A normal man in the full tide of his activities finds that a
world-machinery could logically be built up by his profession. At least
in the heyday of his working hours his vocation satisfies his heart. So
he wants the entire human race to taste that satisfaction. Approximate
Utopias have been built from the beginning. Many civilizations have had
some dominant craft to carry them the major part of the way. The priests
have made India. The classical student has preserved Old China to its
present hour of new life. The samurai knights have made Japan. Sailors
have evolved the British Empire. One of the enticing future Americas is
that of the architect. Let the architect appropriate the photoplay as his
means of propaganda and begin. From its intrinsic genius it can give his
profession a start beyond all others in dominating this land. Or such is
one of many speculations of the present writer.
The photoplay can speak the language of the man who has a mind World's
Fair size. That we are going to have successive generations of such
builders may be reasonably implied from past expositions. Beginning with
Philadelphia in 1876, and going on to San Francisco and San Diego in
1915, nothing seems to stop us from the habit. Let us enlarge this
proclivity into a national mission in as definite a movement, as
thoroughly thought out as the evolution of the public school system, the
formation of the Steel Trust, and the like. After duly weighing all the
world's fairs, let our architects set about making the whole of the
United States into a permanent one. Supposing the date to begin the
erection be 1930. Till that time there should be tireless if indirect
propaganda that will further the architectural state of mind, and later
bring about the elucidation of the plans while they are being perfected.
For many years this America, founded on the psychology of the Splendor
Photoplay, will be evolving. It might be conceived as a going concern at
a certain date within the lives of men now living, but it should never
cease to develop.
To make films of a more beautiful United States is as practical and worth
while a custom as to make military spy maps of every inch of a neighbor's
territory, putting in each fence and cross-roads. Those who would satisfy
the national pride with something besides battle flags must give our
people an objective as shining and splendid as war when it is most
glittering, something Napoleonic, and with no outward pretence of
excessive virtue. We want a substitute as dramatic internationally, yet
world-winning, friend making. If America is to become the financial
centre through no fault of her own, that fact must have a symbol other
than guns on the sea-coast.
If it is inexpedient for the architectural patriarchs and their young
hopefuls to take over the films bodily, let a board of strategy be formed
who make it their business to eat dinner with the scenario writers,
producers, and owners, conspiring with them in some practical way.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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