FILM NOTES.
Those who are still inclined to question whether the cinema is to be regarded as a serious force in the realm of Art should not only read the frequent contributions to The Times and other newspapers on this department of the drama, but should bear in mind that quite recently it has been stated that both the Rev. Silas K. Hocking and Mr. Jack Dempsey have taken part in photo-plays. It cannot be doubted that the peculiar talent required for making the heart of the people throb is being revealed in the most unlikely places.
If proof were needed that the art of the film is a dangerous rival to that of the stage, we would point to the five-reel drama, The Call of the Thug, of which a private trade view was given last week. Miss Flora Poudray, who is here featured—her name is new to us—proves to be a screen actress of superb gifts. We have seen nothing quite so subtly perfect as her gesture of dissent when the villain proposes that he and she together should strangle the infant heir to the millionaire woollen merchant on the raft during the thunder-storm. Patrons of the cinema will do well to look out for this delicate yet moving passage. The film will be released as early as November, 1921.
"MR. BALFOUR ON OUR WAR CRIMINALS LIST."—Daily Paper.
We simply can't believe it.
"The amount of coal available for home consumption last year was 4,385 tons per head of the population."—Evening Paper.
Then somebody else must have collared our share.
"Live Stock and Pets.
General, family 2; liberal wages and outings."—Liverpool Paper.
The difficulty with "pets" of this kind is that they are hard to get and almost impossible to keep.
"An Englishman usually finds it about as difficult to produce an R from his thoat as to produce a rabbit from a top-hat—both feats require practice."—Provincial Paper.
In this case we fear it can't be done, even with practice.
