AMPAS FUBlICATIONS Acadilmyof Motion (, ""'.". /I.~ts and I::"" ... ~ .:",-!. L~Jr~ ry I -_._' >..'- --'>,,'-;- C;:;h----t. APRIL BULLETIN ACADEMY OF MOTION PICTURE ARTS & SCIENCES

EXECUTIVE OFFICES AND LOUNGE: ROOSEVELT HOTEL,7010 HOLLYWOOD BLVD. TEL. GR-2134

No. XX HOLLYWOOD. CALIF.• APRIL 8. 1929 No. XX

JUDGING ACADEMY ' BY THE RECORD

The Academy will celebrate the second anniver­ Other types of criticisms have been captious, sary of its foundation by a dinner the night of May thoughtless or even malicious in their inspiration, 16, the first and chief feature being the formal be­ marked by distortions of facts and frequently by stowal of Merit Awards for distinguished achieve­ outright misstatements. Obviously, the Academy of ments of 1928. Particulars of the dinner will be Motion Picture Arts and Sciences cannot descend to found elsewhere in this issue of the Bulletin. the absurdity of a personal controversy with any With the near approach of the second anniversary dubious assailant of this character. The answers, if of the Academy's organization it is timely to report any should ever be required, will again be found in to the Academy membership on behalf of the officers the Academy's actual achievements. and Board of Directors the exact progress that has The aims and purposes of the Academy may be been made in carrying out the purposes for which again summarized as follows: the Academy was founded. How substantial this 1. Promotion of harmonious and equitable rela­ progress has been will be judged by the record rather tions within the production industry. than by laudatory superlatives on one hand or cap­ '2. Promotion of favorable public relations in tious criticism on the other. proper co-operation with other agencies. During the two years that the Academy has been 3. Advancement of the arts and sciences of mo­ functioning it has been subjected to certain outside tion picture production. criticisms and misunderstandings. Some of these crit­ Reports on all three of these Academy functions icisms have been well meant and honest, possibly at will be found under appropriate headings in this times merited. Persons or publications not familiar Bulletin. with the idealistic principles which inspired the spon­ In the meantime, the true Academy spirit is one taneous foundation of the Academy have sometimes of optimism. The aims and purposes of the founders doubted the sincerity of its founders, and at other and those who have joined with them in building up times have questioned the practical possibility of its this important institution are as sound today as they achievements. These doubts are natural obstacles, were when they were first promulgated, May 11, inevitable to any new movement. They can only be 1927. Principles do not die. Practice may err and overcome by time and actual performances. be corrected, but truth is indestructible. ACADEMY ANN I V E R S A 'R Y DINNER

The Academy dinner to be held the night of May the part of the press, public and the profession by 16, 1929 (postponed from May 9), in the supper reason of the gen'erally judicious selections and the room of the Roosevelt Hotel, is primarily for the comprehensive variety of achievements. Recipients purpose of bestowal of merit awards. The list of of the awards have responded to the announcements winners appeared in the last number of the Bulletin. with gratifying appreciation. There are fifteen bronze-gold statuette trophies to be The Ways and Means Committee (Executive presented to those who were given first awards for Committee of the Board of Directors) to whom the distinguished achievements during the year ending conduct of the dinner was referred, decided at its July 31, 1928. There were also twenty honorable meeting March 27 that there shall be no charge to mentions. The winners of all the several awards will members for dinner reservations, and that each mem­ be invited to be present and to receive the trophies ber shall be entitled to bring guests at $5.00 per and diplomas. plate. Invitations with all information and with The dinner also marks the second anniversary of blanks for reservations will be sent to the members the Academy's organization. The Academy charter in ample time, but it is hoped and recommended by was issued May 4, 1927, and the organization din­ the Committee that all members will now make note ner was held May 11 of the same year. The coming of the date and set it aside so that there may be a dinner will therefore follow these two anniversary full attendance. Taken in all its aspects, the dinner dates. should be one of the most notable events in the The awards have met with universal approval on Academy's history.

