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PINAL STANDING IN PHOTOPLAY CAST CONTEST-AL JOLSON AOTSJNDAAJmKit
Tr "' " - -: i ' mTw xxtv Tin, vnn Here Is a Man
rlcre Is a ivian
THIS IS THE TIME WE FOOL YOU
Al jolson Is Seeking
Wko Won t Uae
a Movie Studio
Sotnerns Bag of Tricks
It Wasn't Listed at the Auction Last Spring and the
. '' Winter Garden Comedian
Looking for It
Al Jolson has an ambition! It Is to
procure B. II. Sothern's famous "Bag of
Tricks."
"When the catalogue of Mr. nnd Mrs.
Sothern's sale of ''costumes. Jewofry. wen
pons and other arllctee" was published, Mr.
Jolson scanned each Hem of the 1011 of
fered, hoping that the renowned bag would
be offered for sale on February 10 fit the
Fifth Avenue Auction Rooms. Great wos
his disappointment when he discovered that
there was no mention of the bag Mr.
Jolson subsequently found that It was
being held In reserve, nnd It Is tho dearest
wish of his heart to possess It.
It Is generally supposed that all of the
Sothern and Marlowe effects wero tils
posed of during the late sale.. This Is an
rror; the scenery, properties and the
famous bae are still to bo offered by the
leather-tongued auctioneer.
In tho hit otherwise) bag of tricks of
the average comedian will be found nn
assortment of cnchlnnatlonnl devices, such
as: "Stand pigeon-toed nnd blow out the
cheeks:" "Crook tho right leg at right an
gle arid then straighten It out as It It were
a hinge;" "Fold one hand over tho othor
' as If In abject supplication and .then roll
the eyes to tho sky border;" "In making
an exit bump head against proscenium
aroh as If by accident;" "Ptumble nnd
pick up a pin;" "Take something trifling out
of pocket, throw It off stage to bo followed
cy a noise llko a subway explosion;"
"Make at least ono allusion to llrynn run
ning for oftlco like an open faucet;" "At
least ono fall with bass drum accom
paniment;" '"Make frequent use of syphon
bottle, bladder nnd slap-stick;" "To kill a
rival's business, pull oft whiskers by mis
take at the point whero ho hns a chance
tblscoro:" "Make a nolso llko a mcdltatlvo
billy goat, rub your chin whllo tho orches
tra uses tho sandpaper," etc., etc. All of
these familiar devices nro to bo found In
the vaudovlllo and In somo of the musical
comedy comedians' bag of tricks.
Mr. Jolson Is well nwaro that, dcsplto
the fact that Mr. Sothern does not make
Use of any' of the aforesaid adventitious
fevlces, ho Is acknowledged to be tho grcat-
st comedian of tho American stago. It In lit-
o wonder, then, that Mr, Jolson should
V-earn to possess tho most famous of all
Digs of tricks, to peek Into it and to have
It for hlo very own.
Ono can only guess what Is In this bag,
but one can safely surmise somo of Its more
Important contents, ouch as, for instance,
"The famous Dundreary skip," "Olvo closo
attention what other nctoro are saying on
the stage," "When making an exit do not
make use of any unseemly business to de
tract from what Is going on In the scene,"
"Dpn't fidget while others on tho stago
are engaged In a scene In which you tako
no part," "In order not to detract from
what you have to say make as iittlo use of
the hands as possible," "Master your part
so that all you huvo to do and say will
como as natural as If spontaneous," "Never
smlrl: or smile In the sense of laughing at
your own joke," "Learn to stana perfectly
still," etc., otc.
There Is a certain humbleness In Mr.
Jolson's desire for tho possession of this
famous Solhern bag. Jolson, himself, hns
n bag of tricks, as patrons of tho Lyric
will soon learn, nnd It moy safely
bo said that ho Is In such perfect pos
session of their various advantages that
ho Is able to pull out ono after another nnd
hnvo them seem tho veriest Impromptus.
Whon Mr. Sothern's fnmoUs bag of tricks
Is offered for sale, It may be the cano that
Mr, Jolson will bo nblo to procure It at a
trifling cost, and this for tho reason that
very many of the comedians of vaudeville
and musical comedy are well satisfied
with the old and well-tried vnrlety enum
erated above.
