American cinematographer (Jan-Dec 1924)

March. 1924 AMERICAN CINEMATOGRAPHER Nineteen Mr. Joseph Aller , Rothacker-Aller Laboratory, 5515 Melrose Ave., Hollywood, Calif. ^ Dear Mr. Aller: Inc. New York, N. Y. , January 22, 1924. $&&&'■ "ABRAHAM LINCOLN" opened at the Gaiety Theatre last night and is hailed by the press as marking an epoch in the motion picture industry. No picture in recent years, we believe we are safe in saying, has received such unqualified and enthusiastic praise from critics and the public at large, as has been accorded this production. No small measure of this success is due to your organization and we take this occasion to extend an unsolicited word of gratitude and appreciation. In the years we spent in planning and producing "ABRAHAM LINCOLN", we carefully and painstakingly considered every detail, agreeing that one of our most important factors was the selection of a laboratory. In other words, we wanted the best service and the highest quality of workmanship that it was possible to obtain. That our judgment in this regard was correct is attested by the fact that it could not have been humanly possible to make a more beautiful and artistic print of "ABRAHAM LINCOLN", than that which we received from your laboratory and which was shown at the Gaiety last night. Again assuring you of our deepest appreciation for your co-operation, we are, Very truly yours, ROCKETT-LINCOLN FILM COMPANY, ~ i By A. L. ROCKETT [}[ q , a (Continued from preceding page) Another Department of Interior plan of practical educational value is one which by its vivid portrayal of the modern mine-rescue and first-aid methods advocated by the Department of Interior will help to conserve the lives of the thousands of coal miners hi whom it will be shown, ll is to be in the form of a memorial to the late Francis S. Peabody of Chicago, prominent coal operator and assistant director <>l' the Bureau of .Mines during the war-time period. The offer of the film was made to the Bureau of Mines by Mr. Peabody's son, Captain Stuyvesant Peabody, who was connected with the chemical warfare work of the Bureau of Mines during the war. The entire expense of the film will be borne by Mr. Peabody. The need for a motion-picture film which would depict accurately and vividly approved methods for the conduct of rescue operations following mine fires and disasters and methods of demonstrating firstaid to injured miners has long been felt, according to officials of the Bureau of Mines. Woric on the production of the film will begin within a few weeks, and it is hoped to have the film ready for general distribution by the Bureau within the next few months. Most of the scenes will probably be staged in the vicinity of Pittsburgh, where the bureau maintains an experimental coal mine and an experimental slat ion for the study of the causes and prevention of mine accidents. A feature of the turn will be the depicting of methods of first-aid treatment by slow-motion pictures which will admit of a closer study of such methods than has heretofore been possible in motion pictures. A United States patent was granted to David Wark Griffith, on December 11, 192:5, for a method and means for taking motion pictures. The method and means consist of arranging a camera before a suitable stage, of dividing the stage by a partition transversely of the camera into a foreground and a background. A window is placed between the camera and background and a removable cover is provided over the window against which the foreground is photographed. Life size actors and objects are arranged in the foreground while small models and dummies are arranged in the background to harmonize with the scene. These models and dummies are photographed through the window when the cover is removed, tjie foreground and background being photographed at different times to produce a composite negative in the camera. The application which matured into this patent was filed in the Paten! Office during November 1921, according to F. G. Bradburv, Los Angeles attorney.