PROCEDURE OF CONCILIATION

The Academy's experience of nearly two years in CONCILIATION the handling of complaints for reference to the Con­ ciliation Committee has now reached a point where In the same manner matters of individual com­ a more definite system of procedure seems desirable. plaint have been considered through the conciliation The framers of the Constitution and By-Laws were machinery of the Academy with almost invariable able to foresee the difficulties to be overcome to a success. A considerable number of complaints have considerable extent, but actual experience has indi­ been adjusted without record or reference to com­ cated certain changes in practice, which should ex­ mittees. Others have been disposed of by the execu­ pedite the consideration of cases and make the pro­ tive committees of the different branches. Of those cedure more uniform and the results more effective. referred to the Conciliation Committee two have resulted in trials and the others have been decided HARMONY from the papers and statements submitted. In the opinion of many members of the Academy JUSTICE the Conciliation feature of the organization's func­ tions are the most important of all the purposes for In this connection it is interesting to note that in which it was founded, coming under the first divi­ only one case that reached the Conciliation Commit­ sion summarized in the opening statement of this tee has judgment been rendered in favor of a pro­ number of the Bulletin, namely, the "promotion of ducing company, although a few complaints against harmonious and equitable relations within the pro­ producing companies and others have been rejected duction industry." Under the same heading the uni­ by Branch Executive Committees as not well enough form contract for free lance artists has been in suc­ substantiated to warrant reference to conciliation. cessful operation for considerably over a year. It has Also, in only one case has a producing company re­ been revised and modified promptly from time to fused to abide by an Academy decision, and that time as occasion has warranted and is recognized company was not represented by Academy member­ universally by all producing companies and players ship. It should be needless to add, that in the con­ whether represented in the Academy or not. sideration of all complaints the officers and commit-

[2 ] tees have endeavored to reach just decisions on the a more regular and legal form than has hitherto merits of the cases. sometimes been followed. In the next number of the Bulletin, or as soon as ACTION the records are prepared, a resume of all cases con­ sidered in regular form by Academy Committees The advisability of establishing a uniform and will be furnished. regular procedure for handling all complaints was considered at a meeting of the Conciliation Commit­ REHEARING tee held March 20. At this meeting it was decided to call into conference the Academy's legal adviser The Conciliation Committee also considered at its and the chairmen of the different Executive Commit­ meeting March 20 a request submitted by the Ac­ tees. It was felt by the Committee that each Execu­ tors' Executive Committee under date of March 6, tive Committee should thoroughly investigate all asking that a rehearing be granted in a case recently complaints before submitting them to the .concilia­ decided by the Committee. The request for a re­ tion Committee with a view to obtaining immediate hearing is in the nature of a motion for a new trial, adjustments where possible, and where adjustments for the purpose of submitting further evidence. The were not possible and the cases appeared to warrant respondent company has waived objections to this reference to the Conciliation Committee they should action and has consented to re,open the case in the be reported up with complete records of all papers interest of a complete understanding. A date for the and investigations. rehearing will be fixed to suit both parties.

CONFERENCE CONFIDENTIAL

The conference meeting was held Thursday night, It has been the practice in relation to conciliation March 28, and was attended by three members of matters to treat all complaints as confidential and the Conciliation Committee, two chairmen of Branch not make them matters of publicity. This policy will Executive Committees, the legal adviser, Vice-Presi­ be continued, unless action of the Board of Direc­ dent and Secretary. After a thorough discussion, tors is taken to the contrary. The reason for not it was decided that the attorney should draw up a making conciliation investigations and transactions definite form of procedure in conformity with the public has been for the purpose of preserving har­ wishes of the Conciliation Committee. This form mony and goodwill, instead of promoting irrespon­ of procedure will also contemplate the establishment sible discussions, arguments and misunderstandings. of a docket in which shall be entered all complaints Where precedents have been created by committee and the regular formal actions thereon, so that the decisions they have been reported in the Bulletin conduct of complaints in the Academy will take on witholJit naming the complainants or respondents. OUR NEW SOUND EQUIPMENT

The projection and sound reproduction ~quipment ance at any exhibition is limited to 100, which is ac­ which has been in process of installation for some tually the limit of attendance that can be conven­ weeks is now ready for operation. It consists of two iently accommodated. standard projection machines from the Ashcraft Company and sound equipment loaned to the Acad­ FIRST TEST emy by courtesy of the Electrical Research Products, Inc., a subsidiary of the Western Electric Co. A The equipment was given its first practical test fireproof booth has been constructed near the en­ Friday night, March 29, when Major Nathan Lev­ trance of the Academy club lounge, and at the other inson, a member of the Academy, and General Man­ end of the room a screen for picture and sound re­ ager of the Western Division of the Electrical Re­ production has been erected. search Products, Inc., gave a demonstration for the According to the terms under which a permit was representatives of sound departments of the various secured from the Board of Building and Safety Com­ studios. A limited number of Academy members missioners of the City of Los Angeles, the attend- were also invited to be present.

