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

of Science duced, as previously stated, in Philadelphia and New York. News of the photographic excellence of the Cinematograph was first fully made known to American showmen through that always authoritative publication, the "London Era." A studious reader of this weekly theatrical paper wa.s J. Austin Fynes, a man who did for vaudeville more than he has ever been credited with and to whom I honestly believe is due the greater credit for what his influence was in introducing moving pictures to the New York public with fine discernment, rare showmanship, and a complete grasp of what the attraction really signified. The many nov/ wealthy magnates of the film industry probably have • never given men like J. Austin Fynes, his brother "Jack" (peace to his ashes!), and John J. Murdock, a second thought when as a result of their pioneer efforts in different stages of the development the trail was blazed for those who could see the road to fame and fortune. When Fynes read the eulogistic report in the "Era" based upon the triumph of the Cinematograph in London, he was intensely interested. Fynes was then the manager of the Union Square Theatre. He had seen the primitive exhibits in the Keith Theatre in Philadelphia, and believed that in the Cinematograph a tremendous permanent attraction might be obtainable for the Keith houses. In the light of after years' development, and the vast influence of the Cinematograph in the amusement field in America, it is of importance to state here that Fynes bethought himself to dispatch a lengthy cablegram to Lumiere Freres at their Lyons factory, and it so happened that the late B. F. Keith was on the eve of