Moving Picture World (Oct-Dec 1914)

THE MOVING PICTURE WORLD 73 Blinkhorn Goes Into Renting At the Head of the Blinkhorn Photoplays Corporation, He Is Opening Nine Exchanges. AN American film man visiting England last spring was asked by a prominent British trade man if he knew "Blinkie." "Indeed I do," was the response. "And let me say if you have here any more like him shoot 'em over. We'll be glad to make room for them. 'BlinkieY made a bunch of real friends." It was quite a bit less than two years ago that Albert Blinkhorn opened business in New York City. It was not long before he was the president of the American Hepworth Company, handling the output of the well-known English company for the United States. So, too, he marketed the product of Turner Films, in which were featured Florence Turner, old-time and present-time favorite. Mr. Blinkhorn "caught on" with the American crowd from the start. He brought with him a way of considering a subject before he gave a decision as to his viewpoint; so, too, he H^^^^B K i "*»»^^^M '^^saj ^^^ffi ^^^ ■ I t ~Tt ^(■t Albert Blinkhorn. had the faculty of convincing those with whom he came in contact that his word was good — that a verbal promise was the equivalent of his bond. Mr. Blinkhorn has resigned his position as president of the Hepworth American Company and formed the Blinkhorn Photoplays Corporation. He has opened offices in New York, Chicago, Cleveland, Philadelphia, Atlanta and Dallas, and a man now on the road is making arrangements for exchanges in Denver, Seattle and San Francisco. The executive offices of the company are in the World's Tower Building, 110 West Fortieth street, this city, where Mr. Blinkhorn has heretofore been situated. Here will be directed the booking of Hepworth, Florence Turner, Charles Urban Trading Company, Eclipse and Hecla productions, as well as Ivy Close features, the latter of which are controlled by the Hepworth Company. The creation of a new organization is due to the changing market conditions in the United States and in no measure to any alteration in the amicable relations that have existed between Mr. Blinkhorn and the Hepworth Company. Mr. Blinkhorn for some time has held the opinion that the best way to get full value out of films is to rent them yourself. To put it mildly, he says, the condition of the state's right market is unsatisfactory. The Blinkhorn Corporation will not limit itself to the brands named, but is in a position to buy American negative or positive prints of subjects of approved merit for marketing through its exchanges, for distribution in the United States or throughout the world. Mr. Blinkhorn is president and general manager of the new company, and has full control. He will make a specialty of educational subjects and also films suitable for presentation in churches of all denominations. He now has some of these on hand. He said the other day, in answer to a question, that the war in Europe would not affect the product of the Hepworth, Turner or Eclipse companies: "I made arrangements when in London to have first-class features sent over," said Mr. Blinkhorn, "and I hope to give my patrons some of the best releases on the market. If I have succeeded here far beyond my anticipations it is because of the splendid treatment I have received from the trade at large. Make no mistake, I appreciate it." Screen Club Nominees. Four Tickets from Which Members Will Select Officers at Election on October 3. FOR the annual election of the Screen Club, which will be held at the club house in Forty-seventh street on the afternoon of Saturday, October 3, four tickets are in the field. There is quite a bit of rivalry over the presidency. Although President Baggot has not at the present writing formally indicated his intentions not to be again a candidate, there is no doubt in the minds of his close friends that he will not alter his determination, reached some time ago, that a change in the complexion of the official board should be brought about, that the infusion of new blood will be healthy for the organization. There can be no question that the growth of the Screen Club, since its formation two years ago, has been far beyond what its charter members dared hope. It speaks volumes for its administration. The candidates so far named, with the choice of the official nominating board first in order, are as follows: For president, King Baggot, James Kirkwood, Joseph Farnham, Billy Quirk; first vice president, James Young, Ben Wilson (two tickets), William Robert Daly; second vice-president, J. Stuart Blackton, Adolph Zukor, C. A. Willat, Augustus Phillips; third vice president, Francis X. Bushman, J. Stuart Blackton, J. C. Graham, James Durkin. For corresponding secretary, Samuel E. Spedon (two tickets), Bill Barry (two tickets); recording secretary, Dave Wall, Paul Scardon, Fred Beecroft, Jack Noble; treasurer, George Blaisdell; for board of governors (two years, four to be elected), Jacob H. Gerhardt, George A. Lessey, Hopp Hadley, Ashley Miller; Hopp Hadley, Jules Bernstein, Jacob H. Gerhardt, Frank Powell; Jacob H. Gerhardt, Hopp Hadley, King Baggot, James Kirkwood: Samuel E. Spedon, Frank Powell, Jacob H. Gerhardt, Jules Bernstein. FRANCIS X. BUSHMAN IN TOWN. Francis X. Bushman registered at the Screen Club on Tuesday, September 22. He comes to New York at the head of an Essanay company under the direction of E. H. Calvert, for the taking of scenes in "The Slim Princess," the four-part feature being produced by the Chicago company. Others in the party were Ruth Stonehouse and Wallace Beery. They stopped at the Biltmore. The players were in Washington on Monday, where scenes were taken. Mr. Bushman was complaining about the heat and denied he had brought it with him from the Lake City. He said he had been tipped off that the weather in the metropolis was very cool and brought clothing to withstand the chill breezes. He was unprepared for a temperature soaring in the nineties, with General Humidity right on the job. The Essanay star said he expected to stay in New York the remainder of the week. He was looking fine and fittrained to the ounce; but this seems his normal condition. VITAGRAPH NIGHT AT THE REGENT. Under the personal conduct of Sam Spedon, publicity man for the Vitagraph Company; Hughie Mack, Wallie Van. Flora Finch and Lillian Walker greeted a large and happy audience at the Regent theater, Seventh avenue and 116th street, Monday evening, September 21. "The New Stenographer," a Vitagraph feature in which all of the players named appeared, was shown and greeted with much laughter. After the show George Balsdon, general manager of the Picture Theaters' Company, which operates the Regent, conducted the party to the West End restaurant on 125th street, and presided at an elaborate supper.