Literature That Glorifies the Photoplay

Anything and everything silent photoplay!
User avatar
Kitty
Posts: 10109
Joined: Sat Feb 25, 2017 8:57 pm

Re: Literature That Glorifies the Photoplay

Post by Kitty »

This one is full of praise for Gene Gauntier, and I have been saying her name wrong all this time!
This is from January 1913 Motion Picture Story Magazine.
Screenshot_20170922-150813~01.png
Screenshot_20170922-150813~01.png (1.07 MiB) Viewed 4323 times
Screenshot_20170922-150824~01.png
Screenshot_20170922-150824~01.png (989.9 KiB) Viewed 4323 times
You trying to tell me you didn't hear that shriek? That was something trying to get out of its premature grave, and I don't want to be here when it does. - Phantom of the Paradise (1974)

User avatar
Kitty
Posts: 10109
Joined: Sat Feb 25, 2017 8:57 pm

Re: Literature That Glorifies the Photoplay

Post by Kitty »

This letter was sent in to Motion Picture Story Magazine and printed in the January 1913 issue. I think the magazine was getting complaints that all they did was print mail that praised the photoplay, and in answer they would print a couple criticisms amidst all the love and adoration. This is a particularly interesting letter, which reminded me of a comment Donnie made on the dress choice of a comedy production I posted in the silent shorts section.
Attachments
motionpicturesto04moti_1026~01.jpg
motionpicturesto04moti_1026~01.jpg (225.13 KiB) Viewed 4321 times
You trying to tell me you didn't hear that shriek? That was something trying to get out of its premature grave, and I don't want to be here when it does. - Phantom of the Paradise (1974)

User avatar
Kitty
Posts: 10109
Joined: Sat Feb 25, 2017 8:57 pm

Re: Literature That Glorifies the Photoplay

Post by Kitty »

Now this is an interesting list of why the photoplay is better than the stage play. Doesn't it give you the feeling that the way they did movies back then was better than now? While the way they make film is superior, and technique is better, I feel they got more for their money than we do now. Frankly, I'm a bit jealous!
Screenshot_20170922-190549~01.png
Screenshot_20170922-190549~01.png (3.15 MiB) Viewed 4318 times
Screenshot_20170922-190559~01.png
Screenshot_20170922-190559~01.png (1.3 MiB) Viewed 4318 times
You trying to tell me you didn't hear that shriek? That was something trying to get out of its premature grave, and I don't want to be here when it does. - Phantom of the Paradise (1974)

User avatar
donnie
Posts: 7614
Joined: Sun Feb 26, 2017 8:28 am

Re: Literature That Glorifies the Photoplay

Post by donnie »

Interesting articles. Gene Gautier—that name sounds most familiar, but I can't place anything I've seen her in.

Concerning Mr. Kiefer's lengthy complaints about the clothing—the answer to that one is obvious. The film companies had to use whatever they had on hand, whether it was exactly historically correct or not. They didn't exactly have the resources of, say, an MGM of a later period.

That's a good list about the advantages of the photoplay. But I see a problem with No. 10. The Photoplay can also exert a harmful influence. Did this writer foresee the X-rated film? I think not. :?
But articles like this suggest to me that films were, curiously, taken more seriously as an artistic medium back then and weren't just seen in terms of money-making capability. Do you think that's right?

User avatar
Kitty
Posts: 10109
Joined: Sat Feb 25, 2017 8:57 pm

Re: Literature That Glorifies the Photoplay

Post by Kitty »

Gene Gauntier was the biggest star at Kalem studios. She was with the traveling troupe, and wrote many of their screenplays as well as acted in them. I've talked about her before.

I think your thoughts on the clothing thing is exactly correct. I guess this guy thought props were conjured by magic?

Films were made mostly for entertainment use and some companies artistic, so they could stand out and get a reputation for quality. That way someone may want to see their films above all else, knowing they'd be getting a good one. Movies weren't really made chiefly for money making till later---that's evident in the way they treated many films when they were done with them. If they fully knew the span their art would take, I think they wouldn't have burned them or threw them away or took such overall bad care of them from the get go. It was all about onwards and upwards. Push forward.

About number ten---standards were striven for back in the day this was written. It would be a few more years before that silly "moral" idea would kind of fall by the wayside. 😃
You trying to tell me you didn't hear that shriek? That was something trying to get out of its premature grave, and I don't want to be here when it does. - Phantom of the Paradise (1974)

User avatar
donnie
Posts: 7614
Joined: Sun Feb 26, 2017 8:28 am

Re: Literature That Glorifies the Photoplay

Post by donnie »

Yes, I agree with those thoughts.

User avatar
Kitty
Posts: 10109
Joined: Sat Feb 25, 2017 8:57 pm

Re: Literature That Glorifies the Photoplay

Post by Kitty »

I liked this one a lot! She mentions some big ones of the day: Francis X. Bushman, Earle Williams, G.M. Anderon, Carlyle Blackwell, Crane Wilbur, Arthur Johnson, and her current favorite Leo Delaney! This little poem came out of the January 1913 edition of Motion Picture Story Magazine.
Attachments
Selection_006.png
Selection_006.png (113.46 KiB) Viewed 4273 times
You trying to tell me you didn't hear that shriek? That was something trying to get out of its premature grave, and I don't want to be here when it does. - Phantom of the Paradise (1974)

User avatar
Kitty
Posts: 10109
Joined: Sat Feb 25, 2017 8:57 pm

Re: Literature That Glorifies the Photoplay

Post by Kitty »

This one is cute and fun! Each line is a play on words.
Attachments
Selection_007.png
Selection_007.png (153.18 KiB) Viewed 4271 times
You trying to tell me you didn't hear that shriek? That was something trying to get out of its premature grave, and I don't want to be here when it does. - Phantom of the Paradise (1974)

User avatar
donnie
Posts: 7614
Joined: Sun Feb 26, 2017 8:28 am

Re: Literature That Glorifies the Photoplay

Post by donnie »

Kitty wrote:
Tue Nov 14, 2017 1:39 pm
This one is cute and fun! Each line is a play on words.
That's funny! I love that one.

User avatar
Kitty
Posts: 10109
Joined: Sat Feb 25, 2017 8:57 pm

Re: Literature That Glorifies the Photoplay

Post by Kitty »

Here's a really cool thing from Motion Picture Story Magazine, February 1913! 8-) These were my very favorite exercises in my spelling book in grade school. And here's one for silent film! See how many you can do! It's a bit challenging.
Attachments
Selection_006.png
Selection_006.png (327.67 KiB) Viewed 4207 times
You trying to tell me you didn't hear that shriek? That was something trying to get out of its premature grave, and I don't want to be here when it does. - Phantom of the Paradise (1974)

Post Reply