i SL
AMUSEMENT SECTION
I II i I I I I i .1 i it- i Jamll
PHOTOPLAY
THEATRES
DANCING
MUSIC
Kf
famtittg
meager
PHILADELPHIA, SATURDAY, JULY 29, 1916.
I
TL
Scenario Writer
and the Copyright Law
Arc a Better Protection Than Law Some
Angles Which the Beginner Fails
to Comprehend
B
rams
BY HARRY O. HOYT
Head of Hie Metro Scenario Staff,
OS'K of the most frequent na well ns one
ot tho most embarrassing situations
lhat tho editorial departments of the largo
film manufacturers encounter comes from a
small minority of scenario writers who
are suspicious ot ovory one In general and
scenario editors In particular, and who
believe that at tho first opportunity ono
of, their brain children will bo stolen. Tho
reputation of some theatrical producers for
stealing Ideas has been passed along to the
motion plcturb Industry, andt were It not
for tho fact that so many honest and
Intelligent people liavo dominated this now
art, tho proportion of suspicious authors
would be Infinitely larger than It Is. It
Is Indeed a credit to the wholo Industry
that the scenario end has been kept on
such a clean and high piano.
When It Is taken Into consideration that
whero ono person writes for tho stage, ten
thousand write for tho Bcreen, It Is quite
remarkablo that with tho Increase In
Volumo of manuscripts more mistakes havo
hot been mado and moro grounds given for
Justifiable) complaint
Here and there, It Is doubtless true,
scenario editors havo not been worthy trus
tees ot the property of others submitted
for purchaso. But these men aro so tow,
and tho firms thoy reprosent so untrust
worthy, that tho average writer haB little
difficulty In discovering who they aro and
whom to dopend upon among tho reliable
concerns for sales.
Writers who havo had unfortunate ex
periences seek to protect themselves under
tho copyright law. At tho present time,
however, they aro unablo to do so. As
a rmxter of fact It Is really unneces
sary for any writer to copyright his manu
script, as ho can always fall back upon his
rights under tho common law, tho right
of proprietary ownership, and under this
right can recover damages.
Tho present copyright law does not pro
tect tho writer. As tho copyright law
stands, tho scenario mu3t bo printed In
book form and copyrighted before any In
fringement of tho author's rights allows
tho writer redress for plagarlsm ot tho
book.
Recently Senator Penrose, of Pennsyl
vania, has Introduced a bill (S. 2740) which
lias been twice read and referred to tho
Committee on tho Library, which wilt en
able tho author to secure protection on his
work. Whether such a law will bo of any
real benefit to tho author Is a very doubtful
question.
Personally, wo think It will militate
against tho author who chooses to copy
right his work, unless all ot them do so. A
certain esprit do corps must exist- between
the writer nnd tho editor. Thero must bo a
bond of confidence! established, or tho author
will make but few sales.
If a manuscript comes In copyrighted
with notlco to this effect printed boldly on
tho front page. It 'may seem to some editors
to be a reflection upon their Integrity nnd
honesty. For years they have been pur
chasing scripts In a routine manner. with
novcr a question arising and they cannot
understand why tho author should sud
denly become suspicious of tho editors'
business methods.
If you deal with reliable concerns you
don't need to copyright your scripts, If you
deal with unreliable concerns and your Idea
Is stolen and you can prove It ydli havo
the common law In back of you. Of course,
tho copyright would simplify tho recovery,
as tho law provides for damages resulting
from Infringement of the copyright.
An Idea may be unacceptable, crude and
virtually worthless. In the Bame mall
may como a story from a well-known au
thor that Is well developed along almost
Identical lines. If the editor accepts tho
story that Is well turned and a picture is
made of It and It is shown at tho cross
roads town whero tho writer of the crude
effort lives, he seta up a cry that his plot
was stolen.
It Is very difficult, In fact almost impos
sible, to convince an author that any ono
else could write anything Blmllar to what
he has written. As a matter of fact, editors
are extremely careful to reject all manu
script which havo a striking similarity.
It somebody puts out a story of a lost
Identity, Immediately there la a howl set
up from coast to coast "that their idea has
been stolen. It a convict escapes from
prison In some unique manner IB to SO
scripts may come In during the week using
the same Identical piece of business.
