Motography (Jan-Jun 1914)

62 MOTOGRAPHY Vol. XI, Xo. 2 Power knew what little there was to know about motion pictures in the days of 1897; his knowledge dating back to seven years previous to that. Those were the good old days when he and "Pop" Rock and "Pop" Lubin had a little office on Nassau street, where they bought and sold films. Then the parting of the ways came and Mr. Power's inventive genius made him parent to the majority of improvements on various projection machines. The Power machine was put on the market and from time to time improvements were made upon it. The machine grew in popularity, Mr. Power waxed richer in new ideas as to what additions would make it even better and he points to the present-day 6A as one of the results of his work of years. Other results of which he speaks— as he speaks of anything concerning himself, sparsely, are the five floors of whirring machinery and busy men which go to make up the Power plant. As the three imperative elements to success, he quotes — "careful buying, manufacturing without waste and selling with a conscience." For to be successful and be happy at the same time, one must possess a conscience, he contends. His favorite motto, and be believes in it explicitly, is "Live and let live" and he believes in the Golden Rule. The man who applies these two standards to himself and measures up to them in the light of his own conscience, has no need of sermons or church, says Mr. Power. "The way to rise is not to push the other fellow down, but to give him a hand whenever possible and you'll get there as quickly as the fellow who rushes over everybody in his mad haste to get there first. "I've worked days and nights until I was too nervous to either eat or sleep, this to keep pace with the other fellow, for I knew the minute I let go a bit, there was somebody waiting to take what I was trying to keep. It's been a hard pull, but I can honestly say I have never sacrificed anybody for anything I have." Mr. Power declares his hobby to be work with compass and pencil. He'd rather be left to himself and his desk than to auto, or to play golf, or to indulge in any of the other popular recreations. He owns an automobile, to be sure, and his older daughter ■ — he has two — knows everything possible about it and besides, can take a type-writer or clock apart and put them together again, showing she "takes after father." Mr. Power has a sure cure for the "blues," which he admits having at times. "I lock myself in this room, take a pad, and my working tools and in half an hour I'm feeling great ! My thoughts have become so concentrated that the 'blues' just die a natural death." Mr. Power and his family travel a great deal and Mr. Power confesses to being as devoted to his wife now as when they were married. When travelling, he finds his greatest rest and best time for work and never returns from a trip that he hasn't made an inventive discovery. Famous Players Present Cyril Scott Following John Barrymore in the famous romantic comedy, "An American Citizen," the Famous Players will release on January 20, Cyril Scott in Louis Joseph Vance's popular novel, "The Day of Days." Cyril Scott, who won such sensational success on the stage in "The Prince Chap," "The Lottery Man," "The Royal Mounted," and other famous plays, is ideally cast in "The Day of Days" as a young bookkeeper named Perceval, who doesn't know what an adventure is until fate chooses him as the central character in one of the strangest plots ever written about the life of the metropolis. The story develops into a panorama of emotions, a kaleidoscopic drama with New York at night as a background. Rarely have more exciting incidents been produced on the screen. The story may be summed up as a metropolitan extravaganza of adventure. Cyril Scott as Perceval, who is suddenly catapulted out of an uneventful life into a series of thrilling heroics, in which he wins fortune and love, renders one of the most interesting characterizations he has ever portrayed. Union Film Company Growing The Union Film Company, 166 West Washington street, Chicago, has been formed to give a regular service of features to exhibitors. A representative of the company states that if a man is using 28 reels at the present time, it can give him sufficient reels or include a feature every day, if same is required, and give him the same number of reels per week, so that there is no additional expense for features. Joseph Hopp, formerly president of the Standard Film Exchange, is treasurer of the new film company, William A. Hopp is president, M. F. Redon is secretary and Carl Harthill is general manager. The company has very attractive offices and has rented additional floor space in which they propose to build a special exhibition room, equipped with two machines, and allow the exhibitor to look at the product before he books it. Pathe Camera Man in Mexican Battle Pathe's Weekly camera men are evidently a live lot. Following on Miller's feat in Trinidad, Colo., of being in the midst of a battle between strikers and deputy sheriffs, comes news from the Texas man, Steene, to the effect that he crossed over into Mexico from Laredo and got mixed up in a hot battle between federals and rebels. Several telegrams were recently received from him the latest reading as follows : Fighting here continuously. Got 100 meters this a. m. Was only 200 yards from the firing line showing both rebels and federals in hot action. Fall of city seems certain within a day or two. Strongly urge you to let me stay here. Good stuff. Another telegram states that about 200 men have fallen in the battle. The Pathe people are looking forward with interest to Steene's films. Vitagraph to Feature Comedy Sidney Drew will soon appear in the comedy. "A Model Young Man," one he has presented and performed in before theater audiences in ever}' known part of the world. It has been reconstructed for moving pictures and will be produced in the usual Vitagraph style, making it one of the most laughable comedies of the year. The original play was written by Jacques Futrelle, the celebrated short-story writer, who lost his life on the Titanic. Mr. Drew made a place for himself on the sage and he has never been replaced. In his unique and special line of parts he has no equal. Already he has become in moving pictures a model comedian who has individuality of expression, which has proven a revelation, in the subtlity of the art of naturalness, so essential to the silent drama.