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

of^cience 297 his style in every particular that connected with the exhibition of pictures. To-day Montgomery has costly theatres of about equal capacity and all conducted under one policy in a dozen cities between Ohio and Texas. His establishments in Atlanta and Jacksonville are beyond question the finest in the country. It was the manner in which this born showman exploited the Kalem masterpiece "From the Manger to the Cross," that convinced the v/riter that showmanship was entirely out of place in offering such an ennobling spectacle to the public. Therefore it is worthy of note that it required a showman to grasp a problem requiring the total elimination of theatrical methods. In another chapter the writer deals with the subject at length. William Fox, though his career has gradually assumed an eclectic character in that he now conducts dramatic, vaudeville and moving picture theatres, the latter have predominated always. Moreover, William Fox is a product of the motion picture era, entering the field seven years ago in a modest way with a little auditorium in Brooklyn constructed from an empty store. Prospering, Fox expanded his operations with amazing rapidity. In 1909 he was already a magnate v/ith a dozen first grade playhouses converted into gold laden temples of scientific entertainment. East 14th street was the principal scene of his extensive operations — the Dewey and City theatres and the Academy of Music were all under his control simultaneously, but William Fox began in 1911 to build theatres — million dollar palaces — and in these vaudeville and moving pictures have been the attraction. Mr. Fox has six theatres of modern construction now