The Lakeland evening telegram., 1917-08-06
A LOST
PICTURE PLAY
1t Turned Up
Unexpectedly
By DONALD CHAMBERLIN

pends upon him.
If one desires to get an idea Of the
workings Of the photographing of
nlays let him visit studio while the
work is going on. He sees men, wom-
en- and children lounging about wait
inc their turn to enact their parts
Some are arranged before the camera
court scene, love part, murder.
ANYTHING. everything that pertains to
civilized, even savage life, on land, on
Ne water, in the air, is put Oh the
films before the wondering behoder
A woman is gaping in abandon while
waiting to be princess before the
ing that she is tired to death"-for
the work is dreadfully wearying-and
she must in few minutes be skippin !
about as happy as newly fiedged
bird This is behind the scenes of the
movies
How different from the picture pass
Ing smoothly before the eyes of an au,
dience seated in comfortable chairs in
the theater!
1t is this multiplication of matters
needing attention that leads managers
of studios to hedge themselves in be-
hind closed doors and forbidden to any
one until the name has been sent in on
slip of paper stating the nature Of
the callers business. And if some un-
known person desires to see him to
submit a picture play he sends word
to leave it and it will be examined.
1t then goes on to the file of hundreds
of other plays to take it's turn and
usually be returned after weary wait
Ing on the part Of the author.
Having given, trust. the reader
some faint idea of my multifarious
duties will tell my story.
One morning when sat down to my
desk feeling somewhat rested from
the work of the day before there came
call at the telephone. Taking up the
receiver, | listened The voice that
came over the wire was that of a wom-
an and was soft and sweet
"ls this Mr.. Collamore!
Yes: I'm Mr.. Colamore'
i've just finished a picture play, and
| would like to have a few minutes
conversation with you about it.
Leave II in the office, or send 1t by
mail, and it will receive attention.
Thank you very much Goodby."
! was surprised at being able to
throw the party off so easily and con
graduated myself at having done so;
then turned to my daily routine. The
next morning there was another call
at the phone
"Mr. Collamore, | have some more
Information to give you about that
matter of which we were talking yes
terday and will call on you at o'clock
This afternoon. Goodby.'
who are you, please"
Miss Weatherby."
Hearing click l knew there was
ho use trying to find out who Miss
Weatherby was. did not remember
my conversation with any such per-
Jon. but concluded that had neglect
Id to take down the name. lnasmuch
Is she had been admitted and had
talked with me, what she had to com
4hunicate must be of some Importance.
1t any rate, when she was announced
- the afternoon | gave an order for
Ter admittance A very pretty young
Woman was ushered in, who seated
4erself In the chair beside my desk
0ith as much sang froid as il she had
right to remain there as long as she
lose.
8zs'Let me see" | said to her. What
rs the business we were discussing
bterday morning? don't quite re-
ID it,
I'll told you that had a picture
az"
Now | knew who Miss Wetherby
va. Unable to get at me In the regu-
m way, she had resorted to the tele-
hone to make an appointments very
6Arewd device. However, she had sue.
eeeded in passing my guard and there
vas nothing to do but listen to what
ahe had to say. This was brief and to
the point. She asked me to read her
scenario myself. told her that II
was impossible for me to read all the
plays that came into the studio, to
which she replied that she did no,
wish me to read all the plays, she
wopld be satisfied II would read hers
She would not leave without the prom
ice. and was obliged to give 1t. Their
she handed me her manuscript and de-
parted without a word
Il was evident that the girl wa.
not only bright. but had the goot
sense to understand that her PLAY
would stand by itself and she need
not bore me by telling about its stron.
points am a man of my word anC
detefmined to keep my pledge to her
! put the scenario In my pocket, in
tending to glance over 1t on my wa,
home. I live in a suburb and go hom,
by rail. When on the train l would
have abundant opportunity to do so.
That evening when / went home
was loaded down-a common condi
tion of commuters-with parcels. Or
the train ! took out the scenario anC
was about 10 begin its perusal wher
boy came along with the evenin,
papers bought one and. seeing |