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"The Birth of a Nation" 115 the censors, and others concerned. Thomas Dixon, author of the story, was present, and declared excitedly, to Griffith: " 'The Clansman' is too tame a title for what you have done. Let's call it 'The Birth of a Nation,' " which became its title, then and there. On March 3, the picture was shown at the Liberty The- atre, New York City, at two dollars a seat, the first time a motion picture ever became a full-sized theatre attrac- tion. Even so, it was in for a record run. Lillian's success as Elsie Stoneman was a complete sur- prise to her, for she had not liked the part, and then it had dragged on so long. But when the notices poured in, she must have begun to wonder if anybody but herself and Walthall were in the picture. Their faces together, or hers alone, looked out from every page. From New York, Thomas Dixon wrote: My dear Miss Gish: I don't care to tell you all the beautiful things I'd like to say about you and your exquisite work in our picture. . . . Between the acts, last week, a distinguished young man of letters—editor of a great magazine—found me in the lobby, dragged me one side and whispered "For God's sake, tell me quick, who is the glorious little girl playing Elsie?" I answered, "Miss Lillian Gish." "I want to meet her right away! Where is she?" he gasped. He's only one of many hundreds. How can I ever thank you for such work? Believe me it belongs to the big things in life for which money never pays. I am your debtor for services, for which I not only could never pay but don't know how to thank you. . . . Sincerely, Thomas Dixon.