THE PICTURE BUSINESS

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1832, 19 August 1913, Page 6

THE PICTURE BUSINESS

MR WEST OF FILM INDUSTRY.

PROFESSION PICTURE PLAY ACTORS

"There are more films shown in Australia during tho course of a year than appear in the entire city of London during tho samo period," said Mr. T. J. West, fcho consulting director of the uew picture amalgamation, and founder of tho well-known West's picture houses, who has recently returned to Sydney from England.

"It is an extraordinary thing that such should bo tho case," ho continued, referring to his opening statement. "When one oomes to tnink that tho population of Greater London is now over 8,000,000 —nearly twice as largo as t-lio census of Australia, including the 'back-blocks' as well—it seems to me to show pretty conclusively that, the Australian public appreciates to a large, extent tho trouble wo iMvo taken in providing them with this lonn of entertainment. •

"During tho last few years tho film industry has gone ahead by leaps and bounds, not only in tho methods of production used, but also in tho places of accommodation used tor tho seating of patrons of this form of amusement.

"I have travelled all over tho world since 1 left here, seeing all that there was to bo seen in my line of business, and 1 have no hesitation in saying that Australians are provided with entertainments that are equally as good as thoso given in London, and considerably -better than most of the American ones. You sec, every new production is seen by us over there, and only the best are chosen. In this way, lie Australian audiences miss nruch. tlhat is trashy, and are only put on to fill up the-programme, while the best efforts are immediately snapped up and sent over here. It costs very little more to get tho finest films than it does to purchase the'rights of tile indifferent ones, and when the price of transportation to this country is added to tho bill, tho difference is so slight that there is practically no temptation for a manager—even if lie were so inclined, which, I am glad to bo able to say, few of them are—to collect "anything but tho finest work for his patrons." "How about the American picture houses? You said just now that they were not up to tho samo standard as ours or tho English ones." "Yes, I did, and X meant it," lid replied'. "The first thing that struck mo about the business in America was tho dirty little hovels in which the films are displayed— badly ventilated, uncomfortable ■ chairs, and terribly overcrowded. There aro hundreds of these places in every town, each running all day, and most of the night, providing a programme of sensational horrors, tho c'Jiargo for which is 2k1., or, at tho most, 5d., and which cater almost entirely to tho most uneducated classes.

"Another tiling is the slipshod manner in which tho musical part of the programme is conducted. A great many of these places are equipped with an electrio piano, which only plays a certain number of tunes, that are ground out over and over again, without'tho slightest regard being paid to their fitness to tho theme of tlie picture. I. have more than onco heard one of tiheso mechanical monstrosities 'churning' out a quick-step march when, tho scene depicted.upon the screen has been a stately njuiuei, oif equally as bad, a lively two-step accompanying a pathetic death-bed parting. That sort of thing, of course, is most annoying to anyono who has the best interests oi tlie picture business at heart, and is striving to tho best of his ability to make liis work a fine and splendid vocation."

And what of the actors who pla.v for these picture plays? What are they like, nnd how are tlioy recruited.'' 111'. West was asked.

"There was a time," lie replied, with a humorous twinkle in his eyes, "when legitimate actors and actresses of repute looked upon the idea of working: in a inoving--picture company with horror and scorn, and, in order to get one of them to sign a contract for even a few weeks it was necessary to tempt him with' the offer of an enormous salary. Gradually, however, alii that has o'hanged, until now applications are being received daily for positions from actors of repute, So great, indeed, lias become tho vogue of this.form of histrionic work that meivtvho would have been received with open arms a few years ago by a picture-play producer have to be turned away owing to the fact that ttho supply of good, acting material now exceeds till© demand. You see, the movingpicture actor draws a big salary, has, as a rule, no night work, and lias.no lines to learn. He also, if he feols so inclined, has the opportunity of going to tho theatre and criticising his own performance. Another point that he has discovered is that lie becomes known to audiences rill over the world, if vnivensal. fains is his oliiect. By means of the picture-play lie can . perform just as easily ?>eforo an audience here ,is lio can in London, New York, or Paris." Mr. AVest paused a moment, and Taised his hand impressively. "And lie doesn't havo to bo vaccinatcd in order to do it, either!" ho conohider, with a olrackle.