Motion Picture News (Sept-Oct 1918)

September 28 , 1 9 / 8 1997 What Kind of a Fellow Is— Willat? WE are almost willing to wager that the heading above this page marks the first time that the name " Willat " has appeared in a news story without its natural-born prefix — " Doc." There are film men on Broadway who couldn't give you a single word in answer to the question " What Kind of a Fellow Is — Willat? " But we'll bet cur Sunday shirt that there isn't a film man who has been on Times Square long enough to cut his wisdom teeth who can't answer the query " What Kind of a Fellow Is — 'Doc' Willat?" He'll tell you first, quickly and emphatically, that " Doc " is a regular fellow. And secondly, and with equal emphasis, he'll let you know that in knowledge of the technical side of motion pictures " Doc " stands right at the top. And he'll be right on both counts 1 " Doc " came into the picture business in the days when you didn't just rent film — you had to also rent the machine along with the film. The machines were few — and it was the privilege of using one that you were paying for just as much as the film. " Doc " secured his pictures — and the machine — from Vitagraph. He used the Armory at New Britain, Connecticut, for his show. The way the coins rolled into his box office conv i n c e d " Doc " that the picture business must be something worth looking into still further. That was back in 1908, but "Doc" didn't decide, as so many did, that the " movies " were just a passing freak, or that his own future in it was limited to running such shows as the Armory. No siree 1 "Doc" decided that the picture game looked good enough to learn it from the bottom up. He sold out his interest in the exhibiting end and lost his interest in New Britain — coming to New York to gather allaround knowledge as a general utility man for Vitagraph. A few years Being a Glance at the Real Human Side of the Big Men of the Picture Game Caught in Action I was one of the early producers of moton pictures. Enjoy Motoring with Vitagraph found " Doc " with enough knowledge to help organize Carl Laemmle's famous " Imp " Company. " Doc's " interests were now definitely with the independents, as he went from the "Imp" to join hands in the reorganization of the New York Motion Picture Corporation. Remember those trademarks— Broncho, Domino, Keystone? " Doc " next cast his eye on Fort Lee, then used extensively for exterior work, and possessing only one small studio and laboratory. The Willat Studios and Laboratories were the result— and, though this plant was constructed some four or five years ago, there are many who will tell you that it is still one of the finest in the country. The next thing we knew " Doc " was talking nothing but natural color pictures. We learned that he had cast his lot with the Technicolor process, and since then his every effort has been spent on natural color and Technicolor — which " Doc " says are synonymous. Technicolor has completed a sevenpart production, " The Gulf Between," which will play the Klaw and Erlanger circuit. At present the process requires a special projector, but plans now being worked out will make it possible for the company to produce a regular line of productions available for all houses. Or else the process may be leased to other producers. Thirty-two different patents control the process — all in the hands of eight men, of whom " Doc " is one. Aside from the patents, the Willat fad seems to be clubs — for " Doc " is on the roster of the New York Athletic, the Friars, Elks, Volney, National Vaudeville Artists, and probably as many more that we can't recall, not to mention the Benedicts' Club — for " Doc " strolled to the altar rail eleven years ago with the daughter of the late William Rock, of Vitagraph. If he isn't on the (C o n t in u e d on page 1998) puttintb on 3 pit the government. wmmnBiiniiiiuiuuiiiiiiiiiiiiBUY LIBERTY BONDS"ni!iiiniiiiiiiiiiii'iiiiiiuHi.iiiiiiiii::u!miii'iiiiii!iii