Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-04-27
Flashes From the Screen
BY G. e. Nelson.

| ardization of the wide Aim is
yet a discussed problem, but its
adjustment is expected soon.
There is no doubt that the prob
lem of close-ups and the wide
screen is still one of dimensions
to the motion picture producer.
The exhibitor is also confronted
with the problem of the wide
screen, but it will eventually ar
rive. Although the sound pic
ture has attained a popularity
which is worldwide, comparisons
with productions on the speaking
stage are still a necessity. The
stage allows latitude of express
sion which the talking screen has
been unable to reach. This one
fault, in the future, may prove a
large sized handicap to the screen.
When a line is delivered on the
stage, the reaction of that line to
other characters is clearly defined
in the facial expressions. But in
the talking film the reaction can
not be seen on the various faces
concerned in the particular scene.
The player delivering the speech
must be given a closeup to show
his feeling, thereby eliminating
other players from the scope of
the camera. To get their express
sion, owing to the narrowneSS of
the screen, the camera must be
shifted from one character to an
other in closeup until the audi
ence sees the reaction on each
person in the scene. All this re-
tards the action of the play it
self and also has an cratic in
fluence on the co-ordinated effect.
The camera must eventually find
a way to show reaction on all
characters in unison at the time
the line is delivered to bring the
film to q momentum Of action.
For instance, the stage would get
the screen effect If a spotlight
were played upon a single talking
character in a scene, the other
players being placed in the dark
ness. This would not be practi-
cal or effective.
The wide screen and wide Aim
will probably change all this
when 1t is finally perfected.
* X
Short Flashes.
"PARTY GIRL" one of the new
pictures, has been barred
from exhibition in Chicago. The
Cook County Circuit Court also
upheld the ban placed on the
gangland picture, "Alibi."
Anita Stewart, one of the old
time movie stars, has signed a
contract with First National Pic
lures. She recently completed a
vaudeville tour on the Lowe
circuit.
Cecil De Mile will direct his
daughter, Katherine, in Madame
Satan" The girl has a small part
as her first venture in the movies.
Harold Lloyd has started work
with his talker, Feet First" The
comedian plays the part Of a shoe
clerk.
Song of the Flame" was well
received at the opening perform
ance in Los Angeles a few days
ago.
On account of the illness of
George Bancroft, work on his new
picture, 1.-THE Caveman," has been
abandoned indefinitely. It is also
announced that Gary Cooper will
play the leading role in the sound
version of the Rex Beach story,
"The Spoilers" Bancroft was to
have had this part.
Buster Keaton's next picture will
be called war Babies" Sally
Eilers will play opposite the
comedian.
David Wark Griff1th has COM
pleted his Abraham Lincoln"
One hundred and twenty players
had parts in the picture.
Hollywood reports that Dorothy
Gish will return to the motion
pictures just as soon as her stage
contract expires.
May McAvoy, who retired from
the films some time ago, is now
studying voice, French and Span
iSh, with the idea of returning to
the Hollywood colony.
Wayne Morrison, an extra play
er, has been signed for the lead
ing role in Raoul WalSh's Oregon
Trail" Morrison is changing his
name to John Wayne.