The Meeker herald. [volume] (Meeker, Colo.) 1885-current, 1916-12-23
Charlotte
Corday
How an Attempted Picture
Play Was Spoiled
By T. A. Mitchell

Movieville Is situated In region
where the sun shines oftener than any
where else In America and where the
surrounding scenery is more varied
and beautiful. This city, devoted to
the work of producing picture plays
looks out upon mountains on the one
hand and undulatlng tracts on the 9th
er. The latter is partly wooded, part
ly cultivated. and river runs through
II, connecting several lakes.
Mo, leville itself is very singular
city. containing singular population
There is every variety of dwelling in
1t from all Indian tepee to Chinese
palace. every variety of fertilization
from Roman oppidum (walled inclo-
sure to a modern bastion. II there is
anything required that Movieville does
not contain 1t is improvised. A scenario,
one scene Of which was laid In the
United States senate chamber, having
been chosen for production the senate
chamber was constructed not of stone,
but of stucco. canvas and other such
like materials.
One of the famous speaking plays OF
Its day was Charlotte Corday." The
scene was laid in Paris at the time of
the French revolution and involved the
| assassination Of the leader Of the
reign Of terror. Marat. The woman
who played the part of Charlotte was
considered a wonder. During her per
| formances she seemed to be the person
whose part she was enacting. The
| play had very long run, and every
month during the time 1t was on the
boards the leading lady. whose stage
name was Marguerite Stanley, put
more intensity into her part until her
| audiences were often thrown into
cold SILVER.
charlotte COrday" was especially
adapted for picture play, and Movie
vile was considered as the best, real
ly the only. place to make the photo
graphs.
John Esterbrooke. who took the part
of Marat. though finished actor, did
not produce the impression effected by
Miss Stanley. While she became more
and more tragic. he seemed to lose
force. The renl reason Of his apparent
deterioration was that so real was her
impersonation of her character that he
became afraid Of her.
| There was another matter that influ-
enced Mr. Esterbrooke. He thought
he saw signs that the girl was In love
with him. While on the stage she play
ed Charlotte to his Marat. At other
times she purred to him like kitten.
He was fearful of this emotional COM
bination. He was not In love with her
| ne tl,r
feeling that If he did not respond to
. her preference time might come
when. while she was under the power
full emotion induced by her part, she
would make of 1t real tragedy.
Such were the conditions when 1t was
decided to produce moving picture
play Of charlotte Corday." Miss
| Stanley was on the same train with
Esterbrooke. Another member Of the
company. Estelle Springer, who was
supposed to be in love with him, was
also of the party. Estcrbrooke took u
seat beside Miss Springer and remain
ed there all the way to Movieville.
| During the ride Miss Stanley remain
ed in her seat reading a novel. trav-
cling cap pulled down over her eyes.
When the journey was completed she
| left the car with the others smilingly,
and II Jealousy had been excited in her
none of the party noticed IT.
Charlotte Cordny" was to be a five
reel play. Often many pictures were
taken Of single scene before the de-
sired effect was produced on the films.
This was wearing on the performers,
especially on Miss Stanley. whose emo
tionai part required so much intensity,
and every time a picture was made
that intensity must be excited. This
naturally called for periods Of rest.
They were usually passed In automo-
bile rides over the beautiful country.
BY this time rivalry appeared to
have sprung up between the two as.
pirants for Mr. Esterbrookes favor.
1t was observed In Miss Springer, but
not In Miss Stnnley-that is, the lat
ter's feeling for him was only suppos.
ed to exist by him. and he spoke Of 1t
| to no one. On one or two occasions
she asked him to ride with her, that
| she might talk over such changes in
their behavior before the camera from
what they had been used to on the
stage as might be advisable. On their
return from these rides Esterbrooke
| looked serious. but kept his own coun.
eel as TO the cause. Actors are apt to
have hearts thrown at them promis-
cuously from young women In their
audiences. and EsterbrOokc was no ex.
ception. He had found 1t advisable to
pay no attention to such advances and
never mentioned them to others.
| Historical plays do not adhere very
closely to history. II they did It would
he impossible to treat the theme
dramatically. In the drnmntizntion OF
the story Of Charlotte Coryiay. Marat
meets Charlotte at cafe on the
Champs Elysees and ndmires her. He
L haA No anncch with hnr. Sh., siA4I,,..