[3] The demonstration was conducted by K. F. Mor­ ter part of the demonstration. The speech made by gan, Supervisor of Recording of the Electrical Re­ Milton Sills on a Vitaphone record synchronized search Products, Inc., who made extended remarks with a picture showing him making the speech, as on the subject of sound fundamentals, with special exhibited at the national convention of Teachers of reference to the human voice and hearing. Speech in Chicago last December, was reproduced His speech was followed by a film produced by for the demonstration, and also served as an exhibit the Bray Company showing the action of human of the filtering process, his voice being changed in vocal organs and of the ear and with sound accom­ various ways at the will of the operator. paniment synchronized to the action. The picture There were also a number of exhibits from va­ and sound reproduction was exceedingly interesting rious pictures now completed or in process of com­ and informative. pletion in different studios, including examples from Mr. Morgan also demonstrated the effect of sound Metro-Gold wyn-Mayer, Paramount-Famous-Lasky, waves by means of water vibrations reflected on a United Artists and others. white screen showing how sound radiates and is re­ flected back by obstructions which the waves en­ FUTURE PLANS counter. The foregoing demonstration furnishes an excel­ SOUND FIL TER lent example of the manner in which the Academy's new equipment may be utilized in the future. Pro­ A very interesting feature of the demonstration grams of exhibits from various studios will be avail­ was a series of tests in which the frequencies of able for demonstrating problems of a technical na­ sound wave motion were controlled by a sound filter, ture as well as problems of special interest to ac­ cutting out certain stages of frequencies with very tors, directors and writers. The Executive Com­ remarkable results. By this means the voice was mittees of the various Branches are now being called changed in reproduction. upon to consider the uses to which die equipment It was shown how this filtering process affected can be put to best advantage of the several Branches. the various vowel and consonant sounds. The voice The equipment will also be available to any mem­ of one of the operators talking from another room bers of the Academy for previews or demonstration was reproduced in the sound horn in making this purposes. In all such cases it has been decided by the demonstration. The same filtering process was also Board of Directors that a charge of $25.00 shall be applied to the sound reproduction of a number of made to cover the cost of operators and electric cur­ talking pictures that were projected during the lat- rent.

IN REGARD TO PUBLIC RELATIONS

In the matter of public relations the Academy has the co-operation of the Motion Picture Producers been co-operating so far as possible with the activ­ and Distributors of America, Inc., and the Film ities of the Motion Picture Producers and Distrib­ Board of Trade of Chicago. utors of America, Inc., of which Will Hays is presi­ dent. This organization has developed the public LECTURES relations department of its functions in a systematic and far-reaching way, and it has been the purpose The most important feature of Academy activities of the Academy to be of such assistance in this direc­ in the direction of public relations has been the series tion as may come within its proper field without ob­ of lectures now being delivered in connection with struction or duplication. In whatever the Academy the cultural course on motion pictures at the U ni­ has undertaken in this connection it has had the cor­ versity of Southern California. These lectures by dial support and assistance of the Eastern organiza­ Academy members and others have been given each tion, as for instance, when the Academy presented Wednesday afternoon, with the exception of March the Sills speech and picture to the National Conven­ 27, and will continue until the course is completed. tion of Teachers of Speech in Chicago, a theatre Paul Bern was substituted for Ernst Lubitsch and was provided for a session of the convention through Conrad Nagel for Milton Sills, owing to the latter's [4]

