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

278 C&e Cfjeatre been wholly incongruous ; nevertheless, the achievement was a triple triumph for the director, the author and the star. But the success of "Neptune's Daughter" was due more to Miss Kellermann's demonstration of dramatic ability than to any other individual phase of the proI duction. Here we have once more an illustration of what the new art may reveal in a heretofore inexperienced actress. Mr. Brenon told the writer that he regarded Miss Kellerman as the equal of any motionpicture actress of this period. In this view the Universal's gifted director is endorsed by practically every New York critic. It will be interesting, indeed, to observe the future activities of the three principal figures in this epochal film achievement. Mr. Peacocke is already at work on other fantasia for the screen and is also preparing "Neptune's Daughter" for the stage. Miss Kellermann has publicly stated that she is averse to resuming her vaudeville career, a rather modest expression, in view of the known fact that a half dozen at least of the stage producers are importuning her to "star" in the "two-dollar" houses. Loie Fuller's remarkable versatility established her fame as "the wonder girl"; now the appellation applies to the one-time diver, now accepted as a truly great artiste in all the term implies. That stage folk are not wholly lacking in conception of the best use the motion-picture art can be utilized for was never so apparent as in the successful effort to picturize C. N. and A. M. Williamson's motor car romance entitled "The Lightning Conductor," presented before invited guests at the Comedy Theatre, New York, May 7, 1914. The circumstances through v^hich this splendid film