A LINK WITH THE
PAST
When Adolph Link, who Is so finely play
ing the part of Kosonoff, the old actor. In
"Flora Bella" at tho Broad, roads to tho
Princess Manja
(MIssAbarbanell)
the line which
ends with the .tag,
"ma that has
acted before tho
Czar," ho speaks
wore truly than
his audience
knows. In 1X30,
when on tour
with the famous
company of the
Court Theater, In
Melnlngen, he
a c t e d Shylock
and several other
B h a k ospfcarcan
roles before Alex
ander III, in St.
Petersburg.
Mr. Link Is an
actor of wide ex
perience, and, although he has appeared
many times In this country. It was not
until three years ago that ho made his
debut on the English-speaking stage, lie
. iuiifti.iti.ij, uui.i ill juuuuiJcai-, ki.nu ua
41F a boy of 10 danced and played boy parts
in ine tneatera or nis native city, as a
young man he showed exceptional ability
In stage characterization, nnd at the age
of 17 -was established In Vienna, whero he
appeared with various companies. Later
he traveled from one to another of the
cities of Oermany and Austria, playing
comic, tragic and musical roles with equal
skill. Between 1874 and 1890 he was often
a member of the company at the Court
Theater, Melnlngen.
Mr. Link came to America for the first
time ill 1881 and played for Helnrlch Co'n
rled at the Thalia Theater, In New York.
He made altogether nine trips to this coun
try to appear In Its German theaters. In
2832 he toured the United States with
Marie Ralstlnger, In light opera, and after
ward played four seasons at the Irving
Place Theater. His first part In English
was done In New York three years ago,
when he created the rolo of the Doctor In
"The Lure." LaBt season his Baunert, In
"The Weavers," won blm Important critical
attention.
A prized relio of the stage, possessed by
Mr, Link, Is a satin vest, 120 years old,
yet In perfect condition, which' now forms
part joC the costume that he Is wearing In
"Flora. Bella," This vest originally was
the property of Johann Nestroy, a Hun
garian comedian of great fame, who died
In I860. Nestroy gave the vest to Link
when the latter was a little boy p'-ylng
about the stage of a theater In Br .apest,
saying that he bad had it made 6U years
before, and that If the boy kept It and
made, careful use of it when he grew up
the best of fortune would, always attend
bis stage career, Mr. Link has the utmost
faith In this talisman, and says that upon
every occasion that he bos worn It, when
creating a new character, Its charm has
proved .effective.
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jt mmmimr wiwamwv $?kk ". -;. m mm wwsmmm
IKmr . M'VJwlMmiM II III . ujfK VI v ' i '1 ffl f'n mHB&RsHH
m- ,,r-, .rmm -paw f. gm y UfM IWiHHH
- f-'rmwmPWuM I mW&mmmEMmteMm&k If Urn miE
mIJ wBf (lnl1 r'Kht' but 'tIlc))HRl RSiiB m&fak I w 1 MWBU
1 wSt&-wF'Bm7. winter overcoat II ufmt III P t'JJaBtiiKlSJS Pw I '??'. 7 li HMiIiiIisiH
ft WS&Mhi mfmmr Xv. sugKCS,f8 I,l,c J) m&Mijm I &Z-r aisw 1 j!f? IHKiliH
JKSSlIk Tke
Vivian Martin docs not custom
arily assume a restful seat upon
the front of her electric when
"knitting for tho Belgians." Tho
truth of tho matter is that the
star of "The Stronger I.ovc" saw
the Pallas - Paramount photogra
pher coming and thought she'd give
the patrons of the Palace a novel
view of her.
You won't sco
this at tho Lyric
Monday. Tho
revolver will bo
there, i the lady
will be there nnd
the left as well
ns tho right
limb will bo
present. But
the screen is
only a photog
rapher's prop,
and it plays no
part in "Rob
. inson Crusoe,
Jr.," tho now
Winter uarden
show.
This is neither Ernest Glendinnincr in his kitchen, nor yet a hearts
rending glimpse of his early struggles before he became an actor. It
is just him and his costumo at one point in "Experience," at the Adclphi.
