American cinematographer (Nov 1921-Jan 1922)

January 1, 1922 THE AMERICAN CINEMATOGRAPHER 11 Roy F. Overbaugh, in dear ole Lunnon, wants 1922 to send him back to Camerafornia. He says the fog is so thick in London that his assistant has to saw blocks of it out every morning to clear a space for the actors to work before the camera. Ernest S. Palmer will be satisfied with a few more pictures like "The Child Thou Gavest Me," to shoot during 1922 and '23 and '24 and '25. Paul P. Perry, creator of "The Little Minister," likes to crank on a good subject like that, but if you'll leave it to Paul he will ask the spirit of 1922 to lead him gently into the wilds where the big game stalks and the ooglywoo trails his quarry. You're not the only gazabo who loves the vast silences, Paul. Gus C. Peterson's platform is like that of the late Colonel Abe Slupsky of St. Louis. Gus is in favor of a large roll of bills and he expects old '22 to be good to him. 'Tis a fine platform, Gus, me bye. Marcel Le Picard is not the inventor of the Marcel wave, nor does he wear one, but he wishes he could have all the money that is spent on them in 1922. Marcel and Will Rogers made each other famous. Salvadore Polito, whom the A. S. C.'s delight to call Sol, dreams of a visit to sunny Italy in 1922 and here's hoping that he makes his dream come true, though we'd miss Sol if he went away. Benjamin Franklin Reynolds (that's a big name to live up to. Ben) rolls into 1922 in his Hudson and dreams of rolling out of '22 in a Packard. We're pulling for you, Ben. Georges Rizard feels the pull of gay Paree at his heart strings and if 1922 wants to be popular with Georges it will send him to the old homestead for a season — if Charlie Ray can get along without him. Jackson J. Rose will call 1922 a banner year if his new invention comes into general use this year. Why not, Jack? It's a good thing. Director Philip E. Rosen, like all directors, dreams of the big story yet unfilmed that will give him his chance to win a place on Parnassus. Cheer up, Phil; if it doesn't come in '22 it will later sure. Charles Rosher loves Rome, but his heart longs for California and Mary and it's a lead pipe cinch that his dream of coming back in 1922 will be realized. We can't think of anybody but Charlie shooting the divine Mary. Charles E. Schoenbaum will call it a happy New Year if he can crank every one of the 365 days of 1922. If he can be guaranteed this Charles E. won't even ask for a lay-off between pictures. This boy certainly does love to work. Abraham Scholtz has a dream for 1922 that is a humdinger, but he won't let us tell what it is. Hope it comes true, Abe, and that it comes up to expectation. George Schneiderman just wants to be busy during '22, that's all. Plenty of the kind of work he loves to do is George's idea of peace. It's the best thing in the world, George. Homer A. Scott dreams of a lotta stunts that have never yet been pulled in pictures and he has chosen 1922 as a good time to spring them. The life of comedy is the cameraman's trick stuff and here's more power to Homer's right arm. John F. Seitz is a contented cameramaster. He doesn't want any trips, limousines or anything in 1922 except to turn out a few more big features like "The Four Horsemen," etc. Looks like you'll do it, John. Al Siegler's dream of 1922 is modest and sane. All A I wants is a studio of his own where he can employ all the members of the A. S. C. all the time and boss Roy Klaffki around to hi* (Al's) heart's content. Also Al could use a new Locomobile. W. Steven Smith will be peaceable and fairly cheerful if the Vitagraph serial market continues to be brisk throughout the year 1922. W. Steve is the champion serial shooter of the world. Charles Stumar's dream is too big to put on paper, and he doesn't expect it all to come true in 1922, but if he gets a bit nearer to its realization he will call it a good year. Harry Thorpe will be perfectly satisfied if he can stack away enough in the bank during '22 to buy a Packard roadster, a RollsRoyce and a couple of hundred Fords. Harry knows what he would do with the Fords. Rollie Totheroh isn't worrying about 1922. So long as Charlie Chaplin is Charlie Chaplin and Rollie shoots his pictures all new year's will look good to Rollie. 'S'nuff. James C. Van Trees will be happy if he can add a couple more Mitchell cameras to his string in 1922. Jimmie is a 33d degree Mitchell fan and he has lots of company. R. W. Walters says 1922 will be what you make it, but he wouldn't object to a ten or fifteen years' contract at war wages if anybody has one laying around loose. Neither would a lot of us R. W. Gilbert Warrenton will not be overjoyed to see 1922 arrive. The old year has been good to him and all he asks of the new year is that it treat him as well as old '21. Philip H. Whitman isn't kicking, but he would like to have the boys manufacture more material for Pans and Tilts during this new year. If Phil is willing to write 'em the boys ought to be willing to whisper 'em in his ear. Otherwise Phil is 0. K. L. Guy Wilky would like a little more time at home to play with the baby. What's a baby for if a guy can't see him occasionally, asks Guy. Our suggestion, Guy, is that you cop him some morning when mother isn't looking and take him to the studio with you. Alvin Wyckoff will call it the big year of his life if he can bring producers to see the light that the laboratory must have more time to develop films. If you can do that. Alvin, we'll tell the world that a great forward step has been made in the industry. We're with you, Alvin. Ben H. Kline should worry about 1922. So long as Tom Mix is a sure fire lure to the box office looks like Ben would not have to look for a job. Some of these days all stars will learn that a clever camera master is half a success. H. F. Koenekamp sees nothing in censorship to lose sleep over. Comedies are not censored and Larry Semon seems to be in demand. Looks like a good year, therefore for H. F. K. Edward Kull likes to direct, but he has the old shooting box ready in case he is again called to the crank. It isn't a bad idea to have more than one string to one's bow. Robert B. Kurrle is back from Gotham and is ready to tell the world, whether it wants to hear or not, that Hollywood is not so bad and that 1922 cannot do better for him "than give him plenty of camera crafting right here among the palm and pepper trees. Sam Landers sees in '22 the biggest year in the motion picture industry and that means the busiest year for cameramen. If Sam's vision be true we will joyously acclaim him a prophet not without honor even in his own game. John Leezer sees the big future of the cinema developing along educational lines and has organized a company to make educational Henceforth John will boss himself and if he orders liim self in the set at 8:30 he can tell himself to go jump in the lake without danger of being fired.