The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-12-27
STAR ATHLETES
 ID BE SHOWN IN
 MOVING PICTURES
People to Be Brought in Closer Touch With Sport Stars-Real Contests to
 Appear on Screen

The screen whereon the movies are seen is ever calling for something new to give the patrons of the thousands of picture shows. This time the best of all kinds of athletics and contests ot skill have suecumbed to the call aud joined the already long procession ot other things featured by the film
 The wrestling mat, the billiard table, record breaking athletes and speed spe- cialists will all contribute to the thou sands who have never had an oppor- tunity to see the stars of the athletic world in action. The champions of the whole earth will be brought within the reach of all and the ring side will oe wherever the cellulold strips are run upon the screen.
 The Selig Polyscope company has conceived the idea and the management of all the contests have been placed in the hands of Jack Herman, a notable promoter of athletic events. Herman will no longer have to promote shows in coliseums, armories or baseball parks, but he will give purses for the best and most scientific work that can be had for the films.
 While the idea is new it seems cer- tain of success because of the appeal it will make to boys and young men. It will also appeal to parents because 1t will give all the thrills without the atmosphere of the sporting arena. Youth may view the highest in the way of contests without the odor of alcohol or the fumes of tobacco. Fathers, moth CTS and all the family may see the filmed contests without coming in con- tact with any objectionable elements.
 To Draw on Bank
 MT. Herman will be allowed to draw upon the Selig bank account for any amount and will be able to offer purses larger than any promoter could give for public matches because the films will be shown in thousands of picture theatres and hundreds of thousands of persons will see them where but few thousand could see the actual contest Every contest staged will be in the way of elimination. Winners only will be matched in subsequent contests. No defeated contestant will ever be able to make excuses or explain away what has occurred because the camera will be the judge that will record victory and defeat without fear or favor. The element of gambling will be removed, DecduSe luc OulCOiic IS hilOWH as SOOil as the films are released.
 The grea test wrestlers will compete and nothing but good can be instilled in the minds of growing boys who will learn the advantage of clean bodies and of muscles that respond to every demands of the will. Parents will encourage such an object lesson because it will bring physical ideals up to a moral basis.
 Wrestling Not All
 But wrestling is not to compose all of the idea by any means. The greatest of billiardists and cue wizards will be caused to show their cunning and these contests will have many actual advan- tages--so far as the audience Is concerned before tho meets hefd pcrore CD sfnefi crowd of enthusiasts The spectators at the movies will look directly down upon the table top and everything will be 90 magnified that even the muscles in the players wrists may be seen to move.
 Every branch of sport will be called upon to give up it's best for education, in- terest and entertainment. The purses paid will be so large that the foremost talent will be eager to compete. Golf, tennis, motoring, motorcycling. athletic meets. swimming and all the outdoor sports will contribute.
 The new films will be known as the Selig athletic series, and will preserve un- deriable records of the cunning of the highest opponents of their respective lines. And the always growing crop of new material will be able to study the screen and see exactly what was done and how it was accomplished. As the records will be perfect so will the studies of the younger generation be accurate. The first installment will be put out on or about January 15, to be followed with a new reel of film each week.