MOTION PICTURES

by Lillian Gish The editors of Encyclopdia Britannica first commissioned an article on the subject of motion pictures for the Thirteenth Edition (1926), which, like the Twelfth Edition (1922), constituted a three-volume supplement to the famous Eleventh Edition (191011). The Fourteenth Edition was launched in 1929, only a few scant years from the advent of talkies, and was published yearly (with three exceptions) from 1929 to 1973. The 1929 printing included a discussion of many aspects of motion pictures, including some notable advice on methods of makeup--"False beards should be made with crpe hair a little lighter than the natural hair. Comb out well, press in a book, cut off a straight edge, and after applying spirit gum on the face attach the straight edge to the face, and trim with scissors to the required shape." Lillian Gish's contribution, which ran under the heading "A Universal Language" was in print from 1929 to 1939. By the time it was replaced, Hollywood was in full swing and exposition of this sort probably sounded somewhat quaint. motion pictures