Letters, Oct. 12, 1936

(2 of 7)

Sirs: Laurels for TIME'S excellent, human account of the little informal happenings which served to melt the frost of formality from a rather soggy celebration of a "Cambridge Birthday." May I modestly suggest that a copy of TIME'S Sept. 28 issue, 1936, be locked up by President Conant for the perusal of assembled bigwigs on that momentous day to which last week's meeting was adjourned? TIME'S trifles, added to its important news, would round out a complete picture of our day—and entertain dignified oldsters with as many a sly chuckle as it does today.

May TIME and Harvard both be young in 2036.

ELMER WOODS

Chicago, Ill..

Old Romeos

Sirs:

I have just seen TIME'S review [Aug. 24] of the late Irving Thalberg's Romeo and Juliet and its footnote ascribing the "first cinema production" of the play to the year 1916. Our sub-project on Motion Picture Bibliography tells me this is erroneous. While the compilation of a complete film index lies just outside their province (which encompasses instead the preparation of an exhaustive and critically annotated guide to the literature of the motion picture), their preliminary spadework in pre-War trade journals has uncovered these items:

"Romeo and Juliet, 915 feet, Vitagraph, July 4, 1908.

"The only Shakespearean tragedy written around a love story. . . . Particular attention has been given detail and scenic effects. The photography is perfect and numerous scenes are beautifully colored." (Taken in New York's Central Park, in one clay, its 915 feet—less than one reel—ran under 15 silent minutes. . . .)

"Romeo and Juliet, 2 reels, September 1-8, 1911, Thanhouser. It is creditable to the maker of the present film that each of the reels tells a story of its own; one the love story, the other the tragedy. As the reels are issued at different times, this will help the exhibitor. Some day it is hoped an arrangement will be made which allows of such productions being released at the same time—the only sensible and logical way." (Issued six weeks later by the same Bronx producer of cut-rate classics was the Tempest, and half a year later, the Merchant of Venice.)

"Romeo and Juliet, 2 reels. Pathe, January 3, 1913. A Wonderfully Colored Film of the Immortal Playwright's Great Romantic Play." (Produced and trade-announced but, according to hearsay, "too bad to be released," it betrothed Juliet to Tybalt, writing off the whole character of Paris as needless overhead.)

TRAVIS HOKE

Asst. State Director

Federal Writers' Projects

Works Progress Administration

New York City

Pictures Inc.

Sirs:

I have noted in the last few issues of TIME the credit line "Pictures Inc." under quite a few good photographs. For instance, in TIME, Sept. 28, Pictures Inc. managed to furnish Queen Wilhelmina and Daughter Juliana, as well as to turn in a tasty print on Sarah Churchill.

I thought I knew the names of almost all the news picture agencies but Pictures Inc. is a new one to me. Can you elucidate?

WILLIAM A. SCHROEDER

New York City