Motion Picture Story Magazine (Aug 1912-Jan 1913)

Great Mystery Play A Prize Contest for All /jW/^^ v Fill in the missing scenes successfully and win a prize fvA\\ ^ of $100 in gold . '\\ IN the November issue, we published, in full, the details of a contest absolutely unique in idea. "We printed a photoplay in which a man had invented a machine for manufacturing diamonds, which machine was mysteriously destroyed, a large diamond was stolen, and the inventor missing. We did not divulge the facts concerning the crime, but left several scenes blank, which scenes, if given, would have told the whole story down to the detection of the guilty one or ones. The police and a great detective proceed to solve the mystery, but, again, we leave out the scenes describing how it was done. We ask our readers to solve the mystery by filling in the missing scenes. To be one of the winners, a contestant need have no literary experience ; need not be familiar with photoplays or players, and does not have to guess wildly, or express preferences : it is, rather, a fascinating game, dealing with human beings and their motives, which you, the contestant, must feel, and work out to a logical conclusion. In other words, a story, in photoplay form, is told you; the necessary characters introduced; the interest and characters surrounding the invention, and, finally, the theft of a magnificent diamond and invention, are told in detail. Who did it ? And why ? That is what we want to know. A study of the absorbing story cannot help but arouse interest to conjure up what is missing. Its help, too, in writing future photoplays will be invaluable to the reader. One of its interesting features is that the more it is discussed in the family, or among friends, the more the interest grows. As fast as the answers come in they are filed, to be submitted eventually to the judges — not one manuscript will fail to have a reading, both in the editorial office and before the judges. At the present writing, we might state that sufficient interest is being shown to make the contest an assured success. Besides, we have received several hundred letters, some of them from abroad, complimenting the magazine on the human interest and originality of the idea. For the benefit of the readers who have not read the story in photoplay form, we repeat the following simple rules, and print a synopsis of the photoplay — ample information for new contestants : (1) Any person is eligible to compete. (2) We do not insist on perfect technique and construction. (3) The best solution of the mystery is the main essential sought for. (4) 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. (5) It is not necessary to fill in every blank scene. (6) You may not change, add to, or take from the scenes already given: they must stand as they are, except that you may finish the incomplete last scene. (7) The contest will close on December 31, 1912, but all letters postmarked on or before that date will be accepted, if received at this office before January 5, 1913. (8) If desired, the contestant may write simply the name of the person, or persons, who committed the crime, stating the circumstances and motives. All manuscripts submitted must be considered our property, and none will be 116