The Lakeland evening telegram., 1917-02-10
By F. A. Mitchell

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 undulating tracts on the 9th
er. The latter Is partly wooded. part
ly cultivated, and river runs through
1t, connecting several lakes.
Movleville itself is a very singular
city. containing singular population
There is every variety Of dwelling In
it from an Indian tepee to a Chinese
palace. every variety Of fortiflcation
from a Roman cppidum (walled inclo-
surep to a modern bastion. If there Is
anything required that Movieyille does
not contain 1t Is improyised. 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
| It's 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 q
cold shiver
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 a finished actor, did
not produce the impression effected by
Miss Stanley. While she became more
and more tragic, he seemed to lose
force. The real reason Of his apparent
deterioration was that SO real was her
fmpersonation of her character that he
became afraid OF her.
There was another matter that infiu-
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. lie was not In love with her
and could not divest himself OF the
feeling that II he did not respond to
her preference time might come
when. while she was under the power
ful emotion Induced by her part. she
would make OF 1t a real tragedy
Such were the conditions when II 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. Esterbrooke took n
seat beside Miss Springer and remain.
ed there all the way to Movieville.
During the ride Miss Stanley remain
ed In her seat reading novel. a trav-
cling cap pulled down over her ewes.
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 Ii.
Charlotte Corday" 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
tonal part required 50 much intensity.
anu every time picture was made
tnat 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
nave sprung up between the two as
pirants for Mr.. Esterbrookes favor
1t was observed In Miss Springer. but
not IN Miss Stanley-that is, the lat.
ter's feeling for him was only suppos-
ed TO exist by him. and be spoke of II
TO no one. On one or two occasions
she asked him 10 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 hrs own coun.
sci as TO the cause. Actors are ant TO
have hearts thrown at them promis
cuously from young women In their
audiences. and Esterbruoke was no ex.
certion He had found Il advisable to
pay no attention to snch advances and
never mentioned them 10 others
Historical plays do rat adhere very
closely TO history II t''ev did IL would
he impossible TO feat the theme
dramatically In the mat.zation OF
the story OF Charlotte. Carday. Narai
meets Charlotte MT cafe on the
hamps ElFsees an smires her He
mas no si'eech VIII : he sitting al
another table alone 4. lie is dinins
/, with a party whir iarludeS Miss