One of these writers may havo put to
gether a good story, which the editor Is
forced to turn1 down, because. If ho accepted
It, there would be no chanco to explain to
tho other writers that their plot was not
taken.
The demand for new plots Is the best
protection any writer can have, lie needs
no copyright law or common law on which
to stand. A law which Is fundamental
governs his case, the law of supply and
demand, there being a constant and great
demand for good original stories, with stars
and productions waiting for the author to
supply a suitable vehicle.
An Interesting experiment was recently
tried by a club ot photoplay dramatists.
A certain object in the room was taken
as the subject around which to construct
a. photoplay, and all the members ot the
LEON ERROL
Th Follies comedian coming to
l eUk nit wek,
club wero requested to turn In a synopsis
at tho following meeting. The result was.
startling as well as enlightening. Out of
11 scripts presented nt the subsequent
meeting, nlno might havo been by the same
person, they wero so nearly nllko,
The best advlco to authors Is to deal with
rollablo concerns. You don't need to put
your money In copyrights nor do you havo
to put your scenarios In book form. If you
can writo salable stories thev will null
without tho United States aovernmcr i
Btandlng In back of you or without an '
agent Handling your scripts.
WATCH YOUR STEP!
Of course, it's Mrs. Vernon
Castle alighting from her train
at Ithaca, whero she has gone
with her pet monkey, Rastus,
and her pet German police
dog, Bismarck, to appear in
"Patria" for the International
Film Service.
THE NEW SEASON
AND WHAT IT
WILL BRING
In the modern "morality" drama, "Ex
perience," which will Inaugurate the new
season at the Adelphl Theater. Auiust 31,
one of the leading roles Is play-. by a
Philadelphia girl. Tho rolo Is Fashion,
and It Is portrayed by Miss Elizabeth Fre
wen, formerly of German town, who went on
tho stage four years ngo with ono ot tho
Winter Garden successca, 'Tho Passing
Show ot 1912," when It played In this city.
Miss l-Yowen started at that time as a
Bhow girl, but was soon advanced In the
Winter Garden production. Then an offer
came to appear In London nt tho Hippo
drome, and she spent six months In London,
until the outbreak of tho war caused so
many theaters to closo that she returned to
America.
Robert Jones, Introduced to American au
diences through the setting for "The Man
Who Married a Dumb Wife," and an asso
ciate of Joseph Urban in tho decorations
for "Caliban," will assist Arthur Hopkins
In producing the scenes from typical Amer
ican plays of different periods frpm 1750
to the present time, which are to be feat
ures of the work of the Drama League of
America next year. Mr. Jones Is also do
ing the scenery for Arthur Ilopkln's specta
cle, "The Happy Ending," to bo produced
August 21.
Tho first attraction at tho People's
Theater, under Ita new regime as a house
on the Columbia burlesque wheel, will be
"Hose Sydell's Big Show." The Cumber
land Amusement Company Is the lessee, tho
officers being Ferdinand Block, president;
David Sattlnsky, vice president and secre
tary, and Samuel J, Dembow, treasurer.
The theater will be under the management
of Frank Abbott It will reopen August 21,
Gall Kane has been engaged by John D,
Williams to play the leading feminine role
with John Drew In "Pendennls." She has
been playing In motion pictures during the
last two seasons.
J. Fred Zimmerman will present early In
September a new play, "I Ms First,"
dramatized by Lee Wilson Dodd from the
novel of the same name by Francis P.
Elliott. William Courtenay has been en
gaged for the leading role.
Little or nothing Is being announced
about the program for the Century Theater,
the former New Theater of New York,
which will pass under the Dilllngham-Zleg-feld
regime In September, But great are
the preparations and Inevitable the occa
sional leaks. Joseph Urban Is already at
work transforming the place, and the New
York Times Is Inclined to think that some
950,000 has been set aside for his use In
making a wonder place of the roof, Also
he la doing the decorations for the revue
downstairs, where a cyclorama of unprece
dented proportions has been ordered.
The muslo for the Century's show will be
provided by two old reliables, Victor Her
bert and Irving Berlin. There will be no
shallow pretense that any one In particular
has written the libretto. The program will
ascribe It to "Everyman."
