PICTURE STORIES.

Shannon News, 31 July 1925, Page 3

PICTURE STORIES.

DEARTH OF GOOD PLOTS. “We have increasing difficulty,” says an American producer, “in finding good stories.” This has been strongly in evidence of late. Apart from the independent producers whose output is uncertain, from 13 to 20 important or "feature” films are issued every week, or from 900 to 1000 such films during the course of a year, not including the less important films, which neither in artistic quality nor in length come under such category. For each ot these 1000 film stories have to be secured, involving large expenditure, from £20,000 upwards. The expendi-. tuve of £50,000 is a common occurrence; in some cases £200,000 would not cover the cost of production. It is evident in such circumstances that .the producer cannot afford to take risks with stories.

While the dearth of suitable stories has been a source of constant trouble and anxiety for several years, the position is ever becoming more acute. Few novels written of late have become what are commonly known as “best sellers,” and there has also been a remarkable dearth of suitable magazine stories. Even the speaking stag© has become a barren source of supply. The unhappy producer must, however, have his story; without it he might as well close his studio. Some compensation has, however, been found in the fact that celebrated authors who formerly looked upon the screen as unworthy of their efforts are one by one yielding to its lure. Of this a notable instance is that of the surrender of Mr. H. G. Wells, who has authorised the production by the William Fox organisation of a screen adaptation of his well-known work, “Marriage.” Many of his books would make admirable pictures, and it is to be hoped that his decision about “Marriage” will lead to other of his works figuring on the silver sheetIf the adaptation of a powerful novel to the ordinary speaking stage proves to be unsuccessful, it does not necessary imply that, the adaptation of the same work to the screen would meet with a similar fate. Of this a notable instance was Mr. A. S. M. Hutchinson’s popular novel, “If Winter Comes.” On the stag'e it failed; on the screen, on the contrary, it was a pronounced' success. This was perhaps in some measure due to the wonderful interpretation given by Mr. Porcv Marmont of the part of Mark Sabre. Be this as it may be. the picture counter among last year’s best achievements. Any many other similar instances could be quited. There is always a gamble in the selection of a story, and the narrower the field the greater is the gamble.