The Life of a Photoplay
Star
By Fannie Ward '
(Stonier star of "Karh Pearl a Tear.")
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In many respects the llfo of a photoplay
star Is tho best life In the world, and In
others It Is the most trying.
It Is so entirely
different from tho
life of the Btage
that at first It is
hard for ono who
had been connect
ed with the
spoken drama to
become accim
tomed to It It Is
simply that our
working days or
hours are th ex
act opposite of
those of tho gen
eral public when
on the stage.
During the time
I was In the
Bpoken drama the
sunlight was a
thing that shone
through tho curtains, got In my eyes and
awoke me when I needed more sleep. Out
hero It calls to mo In the morning that
It Is time to get up and revel In the glorious
any, enjoy the beauties or nature and
breathe the pure air of the early morning
hours, which is more exhilarating than
anything else In the world.
As to my dally occupation before
breakfast In the morning I am out In the
garden getting the dally Bupply of flowers
far the house, playing with my dog and
outlining the day's work for the gardener.
After breakfast my car comes nround and
takes me to the studio, or It I have plenty
of time I walk.
Immediately upon arriving at the studio
I ilnd out what gowns are necessary tor
that day and have the maid lay them out
for ray inspection, After "making up" I
usually sit In my dressing room and
answer letters until I am called to appear
on the stage. Sometimes I have my maid
serve luncheon at the studio jn my dress
ing room, and sometimes I go home. Fre
quently after work Is ilnished we go
into the projecting room to see them pro
ject the screens we have made the previous
day. This generally keeps us In the
studio until six, and after that home.
I really never knew there was so much
In life until I came Into the photodramatlo
work at the Lasky studio. I have bought a
home out here, and I expect to remain. I
Jove It,
Don't try to guess 1 This youthful
nnd beardless camera operator is
none other than Charles Chaplin,
Esq., sans make-up. He will bo
seen at the Victoria, Palace, Al
hambrn, Locust, Iris and German
town Monday in his new Mutual
comedy, "The Count."
ANOTHER CAMEO
PHOTOPLAY HOUSE
FOR PHILLY
LA ARGENTINA
Ti Sjwuilak tteaear, uto will be
turn, at KwtM's )txt yft3&
Philadelphia has always had small mov
ing picture theaters, but until the Arcadia
was built It had no houss that matched
its small size with a minute pare in every
detail of decoration, and refinement of
management Now that a photoplay house
of the kind has proved Its overwhelming
success, another Is to be given Philadel
phia. The Stanley company has Just
finished the redecorating of the Resent
Theater, which will open Monday an a
"theater intime" of the moving pictures.
The management has this to say of the
changes made:
"First comes the seating arrangement,
and this la a triumph of the builders art
The floor has an original slope shallow
or saucer-like and every seat commands a
clear view of the stage. The chairs are of
a new and striking design, with luxurious
seats of imported leather. On the walls and
the celling the handicraft of the master
decorator la revealed In exquisite frescoing
and mural painting of grace, beauty and
brilliancy. Hraperlea of rich but Quiet
dalign add to the tone and. make the whole
effect delightfully harmonious.
"Anstiter feature, which is a most laxi
portant pne, la. the new ladies rest room.
In this handsomely Stud up and equipped
chamber will bo found dainty writing desks,
dressing tables nnd other up-to-thc-mlnute
requisites which nro so Indlspensablo to
"milady's" use, and competent, courteous
matrons will be present each nfternoon nnd
evening to 'render tho fair sex asslstanco
and make them feel at homo.
"An Innovation, nnd one thai will be sure
to become popular with tho patrons, Is tho
corps of young lady employes, each ono
of whom has been selected because of ef
ficiency nnd high degree of training, and
they will ever b on tho alert to seo that
nil visitors are thoroughly satisfied In every
respect. Music will also be 'selected from
the best musicians In this country, who
will perform classical and popular selec
tions at every performance in conjunction
with "the organ with the human voice."
This Instrument has been Improved by ths
addition of many new attachments."