.. illness. The following lectures have been delivered COOPERATION by Academy members: Still another activity of the Academy in the pro­ Feb. 6, Douglas Fairbanks...... Introductory motion of public relations and good will is an invi­ Feb. 13, J. A. BalL ...... Scientific Foundations Feb. 20, J. Stuart Blackton ...... Early History tation issued by authority of the Board of Directors Feb. 27, Frank Woods ...... Later History to representatives of various national organizations March 6, Paul Bern...... Silent Photoplay interested in better films who have been viewing pic­ March 15, Benjamin Glazer .. Photoplay with Sound tures at considerable inconvenience in the Los An­ March 20, Irving Thalberg ...... Modern Photoplay geles district by arrangement with the Motion Pic­ April 3, Clara Beranger...... The Story ture Producers and Distributors of America, Inc. And the following are to be delivered by Acad- The Academy's invitation extends to these commit­ emy members and others: tees the privilege of viewing the pictures in the Acad­ April 10, William Cameron Menzies ...... emy rooms each morning of the week. The organi­ ...... Pictorial Beauty zations to which this invitation has been sent are as April 17, Conrad NageL ...... The Actor follows: April 24, Dr. J. A. Leighton...... Daughters of the American Revolution ...... Photoplay and Aesthetic Culture American Library Association May 1, Edwin Schallert. ... Principles of Criticism International Federation of Catholic Alumnae May 8, Dr. Karl T. Waugh ...... Social Utility Federal Council of Churches May 15, M. C. Levee .... Commercial Requirements American Association of University Women May 22, Prof. Emery S. Bogardus...... National Congress of Parents and Teachers ...... Control of Screen General Federation of Women's Clubs May 29, William C. de Mille'...... Future, of the Photoplay They are permitted to have five representatives for each organization present at the running of each The subject matter of the lectures, all of which picture, after which they make reports to their na­ have been pronounced exceedingly valuable, are be­ tional headquarters, which are then distributed to ing revised and edited by the speakers for such fu­ the various branches throughout the country. The ture use as the Academy may determine, with the pictures supplied by the various studios by arrange­ consent of those who have delivered the lectures. ment with the Association of Motion Picture Pro­ It is possible also that these lectures may be re­ ducers are those completed by studios and ready for corded on film with sound and picture for future distribution, but not yet publicly exhibited. circulation in such colleges as may desire to present them. MAGAZINE STANFORD Under the head of public relations the Acad­ emy's magazine project has been considered an im­ Another feature of the Academy's relations with portant subject. The agreement by which the Acad­ colleges is presented in the memorial celebration of emy took an option for a partial purchase of Holly­ Muybridge's experiments at Stanford University, wood magazine one year from the date of the con­ which has been scheduled for May 8. A formal let­ tract has been in operation since last December. It ter of invitation from President Wilbur of the U ni­ was entered into as an experiment, but has now been versity, now Secretary of the Interior, requesting cancelled by mutual consent and without prejudice. the Academy to participate in the memorial celebra­ The plan appeared to be an excellent one if practic­ tion, was laid before the Board of Directors at its able. As matters worked out, however, the terms of last meeting, and a resolution was adopted accepting the contract operated to prevent the free develop­ the invitation and authorizing the Vice-President ment of the magazine as a national publication. As and Secretary to appoint a delegation to be present. a periodical of limited' circulation could be of no Louis B. M ayer has been requested to head the dele­ great value to the Academy, it was felt by both the gation and has accepted the appoint'ment. Others in publisher and the Board of Directors of the Acad­ the delegation will probably be Conrad Nagel, Cecil emy that the experiment should be discontinued. It B. de Mille and John Considine, Jr., who is a grad­ is stated by the publisher, however, that the policy uate of Stanford. The celebration will undoubtedly of the magazine will continue as heretofore in har­ be an important national event and the Academy is mony with Academy ideals and for the best interest preparing in all proper ways to co-operate. of the industry and profession. .

