Six years ago the total number of employees in cinematograph theatres in Great Britain was about 500. They now exceed 125,000. Their weekly wage-bill probably runs into £250,000 or more. The number of people visiting the cinemas per week must be well over eight million. These and many other interesting facts of the wonderful growth of the cinema are given by Mr. Valentia Steer in his book, 'The Romance of the Cinema,' says 'The Star.' A lot of interesting facts are mentioned. For example, in order to film the Siege of St. Petersburg, the Kalem Company built a bridge longer than London Bridge and set fire to it. Messrs. Pathe Freres employs more than half a dozen famous producers, none of whom draws less than a thousand a year. Lawrence Griffith, of the American Biograph Company, draws considerably over £6,000 a year for his services. Sidney Olcott, who produced Kalem's 'Life of Christ' picture in the Holy Land, was retained at £5,000 per annum. The first cinema play produced in England was 'The Soldier's Courtship,' which was acted on the roof of the Alhambra Theatre. Its length was only 40ft. Sir Herbert Tree was paid £1,000 by Messrs. Barker for filming 'Henry VIII.' 'Quo Vadis?' is the first cinematograph picture which has ever been put up to auction.