As heretofore, the photoplays to bo pre
sented will be first showmgs only. The
principal attraction on Monday, Tuesday
and Wednesday will be Robert Warwick In
the first Bhowlng of the World film, "Friday
tho Thirteenth." This play Is from the
novel of Thomas W. Lawson. Lionel
Barrymore, one of America's foremost
actors, will be seen Thursday, Friday and
Saturday In "The Upheaval," a new
feature.
She's no lady. Merely Herbert
Clifton doing a female impersona
tion foV glory's sake in "Madame
Spy," the new war play which
opens tho Walnut Monday.
TDERNARD SHAW spoko fatc--
fully and fnctfully when he said,
"The danger of tho cinema is not
the danger of immorality, but of
morality; people who, like myself,
frequent the cinemas testify to their
desolating romantic morality." D.
V. Griffith- .
Theatrical Baedeker
Al Jolson Brings the Lyric a New Winter Garden
Show The International Circuit Opens the
Walnut and Knickerbocker
ISYItIC "Robinson Crusoe, Jr.," with Al Jolson, Lawrence D'Orsay, Claudo Flem
mlng, Frank Carter, Barry Luplno, Bowers, Walters and Crocker, Kitty Donor
and Mabel "Wlthec. A new Winter Garden show, with book by Harold Attorldgo
and Edgar Smith, music by Slgmund Romberg and James Hanley, production
by J. C. Huffman. Mr. Jolson plays Friday 'nuff said. No matinee Labor Day.
WALNUT "Madamo Spy," with Herbert Clifton. A war-play by Leo Morrison nnd
Harry Clay Blaney, with a spy for hero who deceives the enemy by a female Im
personation or two. First performance Monday afternoon, matinees thereafter
on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. The Walnut thus becomes a spoke Jn tho
new International Wheel of popular-priced houses.
KNWIOIIIBOOKER "Tho Funny Mr. Dooley," with Paul Qulnn, Joo Mitchell nnd
others. A musical comedy built around the adventures of the well-known Irish
man, Impersonated by Mr. Qulnn, and Doctor Skinner, Impersonated by Mr.
Mitchell. First performance Monday afternoon, with matinees thereafter on
Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, The Knickerbocker Is thus reopenlr.s as a
theater on tho new International Circuit.
CONTINUING PLAYS
AOELVni "Experience," with Ernest
Qlendlnnlng, William Ingersoll and a
large cast A "modern morality play,"
with piore reality and humanness about
It than graced "Everywoman." Qlendln
nlng acts superbly. Matinee Labor Day.
TUB OltOAD "Flora Bella," operetta.
Here A
m
1 "VT 7"
re the Winners
tne Pnotoplay Cast Contest
oELOW is printed the final standing of the contestants for parts in the Evening Ledger prize
-- scenario, "Phil and pelphine," by Adrian Gil-Spear, to be produced in Philadelphia under the di
rection of the Metro Pictures Corporation. From these names the cast will be selected. In the as
signment of parts the standing of the contestant will be the determining factor, except where a
physical divergence from type makes it impossible. The many minor characters in "Phil and Del
iihine will allow the Metro director to use the services of a large number of the contestants.
Where extras are needed for scenes employing crowds, they will be drawn from the remaining
contestants and from those who entered the contest, but whose names have been dropped from
the list because they failed to raise their vote above the initial 1000. All contestants shonliT
therefore, watch the Evening Ledger for announcements of the dates when the ffi8Starc
poration will begin the filming-of "Phil and Delphine,"
-". Urganliatlon. Vote.
Alice Andron, Philadelphia Hcliool of Krpreiilon USISO
Msrguret O'Neill, Cor ImmacuUtum Alumne .,...,.,,, 108080
Mart l!Uman, 1'ronkford Ave. Jlulldloit bod Loan Alto. 68030
Aieianoeniut iieuy, wateryiew Heerestlon Park.
tllH Winnie Murphy, Clans '08, Olrard College,.,.,,.,
l'ortua Aclmon, Int. Fhoto-engravers' Union, No. 7.,,,
Katie Challenter Itlee, Blee Dooiter Clab ..
Peter Ulllon. A. U. S. Drmmatlo Clob ...,,,...,'.".
