Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-04-05

pictures. And, naturally, the tall
turned to a subject in which we
are both interested. Through lone
association with Washington the
aters and a close study OF thell
screen material, Mrs. Locher Is
aware of the trend of the time, OF
the pictures being manufactured
and very well posted on the par
ticular class of screen entertain,
ment which appeals to the general
public. A part of her work has
been in studying the public taste
and making the theater managers
acquainted with her discoveries
thereby forming a closer alliance
with those who produce and those
who pay.
ct have found" says Harriet
Hawley Locher, that the clean
wholesome screen attractions are
after all, the big money makers
Other pictures may make flash
draw a certain sort OF audience
and make boX-offlce records tor
a short time. But, in the long run
it is such pictures as 'Cimarron,
Tom Sawyer and The Big
Trail that draw the crowds
and prove to be the most pop
ular all over the country and
with all sorts of audiences.
think the producers have found
this to be a fact, and the produc-
lions of the future will be gov
erned accordingly. There is no
doubt in my mind regarding the
quality of a picture like The Big
Trail when, after week In
Washington, it drew thousands OF
Young children to the theater on
a Saturday afternoon. These chill
dren are to be the motion picture
audiences of the future; they de-
serve special attention; they re-
uuire good, clean pictures, whether
they are big pictures or not. The
entertainment value Of a clean
picture can be high, and it does
not have to be classed among the
super-specials."
But Uord comes to me from
Ne1p York of certain picture
1uhich has been cleverly treated
in order to get around the
HduS code. This Hays code 1DdS
adopted by the producers. 1t
provided that certain subjects
and certain classes of material
should be eliminated from HoI-
lytOood productions. 1t seems
that the producers mere rather
enthusiastic tDhen they agreed
to the code But the producers
of this particular picture sought
rays to get around the code
and dodge responsibility. The
picture is taken from a ribdld
play lUhich zDds the target of
many complaints during its
stage career. No1D, on the
screen, it has been reproduced
NTH fidelity, and the dialogue
has been deodoTized to q mild
e--ient. HopeUeT, the intent OF
the producers is there, and
many Of the uncouth elements
hare become eUen more so in
the process of adaptation. Ac-
coTding to my informant, there
is fragrant obScenity, and it is
the result OF q battle of tDitS
against the cenSorS and the
Hays code,2 This state of Gt-
fairs t1tIl, IN no 10Gy, help in the
battle against a national CEN
SorShfp. In fact, such tactics
haze aided those 1Dho tdUor
censorship. After all, such
D1oUes do not shoD foresight.
The producers are only inter
eSted in the preSeht-pot the
future of the industry, or art.
RASTER week is always a big
week in Capital theaters, and
a dainty dish is set before audi
enceS. OF course, the high light is
provided with the Chaplin picture
at the Columbia. This has been
"premiered" in New York, Los
Angeles and elsewhere; gentlemen
with high brows have written
columns about the art of. Mr.
Chaplin, and, finally, the comedian
has been knighted in England
So, while you are watching the
antics of Mr. Chaplin. just con-
slider the fact that he is Knight
of the Garter, or something, and
conduct yourselves accordingly
Joan Crawford, recently graduated
from the very light side of the
movies, comes back in Dance,
Fools, Dance" at the Palace. Joan
considers. that she is now pre-
pared for heavier roles, and let us
hope that she does not stub her
toe, a la Janet Gaynor, Laugh
end Grow Fat" claimed to be a
rlp-roaring comedy, holds the
screen at R-K-O Keith'S, where
the new manager, Hardie Meakin
is glad-handing his friends. Over
st the Ninth street Rialto is Finn
and Hattie" from the pen OF
Donald Ogden Stewart. well known
writer, and The Painted Desert
will attract to the Metropolitan
thosc who love the wild anC
woody West. Mr.. Fox and his
associates are screening MIR
Lemon of Orange" at the Eff
street cathedral, and little Fiji
Dorsey will receive her share Of
the applause, regardless of the
desire Of her employers to sub
ordinate her activities on account
of recent studio difficulties. Al
the Earle Fifty Million French
men" is the attraction, although
II is pTODdDle IAaI the HUMMER vi
Frenchmen will be cut to two
Swedish comedians. And, looking
into the future, the Rialto report!
that John Boles, singer extra.
ordinary. Will ne a stage attrac.
ton next week.
Uncle Sam is nom one OF the
leading producers of motion
pictures. He does not 90 in for
3 reTv stories, but many OF his
films c0rru q real punch" and