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

354 CI)e Cficatre time that Jean De Reszke pronoimced her voice unimpaired and her execution faultless. In view of such a proclamation from perhaps the greatest authority on the subject, who can doubt that any effort to make possible the perpetuation of her unexampled artistry will add vastly to the glories of this wonderful scientific era. And Patti herself would be receptive to such a plan. At her castle in Wales, "Craig-y-Nos," where the writer spent a never-to-be-forgotten v/eek in 1904, the diva has a collection of phonographs, with records of all the great singers; also a projection machine and even a bijou playhouse, where the peasants about her estate are entertained. Of course, Patti is always Patti when it comes to financial negotiations, but that problem presents no obstacle in these days. Aside from Patti, there are other great public idols over whom the nations have raved, but who are now in the evening of life and retirem.ent. Lilli Lehman, for instance. As a proof that in its present status talking and singing pictures should be confined to celebrities over v/hom the public raves, the success of Harry Lauder's "talking pictures" speak eloquently. Once more that great showm.an, William Morris, has shown his calibre. It is just such an attraction as Lauder who comes hither for limited engagements, alv/ays going to the same cities that will draw the public in large and sm.all cities. Simultaneously with the advent of the Harry Lauder talking pictures in New York came Webb's electrical pictures, first exhibited at the Fulton Theatre, in New York, on May 4th, 1914, though for m_ore than a year previous to this the trade press had recognized the importance of the new invention and the metropolitan