The phonoplay can quite possibly reach some divine goal, but it will be after the speaking powers of the phonograph excel the photographing powers of the reel, and then the pictures will be brought in as comment and ornament to the speech.  The pictures will be held back by the phonograph as long as it is more limited in its range.  The pictures are at present freer and more versatile without it.  If the phonoplay is ever established, since it will double the machinery, it must needs double its prices.  It will be the illustrated phonograph, in a more expensive theatre.

The orchestra is in part a blundering effort by the local manager to supply the human-magnetic element which he feels lacking in the pictures on which the producer has not left his autograph.  But there is a much more economic and magnetic accompaniment, the before-mentioned buzzing commentary of the audience.  There will be some people who disturb the neighbors in front, but the average crowd has developed its manners in this particular, and when the orchestra is silent, murmurs like a pleasant brook.

Local manager, why not an advertising campaign in your town that says:  “Beginning Monday and henceforth, ours shall be known as the Conversational Theatre”?  At the door let each person be handed the following card:—­

“You are encouraged to discuss the picture with the friend who accompanies you to this place.  Conversation, of course, must be sufficiently subdued not to disturb the stranger who did not come with you to the theatre.  If you are so disposed, consider your answers to these questions:  What play or part of a play given in this theatre did you like most to-day?  What the least?  What is the best picture you have ever seen anywhere?  What pictures, seen here this month, shall we bring back?” Here give a list of the recent productions, with squares to mark by the Australian ballot system:  approved or disapproved.  The cards with their answers could be slipped into the ballot-box at the door as the crowd goes out.

It may be these questions are for the exceptional audiences in residence districts.  Perhaps with most crowds the last interrogation is the only one worth while.  But by gathering habitually the answers to that alone the place would get the drift of its public, realize its genius, and become an art-gallery, the people bestowing the blue ribbons.  The photoplay theatres have coupon contests and balloting already:  the most popular young lady, money prizes to the best vote-getter in the audience, etc.  Why not ballot on the matter in hand?

If the cards are sent out by the big producers, a referendum could be secured that would be invaluable in arguing down to rigid censorship, and enable them to make their own private censorship more intelligent.  Various styles of experimental cards could be tried till the vital one is found.