Picture Stories Magazine (Sept 1914-Feb 1915)

340 BY THE EDITOR. THE mysteries of cinema-play writing are often the subject of long letters asking the editorial advice, more especially the query concerning the placing of the amateur scenario when once written. First of all the play must be laid out in a practical way, which invariably means a rearrangement by an expert. The whole subject bristles with so many technicalities that we can hardly do better than recommend the useful shilling book, " Playwriting for the Cinema" (Ernest A. Dench), published by Messrs. Adam & Charles Black, 4, 5 & 6, Soho Square, London, W. This little work covers the whole field of writing and marketing photoplays, giving at the same time some really valuable hints on common errors which should be avoided. * * + WE have to ask a little patience from many of our charming lady readers who request us to publish photographs of Francis Ford and Crrace Cunard (the latter appeared in our July number), also Tom Powers. We are promised them for a future supplement, and that they will be the latest sittings of these popular favourites is quite to be expected. Mr. Powers is not now acting in Hepworth films, having left their stock company. OUR next issue (February) concludes the third volume. A list of the contents is set out on page 3 of cover, and a very entertaining number it will be. Like in the present supplement, the ladies. occupy more pages than the gentlemen, this being a contingency that we cannot always avoid. Pithy paragraphs of the careers of most of these popular players will be found in the same pages, as we know from our readers' letters how this little feature is appreciated. We gave some interesting details of Max Figman in our November number. * * * PROMINENT in our February number will be "The Reward of Thrift." This two-part dramatic production was made by the Vitagraph Co , in co-operation with the American Bankers' Association, and whilst it touches on many phases of banking methods, it portrays the life of men who are daily in danger and who have not provided for their dependents in time of need. TeflPt Johnson enacts the part of Ned Carney. Produced with all the Milano Company's wealth of art, "The Queen of Diamonds," another of our February stories, will be of absorbing interest. It is a play of passion, greed and love, and the lady who plays the leading role. Miss Juanita Kennedy, has wonderful scope for her powers of endurance and athletic propensities in this masterpiece. * * * OUITE the ]>est thing in Criminal or Detective Drama will be the Lubin story, " Thumb Prints and Diamonds," with Harry C. Myers and Rosemary Theby in the cast. Another Vitagraph two-part feature to appear is " A Coney Island Niohtmare," showing how Josie Sadler sees things in her sleep, the result of too many adventures and too much cheese. * * * POSTPONED from our present number, which is already full to overflowing, the "FLYiNd A" story, "Daylight," will be found in the February issue. Mr. George Field and Miss Winnifred Greenwood sustain the respective roles of Bob, and Marie the Mountain Girl. " Life's Dark Road " presents Tom Powers as the lover, supported by Stewart Rome, Violet Hopson, Ruby Belasco, and Henry Vibart. How a father after eighteen years' penal servitude worked as a butler in the home where his daughter had been adopted is vividly pictured, and a most enthralling story is the result. * * + WITH all the triumph of comedy John Barrymore scores in " The Man from Mexico," a five-part production presented by Daniel Frohman. To give away now the ludicrous dilemmas and laughable misfortunes which happened on a mythical trip to Mexico would only discount the interest to be derived from reading the story or seeing the film. WE shall also include the All-British Bamforth tale, " Papa's Little Weakness," and the Kalem photoplay, "The Riddle of the (>reen Umbrella," featuring Alice Joyce as a lady detective, supported by Guy Coombs. * * * MA RCH number will contain — but there, we are getting too far ahead ; and the ruthless printer, who stands sixfoot-six, is hovering near the editorial den in a threatening attitude waiting on the last piece of copy." Common prudence therefore dictates a postponement !