The Film Daily (1939)

1MI DAILY Tuesday, September 26, 193 Industry's Leaders Pay Tribute to Carl Laemmle, Sr 'Services Were Distinguished,' Says Will H. Hays, MPPDA Prexy Industry leaders and figures associated with him in the development of film biz yesterday joined in expressions of grief on the passing of Carl Laemmle, Sr., former president of Universal. Many in the trade first learned of Laemmle' s death yesterday through THE FILM DAILY, which exclusively carried a Coast wire story. Typical of the tributes paid were these : Will H. Hays: "In almost threequarters of a century, Carl Laemmle traveled far. He crossed the Atlantic to the United States to become a fine American citizen. He crossed the United States to the Pacific to become a great distributor and a producer who helped set the motion picture stars in their courses. "Now Uncle C rl has started on a longer journey 10 a land no man knows, but we do know that he will find friends there. In his long journey from life until death, he never traveled anywhere without making or finding a friend. "The services of Carl Laemmle to the motion picture industry were distinguished. He had courage and vision and he kept his honor bright. He fought for what he believed to be right and kept his plighted word. He gave more than he asked. His friendship braved the storm. "Carl Laemmle had and deserved the deep personal affection of all who knew him. He was a little man who was big enough to fill our hearts. His death is a public and a personal loss." Nicholas M. Schenck: "Carl Laemmle made a great contribution to the industry and he also made friends of all who knew him. I was proud to be among them." Barney Balaban: "The death of Carl Laemmle marks the passing of one of the true pioneers of motion pictures — the men of vision, daring and enterprise who founded the industry and guided it through the troubled early years of its existence. The entire film industry mourns his passing and honors his memory." Sidney R. Kent: "The passing of Carl Laemmle, Sr., was a deep shock to all of those who knew and appreciated his contributions to the motion picture industry." Harry M. Warner: "The passing of Carl Laemmle is indeed a sad blow to the industry in which he was a pioneer. We shall miss him greatly." David O. Selznick: "The passing of Carl Laemmle is a source of great sorrow to all who grew up in the picture business and knew him as one of the great and best beloved pioneers." James R. Grainger: "It is difficult for me to put into words what I feel regarding the loss of the beloved Carl Laemmle. It was my great IBfif Qkrl gammlg 1930 (Continued from Page 1) nificently in the development of the industry's business structure and its cultural and art values. It was Carl Laemmle who was responsible for breaking the stranglehold of the Motion Picture Patents Company after a costly three-year fight; it was Carl Laemmle who early foresaw the importance of the film exchange; it was Carl Laemmle who stripped the anonymity from Mary Pickford; it was Carl Laemmle who fostered the "star" system; it was Carl Laemmle who gave impetus to the feature and to top budget pictures. And these are only a few of the highlights of a career that, spanning three decades, saw the motion picture soar from obscurity to its present imposing state. Yet despite success and its accompanying handsome rewards, Carl Laemmle kept what Kipling has so well described as the common touch. To innumerable thousands, he was always "Uncle Carl," and the affectionate regard thus expressed explains why Laemmle, the man, as well as Laemmle, the film mgnate, is so well remembered, so sincerely mourned. In the conclusion of his Laemmle biography, the late John Drinkwater, quoting Lincoln's words that "I do the very best I know how, the very best I can; and I mean to keep doing so until the end," added, "Uncle Carl, too, will keep on doing that until the end." It was a prophecy fulfilled. — BAHN. privilege to have worked for this benevolent gentleman who gave so much to the motion picture industry. I also knew him as a friend, and, like others who knew him, or felt his influence, will remember him always for the wholesome, kindly and sincere person that he was." Murray Silverstone: "To his family and to the industry Carl Laemmle made his life's work, I offer deep and sincere condolences. He was a pioneer, with a brave, adventurous spirit. I think this industry is much greater and owes much to the life and the work of Carl Laemmle." W. Ray Johnston: "Death of Carl Laemmle marks the passing of a great figure of our industry. His career summarized in many respects the evolution of motion pictures. Although he had retired from active participation in the business, he has left an unmistakable and lasting impression on it." Joseph M. Schenck (Wired from Mexico City) : "The passing of Carl Laemmle was a shock and a great loss to the motion picture industry. Carl Laemmle was more than a pioneer, he was a builder. A kind, gentle man, he fought for the industry at a time when it was weak and shackled, and, due