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CHAPTER LI 259 2. Generally speaking, it does not pay the free lance writer to offer for sale stories based upon historical events. Manuscript depart- ments have libraries and generally one or more readers who search for good material in history and standard fiction. If it is desired to pro- duce such a play, the order is given a staff man, who adds to his technical equipment a knowledge of the studio such as the outside writer cannot obtain. 3. Occasionally a story with a historical foundation but carrying a greater proportion of original matter will be purchased. In such plays the author virtually invents an original romance and then seeks to give it greater importance by connecting it with history. The story of Paul Revere and his famous ride has been done. Perhaps a story may concern some of those who responded to Revere's call. Here we will have the semblance of history, though it is the creative romance that really makes for plot. Such stories are not infrequently pur- chased, ,but only where it happens that a company is desirous of mak- ing a costume play because none has been made for some time, or be- cause the costumes called for are already owned by the studio or will not cost too much to rent. Costumes not owned by a studio may be rented for a day or a week from a theatrical costumer. If the cos- tumes wanted are in storage either in the studio or the costumer's shop, then the production is not a matter of largely increased cost, but if they must be made for the production, then the greater proportion of the first cost will be charged against that picture. The up-to-date studio may stock a variety of costumes, but it may not have the par- ticular costumes that the script calls for. 4. There is another and better reason for the greater proportion of plays of today. It has been found that the average photoplay theatre patron prefers the drama of today and here. Even back in 1896. when the pictures were just becoming a recognized exhibition proposition, it was found that the picture that showed some local spot was preferred to the finest of foreign scenes, and the Lumiere Cinematograph was dropped by one important vaudeville circuit mere- ly because it could not give a sufficient supply of local views. Much the same condition holds good today. The average man wants to see average men and only at times will he appreciate costume plays as a relief from the sameness of modern dress. 5. It is to be supposed that quaint costuming and odd coloring should heighten the pictorial effect. It does, but it has not been found that it adds t© the interest, and the picture that might be about his nextdoor neighbor interests the average spectator more than would a story of Colonial times. If the subject is studied the reason is easily found. The play of today is in the common mode of thought. It requires no mental readjustment. Human nature is the same in all ages, but custom has differed widely and the average man is most keenly in svnnpathy with the play that he can best un- derstand, and this, naturally, is the play that reproduces his own times.