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

204 Clje C&eatre plying her with the capital necessary for her undertaking. She built her own studio at Tappan, New York. "Cleopatra," as produced by Miss Gardner and directed by Mr. Gaskill, was surely superior to any multiple-reel production of this nature released by the established manufacturers up to that time. The writer has not up to this writing witnessed the Kleine-Cines film version of "Antony and Cleopatra," announced as the inaugural attraction for the new Candler Theatre on West Forty-second Street, but it is interesting to observe that the latter production has been presented in the West in several theatres where Miss Gardner's first release attracted overwhelming patronage. In one city of less than 40,000 population, the Helen Gardner "Cleopatra" was presented an entire week, establishing a record of having attracted more than seventy-five per cent of the inhabitants — that is, over 30,000 admission tickets were sold. In another city this attraction was presented three times within a year. It is considered by Miss Gardner that while exhibitors in all countries have made money with her productions— some have made small fortunes — dividends on the investment of Miss Gardner's mother have been small to this day, but this is entirely due to a policy different from that prevailing in the industry generally, in that each new production has entailed increased expenditure and above all considerations Miss Gardner has been uncompromising in demanding sufficient time for preparation. This is so true that despite the now tremendous demand for features, Miss Gardner and her artistic colleague, Mr. Gaskill, have concluded henceforth to produce not more than four pictures a year. But if the