Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-01-18

The statement made in this column a
few days ago, that II was waste of
time for the outsider or amateur to write
photoplay scenarios for the big motion
picture producers, as not one In thou
sand would be produced, was em-
phatlcally denied by Lawrence McClos-
key, the scenario editor Of Bubin's, on
behalf of his own company.
while this statement may be true In
some cases." said Mr.. McCloskey, " 1t
Is not true of the majority Of large film
corporations. It is unreasonable to sup
pose that any well-managed concern
would deliberately deny itself the oppor-
tunity OF selecting its subjects from ideas
offered by thousands of contributors,
merely for the purpose Of keeping half
dozen stan writer's employed. The anna
teur or beginner having real talent Is In
variably helped and encouraged by
scenario editors, and has better chances
of early recognition by way of the photo
play than through any other medium.
Notwithstanding the large number of
trained writer's on the staff OF the Lubin
company, a reading department Is main
tained where every scenario received is
carefully read by experts thoroughly alive
to the requirements of the company. 1t
Is no uncommon occurrence for hun~
dred manuscripts to arrive in one day,
but SO we'll Is this department conducted
that every play Is not only read, but re-
corded and, unless retained for editorial
consideration, returned the following day
1t stands to reason, of course, that in
many cases n play Ia not examined be-
yond its synopsis. which fact to the be-
ginner should demonstrate the Importance
of writing synopsis which Is both COM
prehensive and brief"
WAR PICTURE AT THE FORREST.
The wonderfully realistic pictures of the
European war shown at the Forrest
Theatre at special matinees last week
created such a profound impression and
were OF such sensational interest that in
response to numerous requests the pic
lures will be repeated this week with
many new films just received from the
war zones, at special matlnees to be
given on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday
The pictures will be presented three times
on each of the above days at noon, and
O'Clock. Close views are given Of the
battleields in France, Belgium and East
Prussia and Russia. The prices for these
matinees will be for the entire lower
floor, 25 cents. and balcony and gallery
15 cents.
TRENTON BALL.
The Screen Club. OF Trenton, N. j.. will
hold its annual ball at the Arcade Hall to-
night. King Baggott and Mary Fuller
are scheduled to open the grand march
Ed. August, Hal August, Clara Kimball
Young and others will be present, with
a number OF exhibitors. The delegation
from I,ubins includes Mr.. and Mrs. James
DAILY, Ferd Tidmarsh. Edgar Jones,
Louise Huff Joseph Smiley, Lollie Leslie
Howard Mitchell, Jack Delson' Allen
QUINN John Ince, frankie Mann, George
Soule Spencer, Florence Hackett, Mildred
Gregory, s. Lubin and Carl Laemmle.
NEW SCENARIO WRITER.
Edith Ogden Harrison. wife of the
Mayor of Chicago, has gone into the NOV
ing-picture business. to the extent of
writing scenarios for photoplays. She
signed her first contract recently with the
Essanay Film Manufacturing Company
TO whom she has sold a three-reel drama
based upon her most successful novel.
THE Lady of the Shows.
Mrs. Harrison has professed herself a
great admirer Of the photoplay, both as
an artistic development and as lasting
influence on the minds and morals OF
the spectator. In every good picture play
Mrs Harrison sees sermon
"Of course, I am exceedingly anxious
to see Just how my stories will look on
the SCREEN" she declared. II feel that
the author who can make people see his
own plot in the surroundings MS nina
has pictured must bring his story far
closer to the hearts of those 1t reaches
than the novelist or the orator ever can.
Children will remember the pictures and
situations flashed before their eyes
grown-ups, too, must be more impressed
than by mere words.