American cinematographer (Nov 1921-Jan 1922)

14 THE AMERICAN CINEMATOGRAPHER December 1, 1921 In Camerafornia H. Lyman Broening. A. S. C, has just completed a short length comedy drama of the days of '49 from the pen of that dear old friend of all the world, Mark Twain. You know "The Jumping Frog"? Well, that's it. Ward Wing directed. H. Lyman says he had a lot of fun training frogs to perform for the camera. The A. S. C. insists that the cinema be known as the Fifth Estate. The American Cinematocrapher dubbed it that a long time ago and it is time the title were recognized. All together — "Fifth Estate!" That brilliant young Chinese producer, James B. Leong, who filmed "The Lotus Blossom," which, by the way, was photographed by Ross Fisher, A. S. C, says that very soon jobs will be chasing cameramen all over the world. If the dream of Mr. Leong and his associates comes true 10.000 picture theatres will be built in China and the pictures to supply them will be made for the most part in America. Madame Nazimova's current production is being photographed with a Mitchell camera made by the Mitchell Camera Company of 6025 Santa Monica Boulevard. The Mitchell makes direct appeal to the users of highest class cameras and is designed to meet every possible need of' the cameraman. The Mitchell tripod, also, is winning its way among cameramen for its efficiency in both field and studio. On a rough location it is a life saver. The members of the American Society of Cinematographers desire publicly to express thanks to Watterson R. Rothacker, president of the Rothacker-Aller Laboratories, Inc., for his address on the subject of Color Standardization at the open meeting, November 21. The outgrowth of this meeting will in all probability be the solution of many of the problems of producer, cameraman and laboratory operative which will eventuate in better prints, the exaltation of photography and justice to all three elements concerned and incidentally to the picture-going public. The third annual ball of the American Society of Cinematographers will be held in the grand ball room of the Ambassador Hotel on the night of Saturday, February 4, 1922. The last ball of the A. S. C. was held on the night of January 29, 1921, at the Ambassador and this brilliant function may be accepted as a criterion of the sumptuous event for which the Cinematographers will stand sponsor next February. This annual ball is to be made an institution by the A. S. C. and the efforts of the entire organization will be bent to make it easily the recherche social event of the year in the motion picture world. Charles E. Schoenbaum, A. S. C, the clever photographer of "The Hell Diggers," "Too Much Speed," "Rent Free," all starring Wallace Reid; and "Exit the Vamp," starring Ethel Clayton, has just completed another picture with Reid. "The Champion." Mr. Schoenbaum is again with Mr. Reid in his new picture, "Across the Continent." Phil Rosen is directing. Mysterious Bill Beckway, the wandering boy of the A. S. C, has invented a small motion picture camera for use of novices, children, amateurs, professionals or anybody else who has the bug to shoot pictures that move. Mr. Beckway, who is not only an artistic cinematographer of long experience, but an expert mechanical engineer, has built a perfect motion camera that not only photographs but develops and projects and the entire apparatus, tripod and all, can be carried in a small suit case. Looks like Beckway would have the field all to himself. Another instance of A. S. C. inventive genius. Tony Gaudio, A. S. C, long chief cinematographer for J. L. Frothingham Productions, and the artist who filmed "The Bride of the Gods," has been retained by Joseph Schenck to photograph Norma Talmadge. David Abel, A. S. C, formerly with Norma Talmadge when she was under the direction of Sidney Franklin, will photograph sister Constance in her next production. Robert Kurrle, A. S. C, who has been in New York during the past four months, returned to Camerafornia in time to see the Thanksgiving races. Mr. Kurrle's last production was "None So Blind," a Fox feature directed by Edwin Carewe. The Ultrastigmat F;1.9 A perfect lens for high speed photography. Prices 40 m/m focal length $ 75.00 50 m/m focal length 75.00 75 m/m focal length 100.00 In barrel with iris diaphragm Gundlach Manhattan Optical Co. Rochester, N. Y. Street Car Ditfinclions (6 o'clock a. m.) THE WORKS Lo, who are these that go down at six With sleep still in their limbs and brains? With dinner pail and hands of mail They clump and stumble to the trains; Unshaven and unshorn and rough Their kits and tools and bags in hand, They turn in where the whistles blow And mighty engines throb and puff, While dawn's bright banners still are furled The WORKS go down to ditch and mill, The levers they that move the world. (7 to 8 o'clock) THE CLERKS Who are these so immaculate. Men and women well groomed and smart, Conning the news, exchanging views, Their goals the stores and busy mart? From sev'n to eight they throng the cars Their faces set for daily strife To battle shopping mobs all day, To fight the mobs for right to life; Those who go down at eight are CLERKS, Human buffers, 'twixt BUY and SELL. God bless and help the WORKS and CLERKS. (At 9 o'clock) THE SHIRKS At nine o'clock the Shirks go down, With many a stretch and yawn, The tools they use are scheme and wit No use have they for sweat and brawn; Some take the unearned increment, Some tell how to invest our wealth, And some there be who plot and plan Our substance to annex by stealth; The non-producers are the SHIRKS. They sow not, but they reap in full — Their harvest field— the WORKS and CLERKS. I Noon and after) THE SMIRKS At noon with plumes and ribbons gay, The SMIRKS go down into the town, They've naught to do but wander through The shops to look at hat and gown ; Or dally over tea and ice, Or speed the hours at matinee, And if they happen to be men They'll find a way to kill the day In public lobby or the club; The SMIRK'S a genial little soul, A Little soul — aye, there's the rub. * Some of 'em go down in automobiles. Director Phil Rosen, A. S. C, is on location in Northern California shooting scenes for Wallace Reid's next starring feature, "Across the Continent."