Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-02-09
Flashes From the Screen
BY c. e. Nelson.

sands of Washingtonians who
have seen Sally" and the grace
full, charming star of the pro-
duction.
WHEN one gets right down to
" brass tacks of censorship,
who is a better censor than a
member of the audience? What
board of censorship is more capa-
BILE of judging a picture, or a
play, than an audience? Why ap-
point one man or one woman,
or a group of men and women,
to Judge for the public-to tell
the public what is proper for it
to see and hear?
It is noticeable with the motion
picture theaterS that audiences
are quick to respond. The poor
picture, naturally, is a poor box
office investment. Also it is a
mistaken idea that a single mo-
ton picture can please all men,
bers of an audience, any more
than a book, painting or a bit
of music may please all who read,
see and hear. In most instances,
in States and municipalities, the
appointed cenSorS are the very
persons who have created dis
turbanceS in order to bring about
censorship. Are these persons, as
a rule, capable of sitting upon
the high stool of censorship and
debating to producer and public?
After all is said and done, the
cash-paying public forms the best
board of censorship. The critic"
who reviews motion pictures is
not a critic in the strict sense
of the word. He is a reporter.
His review of a motion picture
is simply a review; he is not
in a position to condemn nor
indorse. His reportorial STORY"
of a picture details the character
of a special entertainment. From
these reviews, as rule, readers
select the particular pictures
which they desire to see, and, of
course, hear.
There are several various. and
Sundry boards of review" located
here and there over these United
States. The boards list pictures
which they consider fit for public
consumption. They do not come
out into the open and list the
unfit pictures, but merely leave
them off the list. This service
is supposed to improve the public
moralS-that is, sending the pay
ing public to only certain enter
tainmentS. But this form of
gratis service has received little
attention from the public itself.
The latter usually forms itself
into Judge, jury and board of
cenSorShip-and, as before men
toned, the poor picture gets the
worst of the bargain.
Short Flashes.
NOW that the Swedish 1cicle,"
Greta Carlo, has completed
Anna Christie" she will start
work soon in the film version of
the stage play, Romance" Then,
it is announced, Greta is to do a
German version of anna Chris
tie" for export purposes.
Douglas Fairbanks, jr, is to
have the leading role in Sin
Flood" Others in the cast are
Anders Randolf, Louis King, Will
liam Orlamond and Ivan Simp-
son. Frank Lloyd will direct the
picture for First National.
Richard Schayer, once a Wash
ington newspaper man, has signed
a long term writing contract with
Metro Goldwyn- Mayer Pictures.
He recently wrote the continuity
for Trader Horn" and he has
been connected with the Holly
wood studios for several years.
Two directors, Edgar McGregor
and Nick Grinde, are to have
charge of the new Metro-G
wyn-Mayer picture, Good News"
Lionel Barrymore will drop his
directing for a time in order to
play the role of Fagin in the film
production of "Oliver Twist"
Ruth Chatterton will have the
role of Nancy Skies.
Norma Shearer will have the
leading role in, "The Divorce"
and Chester Morris will play OPP
posite. Others in the cast are
Zelda Sears, Florence Eldridge,
Tyler Brooke, Mary Doran, Helen
Johnson, Robert Montgomery and
George Irving.
Paramount has purchased the
stage play, THE General" writ
ten by the Hungarian, Ludwig
Zilahy. The cast has not been
selected.
Dorothy Jordan, Renee Adoree,
Ernest Terrence and Marie Dress
Ter have been added to the cast of
THE Singer of Seville" the new
Ramon Novarro picture. Charles
Brabin is directing.
Mary Nolan has been assigned
to the leading role in What Men
Want" being produced by the
TIniuorco1 coYo1nonu