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

324 C&e Cf)eatrc that its weekly issue does not include at least one informing story of film history worthy of preservation. Of all the larger film companies v/hich banded together on one side or the other, none have attained greater heights from a modest start than the American Film Company, a Chicago institution, which has steadily improved the artistic grade of its productions until to-day its productivity is attracting the attention of the foremost literary and historical authorities. The advances made by the American Company reflect the persistent uplifting efforts of S. S. Hutchison and R. R. Nehls. The last nam.ed in his capacity of publicity promoter, has originated not a few standard phrases which have been effective in typifying the company's output on the screen, such as "The Flying A," and "See Americans First." The last, while not new, represents originality in its present application. The influence of Lorimer Johnston, the American's chief director, is indicated not only in the high character of recent releases, but in the "team work" of the stock companies, and the tendency of late to delve deep into the classics of ancient literature has caused more than one writer to point to this company as the one most worthy of emulation. As stated elsewhere in the volume, Mr. Johnston has refired from the American Film Company to become the head of the Santa Barbara Film Company. Mr. Johnston is succeeded by Sydney Ayres, a sterling photoplayer, who, like so many others in the moving picture field, has developed ability as a director. Mr. Ayres, however, will not retire altogether as an actor, though he is succeeded as the American's leading player by Wilham Garwood, long with the