Motion Picture Story Magazine (Aug 1912-Jan 1913)

Great Mystery Play A New Prize Contest for All. The First Prize Will Be $100.00 in Gold! Below will be found a photoplay with several missing scenes, and the reader is required to supply them. It is a MYSTERY PLAY, and the reader is asked to solve the mystery. Any person is eligible to compete, and to do so requires no knowledge of the art of photoplay writing. While it may be true that experienced writers will better be able to complete the play so as to bring out the strong, dramatic possibilities, yet this does not mean that the merest child may not be the successful contestant. We shall not insist on perfect technique and scientific construction. While we shall allow due credit for these, and while we may consider even careful penmanship or typewriting, and neatness of manuscript, the main thing we desire is the best solution of the mystery, in the best literary style. Eminent judges will be appointed to pass on the merits of the various solutions, and we shall, from time to time, publish some of the more striking answers. No person may submit more than one solution, and each manuscript must contain nothing but the missing scenes, the cast of characters (if desired) , and the name and address of the contestant. It is not necessary to fill in every blank scene. If you require only one, or two, or none, to explain the action before Scene 49, or only one, or two, or none, to complete the action after Scene 57, so much the better. If you require them all, it will not count against you. You may not change, add to, or take from, the scenes that are already given : they must stand as they are, except that you may finish the incomplete Scene 57. If desired, the contestant may simply write the name of the person, or persons, who committed the crime, stating the circumstances and the motives. All manuscripts submitted must be considered our property, and no manuscripts will be returned. The judges and date of closing will be announced in the next issue. This photoplay, when completed by the successful contestant, will be called The Mystery Play of The Motion Picture Story Magazine, and it will be produced by the Vitagraph Company, with full credit of authorship to the prize winner. All communications should be addressed to "Editor The Mysterv Plav, M. P. S. Magazine, 26 Court Street, Brooklyn, N. Y." We cannot undertake to answer any inquiries regarding the contest. THE DIAMOND MYSTERY. PART I— Scene I. Living-room. Disorderly, once fashionable, fitted up as laboratory. Business of inventor's wife finding fault with him and his invention, reproaches him with their want, lack of suitable clothing, appearance of their home. Daughter Violet tries to make peace. Mother registers that she would like to tear the invention to pieces. Enter Olin. Mother stops instantly, so as not to let the young man hear their family troubles, greets him kindly, leaves the room. Olin is evidently in love with Violet, who is disposed toward him in a friendly way. The girl returns to invention, helping her father, writes down figures as he gives them to her, talks to Olin between times. Enter Phelps. Violet returns formula to father and goes to meet Phelps, receives him in such a way as to rouse Olin's jealousy. Scene 2— AFTER EXPERIMENTING FOR TWENTY YEARS, MOORE PERFECTS HIS FORMULA FOR MAKING DIAMONDS. Same as Scene 1. Violet and father working over formula. Phelps standing by, can understand nothing, is not permitted to see formula which they repeatedly consult. Business of mixing the chemicals. Business of using pressure of machine on solution, testing repeatedly. Great excitement as the diamond seems to be coming. The final production of the diamond in a slight explosion in the crucible. Diamond too hot to touch, cooling of it. Triumph as the inventor shows a large, rough diamond. Business of Phelps realizing, with horror, what the invention will mean to his father, a diamond merchant. Enter Olin in midst of excitement Violet runs to fetch her mother, and, while Moore is {Continued on page 146.) 80