Motion Picture News (Jul-Aug 1916)

404 MOTION PICTURE NEWS Vol. 14. No. 3 In the five and a half acres of ground of the Horsley plant, there is room for improvements as they may be required and it is the plan of Mr. Horsley to extend his plant at another great output during the ensuing year. The production staff consists of three companies, two of which are engaged in the filming of dramas, and are under the direction of Charles Swickard and Robert Broadwell, with William Clifford and Margaret Gibson, Crane Wilbur and May Gaston. The third company producing Cub Comedies features George Ovey. Milton H. Farhney is director, and has written all of his own scenarios. John Jasper is business manager, and Carlyle Robinson is in charge of the publicity. Vogue Films, Inc., Successful Comedy Company A most successful of the recently organized companies is that known as Vogue Films, Inc., which has a studio on Santa Monica boulevard, near Cower street. The company was organized in October of last year, with S. S. Hutchinson, chairman of board of directors, and Joseph Finn, president. J. R. Crone was selected as manager of the studio, and the organization's first producing company began work at the Signal studio. There, after two months, more space was needed, and the present quarters were secured. A second company was added at this time, and up until the first of June, the two directors filmed one-reel comedies on an average of one a week. Since then the companies have been alternating in the production of a two-reel comedy. The producing staft' includes Rube Miller, who in addition to directing, plays comedian parts ; Owen Evans, Ward McAllister, Lillian Hamilton, and Director Henry Kernen, who has as his principals, Ben Turpin, Paddy Maguire, Gipsy Abbott and Arthur Moon. The companies are now kept busy continuously filming Lonesome Luke and another series of comedies for Pathe Exchanges at the Rolin Film Company's new studio, built this year on Santa Monica boulevard. The producing plant is in every way modern, has a stage 100 by 190 feet, with twenty-five-foot diffusing system, and was built under the personal supervision of Hal. E. Roach, president and director for the company, and Dwight Whiting, treasurer and manager. The principal players of the organization are Harold Lloyd, Bebe Daniels, Harry Pollard and Joe Pratt. The photography is in charge of James Crosby. The Rolin Company started from a very small beginning, and by establishing a reputation of producing fast moving laughmakers, has gained a very enviable position in filmdom. Much of the credit for this success must be attributed to the persistent and untiring efforts of Director Roach. An important addition to the Los Angeles producing field is the National Drama Corporation, of which Thomas Dixon is director and general manager; P. G. Gould, Jr., president; W. R. Perkins, vice-president, and W. C. Burn, business manager. The company was organized in New York for the purpose of filming the novels of j\Ir. Dixon. Late last fall, property in Hollywood was purchased, and while the studios, office buildings and laboratories were being constructed, the company filmed the exteriors for the first feature. " The Fall of a Nation," which was recently given its premier in New York. The plant covers more than a half block, and is modernly equipped in every respect. The company maintains no regular stock of players. At the present time the plant is busy in the making of twenty copies of The Fall of a Nation," which will shortly have openings in all sections of the country. William C. Thompson is in charge of the photography of the company, George H. Percival is art director, and Bartley Gushing, producing director. Early in the fall, Mr. Dixon will begin the filming of another of his stories. Clime to Make Only Large Subjects One twelve-reel subject, " Ramona," from the book of the same name, has been made by the Clune Film Producing Company, organized early last year, for the sole purpose of making large subjects to be released as theatrical attractions. The plant is located on J^Ielrose avenue in Hollywood, and was originally built by the Fiction Pictures Corporation. The studio grounds include practically all of a block, with large stages and adequate laboratories and mills. Lloyd Brown is manager of production ; Donald Crisp, director, and Monroe Lathrop is manager of publicity. ■ Located in a secluded part of Hollywood, away from the din of street cars and honking traffic, is the studio of the Lone Star Film Corporation, where Mutual-Chaplin comedies are made. The quiet that prevails about the plant at all times, would not go a long way toward convincing the passer-by that stormy comedies are made there. H. P. Caulfield is manager, Charlie Chaplin writes his own scenarios, and directs his own scenes, aided by Vincent Bryan, song writer. The stock company includes Edna Purviance, Charlotte Mineau, Eric Campbell, Leo White, Lloyd Bacon, Albert Auston, Fred Goodwins, James Kelly, John Rand, and Frank Coleman. Ed. Brewster is technical director; Al. Couderc, scenic artist ; Billy Foster and Roland Totherch, cameramen, and Charles Levin, superintendent of laboratories. The plant, which was opened on March 27, following Chaplin signing his contract on ]\Iarch 20, was built by the Climax Company, and is of sufficient size that Chaplin can turn around without striking his shoes against anything. The company has now completed four two-reel subjects, including " The Floorwalker," " The Fireman," " The Vagabond," and another, title of which has not been selected. Conveniently located on the boulevard half way between Los Angeles and Hollywood, is the new producing plant of the Mabel Normand Film Company. The production here is under the supervision of ■Mack Sennett, with Ham^pton Del Ruth as manager of production. Playing opposite Miss Normand, who will be featured in all subjects, is Wheeler Oakman, and a supporting cast of wellknown players. The company is now at work on its first production, which will be released through the Triangle shortly. The plant consists of a very conveniently arranged building, approximately 100 by 175 feet in size. The dressing rooms, scene docks and office are at one side of the stage, with a very attractive pergola at the end, which the players use as a green room while waiting for scenes. The Interior Stage of the L-KO-Universal Studio The property of the Selig Polyscope Company, consists of thirtyfive acres. A zoo and public park, with a studio in a separate enclosure adjoining, was completed during the present year, and formal public opening was made in August. The studio has been changed but little in the year, it having been completed prior to the time the construction work of the zoo property was taken up. The great collection of animals found here number more than seven hundred in all, and consist of more than two hundred varieties. The buildings are all of mission style architecture, with the exception of the entrance, which was designed and built under the special supervision of an Italian sculptor of note, the entrance being decorated with life sized studios of a number of the animals to be seen in the zoo. .'\t the present time James L. McGee is general manager of the Selig Polyscope Company interests ; Thomas S. Nash, manager