Evening star., 1928-06-10
FLASHES
y URING the past decade al
most everything which has
\ come out of Russia has
knnV4 AnY.y..nI Cn1,tn% ,1uo,>o

NOlAAC Oub Vi huNold I'D
been termed Soviet propa
ganda. If a novel, morbid anC
depressing, came from Petrograd
or motion picture, just about a:
morbid and altogether as depreSS
ing. came from Moscow, they were
tagged with the label, "Propa
ganda." With the arrival of {
ship from the gloomy northern
reaches of Russia, the propaganda
hounds placed their noses to the
ground: then, on the scent, they
bayed at the moon. A motion pic
ture was deep-laid scheme "tC
convince American f1nancierS thai
the Soviet government deserved 6
loan," or a novel clearly showed
how the moujikS were contem-
plating dominance of the civilized
world"
So it is rather difficult to clas
Sify this latest arrival, Ivan the
Terrible" When "Potemkin" was
screened, its object was apparent
evidently, to the searcherS for
propaganda, but Ivan is some
thing else again. The picture is
Just about the finest example of
the motion picture art ever eX-
hibited in this country. While the
theme lives up to expectations
when Russian pictures are con-
Sidered as whole, the photog-
rGphy and character study of the
work is of such a high grade that
the plot is lost in the maze CT
episodes in the life of that rough
chap, Ivan. The story itself is
historical fact; the incidents of
the film are clipped from little
known volumes, and the Moscow
Art Theater contributes the direc-
ton and cast. The acting and the
photography are Of such a char
acter that the member of an au-
dience is transported to the snow
wastes. He looks upon Ivan and
his court, upon the bojarS and the
peasants, and he lives, as a sight
seer or an innocent byStander.
through a shocking bit of world
history.
1t has been said that music is
the universal language, but it may
be that the motion picture will be
the universal language Of the fu-
ture America, France, Russia,
England and Germany are all
working toward the common end.
The vast improvement made in
this country compares favorably
with the progress Of France, Ger
many and Russia. And such pic
lures as Ivan the Terrible" do
much toward raising the indus
try, or art, to its present high
standing.
This ivan is a chap who will not
be soon forgotten by the lovers Of
the silent drama. He is rough
but what a character for the
photoplayi
IN one particular the European
system of photoplay produc-
ton differs greatly from the
American plan. The European
producers do not use the star
system. That is, no individual
player is boosted above the pro-
ouction itself. The story is the
primary consideration. Actors and
actresses are selected to fit the
parts they are to play. Their
work must fit in with the story.
For instance, in Ivan the Ter
rible" the characters were evi-
6ently selected here, there and
everywhere. The men and wonl-
en- are not well known TO the
screen world. Minor parts may be
played by famous actors simply
because these men fit the charae-
ters. An unknown man may take
the lead and an unknown woman
play opposite him. This system
makes toward a finished product.
The work of the. star does not
stand out. The picture is the
thing.
The system is radically different
In this country. First considera-
ton, in most instances, is given
the star or the co-Stars. Then,
when the picture is completed, the
star is advertised, and sometimes
even the picture itself is lost sight
of. This plan, while it may be
entirely suitable and appropriate
for this country, has a tendency
toward elevating the star TO ex-
traordinary heights. at least as far
as his power with. producers Is
concerned. If he is the advertised
feature, he brings this fact TO the
attention Of his employer. In
many instances he is able 10 COM
mand salary which LIS wholly out
of proportion with his work.
II is this system which has re-
suited in ribbon-counter clerks
and dairy lunch counter attend
ants being raised 10 the polo pony
class around Hollywood The girl
who once stood behind the tewe1ry
case In the and 10 cent store
takes the air along the California
boulevards, accompanied by uni
formed chauffeur and footman, a
Russian wolfaound, three Pomer-
aniang and q marmoget.
The star system gives the star
the upper hand, TO the detriment
of the picture. The system ig at
its height in America In these
days Of 1923, but the prediction Is
made here and now that before
long II will begin TO wane--that
the picture and story will hold
first place. The customer wants
q good picture; he is very little
concerned with the star, the CO.
Gtarg and the featured players.
Also, as the system works out In
Hollywood, one knows when he
attends a star-featured picture
Just what sort III screen attraction
he is about 10 witness, For in
stance, should he be drawn to the
theater showing Milton silIs