[ 5 ] OF MISCELLANEOUS INTEREST

The Academy .committee on Merit Awards is al­ Writers Guild circular. The book, which has re­ ready considering the plans for competition in rela­ ceived the highest praise, can be purchased at the tion to achievements of the present year, ending July Writers Club or at any bookstore, and it is recom­ 31. The new program of competitions will include mended that members of the Academy avail them­ various phases of talking and sound pictures not in­ selves of this opportunity. cluded in last year's awards. This should give added interest to the competitions. BULLETIN DELAY WILLIAM DE MILLE Delay in the appearance of the Bulletin has been due to the Secretary's illness from flu. He has now Attention is called to an article published in the recovered sufficiently to resume his duties. April issue of Scribner's Magazine by William de Mille on the subject of talking and sound pictures. NEW MEMBERS The article should be read with great interest by everyone in the profession. The following persons have accepted membership in the Academy and are now on the official rolls: LORNA MOON Howard E. Campbell, John: Boyce-Smith, Paul Leni. The Screen Writers Guild has sent out a circular LECTURE to its members calling attention to a novel by Lorna Moon, recently published by Bobbs Merrill & Co. Peter Mole, as a member of the Academy, spoke Lorna Moon is an honored member of the Academy before the Engineering class at U. S. C. on Thurs­ and has been an invalid for some months. She wrote day, February 28, 1929. His subject was "Electri­ the novel while in bed and so ill she could not see cal Engineering and Its Application in Motion Pic­ even her closest friends, it is stated in the Screen ture Studios."

[6]

r ACADEMY OF MOTION PICTURE ARTS AND SCIENCES

MEMBERSHIP LIST AS OF MARCH 20, 1929

ACTORS George K. Arthur Hallam Cooley Ralph R. Forbes Jack B. Luden Wedgwood Nowell Mary Astor Ricardo Cortez Alec B. Francis May McAvoy Warner Oland Vilma Banky Dolores CosteIlo John Gilbert Douglas McLean Gertrude Olmsted John Barrymore Bebe Daniels Claude Gillingwater Victor McLaglen Aileen Pringle Richard Barthelmess Alice Day Lillian Gish Dorothy Mackaill Anders Randolf Wallace Beery Marceline Day Joseph W. Girard Tully MarshaIl Irene Rich Lionel Belmore Sam de Grasse Wm. Haines Thomas Meighan Norma Shearer Monte Rlue Dolores Del Rio Creighton Hale John Miljan Milton Sills John Bowers A. de Segurola Raymond Hatton Tom Mix Mack Swain W. L. Boyd Reginald L.Denny Jean Hersholt CoIleen Moore Gloria Swanson Hobart Bosworth Richard Dix Jack Holt Lois Moran Blanche Sweet Francis X. Bushman Billie Dove Lloyd E. Hughes Jack Mulhall Norma Talmadge Harry Carey Louise Dresser Leatrice Joy Edna Murphy Lilyan Tashman Lon Chaney Robert Edeson Buster Keaton Mae Murray Conway Tearle Charles Chaplin Douglas Fairbanks Rod La Rocque Conrad Nagel Ernes t Torrence Lew Cody Douglas Fairbanks, Jr. Lucien L. Littlefield Pola Negri Richard W. Tucker Ronald Colman George Fawcett Harold Lloyd Mabel Normand Victor Varconi Chester Conklin Louise Fazenda Edmund Lowe Ramon Novarro Bryant Washburn Lois Wilson DIRECTORS John G. Adolfi Donald Crisp George William Hill George H. Melford Edward Sedgwick George Archainbaud Alan Crosland E. Mason Hopper Lewis Milestone Paul H. Sloane Lloyd F. Bacon Michael Curtiz Wm. K. Howard Harry Millarde Edward Sloman Reginald Barker Roy Del Ruth F. Richard Jones Walter Morosco Edward Sutherland William Beaudine Cecil B. de Mille Rupert Julian Marshall Neilan Sam Taylor Monta Bell William C. de Mille Henry King Fred Niblo Norman Taurog J . Stuart Blackton Geo. Fitzmaurice Alexander Korda William Nigh King Vidor Frank Borzage John Ford Charles Fred Lamont Sidney Olcott Robert G. Vignola Monte Brice Victor Fleming Rowland V. Lee Albert Parker Josef von Sternber.r Tod Browning C. M. Franklin Robert Z. Leonard Stephen R. Roberts Eric von Stroheim Clarence Brown Sidney A. Franklin Mervyn Le Roy John S. Robertson Richard Wallace Dimitri Buchewetzki Edmund Goulding Lew Lipton Albert Rogell Raoul Walsh Edwin Carewe Alfred E. Green Frank Lloyd Phil Rosen Lois Weber Eddie Cline D. W. Griffith Ernst Lubitsch Alfred SanteIl Irvin V. Willat Jack Conway Victor Heerman Paul Leni Victor L. Schertzin.rer John Griffith Wray Hobart Henley Archie L. Mayo Sam Wood PRODUCERS E. H. Allen Samuel Goldwyn John McCormick Charles R. Rogers David H. Thompson E. M.Asher Sid Grauman E. J. Mannix Sam E. Rork Hector Turnbull Fred W. Beetson M. E. Greenwood Ned Marin Joseph M. Schenck Walter F. Wanger George Bertholon Henry Henigson Geo. E. Marshall B. P. Schulberg Jack L. Warner John Boyce-Smith Bernard Hyman Louis B. Mayer Winfield R. Sheehan Charles H. Christie Robert T. Kane Thomas A. Moore G. A. L. Sinclair-Hill Jack White John W. Considine, Jr. William Koenig Mary Pickford Wm. Sistrom Sol M. Wurtzel Jack Coogan Carl Laemmle Harry Rapf John M. Stahl Bennie Zeidman Robert Fairbanks Jesse L. Lasky Hal Roach W.L. Stern Darryl Francis Zanuck B. P. Fineman William Le Baron A. L. Rockett Hunt Stromber.r Adolph Zukor JohnJ. Gain M. C. Levee Ray Rockett Irving G. Thalberg

