The sub-titles should be very clear. Many good films have been condemned because the sub-titles were either too long or not legible enough. Sub-titles have a reason, they are flashed on the screen to indicate certain actions. Now if the audience is not given time to read the sub-titles or if they are indistinct from either poor photography or a too small print, the spectators will lose the thread of the plot and the moment they do not understand the actions they lose all interest in the production.

The manufacturers should allow a few extra feet to the long sub-titles, to overcome the deplorable practice of most of our operators who are running their machines on a speed contest. If the time required to read a long sub-title is 12 seconds, the manufacturers will give about 10 feet to the said sub-title, but to overcome the fault of a speedy operator, running his machine at 75 feet per minute, the manufacturers should give at least 12 feet to the title. The sub-titles should be of good, clear and large calligraphy or of large type, while small writing or printing should be avoided. When a telegram is flashed on the screen do not take most of the space to advertise the telegraph company and their terms, but devote the greatest part of the screen to the reading matter. The word "Telegram" can be used as a title, but do not print the whole telegraph blank. Have the sub-titles as brief and as clear as possible. If you want to keep your public interested, do not snap the thread of the plot by flashing an illegible sub-title.

JNO. M. BRADLET

Jno. M. Bradlet, "On Sub Titles," The Moving Picture World, February 27, 1909, page 235.

© 1998, David Pierce, on editing and revisions (if any)

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