And who will be there to sing and dance
and make merry T There are many rumors.
For Instance, a little bird whose habitat is
the Rlalto comes whispering with the news
that the new managers are negotiating for
the services of Melba.
Elsie Janls, Sam Bernard. Brlce and
King, the great Mr. Tinney these are a few
of the predicted company. There la talk of
Eddie Foy. There la talk of Hazel Dawn.
Leon Errol will be on hand Not all. cer
tainly, but came of these will be In the big
company when once more the doors pt the
Century open and another dynasty lu its i
littiory (Mgios.
A LITTLE GLIMPSE OF VACATION A$JD
, " i ' mi.,!... i II... i, ij
to -.? m-m. im wmmMss9JTfmr. rjm&'i&mkrx-i.'we:' : - i!,.$4.jOicF
ll i33li IB KjPBb "' i
DESMOND AND DOGS
The star of "Tho Payment," an
Ince-Triangle film due at the Ar
cadia next week, is a specialist so
far as terriers go.
FROM PREMIER
EXHIBITOR TO
PRODUCER
During the last two years Stanley V.
Mastbaum, managing director of tho Stan
ley Company, this city, has established his
standing ns ono of tho most prominent film
men In the United States and easily the
controlling factor ns far as the photoplay
houses of Philadelphia aro concerned, moro
than 50 of them coming under hla direct
care nnd supervision. It will come as news,
but not news of a surprising nature to his
friends, that he has now branched out Into
the manufacturing and producing field. Re
cently he has figured In the formation of
the Herbert Brenon Film Corporation, and
at the recent meeting held for tho final or
ganization ho was elected to the ofllco of
vice president, and In this position he will
have a voice In the selection of plays nnd
scenarios and In engagements of nil stars
and other screen performers for the new
company. Hla executive . ability and his
wide knowledge of what the public desires
In the play line, acquired through his Stan
ley Theatre experience, should make him
an Invaluable aid to his associates. Theso
ore Herbert Brenon, who directed the pro
duction of the Annette Kellermann picture,
"A Daughter of the Cods," nnd who has al
ready been recognized as one of the most
able handlers of big films, and Lewis J.
Selznlck, one of the best-known and most
competent of New York photoplay pro
motera and film magnatea.
Mr. Mastbaum was laconic and very much
to the point In answering the question as
to how he came to become Interested In
the new corporation. He said: "Whenever
Mr. Brenon's productions have played at
houses which I nave dookkh niey imvu m
ways been assured of handsome financial
profits. I have the utmost confidence in his
plans and ambitions and his ability to carry
them out with proper and sufficient business
and financial backing, t regaru air. ure.ion
as one of the directors today.
"Mr, Selznlck has been my close friend
ever Bince I entered the motion picture
world, and I greatly admire his clear opinion
nnd his ability to seize an opportunity and
push It. I am more than proud to be a5so
elated with such men In a new enterprise,
which cannot help but be successful finan
cially and a source of keen, personal satis
faction as well."
It Is announced that the list of the new
company's stars has already been started
off propitiously with the engagement of
Madame Alia Nazlmova and the securing
of world's rights to "War Brides" as a
medium for the. display of her talents. Ever
since "War Brides" mad. such a hit on tho
Keith circuit Nazlmova naa been the re
cipient of many offers from film,, producers,
and that she has finally accepted Mr.
Brenon's offer Is a distinct tribute to his
ability as a director and his Judgment as a
dispenser of salaries.
Mr. Mastbaum saya that Mr. Brenon in
producing "War Brides" has made up bis
mind, that no battle scenes will be presented
la connection with the picture. Mr. Brenon
in discussing the play makes a statement
wh-ch Mr. Mastbaum cordlaly Indorses. He
frankly believes the pubUa la tired of battle
ewenea.
EARLY DAYS!
When Edith Storey, of the Vita-
graph-V. L. S. E., swung the
lariat in wild western movies and
used, "Billie" for a pet name.
HERE COMES A BIT
OF THE WELL
KNOWN FOLLIES
After waiting tor several years for a
chance to appear in vaudeville, Leon Errol
has at last succeeded In obtaining permis
sion to play a short season In the two-a-day.