to his courage and independence, the fight that was of nation-wide importance in its time was won. Laemmle was a friendly man, and it is in that character even more than in his leadership that Hollywood will remember him, for he never turned a deaf ear to misfortune and his benign generosities will never be forgotten in this generation because they were so wide spread. The whole world of motion picture industry must mourn the loss of Carl Laemmle, but in Hollywood where he lived and worked his memory will be enshrined." Louis B. Mayer: "Is it possible that 'Uncle Carl' has crossed to the Great Beyond? This great pioneer played an important part in the development of our industry from the time pictures were being made for nickelodeons to this day when they have reached their important position in the cinema theaters of the world. Carl Laemmle was loved by countless numbers to whom he was so sympathetic and helpful, and I know that a great many in the industry will feel a deep personal loss in his passing. I am confident that the heartfelt sympathy of everyone connected with motion pictures in California and elsewhere goes to members of his immediate family to whom he was so devoted." Nathan D. Golden: "Carl Laemmle was a pioneer. There is no question of that. He contributed considerably to the industry as it now exists today. His death will be mourned throughout the industry." R. H. and P. D. Cochrane: "We were terribly shocked to hear the news of Carl Laemmle's death over the radio. We have lost a great friend. The industry has lost a leader who can never be replaced." Pandro S. Berman: "While Carl Laemmle has been inactive for several years his influence still was tremendous in Hollywood and the industry will miss him." J. Robert Rubin: "The business is better for Carl having been in it." "Feeling Pretty Good," Wrote Laemmle Friday What was one of the last, and possibly the very last, letter written by Carl Laemmle, Sr., was received yesterday morning in New York by Michael Mindlin, film industry veteran. The missive was postmarked in California on Friday, last, and the concluding paragraph read: "I am feeling pretty good these days. We have had some of the hottest weather this city has experienced in 26 years. As I have been confining myself to my air-cooled room at home, working and dining there as well as sleeping, I have not inconvenienced myself because of the humid weather. With kindest holiday greetings, I remain, Sincerely yours, (signed) Carl Laemmle." "He Made Friends of All Wh Knew Him," Declares Nicholas M. Schenck George J. Schaefer: "Carl Laemn le helped to mould the f~^t hat century of the motion pictil )indui try. Almost from its beginning r. was a vital force in it and his coi|fea tribution to its progress were many Jules Levy : "Carl Laemmle ha 'avl the vision of a pioneer and the com age of a builder." Maj. Albert Warner: "It has bee my privilege to know Carl Laemml for many years and it is with dee sorrow that I join the motion pictur£ industry in mourning the loss of on j, of its foremost pioneers and belove jrodi personalities. He contributed mor Laem than his share towards the grea strides this industry has made sincpsti its early inception." Herman Wobber: "It was with thfkt deepest regret that the industr; BI) learned of the death of Carl Laemm le, Sr., whose warm, human friend ship was enjoyed by so many. Spyros Skouras: "The motion pic ture industry has lost not only pioneer but also one of its kindlies figures in the passing of Cai Laemmle, Sr." esd fnai kbl Lai lack itj l1 A I 'T just Jack L. Warner: "Death has re moved one of the industry's trul; great figures in the passing of Car Laemmle. It is a severe loss fo thousands who knew him and re garded him with great affection." Phil Reisman: "Carl Laemmle' constant contact with the details o: not only production but distributioi is probably one of the reasons for hii long success in the picture business He was one of the great believers ii publicity and advertising, man} times spending as much on an ad vertising campaign as pictures o: similar type grosses. He had un canny judgment in" selecting at leas one or two outstanding stories oi plays each year and when he re signed from the industry, it was i distinct loss to the picture business.' Jack Cohn: "Having started mj motion picture career 30 years age in close association with Carl Laemm le, Sr., I feel qualified to say tha he was directly responsible for th( remarkable development of our in dustry. He had great foresight anc unlimited courage. I feel a greal personal loss in the passing of Car Laemmle and was shocked beyonc words when I heard of it." Ned E. Depinet: "Having workec for Universal from its organization until 1924, I had the opportunity tc personally know of the great leader ship of Carl Laemmle and to respeel and admire his undaunted spirit and courage." Gradwell L. Sears: "I was pro foundly shocked to learn of Car' Laemmle's death. A pioneer, a humanitarian, and a grand old man 01 the motion picture industry, he wil always be remembered as such."