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

of Science 203 ulating and providing incentive for others of her sex to enter the producing field. Miss Gardner was a Vitagraph player at the outset of her film career, and some of her portrayals even nov7 are often discussed in the trade press. One of these — that of Becky Sharp in "Vanity Fair" — aroused no little controversy. And comparisons with Mrs. Fiske's stage portrayal were inevitable. As Mrs. Fiske is expected to assume this role in a "Famous Players" production, those who recall Miss Gardner's forceful performance will have an opportunity to decide the question. A memory of Mrs. Fiske's Tess, which Lawrence McCloskey pronounced as beyond criticism, will create added interest in the revival. But it is not so much Miss Gardner's personal success as a photoplayer that has caused her name to become one to conjure with. The remarkable history of moving pictures, replete as it is with amazing achievements, presents no instance of higher ideals, persistency, and independent spirit than have characterized this woman's effort to accomplish a worthy task — a task, too, in which she has from the outset met opposition at almost every turn. Why Miss Gardner left the Vitagraph Company has never been explained. The lady herself says she was discharged because of rumors prevailing that she was about to become an independent producer. This she emphatically denies, but admits that within an hour after departing from the Vitagraph Studio with the aid of Charles L. Gaskill she was laying plans for an elaborate production of "Cleopatra." This project, though conceived and accomplished but two years ago, was regarded at that time by producers and exhibitors as wholly ill-advised. Miss Gardner did not seek outside aid of any sort, her mother sup