Leon Errol rose from virtual ob
scurity to fame In a wonderfully short
period, but once be became a star he was
offered many chances to become a headllner
In vaudeville, which he, up until the present
time, was unable to accept, Vaudeville
has wanted Errol, and he has wanted a
chance in vaudeville, and both have won.
Mr. Errol will play one of his few weeks at
B. F, Keith's Theater, beginning tomorrow.
Only a fow seasons ago Leon Errol was
producing burlesque shows and playing the
leading comedy roles In ono himself. His
work, however, was so far advanced that
once New York saw him he became a
hunted man. The managers ot several big
producing companies were after him, offer
ing all sorts of Inducements to tho man
who held Errol's contract and. after several
months of waiting, i Zlegfeld, Jr., was
lucky enough to close a deal for his serv
ices. Since that time Leon Errol's name has
been among the most prominent musical
comedy producers on the American stage.
Each year his clever handiwork la seen in
the production of "The Follies." and each
year the musical numbers and burlesque
bits staged by Leon Errol have. In a great
measure, helped "The Follies" to success.
Many of the original travesty bits seen In
"The Follies" were staged by Errol. and
have been "lifted" for other productions,
both In this country and In Europe, after
they had seen a season's service with the
Zlegfeld .show.
Leon Errol la a successful producer and
director of musical numbers because ha Is
Linot only a clover character comedian, but
r- .-.. ' .. : . . ' "-
n or, tne greaiesx ccceiuno uancera on
th Arotncan stage.
WORKTIME DOINGS OF
HOW THEY MAKE EM
Sometimes, as in the picture immediately above, they alt down by tho
roadside to figure things out. Here we have Thoma3 Dixon, author
and director of "Tho Fall of a Nation," discussing details with his head
cameraman, William C. Thompson. On the other hand, Mary Pickford
and her directors can settle photoplay matters on their feet. At tho
top of tho page you will find Miss Pickford wearing tho costume to be
seen next week at the Stanley in the Famous Players-Paramount film,
"Ilulda From Holland." She stands in the midst of a movic-mado
Dutch village with her director, J. B. O'JJrien, on her right.
Ten-Day Limit
Brings
Lively Interest in Photoplay Cast Contest
for Announcement of Standing
on
THE ten-day limit on tho validity of
votes, which the Evening Ledoek Im
posed on Its Photoplay Cast Contest last
week, brought Immediate results. Com
petitors and friends who had been Jealously
husbanding their Evening LBDaere head
ings, quit the watchful-waiting game and
dumped a shower of votes Into the malls.
Packages of as many as 3000 votes alter
nated with thin little envelopes containing
a single heading.
On Wednesday the Evening LEDOEn will
bo able to print the first list of candi
dates, showing their stnndlng. It will In
clude nil votes received at the Eveninq
Ledoer office before Tuesday night. Dur
ing tho next three days wise contestants
and their friends will try to pile up aa
Impressive a vote as pass ble for the Initial
announcement of standing.
Tho entry list at present 13 as follows:
Name. Organization.
Porlu Hamilton Acheon.
Int. Photo Engraver' I'nlon
John II, Adam 1'orl : Itlelimoml . M. V. ,.
Ml.s Alice AnJron,..rUllJ. Hclioolof Kjnrewilnn
Mm. I-ouls Angcloty l It. V,M c.vV
Dura Anltiuau Italnhow JIu i
lto.o ,tkin. . . ,.- r.1 .wi. ii
William llentir, -,-4. uh1Wfrlft I'""';
! '.Yrrn Kock Wuolrn Mill
. Athletlo Krrrrutlon l'nrk
31IAS Alini .M. UC19CI.
Alia llerthalsoii
rruncla none.
Jnmea rtrowii. .
. uainimw i iuu
.Thirty-fourth llUtrlrt I'ullce
(j. s, VYWte lUIllBIIIII-
Ktirtnla ltnte .....Kdwlii 1'orrei.t Abn,
fliorw A. iliSr" W. Wiled Surl! I. f Int. .fo.
!. I Cla ton. Halnliow flitl.