TECHNICIANS J. A. BaIl John W. Fingerlin Laurance W. Hitt G. A. MitcheIl Carl Schultz H. H. Barter George Jos. Folsey, Jr. John Hughes Hal Mohr Henrik Sartov Geo. S. Barnes John Froehlich Fred Jackman Warren A. Newcombe Chas. E. Schoenbaum J. Basevi Lee D. Garmes Horace Jackson John M. Nickolaus John F. Seitz Frank E. Berier Frank E. Garbutt Alvin V. Knechtel J. C. Okey Harry T. Sharp Frank A. Brandow Gaetano Gaudio Louis F. Kolb F. E. Pelton E . J. Shulter Wilfred Buckland Cedric Gibbons J . M. Leisen Harry Perry Nugent H. Slaughter Howard E. Campbell A. L. Gilks Nathan Levinson J. D. Peters Walter T. Strohm Ben Carre Rochus Gliese Oliver T. Marsh Gordon B. PoIlock Paul G. Sprunck J. J. Cohn H. W. Grieve Robert B. McIntyre Roy J. Pomeroy Karl Struss Richard Day Anton F. Grot W. C. Menzies J. Theodore Reed L. H. Tolhurst Hans Dreier Ralph Hammeras Arthur C. Miller Oren W. Roberts Edgar G. Ulmer J. A. Dubray Esdras C. Hartley Victor Milner Charles Rosher A. Geo. Volck Arthur Edeson George MitcheIl Harold Rosson Percy H. Westmon WRITERS Marian M. Ainslee Madame Fred De Gresac Carl Hovey Robert Lord Will M. Ritchey G. Graham Baker Winifred Dunn Lucien Hubbard Albert Shelby LeVino Adela Rogers St. Johns Clara Beranger Jos. W. Farnham Agnes Christine Johnston Josephine Lovett Richard Schayer Paul Bern Dorothy Farnum Julian Johnson Marion Fairfax Marshall Paul Schofield Ralph Block Beulah Dix Flebbe Julien Josephson Jeanie Macpherson Ralph Spence Al Boasberg Garrett Fort Monte Katterjohn John W . McDermott Chandler Sprague Malcolm Stuart Boylan Harvey Gates Edward Kaufman Frances Marion C. Gardner Sullivan Elliott Clawson Tom J. Geraghty Chas. Kenyon Bess Meredyth Ernest Vajda Denison Clift Willis Goldbeck Hans Kraly Tom Miranda George Manker Watters Lenore Coffee Benjamin Glazer Bradley King Edward J. Monta.rne Carey Wilson Alfred A. Cohn John F. Goodric·h Louis D. Lighton Lorna Moon Frank Woods Anthony Coldewey E. Percy Heath Albert Lewin Byron Morgan Lotta Woods John Colton F. Hugh Herbert Hope Loring Jane Murfin A. P. Younger Jaok Cunnin.rham Arthur Hornblow, Jr. Chas. Logue Ol.ra Printzlau Waldemar Youn.r SPECIAL Nathan Burkan Geo. W. Cohen Henry Herzbrun Peter Mole Julia Arthur Cheney Perry E. Conner Edwin J. Loeb J. Wesley Smith Davis Factor [ 7 ]