Fox Folks (1922)

SIX FOX FOLKS Nineteen Years ot Aelnevement ( Continued from page 3 ) Within a year, with the future of the five and six reel photoplay assured, and with mechanical improvements to enhance their effectiveness, Mr. Fo; decided that his producing company was not based on lines sufficiently comprehensive to keep pace with the development he visioned. Already established as among the most progressive producers and exhibitors, he or ganized early in 1913 Fox Film Corporation, which absorbed the business of the Box Office Attraction Company and began immediately to produce oi a larger scale. High-Speed Expansion The single studio at Fort Lee soon proved inadequate. Others were acquired. More companies were organized and more ' stars engaged. Add' tional branch offices were establihed from the Atlantic to the Pacific. Canade was invaded and branches established there. Gradually the Fox banner has penetrated every part of the world. In addition to all this work Mr. Fox organized the Fox Circuit of Theatres, additional houses being acquired from time to time. At this day the Fox theatrical business is in itself one of the largest in the amusement field, and is quite apart from the Fox picture production organization, although the head quarters are situated in the studio plant at New York. In 1916, the Fox studios and the laboratories on the West Coast were completed and began operation. The following year production activities East and West were doubled. In the spring of 1919 Mr. Fox went abroad, accompanied by his general manager, Winfield R. Sheehan. He extended his service in Great Britain from headquarters in London. For branch offices sprang up in the leading cities. A Fox building was acquired in Paris, and Fox representatives extended in Belgium, Holland, Italy. Scandinavia and the Orient. Recently, branches have been founded in Mexico, South America and Cuba. Meanwhile came the fulfilment of Mr. Fox’s greatest dream — building and moving into the now famous Fox Film plant in New York, covering the entire block front on Tenth Avenue between 55th and 56th Streets — the largest motion picture plant in the world under one roof. It represented an investment of $2,500,000. Its outpin capacity totalled 3,000,000 feet of film weekly. Its floor area aggregated 150,000 square feet. Despite the belief then that this building would permit all necessary expansion for years to come, so rapidly did the Fox interests broaden that in one year from the formal opening of the main building on May 24, 1920, it was found necessary to acquire a ne^^ four-story building one block south, at 54th Street. New 16-Story Buildmg A building operation of 'which Mr. Fox is justly proud is that now under way in Philadelphia. In April next will be dedicated the Fox Theatre building 16 stories in height, at Market and Sixteenth Streets — a magnificent structure to grace one of the most prominent points in the heart of the Quaker City. The scope of Fox production sweeps within its limits spectacle, melodrama, romantic drama, high and low comedy, farce, animated cartoon, news reel; and within the last half-year has come an other important unit — the Industrial and Educational Entertainments Divisions, the possibilities of which are well-nigh illimitable. Mr. Fox has met the need of every picture-goer, whatever his or her taste or mood. His past work gives place tr no man’s. And the broad white pages of the future are lying open and ready, a silent challenge to us all. GREAT BRITAIN “LOOKING UP” A super-cinema has been opened at Ilford with accommodation for 2,500 people, where comfort and an absence of crowding are a specialty. With a view to making this a social centre, something after the style of a Continental cafe, a very spacious entrance hall with seats and accommodation for perambulators has been arranged, and overhead are a cafe lounge and roof garden. Dancing also is being introduced as a special attraction, in addition to the pictures. Now. Fox Folks on the other side, have you got anything to beat this? Sam Edwards, London Exchange.