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

314 C!)c Cfjeatre of royalties which in due course must result in a healthy competition for the services of authors who up to now have been reluctant to give their best efforts to the work. The enormous receipts recorded by Rex Beach's "The Spoilers," in various parts of the country, has opened the eyes of the established producers, who are now enabled to negotiate with the theatrical syndicates on practically the same lines as the spoken play producer; hence such productions can be booked in theatres of the first grade, where the local management, with reduced expenses and at least two performances daily, can make a larger profit — even on the same percentage basis — than with the average stage production. We are right now in the thick of development of what is often referred to as "the author problem." Everything points to a division of film activities into two classes: The feature productions in first-class playhouses, and the always compelling program that is meted out to the exhibitor in the nickel and dime houses, though it is likely also that a third policy will fi_nd favor at admission prices between those charged in the two classes named. The policy of the Strand Theatre in New York is unique in itself, because of the vast seating capacity; but the theatres of Marcus Loev/, William Fox, F. F. Proctor, and others operating along similar lines will undoubtedly specialize with feature films at a scale of prices between five and fifty cents. Through the three grades the one great figure to loom up largely on the horizon is the author. The present year of 1914 should witness the spectacle of royalties on every foot of film manufactured for a no