MI.m Hcalrlce l ntli Jtillnbow Club
'limn iiiiruieY. ....... .n. -. .
(liar It, Cohen Trv.tjr-lchtli l"trirt I'enjo
O. IV. ColltKon Cermantown ). -M. t'-.-V
William F. Cooner .foouejr llootter Club
Mlia Grace Crox. ....... S, h. Mhlta Company
Jamet t'urclo.,.., .International Alu.lcul I iilon
Ml. firace Doba-n ..The Menn.i IluBet
Ml.i Kleanore Ileener. . -I,. II. H. Ilramatle Atto.
llobert A. I)fiiy......Kdlii Vorre Attoclatlou
Mort KUeroan. . .l?Vd. Me. Hide and Ijan Aut,
Jay Kmnnuei ,T.he Heel tellow
Wilmrr Farier Tenty-eUut!i Ill.trirl Police
Silt Kia Felton. Inox Shoo Jo.
S. llonard i'lflni . ,, ;"?. hno", l?-
Oweu niiieroid , ..-,! " ' l- JI- " A-
Jim. Julia J. Kitiimtrlck
ritzpnirich.
KlMtrlcal Ilnrean Hramajle Atto.
ack , TUe Keel cllo
mi.. iun rinf
Henry I.. Fox...
State Model
Frederick Fueller.
Kauiboiv II
lull
luG
Marirarei
lljnlrl J
Marcarrt C. (laruner. . . . utm iirain-iiio ii
.Tii'iriy-aUth Ward Ken. Club
'Vila dl. 1 Bnalnl
lldlllCl
Clrrco,
Hubert CilbMii.
Vrttr fi Hon
, L. li. 8. liraiuauc ,io
Simon Coldbere.
The Iarchwood Club
Herbert licldbere. . .. .uruiiul yiuuvu
Jlra. Dorcas J.lfsas. Haaa Hoojter Club
!eore Hummelf, vE,,,,,u. ??
Reuban U-daner ...A. 1 1. Cai'lan f Co.
Sam JoMob, . , ..... ..,,., ........... .Uelpbl Club
Alexandria Keller. .Watervlew Hecreollou Park
John Keaue . .....Thirty-fourth IHatrlct Police
llonard Kerwfck.,... Thirty-ninth HMtrlct I'allca
I.uiiL Kramer.,,, , ...KaJubow Club
Eddie Kroll , , v, -Crlmaon C ub
A. rt. Lupttlua ,... Madonna Cotholle Club
Janiaa LArktus. .auiuuvw liuu
Marim mauiou
tit-. firv MriitMffan
Joseph n. MrlettUau
O i. 1 ffttrttsV aTltU. nifUIII uvu
Ot. I'll i run. LIUO
. . , Rainbow Club
ad Union Leaxu
Maruni ucncvwai'
allttrm
I'ollcd
llout. bra0t Dank! o'jjfl, ,
Al Oroctaner . -- ..Alljt NeeUl
MlJt rA( PoMck"roit Blchmo'nd Y. M. C.
Mra. M. Potey T UJ C
Social
.. A.
Club
Karl Challeuicr Bite
Rica llooatf r Clnh
It. u. nsnaioca.
c"
-."."i.-sru-jii
eswTJ'ffrirJn.
uu
ArtSae
ae Order e( ilutiul Pruteftiua
lieorse P. iJieey iilih UUtrfct Police
(icorxa P. laicer,, ......"0" Club
JuUua Lam ..,., M. 11. A.. Phlla.
Je laveniaai... "" "7'" '
II. V, Law , btar Oatlu Club
Jomdd. ldxe- ...a............. o. Vanite I o-
clyda FTDTtle. ,;."....," .UJ ,Th. "15" cjub
T (Ue) Vi yi4t,V
PHOTOPLAYERS
Rule
Deluge of Votes
-Watch
Wednesday
Serreant John A. Stiicker. .
