Motography (Jan-Jun 1915)

WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE NICKELODEON Vol. XIII CHICAGO, APRIL 10, 1915 No. 15 Four Big Companies Open Own Offices AND OTHER IMPORTANT NEWS THE many rumors which have been afloat for *■ some time that several of the licensed manufacturers were to unite in a new feature combination have materialized. Announcement made in the East shows that the Vitagraph, Selig, Essanay and Lubin Companies will, in the future, release all their special feature productions direct to the exhibitor through offices of their own, and a story on a different page in this issue of Motography contains a definite announcement as to the policy of the Lubin Company, which has opened offices in the Mecca building at 1600 Broadway, New York City, and will handle all the Lubin masterpiece films from there and other branches which the Lubin Company will establish, renting films direct to the exhibitor. The Broadway Star Features, releasing the big multiple reel productions of the Vitagraph studios, has taken headquarters in the same building, and it is expected will soon announce the opening of other offices throughout the country for the handling of those Vitagraph films considered too long to be put out through the General Film Company. It is also understood that Essanay and Selig are to open offices, either by themselves or in conjunction with the other manufacturers, for the purpose of releasing direct to the exhibitor all the big films made under those brands. Estimates as to the capitalization of the new combination run anywhere from $5,000,000 to $50,000,000, though the exact figure is a matter that has not been made public. Emphasis must be laid on the fact that the new plan of operation will not in any way interrupt the regular releases of Vitagraph, Lubin, Essanay and Lubin on the General program, since these four manufacturers will as before put out their regular one and two reel pictures in the usual fashion, and the big features only are to be handled independent of the General Film Company. Manufacturers Favor a Federal Censor At a meeting held at the Hotel Astor, New York City, on the afternoon of March 24, which was attended by representatives of practically every big film manufacturing company in the country, it was decided that, while there was no need for any censorship of motion pictures, it was advisable, in deference to public opinion, to institute a movement for the appointment of a federal board of censorship. Marc Klaw presided during the meeting and the commit ; which reported upon conditions in regard to censorship consisted of J. J. Kennedy, H. E. Aitken, P. A. Powers, Adolph Zukor and J. E. Brulatour. After the committee had declared that they believed the movement to establish a federal censor board was advisable, a vote was taken, which resulted in the unanimous approval of the committee's decision. Those present at the meeting were : J. J. Kennedy, General Film Company; H. E. Aitken, Mutual Film Company ; Joseph Brant, Universal Film Manufacturing Company ; Adolph Zukor, Famous Players Film Company; Mark Brock, Paramount Film Company; J. E. Brulatour, Peerless Film Company and Raw Stock Supply Company; William Fox, Fox Film Corporation ; C. Livingston, Thanhouser Film Company ; W. W. Irvine, Vitagraph Company ; J. A. McKinney, Universal Film Company ; Richard A. Roland, Metro Film Company; E. D. McGovern, New York Motion Picture Corporation ; Robert T. Kane, Prohibition Film Company; William Steiner, Photo Drama Company; William Schimpf, General Film Producing Company ; A. Polacoff, Quality Feature Film Company; P. A. Parsons, Pathe Exchange; P. G. Melies, Melies Manufacturing Company; William J. Lee, Picture Playhouse Film Company; Harry R. Raver, Itala Film Company ; Samuel Goldfish, Lasky Feature Film Company; F. E. Kahn, Mutual Film Company ; J. R. Freuler, American Film Manufacturing Company ; J. P. Dunning, Reliance Film Company ; A. T Cobe, Alliance Film Company; Aubrey Mittenthal, Mittenthal Film Company; D. W. Griffith, Majestic Film Company; Charles S. Jamison, Equitable Film Producing Company; A. Blinkhorn, Blinkhorn Photo Play Corporation ; E. M. Saunders, Metro Film Company; D..MacDonald and H. G. Kosch, Alliance Film Company; E. D. Horkheimer, Balboa Amusement Company ; H.J. Streyckmans, Progressive Motion Picture Company; ~F. C. Liebow, Liebow & Apple Feature Film Company; E. J. Doolittle, Blinkhorn Photo Play Company ; M. E. Marsh, E. & W. Laboratory, and Philip Lewis, Lewis Pennant Features. Back with the Universal A telegram received at the New York offices of the Universal from President Laemmle indicates that that busy individual has taken a few moments off from the festivities and functions marking the formal opening of Universal City as a municipality, to transact a little outside business. Mr. Laemmle expected to see the Smalleys when he reached California, and they had made plans to see him. It did not take them long, therefore, to come to