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Show C1ESE TB ERIER " ifVIOTIOfy PICTURE FIELD i Modern Dramatization of Ancient An-cient Legends and Study of Old Writers of China SAN FRANCISCO. Cal., March S. The Morning Bell Theatrical society of San Francisco, a Chinese dramatic and educational organization, plans tu enter the motion picture field soon, according to its officials. This would widen its theatrical activities, ac-tivities, which are now limited to a "season" of about one week each year w'ntn a series of modern dramatizations dramatiza-tions of ancient Chinese legends are presented. Tho proceeds from these performances go to the maintenance of -he Morning Bell Chineso school ? free night Institution for Chinese children chil-dren who attend American public schools in the day. Special tea.'hora are brought from the Far East to in.-pait in.-pait tc them the language, customs and traditions of China. "Here is where boys and girls study the "old philosophies of China's immemorial im-memorial writers, w,hose works ; Ivai those of Socrates, Homer, and the like," according to the principal "More than that, modern Chinese is offered, so that no student may :ack the cssouce of a liberal Chineso literary liter-ary education." . The Morning Bell playhouse -'a hidden hid-den away in the- heart of San Kran-,ciscvs Kran-,ciscvs Chinatown In -Hangah streev a bl.nd alley, so small and insignifi-ca.i4. insignifi-ca.i4. that it is not mentioned in the city directory. No gleaming lights In frnt of tho theater blazen the name of the principal actor or that of the current cur-rent production. Hangah street is so dim by night that it might be deslg- ' natcd, in the Oriental manner, "The 1 Strf-et of a Thousand Shadows." The actors lines are in Chinese: their garb is that of their native land. I Most of the music is produced by Chinese Chi-nese instruments. Not all, however, for during tho recent season in the Chinese New Year, the audience was J entertained between the acts by selec- tions of American popular music. 'played on an accordeon. j The audience is drawn from all portions por-tions of San Francisco's large China-tou;; China-tou;; the bejewelled wives of wealthy silk, lea and curio merchants sit near the wives of laborers; and bankers are mingled with coolies not on th bamboo mats of China, but on rows of twentieth-century American theater sea's. Some in the audience are uress ed in the flapping garments of China; others appear in the latest modes and fashions of Occidental attire, tome munch American candy; others nibble at drier pumpkin seeds during the scenes, "The Roots of Lotus," an ancient Chinese legend, modernized by C. H. Chan, who played the leading roic. was one of the dramas presented .luring the recent session. All the characters, including those calling for actresses, were assumed by men. It was explained ex-plained by officials of the Morning Bell society that there are no actresser. in China, because tho dramatic profession pro-fession is not held in high esteem there. oo |