. , . . Tlilrtr-alfhth Dlitrlct Tollce
John T. .plfenfute... .V, M. O. A.. Houth nrancli
William Tsmlth Tlilrty-fourth IIMrlct Police
.link Snolantky llaulnia I-ocomotlre Works
Frank M.imuto M.imato Club
Kilnard .Mocker, ..,,,,.. ..Hulnbow Club
.UN, i:tlirr Jl. Sutherland.... The (irt It Social
Albert Sylk Kalnbow Club
Percy Taylor Wynnedeld Comedy Club
Charles Thiiin Tnenty-elilith llUtrlrt Vollro
Frvd ('. IJlmrr Tho IIet Dramatic Club
MUh I oiil Wacnrr. .V. 31, C. A.. Mouth Hrunrli
Joh. U'rncer. . , .Ardenlea Club ot titnrr Harden
J. IVIIton... Well linown buclal
lleorso h. Yi tnnemore,
Tirenty-elzhth District PuMre
l.ilsnr Wolf Phlla. Kihthliori.' League
Maurice Zomarln Poatal Tel, Cable Co,
Corrections or additions should be sent
In Immediately.
Entries for the contest will still be ac
cepted. Candidates must be entered from a
club, organization or group that Is, from
such bodies as business men's clubs, dra
matic associations, labor unions, settlement
house groups, primary schools, high schools,
welfare associations and groups ot em-
Continued on Next Fnie
Evening Ledger Photoplay
Cast Contest
Kntrles now open.
Votlnc benan July 17.
Votlmc endt Aurunt 31,
Ileclilou rleplember 2.
HOW TO VOTE
Cut out the beadlnc "Erenlnr Ltdzer"
and date line aupearlns nt Ilia top ot tho
ilrat para. Mrlte uur candldate'a nama In
Ilia uhita marsln ubore und niall to tho
Kienlus l.cdcer Photoplay Cutt Contc.t. p.
O. Hox Sdl. or bring- it to the ldier Otlice.
Ilcloir li a apeclmen Tote la tnluuturei
Each headlne counts for tan Totes. No
heading- except that on the first page will
ba accepted and none that la more than 10
days old. Only oua nama may be written on
each beading.
ENTRY BLANK
Please enter In the ETenlng Ledger Photo
play Cast t'uutotl
Kinu OlUa or Mr.),
Horn Addre
Nam (Mr.).
Home Addrcti,
Signed by.
Fo , r ,,.
Nominating arganliatlon.
Kamlnatlac organlxatlona may- concaotrata
tnalr Tetea on one candidate or may ncuulaata
and ork for twoi U a., one lady, sua gen
tle man.
Tula nambiatloa blank, whan property
filled out and furwarded. will entitle, to
uiuih to 1000 tetca.
Caaoldataa are raaoeatad to gin Uulr
hama fddreaa to rpch and eerr tmUaea. so
that tba Editor will b able te tammunJcata
with tttm fraoi lima to Una. All uiUrttm
will ba strictly conildanUaL
Only oco Nomlaatlaa Stank will b egelUed
each centaataat.
Mall ta Kvcuiug Tjlfr Plutuulty Catt
uiiai, i. a. lux am, ptuidSSr
He Landed
oy Rescuing
Mary Pickford
James Kirkwood Telia How
D. W. Griffith "Kid
napped" Him
TAMES IcmiCWOOD has signed a, long-'
w term contract with tho American Film
Company, Ino. He leaves this week for th
American studios In Banta. Barbara, Cat,
whero ho will begin tho dlroctton of a Be
rla nf rVntura nhatonlava Htarrlnfif Uarr
Miles Mlnter.
Uo began directing pictures seven yearn
ago, after a long and successful career oa
the Bpeaklng stage. j
Klrlcwood went on the stage In hla early .
youth, 19 years ago, He appeared In many I
notable productions, ' among them wltn i
Henry Miller In "Tha Great Divide": with
Blanche Bates In "The Girl of the Golden I
West," and for his last appearance on ,
Broadway, six years ago, In "Tho Turning
Point," at the Hnckett Theatre. '
Mr. Klrkwood was kidnapped Into tho .
pictures by David IV'ark GrlOlth and Henry J
Salter when they were working at the old J
Blograph studios In 14th Btrect, New York i
city. Mr. Klrkwood recalled the incident
no other day. I
"They wero making a stupendous one
reel fodturo," rnmnrked Mr. Klrkwood. "It
was entitled Tho Lonely Villa.' Tho cast I
Included Mary Pickford, Owon Moore, David ,
Miles and Arthur Johnson. I happened Into-
tho studio to sea a friend working there, I
when Salter spied me nnd insisted on using .
me in one of tho scones. He handed me tv
crowbar and oald:
"Hero I Break Into this room and rescue) ,
the Imperiled heroine."
