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

254 Cbe Cfjeatre pared with one of as recently as a year ago will indicate to what extent the move was justified. The "New York Review" has often had temporarily a film page, but evidently the Shubert organ is now to give serious consideration to film productions in which the Shuberts have a personal interest or are affiliated with in some way, and this will influence a m.ore general interest in the field v/hich has always enriched those who intelligently cater to its m.anifold needs. Of all the various publications created through the vogue of the silent drama none have prospered so greatly as the distinctly "Story" magazine, the first of which — "The Motion Picture Story Magazine" — came forth on February 11, 1911. The idea was original with J. Stuart Blackton, who seems to have enjoyed its sensational success much as the proud father of an infant prodigy who has gazed on the spectacle of the people raving over a new genius, and among publishers the M. P. S. M. is regarded as some prodigy to this day. It is truthfully stated that the very first issue was 50,000. Writers v/ere amazed at the outset to receive their checks for contributions almost immediately on acceptance, a procedure on the part of Editor Eugene V. Brewster that was effective in quickly inducing the highest grade fiction authors to become affiliated with the publication. On its staff besides Mr. Brewster, who has been a sort of Pooh Bah acting in every capacity except that of "backer," are Edwin M. La Roche, Gladys Hall and Dorothy Donnell, while among its contributors were Rex Beach, the late Will Carleton, General Horatio C. King and Carl Fique. The circulation of the magazine at this writing is 270,000 and increasing all the time ; also extending into far-off countries where the call for a similar publica