Motion Picture Magazine (Aug 1914-Jan 1915)

MOTION PICTURE MAGAZINE 111 sary? If tbere were no censoring of pictures, would not these companies take advantage of the fact and put out vile stuff generally? It certainly is a big problem, and I am anxiously awaiting the outcome. I was very much provoked at "The Tattler'' for copying and printing excerpts from the diary of Earle Williams. His excuse that Mr. Williams is a public character and that he owes it to the public who has made his success is very unfair. No matter how famous a person is. he certainly does not owe to the public the little private thoughts and happenings that are put in his diary for his own eyes alone. I wish Mr. Williams had refused the right to print it. for I felt like a thief after I had read it. and. being a woman, my curiosity wouldn't let me pass it by unread. I apologize to Mr. Williams. Before I close. I certainly do not agree with Mrs. Frank Berley that the Answer Department is too long. Outside of the pictures and chats, it is the most interesting thing in your magazine, and I always read it first. It is superfluous to say that I like your magazine. The 15th of the month comes only too slow, and I read it from cover to cover. I am sorry this letter is so long, but this is my first offense, and I have long wanted to express my opinion. I am an enthusiastic photoplay fan and attend on an average of one a day and sometimes more, so I feel that, for one on the outside looking in, I know a little of what I am speaking. With every best wish for the continued success of your magazine. The following letter came to us just after the Great Artist Contest results were published, and should have been published in the following issue. With apologies tor our tardiness, we publish it now : My Dear Mb. Brewster— Well, the (Ireat Artist Contest has closed, and I am glad that it was my good fortune to win it. I wish to thank the Moving Picture public for the splendid support they have given me, and I want them to know that I appreciate it greatly. I also wish to thank you for the way you conducted the contest. Very cordially yours. Earle Williams. A correspondent, who calls herself merely "Lucille," figures that Mr. Williams is the best player, thus : A little mathematics to show why Earle Williams is the greatest photoplayer: Good looks = Walter Miller; handsome eyes = Crane Wilbur; talent = Harry Myers: personality = Tom Moore; THE HIT OF THE PHOTOPLAY SEASON "HERE LIES" Is a Little Book That Is Causing More Talk Than All the Scenario Textbooks The Brightest, the Most Timely, and the Most Valuable Contribution to Bewildered and Discouraged Writers. L. Case Russell, the well-known photoplaywright, is its author, and new and interesting chapters are contributed by Eugene V. Brewster, Editor of the Motion Picture Magazine, and Edwin M. LaRoche, Editor of the Photoplay Clearing House. Replete with clever drawings, and it tells you how not to write in most entertaining fashion. The most liberally quoted book of the year in trade publications, newspapers, book reviews and magazines. The greatest obstacle in the way of a photoplay writer is the " Has been done before " rejection slip. It has been discovered that at least 80 per cent of the unsold scripts now on the market were written around stale plots. That is why they don't sell ! For the first time, these forbidden themes have been collected, classified, crucified, and buried in a most emphatic manner. " Here Lies" is written in a most novel and refreshing manner, and the lessons it teaches will never be forgotten. Read what prominent studio editors, directors, and dramatic critics think of this little book : I want to acknowledge receipt of your splendid little book, "Here Lies." So far I have only had time to glance at it, but I can readilv see that it is going to he of great assistance to me. LOUIS GLASER, Motion Picture Editor, Washington Herald. I want to compliment you on the booklet. "Hero Lie-." It is too bad nobody ever thought of getting it out a little sooner. It might have saved the editors lots pf needless work as well as heartaches for the aspirants who think it is as easy to write scenario? as it is to see a nickel show. Tour book is so full of wit and humor that I took it home with me and gave it a place of honor on the same shelf in my library with the works of O. Henry and George Ade. EMILY BROWN HEININGER. Essanay Editorial Staff. Seme time ago I wrote L. Case Russell my "hearty congratulations" on the clever little book entitled "Here Lies." I sincerely feel that she has performed a great mission. My first thought after reading it was how can this be put into a wide circulation. It has been my misfortune to be compellfd to read hundreds cf impossible photoplays and to give a truthful opinion to amateur authors. I shall gladly contribute from, my weekly salary for the free circulation of "Here Lies." It strikes so truthfully at the many pitfalls to all beginners in photoplay writing. I feel confident that every producer shall feel It his duty •o supply readers with copies of "Here Lies" for <hv:ribution among amateur writers. BERNADINE RISSE LEIST, Kinemacolor Company of America. Your little Don'ts in "Here Lies" articles should be a great assistance to scenario writers in general and amateurs and heginners in particular. If your little book serves the purpose for which it is intended it will be of great assistance to the editor. With kindest regards and best wishes, I remain, E. A. WALL, Scenario Editor, American Eilm Co. I do not see why it should not lie of great help to photoplay writers, and I am sure it will be to photoplay editors, in that it \vi 11 tench outsiders to keep clear of the hackneyed themes which stare at us from every mail. Best of all. and contrary to its more ponderous brothers, it gets to the point quickly and tells what to use and what not to, without confusing its readers. Thanking you for my copy, and with best wishes, CRAIG HUTCHINSON, Ki y-i( n< ) Sent, postpaid, to any address, on receipt of 25c. in lc. stamps or coin. Published by THE PHOTOPLAY CLEARING HOUSE, 175 Duffield St., Brooklyn, N. Y. When answering advertisements kindly mention MOTION PICTURE MAGAZINE.