"I broko through a flock of doors and I
carried the limp and languishing form of ,
Mary Pickford to safety, with all of the)
duo gallantry of tho motion picture hero.
That was my Introduction to pictures. I
didn't dvo much thought to tho Incident '
at tho time, but It resulted in my being
called as a director with tho Blograph
Company. Shortly thereafter I was con-1
ccrned with some of tho first ot the so
called 'Feature Pictures Done in America.' " !
As a director for tho Blograph, Mr. Kirk- i
wood put out tho plcturo versions ot a num
ber of tho Klaw & Erlanger productions, '
principal among them "Classmates," In
which Blanche Sweet nnd Henry Walthall
were starred. ,
Mr. Klrkwood directed ' 10 pictures for
the Famous Players, featuring Mary Pick- "
ford, nnd playing Important roles In these ,
productions, among them "Tho Eagle's
Mate," "Behind tho Scenes," "The Dawn i
of a Tomorrow" and "Bags." Ho also
directed 'Tho Gangsters of New York." a
highly successful feature production mads ,
nt tho Itellance Studio? and released by the
Mutual Film Corporation. As a director '
for the Hellanco, Mr. Klrkwood In ono year ,
mado two one-reel pictures a week, which
Is something ot a record In high pressure) l
direction.
Mr. Klrkwood, as a director, places great I
emphasis on tho Importance of the scenario, t
and ho expresses It as his conviction that,
while the public Is tired of Btunta, It never
will tiro of the motion picture's Interpreta
tion of real human experience.
Ha holds the motion picture to be
fundamental form of art expression, with
the future as definitely assured as the)
future of sculpture, painting, music and the
drama.
'There seems to be a good deal ot talk
lately," says Mr. Klrkwood, "concerning the ,
scarcity of motion picture stories and a
great deal written about it in the papers. '
Now, as far as I know, they always have
been scarce, and to tho best of my belief
they always will be scarce. Trained writers
aro now taking up tho work of writing
photoplays, but even with more of them
doing so, good stories will ba scarce. Good. ,
stories are scarce In magazines, in books
and In plays, so why shouldn't they be In
motion pictures, where they must have all
tho qualities which make them desirable
as stories far type publication ana tne
special quality for visualization.
"It Is said that the flood of books and)
play adaptations will Boon bo exhausted, and
it cannot be exhausted too soon for me,
for I think few of them lend themselves ta
tho screen. When they do, they have to
stand a Jot ot manhandling and twisting
about by the scenario editors and directors.
'The camera Is Just as merciless to tha
Inconsistent story as It Is to the human
face ; betraying its weaknesses as quickly.
"I believe that the most desirable sort
ot play today is modern and American,
whether a awlft-movlng drama with strong,
human characterizations or a comedy de
void ot extravagance. Its Incidents grow
ing out ot the foibles of humah nature
rather than produced by one ot the char
acters smiting another with what Is com
monly called a slap-stick.
"You will have observed, of course, that
the sophisticated play fills a large place
on the screen nowadays. The audience U
supposed to be, and undoubtedly Is, fond
of the evening dress, ballrooms, conserva
tories and so on. I like that sort pi thing
myself, but don't confine myself to It.
Virginia. Broadway, Newport or Colorado
aro good enough tor me, It they aro sup
ported by virile American drama, or truly
original and humorous American comedy.
Photoplay art must be human."
Mr, KlrkWood Is 40 years of age. He.
was born February S3, 1878, In Grand
Rapids, Mich., which he still claims as hU
home.
He Is a member of the Lambs,- tha Play
ers and the Screen Club.
Oh I So Simple
My advice to playwrighta la to
have something to say and say its
Sam Forreat.
BOB HALL
At tits Sbfat MMiy.
"Srotf .' V'-:.?!? JataaW
rl
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