Pessy Taylor, Wynn.fleld Komedy Klab,,,,,,,,
Prnk bUmalo, Htamato Club :..,.. ,....,,'.,
Job Wenger, Arder.tes Club of Starr Garden
C. W, CeUl.on. G.rnmntown V. M. C. A...,....,.,,..'.'
WlllUm y, CooneyBooiters' Club .,..,,,.?,
Henry L. Pox, State Society of Philadelphia . , , ,
Eileen Sheridan, Uryn Uawr Club ....,.,,
A oda M. UeUel. Peru Bock Woolen Mill ,....,,..
Mill Margaret Gardner, LaKota Dramatic Association..
Sara Vranclf, Francis Booeter Club ,.,.,..
William A. S. Lapotlna, Madonna Cathollo Club.,,,...,
Jete iaventhol, Carlyle Social Club ,
Fred Vf. Hcnlnipf, fntro Nous Musical Comedy Clab.,.,
At Orinner, AtUe Social Club :
Krue.t li. tichearer, Artteans Order of Mutual. Pro teotlou
Herbert uolduerg, Urlxlnal Crimson ....
. mac w., .wis vwiHr V.UW.,,.,.,,,
jam L'urcio, international Musical Union
SJUs uatrlc Clinch, V. B, T. Co. ...
Joseph K. MOettlin, St. Patrick' Club.
Louis Hurts. Three Point Club
Charles Cohan, Twenty-eliuth District Pellco,,,,, ,,,,
Marie M. Wunn. The Vl-Vol Clab ' ,,,
Bdjar Wolf, Philadelphia Kahibltors' league ,.,
aus hbuik ucsBcy, a. u. s. uranisua Association..,,
,, .,..,,,
.
Mtfl,,,,,,
, ,,
I t t
M.ltMIlM
John J. i'ltipstrlck, KlectrlcaUJUureau Dramatle Also..,
win . wriuB, ir omens - rails Union League..,,,,
CharUe TUum, Tweotylsbth pistrlci Police.,., ......
uersv . vBeyt .sum uisirict ireiice.
Frederick l"uUer, lUlobow Club
. . ..P. , ,, .
43100
42010
38750
18800
28&70
S1070
10000
18SS0
17810
11100
16070
13510
;0050
r8o
.'40
14080
moo
130(0
10760
Oi.O
0S0
8880
800
8170
situ
1680
7590
760
7020
07.0
also
3800
30
3010
2710
XilO
Votes,
2330
2200
SI80
1840
1810
1170
1710
1710
1680
1100
1900
1850
1810
u:o
1800
Name. Orcanlsatlon.
W, CorirUht Smith, Masked Marvel Players
Mrs. Dorcas Haas, Haas llooster Club ',
Eddie Kroll Crimson Club ....",
i0l,,.r,..C,J1"' Tlll'y-"l' District Police.. . .'.,'.
Sue Piatt, B. P., 11. Social ...,,..,,.
Sam Joseph. Delphi Club . ""
earn. ueritU.,.? n kaViL''::::::::::::::y-:
S, Howard rirln, Lenox Shoe Company,'.
Prancls lloyle, lUlnbow Club . .'., ,...!.....
deorie Hummel, Engine Company No. 58 ,.,.,,!,
Granville 8. Wlnnemore, Xwenty-lhlrd District Police...,
llora Allessandron, Economical Uulldlnr and loan Alio.
Antonio Dlsantl, lUlnbow Club
Phillip Buckley. S. 8. White Company .....!..
Jay Emanuel. Th ir.i viiau... .
jn.. ky reitou, rn0I 8h company';:::::;:::::::; ,0o
-. ..,i., nuricss uooster uiuii ..,,,.. 1280
1(00
itoa
1170
1160
1140
1140
1140
1130
1160
1110
1100
1080
1060
1060
1010
1010
1080
1040
I960
Wllmer Farrer. Tweutv.elihlli liutrire t.ii,.
Cleorse Tanguuy, Halnbow Club ...I
James J. Cormlck, ltulnbow Club " '"f"
William Ucatty, Fourth DlslrUt Police ...".i;::":
?.'"ltA- ,u,k' Un,Ua Security Wfo Insurance Co..,. .
