Motography (Jan-Mar 1916)

390 MOTOGRAPHY Vol. XV, No. 8. work has been done in Chicago. And who is there to say that George K. Spoor is wrong? A while ago the Selig company closed the Chicago studios of that concern and all producing was done on the Pacific coast except when companies were sent out to new locations. Now it is stated that "The Crisis," the next great production of the "Diamond S" company, will be made in Chicago. It is likely that many other pictures will be produced there, once they get the plant in operation again. But whether that is done or not, it virtually is assured that Chicago always will be the distribution headquarters of the Selig company. And because this policy has won for these companies, other concerns are beginning to realize that Los Angeles is too far from Broadway, or rather, Broadway is too far from Los Angeles. There is too much waste of time and money in distribution. This matter within a short time will be placed before the Chicago Association of Commerce and it is likely that some action of material importance to the trade will be taken. Much Chicago Capital Invested Now as to capital. It is a stated fact that for years Chicago has invested more money in the motion picture business than any other city in the country. Chicago money has made many of the New York concerns possible. These concerns need not be named, as the facts are too well known. Recently, when it became necessary to obtain capital for the organization of "special" companies, the organizers sought out Chicago bankers and got the money. That the stock of several of these concerns was subscribed several times over is a matter of record. That the men behind the companies were farsighted and wise in the business is proven by the startlingly high dividends that these companies paid. This does not hold true of all companies organized on Chicago capital. This is not a suggestion that irresponsible persons open stock selling offices in Chicago. But those concerns that are organized for the purpose of doing things have little trouble in getting money in Chicago. And while on the subject, it might be well to mention at this point a few men of the more recent motion picture period as representative of those to whom the country owes much of its picture prosperity. Most of us know of the sudden interest John Burnham, the Chicago banker, took in the business. The story of the organization of the company to exploit "The Million Dollar Mystery" is history. His other interests in the industry make him one of the most important financial figures in motion picture circles. But the "man behind" must not be overlooked. The man who saw the possibilities in this line of promotion is the one to whom most of the credit must be given. And he seldom is mentioned in print. Ever hear of "Joe" Finn? If you have had anything to do with advertising you have. He is the man who a few years ago began to study the motion picture business with both eyes on the future. And he saw Chicago the cinema capital. Then he went to work on that basis. What he has done, constructively, is known to nearly everyone in the trade. If he has had a failure, it is not in the records. And all of his efforts have been before the public as he was one of the first to realize the value of consistent and constructive advertising of films and film companies. And his dream is coming true. He has not said it yet. But others, considered even more important in the manufacturing end of the business, are saying it just as did the man who made the statement quoted in the beginning of this article. Home of Mutual President And when "Joe" Finn is mentioned, the name of John R. Freuler comes to mind. True, he is much older in the business than is Mr. Finn. He might be called one of the pioneers even. But he is young in spirit. He is progressing. A short time ago he became president of the Mutual corporation and what he is doing to force his concern to the front and keep it there is important to those who are anxious to see Chicago the motographic metropolis. For Mr. Freuler's heart is in the Middle West. He is a Chicagoan first. His association with S. S. Hutchinson in the American and North American companies have taught him the importance of Chicago as a film distributing center. A short time ago, Lewis J. Selznick, who is now president and general manager of the Clara Kimball Young Film Corporation, desired to form another producing company to make pictures for the World program of which he was general manager. He came in contact with Arthur H. Spiegel, head of the Spiegel, May, Stern Company of Chicago. Mr. Spiegel became interested and the Equitable Motion Pictures Corporation was born with Mr. Spiegel as the head. Within the last few weeks there has been a reorganization. The World and Equitable companies have been combined and the Chicagoan is the head of both companies. So it is not unlikely that when the Association of Commerce gets to work on the plan that is to be presented to it, this great organization may be made to see the advisability of moving to the metropolis of motography. In the early days of the American company, two brothers, the Shellenbergers, were living in Chicago. They put up a small amount of money and almost overnight made so much out of it that they decided that motography was to be their business for life. It is said that W. E. Shellenberger, through his various motion picture interests, has become very rich. That would not be for Motography to state even if the facts were at hand. However, he is the head of the Arrow Film Corporation, manufacturing films for Pathe release and is another man the Commerce body would do well to interest in returning to the home town. These are but a few of the Chicagoans who have made motion pictures the fourth or fifth industry in the United States. There have been and are many others. The prophet may be scorned but he is willing to be if his prediction comes as near being true as did that of Spoor, the Cochranes, the Shellenbergers, Hutchinson, Selig, Laemmle, and the others. The Matter of Censorship While on this subject it might be well to mention the drawback. Every plan must have a drawback. Otherwise it wouldn't be interesting. When the Association of Commerce and the banking interests take up the matter of inducing motion picture companies to move to Chicago, as surely will be done, and on a comprehensive scale in the near future, some action should be taken regarding local censorship. Only recently in Los Angeles, it became necessary for the producers to organize in defense of this evil and throw up their trenches. The warfare in the Pacific coast city became