Motography (Apr-Dec 1911)

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November, 1911. MOTOGRAPHY 245 New Biograph Studio The new studio and laboratory of the Biograph Company, which have been talked of for so long, have at last become an actuality. The building occupies a plot of ground fronting 225 feet on 176th street and 100 feet on 175th street, New York, the depth of the land being 384 feet. The laboratory faces on 176th street and is an eminently dignified and artistic structure, looking more like some public building, — a library perhaps — than a manufacturing establishment. The studio faces on 175th street, and is very similar in exterior design to the laboratory. The Biograph players have always been a trifle restricted in the old studio on account of the lack of room and it will undoubtedly be very satisfying to them to be given greater scope for effective western settings. Melies Dissolving Actors G. Melies has announced an innovation of a dissolving effect in many of his subjects. The actor or actress taking the leading part appears in the beginning of the film in ordinary street dress,, and gradually assumes the costume and make-up of the picture to follow. The name of the actor appears above him and after about ten feet of posing the subject is commenced. In some cases the transformation is vice versa, being given at the end of the picture, when the player appears first in the costume of the play and later in ordinary dress. The idea is entirely original and a patent has been applied for. New Song Idea The manager of one of Boston's best picture theaters has hit upon a brand new song idea which has caused considerable comment of a favorable nature. Noting that the children of today seldom have the opportunity of hearing old songs of many lands, which have been replaced by popular modern rag-time and illustrated songs, the Bijou of Boston is presenting a series of folk songs and dances with appropriate settings and costume. These numbers were produced under the direction of Josephine Clement, using talent regularly employed by the Bijou, and were given trial performances during the summer. Their reception and commendation by the public led to repeating the feature. Moving Pictures at Land Show Moving pictures will be one of the main attractions at the Chicago Land Show. Mr. Erwin of the Southern Pacific Railway states that his company has arranged for special exhibition rooms at a cost of $20,000. The famous "Farming with Dynamite" films, which have been such an effetcive advertising force for the Du Pont Powder Company, will be exhibited. Another set of films which will be exhibited are those showing the big plowing contest which took place at Purdue University last month. The Industrial Moving Picture Company of Chicago had a cameraman on the ground and, despite unfavorable weather conditions, some excellent pictures were secured. A New Kind of Slide The Battershall and Oleson Company, 52 Dexter building, Chicago, has sent us a sample of a new slide it is turning out for hundreds of theaters. The company claims that it is made from specially prepared transparent fibreless parchment which is as transparent as glass and will stand more than five times the heat. The parchment is placed between two heavy mat board frames, substantially bound together, making the slide all complete (except for the lettering) and ready for use. The company furnishes a series of alphabets, ornaments, etc., to be used for tracing letters on slides. India ink is suggested as the best to use in lettering the slides, which are as easy to write or print on as a sheet of writing paper, as the ink does not blur, blot or run. Big Amusement Supply Catalog The Amusement Supply Company, 107 North Dearborn street, Chicago, is sending out the latest edition of its big catalog of machines and supplies for the movingpicture theaters. The book contains 220 pages of information of value to exhibitors, permanently established or traveling, as well as a multitude of illustrations. The opportunities in the motion picture business are described and directions given for establishing a theater or a traveling show. Hints are given on securing capital, etc. Every supply and accessory used in the business is listed. The " Most Photographed Man" A unique advertising idea, which has been originated by the Essanay company, not only offers motion picture exhibitors an opportunity to boost their own theaters, in free space in their local papers, but is increasing the popularity of the Essanay company's western leading man and producer, Mr. G. M. Anderson. Upon the assurance in writing of the editors of local papers that the matter will be given publicity, the Essanay company is offering an electrotype, suitable for newspaper use, with a short article concerning Mr. Anderson. The cut of Anderson is loaned exhibitors for as long a time as they can make use of it. Los Angeles Correspondence There is something doing every minute in this town. It is far from the geographic center of the United States, but it is almost, if not quite, the film center of the world. It is unfortunate that a real murder has been laid at our feet, but it goes to show that the unexpected is apt to happen when a colony assumes large proportions. The killing of Francis M. Boggs, producer of the Selig Company, was the act of a maniac. Everybody regrets that a tragedy has been committed, but that Minnimatsu is demented is emphatically borne out inthe melodramatic acknowledgment in the presence of Mrs. Boggs, who asked why he did it. The Japanese threw back his coat and beat his breast with his hands, exclaiming as he did so: "I have killed your husband and am now your enemy. Take a pistol, as I did, and shoot me through the heart and the account will be even." The story comes up from Oxnard that Charley Goodman, director of the Melies Company, was required to make a quick get-a-way because of dissatisfaction on the part of his cowboy actors. It is claimed the trouble grew out of a dislike on the part of the actors to do certain stunts proposed by Goodman, and the organized to "shoo" him off the job. It is reported that this was accomplished to the tune of real artillery; a real horse chase after a flat-tired car. Mayor Alexander wants the city council to establish a picture theater in Temple Block, where it will be convenient for the censorship board to inspect the films before they are run in regular theaters. The Misses Chester and LeRoy both, sustained injuries while working before the camera, a little while ago. They were mounted upon horses and the accidents might have been due to carelessness in handling their mounts.