Motography (Jan-Jun 1914)

May 30, 1914. MOTOGRAPHY 393 Brevities of the Business PERSONAL NOT US. Alec Lorimore and his cigar are favorably known to all members of the motion picture film industry in New York. And, while the ever-ready cigar may not have sent its smoke through the mail to those of the industry whose headquarters are not in New York, the modest signature, "A. L.," which trails at the bottom of the polite missives sent out from the Gaumont offices, has found its way to nearly all film quarters in other cities. Therefore, is the name Alec Lorimore widely known. The owner of the name, and the cigar, is one of the Beau Brummels of the film business. Like Jack Barrymore, he ever looks the pink of perfect grooming No dust speck would ever dare sully the Lorimore collar, nor does the fresh ruddiness of the Lorimore skin ever suggest the need of a shave. And the sleekness of the blond hair that waves backward from a side-part, is ever just like that — sleek, in backward waves. His sanctum is the first door to the right from the Gaumont reception room, on the sixteenth floor of the World Tower building, at 110 West Fortieth street, New York, and there he is to be found from 9 till 9, in the substantial mahogany chair, behind the substantial, mahogany desk, which stands cross-ways in the corner. A smile that is pleasant, a hand-shake that is warm, and a welcome that is inviting go to make a Lorimore greeting and to these three attributes and the ambition to achieve, the recent improvement in Gaumont posters and Gaumont service can be readily traced. Gaumont's interests have been those of Mr. Lorimore for three years. He is a thorough film man who hails from London but who on his arrival, took advantage of his right to American citizenship. A capable man and trust-worthy, is Mr. Lorimore. And one of general liking, as well. This tall, clean cut, dark haired gentleman is none other than Arthur H. Sawyer, founder and proprietor of Sawyer, Inc., distributor of the six-reel Hefco production "The Lightning Conductor," in which Dustin Farnum is being featured. Mr. Sawyer claims Portland, Maine, as his birthplace, though he was educated in Boston, and began his business career in New York City. Following his brief career as an ordinary business man, a whirl at playwriting, a spell at acting on the legitimate stage, and a short period as a press agent, Mr. Sawyer became one of the original Kinemacolorites and assisted in establishing the first American office for this concern, some four years ago. He has lectured on pictures, operated a projection machine and is a general authority on whatever pertains to the making or showing of films. After becoming general manager of the Kinemacolor Company and "right hand man" to President Barnard. Mr. Sawyer suddenly decided to go into business for himself and straightway resigned his position, dropped temporarily out of sight, and now bobs up again as the head of Sawyer, Inc. Already he has a brace of big film productions to offer the states rights man, of which more will be said later. Sawyer, Inc., is sure to play a big part in the film history of this country, that is now in the making. Harry Reichenbach, manager of publicity for the Jesse L. Lasky Feature Play Company, has prepared1 a lobby display for the week of the Strand's showing of "The Master Mind" that will cause general comment, so Mr. Reichenbach says. "If it doesn't, I'll never again engage in the noble work of uplift," lie declares. The lobby pictures are to be transparent with lights back of them. Mrs. Lerch, mother of William Russell of the Biograph Company and of Al Russell, also known in pictures, died May 11 at her home in the Bronx, New York. The interment took place at Greenwood cemetery. The many friends of both the Russells extend them their sympathy. Lerch is the family name of the Russells, the latter having been assumed when the boys entered the theatrical field. Miriam Nesbitt and Marc MacDermott, so well and favorably known through the medium of Edison films, left the Bronx studio to attend the motion picture ball at the Coliseum in Chicago, last week. They both report having had a splendid time. Alice Joyce and Tom Moore, popular as leads in Kalem films, were married May 11 in Jacksonville, Fla., where they have been for some months at the Kalem studio. Mr. and Mrs. Moore have worked together in so many romances before the camera, that there is no great surprise expressed at the little romance of their own which brought about their marriage. They have the best wishes of many friends and enthusiasts, both in and out of the film industry. Thomas Ross, before going west to work in "The Only Son" film for the Lasky Feature Play Company, took six lessons at a school for the deaf, in the Bronx. Mr. and Mrs. Max Figman (Lolita Robinson) left May 18 for the studio of the Lasky Feature Play Company, where they will play leads in "The Man on the Box" and later, in other successes in which they appeared on the legitimate stage. Eagle Eye is sure the "fall guy" of the Mutual studios. He lately took an almost sheer drop of 75 feet and then got up and did it all over again just to please the cameraman. Don't some people's tastes climb high ! Jack Noble's ability in directing Mutual pictures has bumped into a wall of suspicion. His extensive knowledge of the "business" has made several actors want to "gimlet eye" his past record. Nothing more serious than an honorable discharge from the U. S. Army has been discovered yet. Walter Stanhope, "Griffith's right hand man," derives much joy from seeing some up-stage "legit" trying to get by in pantomime with a broken-down voice and a chorus of heartracking sobs. Vice-Consul Rice K. Evans of Sheffield, Eng., writes that stories based on historical events will be the future sellers in Engand. But then, you know, an Englishman never could quite get to the bottom of fiction. Laura Sawyer was an interested witness of her barefoot travels through "A Woman's Triumph" at its initial showing in Famous Players' studio May 12. Nothing personal, you understand, but Laura looks a lot better in her 1914 clothes. Sydney Ayres non-appearance in recent Flying A releases has been the cause of many inquiries at the American's offices lately. Mr. Ayres is now on the other side of the camera but intends, later on, to act as well as direct. A New York vaudeville and picture theater recently had a novel feature on its program. The sketch is of a burglar, physically weak, who, when discovered, drops in an epileptic fit. During the spell of unconsciousness he has a vision of his arrest and conviction. This is told in motion pictures on the screen. The screen then goes up and the sketch again continues with the burglar recovering consciousness. The million dollars is slowly but surely leaving "The Million Dollar Mystery." $200,000 went like a sneeze before even a handle was turned — and for one piece of scenery, too. M. E. Hoffman, who has been advertising manager for the World Film Corporation, has resigned. Charles D. Shrady has been engaged for the position. In the absence of Universal Ike Carney who has left the company, Harry Edwards will direct Louise Glaum and a young actor, Bob Fuerer, and the latter will be known as Universal Ike Junior. The first production under the altered conditions is "Too Much Mother-in-law." Louise made such an impression with her quaint little country girl dress and ringlets in "Almost an Actor" that she will make a study of similar characters opposite "Ike Junior" which is quite pleasing news.