Lewis Reveals Results of Recent Research in the Movie Industry--Expects Pictures in Three Dimensions Soon

"Investment in the motion picture industry today is an extremely hazardous proposition," declared H. T. Lewis, Professor of Marketing in the Business School, when interviewed yesterday by a CRIMSON reporter. Professor Lewis has recently been conducting an intensive research into the problems of motion picture production and distribution.

"New proof is constantly turning up that the industry one of the half dozen largest in the country is still far from a condition of stabilization.

"Even within the last six months, with the introduction of talking pictures we have had a striking example of how a new invention may change the course of the entire industry. Whether or not can as yet tell, and in the meantime, the public wants the 'talkie' no one producers face the problem of whether or not to invest in the equipment necessary for producing such pictures, and owners of theatres must decide about investing in the expensive machines needed to present them.

Much is being said now about the introduction of the third dimension, that of depth, into the motion picture which, in its present state of development, gives an impression only of length and breadth, with but little perspective. I look forward to seeing many productions of the new type on the screen before the end of the year, and the opportunities for further growth along this line are practically unlimited.

Perhaps the most disturbing factor in the stabilization of the industry is the question of the future of television on the broadcasting of motion pictures. There are already several stations, at New York and other places, equipped for this purpose and receiving sets are now on the market; but so far the experiment has not been successful. There is more than a possibility however that what imperfections exist in the new development will be removed and that before long we may give up the theatre altogether and see the latest screen productions exclusively in our homes.

"Perhaps the chief reason for the fluctuating conditions in the industry today is the fact that so many of the men who still dominate it, were with it in its promotional stages and do not adapt themselves or their productions to settled conditions. In time, however the motion picture business is sure to arrive at the stabilization already enjoyed by the radio."