion Picture Arts and Sciences
is no less motion picture lum1-
nary than Doug Fairbanks him
self, so the agile actor called the
last meeting to order. Il did not
realize" said Mr.. Fairbanks, that
in the installation of new officers
it was necessary to pass around
so many compliments. I have two
duties to perform-one to apollo
gize for the way my hair is cut
referring to his part in the new
picture, "The Iron Mask" by subtle
press agentry) and second, to
turn the chair over to Mr.. De
Mile, who has consented to per-
form the more onerous duties of
this office"
Then, like all meetings, this one
came to the real business Of the
session. There was a treaSurer'S
report, a record of past achieve
ments compiled by that well
known star, Conrad Nagel; a re-
port on college affairs by Milton
SillS (Star of 1.-The Barker") Miss
Pickford announced that she had
been caught unawareS and, un-
prepared as she was, she would
deliver a short speech" Mr..
Mayer stated that he had the
utmost confidence in the academy
and predicted great future for
it. The meeting closed with a
short talk by M. c. Levee, the
treasurer.
The organization is the only
united effort on record by the mo-
ton picture people themselves. 1t
is a step forward, and while in no
manner resembling a union or
society of that kind, the work will
include special efforts for the
players. For instance, contract
matters are discussed, decided
upon and taken up with employ
erS. Reports of new features of
the motion picture world are con-
Sidered, and merit awards are
made. AS regards the latter af-
fair, II awards were authorized
last July, and the nominations for
these have been made by the
academy members and referred to
the boards of judges. The judges
are now passing upon the merits
of the nominated achievements
in their respective classes. A
central board will make the final
selections for the best perform
ance by an actor, the best per-
formance by an actress, the best
dramatic directing, the best cine
matography, the best comedy di-
recting, the best art directing, the
best engineering effects, the best
original story writing, the best
adaptation, the best title writing,
and the most artistic production.
The trophy to commemorate these
awards has been designed in the
form of a bronze statuette.
One interesting phase of the
academy's activity is protection
effort as regards the "oft-re-
peated practice of some types of
magazines to deliberately mis-
represent the motion picture per-
Sonnel, individually and as a
class" This, according to the
bulletin, has not been greatly
abated. mime months ago." says
the academy'S paper, certain
offending publications were called
to account by the academy in CO.
operation with the producers as
SociationS and WampaS, with the
result for a time of less defama-
tory reading matter. Recently,
however, there has been a recur-
renee Of unjust gossip and COM
ment, calling for protective meas
ureS. Criticism of pictures, per-
formanceS, directing and writing
is, of course, legitimate and con-
Structive. It is the nasty per-
sonal attacks when unjuStly made
that are deeply and rightfully re-
Sented."
Among the outstanding plans
of the academy is one to provide
for the preparation of a syllabus
for a cultural course for colleges,
to be called, Introduction to the
Photoplay." The purpose of the
course. which will be organized
in adviSement with college leaders,
will be to give students and
faculty members an accurate con-
ception of the photoplay as an
art form and 80 social inStitu-
ton.
THE Better Films National
- Council Of the National Board
of Review of Motion Pictures lists
the following pictures as a guide
to selected films: Dream of
Love-" with Joan Crawford and
Nils Asther; "The Girl on the
Barge" with Sally O'Neil; "The
King of the Rodeo," with Hoot
Gibson; Looping the Loop" with
Werner KrauS; ION Trial." with
Pauline Frederick and Bert Lytell;
'Red Hot Speed" with Reginald
Denny; "The Shakedown," with
James Murray and Barbara Kent;
1.-THE Viking" with Pauline Starke
and Donald Crisp: "a Woman of