Moving Picture World (Jul-Sep 1914)

n 270 THE MOVING PICTURE WORLD The Kleine Optical Company The 'Old Reliable" for Motion Picture Projecting Machines and Supplies Still Leader in that Field. THE Kleine Optical Company was incorporated in 1897 by George Kleine, who has remained since then the sole owner of the company. Mr. Kleine having been in intimate touch with the optical business from boyhood and having made a specialty of projection apparatus when motion pictures first appeared as a commercial product, the company naturally included within its field of operations the projection end of the motion picture business. During the early years of the life of the Kleine Optical Company, it dealt in general optical goods as well as projection apparatus; but in the course of a few years the latter achieved such overwhelming importance, that all other lines were dropped. After the year 1900 Mr. Kleine devoted his energies exclusively to the exploitation of motion picture machines, films, stereopticons, lenses and other accessories pertinent to the business. During those early years there were only two other concerns in Chicago that made a specialty of projection apparatus, and not more than three in New York City. With the growth in popularity of motion pictures and the great increase in the sales of motion picture machines and films, others firms started in business; but the reputation of the Kleine Optical Company in its specialties of motion picture machines and lenses remains paramount at the present day. In 1908, at the time of the formation of the Motion Picture Patents Company, George Kleine became a personal licensee, and the film business was separated from that of the Kleine Optical Company, the latter continuing its operations in motion picture machines and accessories, but dealing no longer in films. In the course of time the George Kleine film' business grew so rapidly and to such proportions that it demanded chief attention, and for several years the Kleine Optical Company forged ahead under the force of its past record, without any special effort to keep it before the trade. That record stood for efficiency in technical knowledge, for the absolute integrity of the representations made concerning the articles handled, for the range, quality and prices of these articles, and for the promptness with which the orders of patrons were attended to. In November, 1912, new life was injected into the still sturdy body of the "Old Reliable," as many stanch adherents of the Kleine Optical Company are pleased to call it. In one of his retrospective moods, not at all frequent in his strenuous business life, George Kleine bethought him of the valiant service rendered to his fortunes by the company; and, perhaps, with qualms of conscience because of oversights made in matters of publicity and in bestowing upon "Old Reliable" a due share of his personal attention, he called time and set about doing things. Frank L. Hough, formerly traveling representative of the Edison kinetograph department, and one of the best experts in the country on the projection of motion pictures, and also well informed on all matters affecting the needs of exhibitors, was appointed manager of the Kleine Optical Company. Since that time the business of the company has increased by leaps and bounds. A new catalogue, comprehensive and progressive in its treatment of all the modern requirements of motion picture theaters, was published in August, 1913. The issue, though large, failed to meet the demand. Requests for the work were received from all parts of the United States and its dependencies and Canada. Even from far awav Australia, India, the East India Straits Settlement, South America and other countries came requests for copies. A new catalogue, fully up to the times and listing the very latest appliances and supplies for motion picture theaters, will be out about the middle of July. This work also contains much valuable information and guidance for exhibitors. A Comer in the Kleine Optical Company's Office, Chicago, 111. m