THE PICTURE WORLD

Evening Post, Volume XCI, Issue 137, 10 June 1916, Page 11

THE PICTURE WORLD

A writer in the New York Herald states that the latest American society craze is amateur movies, in which the Vo.nderbilts, the Goulds, and the multimillionaires see themselves as others see them. Reckless horse-back riding, automobile wrecks, and, above all, jumping from second-story windows, are, it appears, among the favourite amateur thrillers

A very welcome change in the moving picture representation of to-day is that "effects" have been practically abandoned. Until very recently, if a horse were seen galloping across the screen, or if a motor-car went tearing along the road, sounds purporting to be those of a horse galloping or of a motor-car whirring were produced from behind the screen by all kinds of ingenious means. A gunshot was accompanied by an awful sound emanating from a pop-gun; and the sound of rain was simulated by pellets being swung about in a barrel. Thunder was produced by hits upon a piece of sheet-iron. But aIL these means were very crude in comparison with a wonderful French machine. This was covered with stops like an organ, each marked for a different sound, and all the operator had to do was to pull out the special stop, and fearful and awful sounds resulted. Luckily, the audiences became tired of "effects,1 and they have become a thing of the past. The recent demand for censorship of a certain class of film being shown in picture theatres in Sydney seems to .be reaching a definite conclusion. From information gathered in well-informed quarters leay3 the Herald) it is highly probable that a board will be appointed consisting, amongst others, of representatives of the Chief Secretary's Department (who will be chairman), the Health Department, the British Medical Association, and the Council of the Society for Mora) Advancement, the Catholic Federation, and other bodies. ' It is also probable that Miss Annie Golding, Mrs. Laverty, and Mrs. K. Dwyer will be included. Nothing definite has yet been determined upon, but the preceding statement indicates the present trend of affairs in official quarters. It is further contemplated that all exhibitors of films shall submit a synopsis to the board, and that if that is satisfactory no official screening of the picture will be required. Where a false description, is supplied it is intended to prosecute the parties responsible. Mr. D. W. Griffith, the Triangle producer, is insisting, on a light vein of comedy in all dramatic photo-plays coming from the fine arts studios which he controls. He does this both for the benefit of the picture-going public and for his players and directors, who regard the taking of comedy scenes as a relaxation. For this purpose a day has been set apart each week on which the lighter side of photo-drama holds sway in his studios. As many as a dozen different pictures may be in course of production under his supervision, but all serious work stops on "comedy day." "It comes as a relief to us all," says Mr. Griffith; "for, after working at high emotional . pitch all the week, 'comedy day' affords us 24 hours' mental relaxation, which we enjoy as much as do the public when they see the film screened."

"Penelope Knubblyknees," in the Bui letin : According to Popular Mechanics, movie-plots are now made by machinery; and my dark suspicion as to their origin is confirmed. A U.S. inventor has contrived an "idea box" which neatly does the trick. This is a box fitted with half a dozen spindles, on each of which ti roll of paper carrying a long printed list of words is wound. . In. the cover of the box are six slots, through which one word on each roll may be read. About 12(30 words are listed. These are classified into six separate groups, one for each spindle, such as nouns, verbs, adjectives, etc. By turning any one of the spindles different words appear one after the other in the slots. Each spindle is Mimed in order until words which make sense from top to bottom are gronped. Thus: "Eccentric-Spins-ter - Adopts - Burglar-Excitement - Marriage." Such a suggestion forms the basis of a scenario. My first effort with the "idea box" was a brilliant success: "Wildwest ■ Hero - Maddens - Audience-Damn-Cowbovs."

A number of Triangle dramas have boon notable for their storm scenes. Some of these have been real, but others have been engineered by Thomas H. Ince, who has been liaiied as the film realist. To work up a white squall, a .hurricane at sen, and then an island volcano, are his achievements in "Aloha Oe." The rising of the squall is a striking piece of work. It is first seen as a fog bank in the distance; then it strikes. Rain pours down in torrents, masts strain .beneath the spread of canvas; sails rip and 'tear, yardarms snap; decks heave, and in a moment are awash from the seas that break over the ship. Just now much of it is real and how much manufactured cannot be said, for there is nothing to. show even.the sharpest-eyed viewer that the scene- is anything but absolutely genuine. The title, "Aloha Oe" (farewell to thee). is derived from the song of Queen Liliokilani, die last of the'Hawaiian queens, who was dethroned and deported when America took possession of the islands. From the deck. of the departiug steamer she sang it to 6000 of her native subjects, . assembled on the dock to:bid her good-bye. The principal roles in the drama are taken by Willard Mack ,and Enid Markey. "Tom Brown's Schooldays" has been very successfully filmed by a British company, the Windsor. A delightful story has been constructed, with just a sufficient love interest to make it attractive. . ■

It is a. mistake to imagine that the big picture spectacle, "The Birth of a Nation," is based on the history of the United States. It is a great spectacular drama, crammed with spectacles ■in which thousands of people figure in the most thrilling and exciting scenes. Some of these scenes depict various notable incidents that stand out in the national history of America,' but the picture is not merely a pictorial exposition of historical facts. Dr. W. Griffiths, the world-famous, producer, took the thrilling story, "The Clansman,"' by Thomas Dixon,. as the foundation for his. scenario. Those who have read the book know that after the ■ American ' Civil War, which ma-de the negro slaves free, a reign of terror set in when the blacks, impressed with the oft-repeated declaration of the Northern whites that the blacks were as good as the whites, on the same level, and worthy of the same rights, practically ruled the South. So tragic became this phase of the aftermath of the Civil War, that the whites brought into existence the dreaded secret society known as the "Ku Klux Klan." These night riders seized the negro leaders, gave them a ' summary trial and execution, and flung their bodies back into their houses. "The Birth of a Nation" introduced the exploits of the Ku Kluj Klan, but, throughout the whofe drama is a fascinating love story that provides the silver lining to every cloud.