Motion Picture Classic (1923, 1924, 1926)

AND THE BEST CLASSIC'S LIFE-STORY SCENARIO CONTEST Cl ASSIC, after its seven years in the motion-picture field, has come to the conclusion, first, that ninety per cent, of movie fans after seeing ninety per cent, of the pictures come away believing that they could write ood a one, if not better; second, that their own story, if properly told, would make a more thrilling picture than any they have seen. This is not surmise — it is the inevitable conclusion of experienced facts. Now : Every human being has his story, no matter how drab or uninteresting he may appear on the surface. You remember your girlhood on the farm and the amazing thing that happened there, that you can never forget, tho only three people knew about it. You remember when you first ran away from home as a mere boy, and the exciting adventures that you never dared tell, that you had before you got safely home. You remember that wild survey up in Canada and the dangers and hardships and loneliness ; the forbidden voyage to the South Sea Islands; the mutiny ; the railroad wreck ; the fire and the heroism of the mysterious stranger ; the curious neighbor that never left his house without an overcoat, no matter what the weather ; the suspicious couple that drifted unexpectedly into your life and left as inexplicably as they had come ; the dope raid in your own heretofore respectable neighborhood ; your own love story that you have never told before ; and so on ad infinitum. Life is full of thrills — they cant all have passed you by. We want you to tell us your story, the story of your life, the thing that has happened to you that would serve as the nucleus for a moving picture. Dig deep in your memory — and find a movie plot, or just an idea, or an incident that could be elaborated into a scenario. More exciting things happen daily in real life than one could ever find on the screen. Truth is stranger than fiction no matter how often it has been said. Every fiction story has its counterpart in reality. Just read the daily papers ; just keep your eyes open and your THE RULES 1. No manuscripts will be returned. 2. Positively no exceptions will be made to Rule 1. Keep a copy. 3. Manuscripts must not exceed 600 words (about two typewritten pages). 4. Your name and address must be distinctly printed at the top of every manuscript. If you wish another name used, sign it at the end of the story. 5. Manuscripts are better typewritten, but longhand will be accepted. 6. Address your manuscripts : Life-Story Scenario Editor MOTION PICTURE CLASSIC 175 Dufheld Street Brooklyn. X. Y. THE PRIZES 1. Every month as long as the contest lasts Classic will print three Life Stories; the best to win $15.00; the second, $10.00; and the third, $5.00. 2. At the close of the contest, which will be announced later, Brewster Publications, Inc., will engage a competent author to develop the story or plot adjudged the best of all those submitted, published or unpublished, into a workable scenario and will use its influence and best effort to sell it to some producing company, whatever price obtained to be paid directly to the winner. \Vatch each issue of Classic for news, awards and announcements. wits about you and you'll find a story in real life — if not your own story, your friend's, or your neighbor's. Life is nothing but stories, true stories that have been lived You've got one — send it to us. Never mind the form. This contest has nothing to do with literature. Correct spelling, a neat paper, big words, style, the proper approach — all these things that have been of importance in determining tire winners of other contests, mean nothing here. It is the story we want — the idea — the plot. We'll put it in its proper form if it proves saleable. All you have to do is write it down as you remember it. All you really need is to know how to write ! Every month Classic will publish three of these stories; the one judged best in the opinion of the editor and her staff will be awarded $15.00; the second. $10.00. and the third, $5.00. These three awards will be given every month as long as the contest lasts, so that your chances multiply indefinitely. At the end of the contest Brewster Publications, Inc., will engage a competent author to develop the story or plot adjudged the best of all those submitted, published or unpublished, into a workable scenario and will use its influence and best effort to sell it to some producing company, whatever price obtained to be paid directly to the .winner. Naturally, if accepted, your scenario will get publicity in all three of our magazines. You are also free to sell your story elsewhere, even if it has been published in Classic, any time after the contest closes. It seems to us that this is the opportunity of a lifetime. It is the sort of thing that practically everybody can try for. since it requires neither education, nor skill, nor any technical knowledge whatever. The moving picture is badly in need of original stories, real life stories. Thru you, and you, and you. Classic is going to supply them. The rules are as simple as we can make them. You must follow them. They will be printed every month. Because of the enormous bulk of material we (Continued on page 86) (Fifty-one)