The Count of Monte Cristo

In Kenneth Macgowen's book"Behind the Screen" he mentions some interesting facts about this movie.According to Macgowen, James O'Neill was the author of the dramatization which he acted on stage and was used in the film.O'Neill received 20% of the profits from this movie for his services and use of his dramatization.Although the original novel was, of course, in the public domain, the Selig version of the year before apparently infringed on O'Neill's dramatization.O'Neill took Selig to court and won a favorable decision.Macgowan's book also illustrates a financial document from Famous Players,then recently discovered, giving an exact breakdown of costs and profits.This was a statement of 1916 indicating final payment to O'Neill from the last run of the movie.Macgowan also mentions that in some old movie histories the release of the O'Neill version had to be delayed because of the rival movie, but according to the statement, this was not true.