11. V. Laws. Star Outlne Club
J. Wllsin. Y. G. W.U Known Socl.ty " t"
PauUn. lllanchard. Camp rire GlrU' Club . i , "!
Owen Plticerald, P. H. II. V. M, V. A t.. ....,..,
John T. Sls-eufu.e, v. M. C A., SoutAern UrancU.......
Jack Spolansky. Ualdwla Iuteomotlira tVork. '
ui vrs, a, o. niuit company. . .
Daniel O'Neill, Sixth District Police
Oust O. Vac, Immaculate Club . . . .
Mrs. Ylolette Dels, UcU Uoostcr Club
Mary Gould, Kenton Club
Uilla Vluk. Th. Itml x-llA..d
,.... -I... r... . ., ... . '. .,, ,.. ,.,,
..,..4...im,i-Mi.i 'eugrapn Cable Comnaay loso
JoscpU ld, S. S. Whit Pomfasy..,,, .."."if;;. .', iSlo
-, , ,,.,,,
,,,
,, ,,,,
,.,,,,.,
,,,,,.
,.,.,,,
with Llna Abarbanell and Lawrence
Grossmlth. Qood music,' peppery dancing',
excellent cast and fine scenery; wedded to
n book that Is Interesting-, but not very
funny.
TRAVEL PICTURES
I OARRICK Second week of Lyman Howe's
iruvei i-esuvai. wim a wholly new
change of bill. The well-known combina
tion of thrills, Bcenio beauties, cartoons,
educational and other features.
FEATURE FILMS
STANLEY-Fltat half of week. "Rolllne
Stones," with Owen Mooro and Marguerite
Courtot, a Famous Players-Paramount
film based on the play of .that name ; news
Pictures, a Burton Holmes travelog to the
Sunny South of England" and others.
Last half of week, "Each Pearl a Tear,"
with Fannie W-jrd, a Lasky-I'aramount
production from the story by B. Sheldon.
and a balanced bill.
Anc,APJA--Wt half of week, "Tho Pa.
trlot." with W. S. Hart, an Ince-Trlangle
?,r.??l,cIion.' th8 e'Bhteenth episode of the
DUlle Burke serial. "Gloria's Romance."
?l "!?ws ,),c'u.rea- Lat halt of week,
"The Thoroughbred," with Frank Keenan,
an Ince-Trlangle production, and others.
PAtAOB First half of week, "The Stronger
Love." with Vivian Martin, a Morosco
f.r.?m.2imt. Production; "The Count,"
with Charles Chaplin, a .new Mutual
comedy, and an episode from the Blllle
Burke serial. "Gloria's Romance." Last
" of week. "Public Opinion," with
dic?k!n? '"' a 'ty-Paramount pro-
TCronAFlrst half of week "ITbM t.
L.A?tta '" .W,th W Luca'and
Bessie Love, a Griffith-Triangle produc
tion, and "The Count," with Charles
Chapim a new Mutual production lis?
T?if,.. weeV' "The Upheaval." with
irt 5,.rryraore' n JItro Production,
and for Thursday and Friday, a Keystone
ALBAUBRA First half of week. "Tha
W,van '5 the Ca,M'" wlt Pauline Fred
erick, a Famous Playors-Paramount pro
duction, and "The Count." with chari
Chaplin, a new Mutual comedy, and vau
tt'oA 6 Colonial8 Wi
?n;. 'SfJ18?4 Branlgan, slngera and
dancers j Blcknet and Zlbney.' In "Small
Svir,Mary pic" 53 ra g
YAUDBYILLB
KHZTH'S-TJie MeUtersingers, the Boston
Station'; La Argentina. ih RnfStZ
dsnew. Bv.u'r' ."" PPaaish
WW a domestio wme4y. by Eve,
B. Bualtay, with. Fay WiOwa aid IleaaW
Husfhuton", Tom Kerr iiasu.iy BC
Centlausd en N Vmxo.
