The theatre of science; a volume of progress and achievement in the motion picture industry (1914)

276 C&e Cf)eatte In that audience there were, besides the gentlemen who cater to the public's entertainment, a number of old-timers, nov/ inactive, who had come hither to observe the reception accorded to a production conceived by a real photoplaywright, yet of a type wholly abandoned by the stage producer; therefore, on the outcome of this effort depended the future attitude of the large producing organizations tovi/ard the fantasy, the fairy play and the dear old tales that were wont to delight old and young folks alike in other days. "Neptune's Daughter" v/as originally written as a musical fantasia in three acts by Captain Leslie T. Peacocke. This was submitted by him to Annette Kellermann in Paris, where the famous diver was creating a furore with her dancing as well as with her familiari diving feats. Miss Kellermann was so enthused over the idea that she came to America at once, bent upon producing "The Mermaid" (as the piece was first called) herself if she could not interest the theatrical powers. Yet, despite that Miss Kellermann had demonstrated at the Winter Garden that she was something more than a diver, there was no immediate prospect for securing bookings ; but Captain Peacocke came to the rescue. The latter was writing "feature" scenarios for the Universal and his record of 337 produced and released productions sufficed to influence Carl Laemmle. Contracts v;ere signed and Herbert Brenon was selected to produce and direct a nevAy prepared version of the fantasia now called "Neptune's Daughter." To Bermuda Miss Kellermann and Mr. Brenon, accompanied by players, mechanics and camera men, proceeded at once, and as evidence of the way the modern film magnate does things, Mr. Brenon informed me