The theatre of science; a volume of progress and achievement in the motion picture industry (1914)

214 Cbe Cfjeatre It was in the releases of this brand of films that the sterling art of Edwin S. Porter was acknowledged, though this early pioneer in the industry had distinguished himself long before the days of Rex. It was Porter who was responsible for the high grade conduct of the Eden Musee in the late 90's when the cinematograph was established as a permanent feature there. Associated with Mr. Porter in those days was Francis B. Cannock, and the superior projection of films at the Eden Musee attracted the attention of any number of artists and stage stars bent upon utilizing the genius of such men to evolve a greater field for their own efforts. About this time, the late Henry Lee v/as appearing at the Eden Musee and to the writer he never tired of eulogizing the work of Porter and Cannock. The latter I often met in Lee's apartment at Reisenweber's. Lee finally engaged him to assum,e complete charge of the pictorial side of what v/as unquestionably a remarkable production, far ahead of the tim.es. Lee was an artist to his finger tips, but of business he knew absolutely nothing, and before I could exert my influence to check his wild enthusiasm, he becam.e hopelessly involved financially. These were not the days of confidence in m.oving picture undertakings, and I advised Lee to preserve his vaudeville status and net sacrifice the $500 a week that was his for the asking to finance a project wholly uncertain as to the outcome. But Lee, the dreamer, was not to be influenced. Cannock was at this time considered the best operator in the entire field. His contract with Lee called for a salary in excess of $100 a week and he was worth every penny of it, but despite the most ambitious en