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

328 Ci)e Cbeatre the exhibitors of film to keep the Ughts on during the entertainments in their theatres, thus safeguarding women and children. Where Beecroft* is now, I am not able to state, but as I believe he was the first to convince an important newspaper editor of the demand for special film departments, it is not likely that he is idle in these days of affiliation between the studios and the press. Writing of the General Film Company calls to mind that not even the prolonged supremacy of the so-called theatrical syndicate revealed any such control of its clientage as that which characterizes the business procedure of the largest film distributing concern in the world. This company stands to-day practically the same as it was at organization — without a single break in its ranks and no permanent additions, save that it has included, at rare intervals, in its service the productions of one or two newcomers in the producing field, such as the Famous Players' output. That the General Film Company has provided ample protection to the allied producers which banded together at the outset of the motion picture vogue, none can question, nor is there any indication of any change in its policy to meet the new conditions created through the quite general advent in picturedom of stage producers, though many experienced persons believe that we are approaching the time when theatrical methods of booking will replace the present exchange system. Others believe quite sensibly that the low-priced picture show will always survive. This view is evidently held also by the established producers, all of whom are releasing as many single reels as before the ar * Mr. Beecroft joined David Horsley in June, 1914.