GARDEN INFLUENCE IN THE FILM DRAMA 
GRACE TABOR , 
Richness and Diversity of Garden Material a Background for Various Sets Representing Remote Quar- 
ters of the World Draws a Great Industry to California and Simplifies the Problem of the Producer 
fS’W&J' IS no exaggeration to say that nowhere else in the 
Western Hemisphere is there a “ location ” for the great 
motion picture industry comparable in any degree to 
California, which undoubtedly accounts for the fact 
that, though the first motion picture company went to Los 
Angeles and there began work in a studio only twelve years ago, 
fully two thirds — possibly very much more — of the motion pic- 
tures made in this country 'to-day are made in California. 
“ Location” from the film man’s viewpoint embraces everything 
that on the mechanical side makes for efficient and successful 
picturization, as well as the requisite scenic features. 
The clarity of the Californian atmosphere renders camera 
operation out of doors possible, practically daily, the year 
instead of briefly during the few idle months which the spoken 
drama observes. And this has brought into existence many of 
the lovely gardens which are becoming more and more a feature 
of California life. For no one is quicker to appreciate the 
qualities of a garden than the actor, nor more determined and 
enthusiastic in acquiring one — nor more habitual in the use of 
it, which is the final test of both garden and gardener. 
Five years ago it was estimated that the players engaged in 
film interpretation in the state owned more than one million 
dollars worth of houses and gardens in California. What the in- 
crease over this figure may have been since then I am unable to 
say; but there is no question as to the really great sums invested 
by them in this greatest of all investments — the individual 
around. Thirty miles east of San Fran- 
cisco for instance, where the Essanay is 
located, fog from the east does not reach 
on an average of more than twelve days 
during the year. And from each of the 
great companies clustered around Los 
Angeles, as well as those tucked away 
here and there in less gregarious fashion, 
the same day in and day out regularity of 
work is reported. So quite apart from its 
other advantages to this great modern 
industry, the climate of California would 
necessarily draw those engaged in it. 
But if its atmosphere is benign, what 
words shall express its claims to scenic 
distinction? Truly, it appears that there 
are none, for the mere mention of these 
reduces to incoherence the men engaged 
in production. They can only babble 
of mountains capped with snow; desert 
plains; valleys deep and flowery, and 
others equally deep and stern and sterile; 
gardens of semi-tropical luxuriance and 
superlative beauty; trees of every kind 
from Pine and Cedar to Palm and Euca- 
lyptus; pastoral groves and dells; rugged 
and cruel coastlines — “and the ocean!” 
After which breathless finish they begin 
again, emphasizing the immediate prox- 
imity of each of these diverse features to 
all the rest. A few hours motor ride will 
transport an entire outfit from any one 
to any other one. 
'This indeed is California’s peculiar 
good fortune, that its wondrous diver- 
sities are all within a day’s journey, 
practically. Hence a company of players 
with its directors, and operators, and 
group of general retainers, may settle 
down and make their homes — and their 
gardens! 
Thus the player at last becomes seden- 
tary instead of nomadic, and enjoys the 
privileges of his home throughout the year 
MAGDA LANE AT HOME 
Among her Pansies, Roses, and 
Heliotrope at Hollywood, California 
209 
