Motion Picture Story Magazine (Feb 1914 - Sep 1916 (assorted issues))

Great Artist Contest EACH READER IS. ENTITLED TO VOTE ONCE A MONTH, ON THE PRINTED COUPON, FOR THE GREATEST MOTION PICTURE ARTISTS Each vote must contain the name of a male player and the name of a female player, also a second choice of each. The players are to be judged from their artistic merits only — not from their popularity, good looks, personality, etc., and they may excel in drama, tragedy, comedy, villainy portrayal, or anything you please. A good critic can recognize artistry in a comedian or in a villain just as in a player who plays heroic or emotional roles. While no valuable prizes will be given, the winners of this contest will be awarded the highest honors that can come in the theatrical profession — the stamp of public approval. At no time will there be offered any extra inducements to the voters in the way of votes for subscriptions, etc., nor will there be any coupons printed different from the one that is printed in this issue, on another page. The winners will receive a handsome, engraved certificate, but nothing more; hence there will be no incentive to unusual personal interest by the players or companies. The first prize for ladies will be awarded to that female player who receives the largest number of votes, and the first prize for men will be awarded to that male player who receives the largest number of votes. Furthermore, we intend that the most popular "team" shall play in a great drama to be written especially for them by our readers. This will be accomplished in this way: it will readily be seen that the winning female player may not belong to the same company as the winner of the male prize, and it might be impossible to bring them together; hence, we may have to select the second player of the winning team from the same company in which the winner plays. Thus, if Earle Williams is declared the greatest male artist, the female player of the same company having the greatest number of votes will be elected to play with him in the One Hundred Dollar Prize Photoplay in which the winning team is to play. After this contest has run for two or three months, we shall offer a prize of one hundred dollars for the best scenario, and the story of the same will be published in this magazine. Do not send in your scenario yet! Due announcement will be made concerning this phase of the contest, which is in reality another contest entirely. You may vote, whether you compete for the scenario prizes or not. We shall select, say, twen.y of the best scenarios and submit them as "Prize Scenarios" to the different companies, offering th~-m at "usual rates," in which their players who receive the highest number of votes shall play, and the amount received will be awarded to the writers of the scenarios. Thus, there will probably be twenty prizes or more instead of one. The Photoplay Clearing House and the Scenario Department of the winning company will act as the judges. Thus, if Ormi Hawley and Arthur Johnson should win first prize, the Lubin Company are to have these players play in the prize play. And if James Cruze and Marguerite Snow should be next highest, the Thanhouser Company may have second choice out of many thousand selected scenarios, and that company may choose a play at its own price in which to feature those players. But, just now, you are concerned only in the contest of determining who are the greatest Motion Picture artists. Not only will a specially selected and admirable play be used as the medium to present the Greatest Artists as such to ihe public, but the studios, the newspapers at large, the theatrical reviews and the Motion Picture Magazine will unite properly to feature them and to perpetuate a record of their talent. Please send in your votes at once. Find the coupon on another page, fill it out and mail it to "Great Artist Editor, 175 Duffield Street, Brooklyn, N. Y." Tou may enclose two or more coupons in one envelope, provided each is signed by a different person. Nothing but coupons will be counted! Remember that you may vote for child players, old men players, comedians, character players, or any other kind, and it is not necessary that they now play leading parts. If any of these win we shall see that they get leading parts. Dont forget that a great play could be written for such unlike players as John Bunny and Alice Joyce, or for Yale Boss and W. Christie Miller! Send in your votes now! For result up to date, see page 128.