Frank Powell and What
He Means to Do for
the Photoplay
Tho Frank Powell Productions, Ipc, In
spired, orgdnlied and directed by a man
determined to work along novel artlstld
lines In the ad
vancement of
photoplays, may
well exclto Inter
est After eight
years of experi
ence In making
p I o turea eight
years during
which ho has
achieved a num
ber of notable suc
cesses Frank
Powell has cut
loose nnd Is pre
pared to test tho
correctness of
Ideas nt onco am
bltloUB and
slightly revolu
tionary. If the
Ideas nro Imprac
ticable, he admits that ho will have only
himself to blame; but at least ho will have
realized the Joy of freedom In artistic ex
pression, something dimcult to gain when
producing for release through tho customary
channels.
Mr. Powell was In tho midst of prepara
tions for his first Independent photoplay
when ho stopped to explain tho purposes of
Frank Powell Productions, Inc. "We ex
pect to mako six pictures tl year," he said,
"and all will deal with topical subjects,
something big nnd vital In tho public life
of the "time. For several reasons I do not
carp to announce tho nature of our Initial
picture, which treats of a condition of prime
lmportnnco that to tho best of my belief
has never been handled In a dramatic way,
Crelghton Hale, who Is under contract with
mo for tho coming year, and Linda A. Grif
fith will carry the leading roles, supported
by players selected for their suitability to
tho characters I avo In mind.
"In this picture, nnd probably In those
to follow, I plan to dispense- with a studio
and tako scenes In whatever neighborhood
or building best suits tho story. For In
stance, wo will need a courtroom and I have
arranged for a day In a Georgia court where
tho action will bo photographed In a set
ting moro natural than ono Is likely to be
built, however carefully a model is copied.
A picture mado under these conditions Is
apt to bo moro convincing- becauso of the
Indcflnabfo dlffcrenco between that which li
real and a clover, perhaps too clever. 1ml- -tatlon.
,
'Tho npproprlatencss of tho settings In
Tho Fourth Kstnto' was commented upon,
though It was not generally known that V
produced tho picture In Chicago without
using a studio, After fouling what seemed
to mo to bo Just tho right environment, I
arranged my own lights nnd succeeded In
getting good photography, tho kind of
photography that presents a dim hallway
or a room as It actually uppcars to the
eye."
Presently Mr. Powell explained more
fully his theory of what may be termed
advancod photoplay art, which Is based on .
tho principles behind all art: a presenta
tion of tho meaning of a scene or a situa
tion by placing emphasis on tho essentials
and subordinating Inconsequential details.
"Tho plcturo of tho future will have to
please tho Imagination." ho said. "Any
one may snap a photograph of Broadway
that, will bo moro full and completo than
an Inspired painting; but It takes nn artist
to bring out n dominant human noto In a
sceno that Is commonplace because of Its
familiarity. He appeals to the Imagina
tion, arrests attention and stirs new
thoughts In those who study his picture.
Broadway Is revealed In another light; the
crowds and tho buildings that wo see every
day havo a fresh meaning.
'The samo results can bo obtained In
motion pictures, but not without study
and effort. Mere photographic realism,
howeyer much It may gratify the eye, Is not
art unless It strikes deeper and carries
a messago to the mind. Most pictures
suffer from too much detail, overemphasis
and a lack of subtlety. A poet may write
a quatrain, which through the power of
Its suggestion awakens memorable thought
where a pago of rcportorlal description
dealing with the samo subject would be
read and forgotten. To some oxtent the
analogy holds good with photoplays'. I
bcllove It Is far more effective to work
upon tho minds of an audience through
a series of significant Incidents than to
present every action with Indiscriminate
completemess, leaving nothing to tho Im
agination. My pictures are going to be Im
pressionistic, but they will not bo vague
or difficult to understand. If a man's mind
and Imagination can be reached, he Is
going to bo Interested and entertained."
According to present plans, a Broadway
theatre will be erfgaged for the permlere
of each of tho Powell productions, after
which territorial rights will be sold.
A Split Interview
By Dick Willis
FRANCIS X. BUSHMAN. METRO.
"Descended from?1'
. 'The Bushmen."
"Favorite country?"
"France Is."
"You use your second name?"
"As an Xtra."
"You havo a good leading lady?"
"Excuse the Swedish I Bane."
"You are popular?"
"Jty rise was Metro-otic"
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HILDA BERTON
With "The Funny Mr. Dooley,"
coming to the Knickerbocker nwrt
week.
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